How to find out what triggers asthma (allergy, cold, hair)
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When asking about air quality and asthma, several people have told me that it depends on what triggers the asthma for the individual person. Is there a test or something that a doctor can give to determine what triggers a person's asthma?
First they will probably test the person for allergies to see what they are allergic to. Then they will monitor their peak flow if they do have asthma and see when it declines what is causing it. Asthma could be exercise induced or allergy induced. I have a child w/ asthma and allergies and hers is allergy induced. Right now she is fighting w/ her allergies and has the barky seal cough that can accompany her asthma. Very seldom does she get short of breath when running a lot, she plays soccer. Finding a good allergy/asthma doctor is going to be key.
Go to an allergist/immunologist/pulmonologist specialist. I know it sounds weird but most doctors who treat any one of these areas will get patients within all three and there are many physicians who hold all those credentials. They will no doubt allergy test you and there are things you can do to avoid lots of triggers and meds to take to control symptoms.
doesnt quick bouts of stress trigger asthma sometimes? meaning, like if something scares someone, its triggers it?
basicly like i told another poster, eliminate all things perfume,animals, smoke.
keep house vacumed,feed healthy foods, when a cold comes on, give real juice,never let them go outside with wet hair, or bare feet...if they come in sweaty, dry them fast.
i remeber when the doctor tried to find out what my mom was alergic to, they pocked a bunch of holes in her back and would put things like chocolate, bananas, different things to see what swelled... may be kind of extreme, but thats what they did for her
That's an interesting point, ladyprime. My hubby's finally finished with the no pre-existing conditions limit on our insurance, so he can get that allergy test in August! Yay!
A doctor can attempt to tell the patient what is triggering the attacks, With me, I could tell what was and he just confirmed it, as to when I was having them. I didn't need a rocket scientist to tell me that exposure to cigarette smoke especially in closed areas was a major trigger with mine, as well as strong perfumes, My body had little control if those triggers were around me in the open, but when in a restaurant, or say perfume when I am in a car with someone, or in the tight fitting cubicle world of office bldgs, triggered mine. I literally can no longer go into a restaurant if smoking is in a bar section of that restauant and not in the restaruant section, my sensitivity is that severe to the smoke. I live in Portland, it has a very large population of smokers something I have never understood, since it is suppose to be a health conscious city, We do not have a non smoking ban in this state, if a restaurant has a bar and most do here, there is smoke, I can't even go out here to most places. The only test I had for asthma, and it doesn't detect what triggers it was the test, the air blowing one that confirmed the asthma.
That's strange, oregonrain, smoke doesn't bother my husband at all! Dead grass and exercise are definates, but I do think that certain foods trigger it. I'd like to know what foods they are. It's funny that it's one issue, but so different in each person.
That's strange, oregonrain, smoke doesn't bother my husband at all! Dead grass and exercise are definates, but I do think that certain foods trigger it. I'd like to know what foods they are. It's funny that it's one issue, but so different in each person.
I'm glad your husband will be getting tested, and the allergy test should help you discover or even just verify most of his food and environmental triggers. I agree with Oregonrain about finding one's own triggers. No test can find all the triggers. A patient is his own best detector of triggers. You might try keeping a journal or list of suspected triggers. Avoid them at all costs until after visiting the doctor. Some medications will make it possible to have contact with certain triggers, but some triggers (especially food) may have to be avoided forever. Don't worry, this avoidance becomes second nature. Also, allergies can develop at any time, so being aware of new and old triggers is a life-long process.
I agree with the others about finding a specialist. Ask around and find the best in your community. Find one that is open and easy to work with because asthma is such an individual disease. They need to be flexible and the kind of doctor who stays up on new advancements. For example, allergy shots are almost deadly for me, so my doctor created a treatment plan that works for me. My asthma (allergy-induced, exercise-induced, and eczema flairing with asthma flairs), is more controlled than it has been in my life because I have a wonderful doctor and am diligent about my medications and avoiding triggers.
I also saw some statistics that said 85 percent of allergies are cause from dust and dirt found within ones own home. Be sure to clean all ceiling fans/box fans blades regularly. Keep your house vacuumed, and lysoled. Change your bedding every 2-3 weeks. It may help improve. It worked for my friend. She had allergies her whole life, and stuck to these rules. Things have improved for her.
doesnt quick bouts of stress trigger asthma sometimes? meaning, like if something scares someone, its triggers it?
basicly like i told another poster, eliminate all things perfume,animals, smoke.
keep house vacumed,feed healthy foods, when a cold comes on, give real juice,never let them go outside with wet hair, or bare feet...if they come in sweaty, dry them fast.
i remeber when the doctor tried to find out what my mom was alergic to, they pocked a bunch of holes in her back and would put things like chocolate, bananas, different things to see what swelled... may be kind of extreme, but thats what they did for her
Interesting to think about, but some things everyone should know is that some of these are what they used to think 30 years ago. Medical knowledge has increased alot since then and they have found out that going outside barefoot, or going outside with wet hair does not trigger allergies.
What is in the grass or the air are more likely to cause a flare up than bare feet or wet hair.
Sometimes dairy products can cause allergies, cleaning products can trigger them too as well as Stress ( we all know that word ) ;p of course allergy testing isnt fun, no one likes needles. Hope all you sufferers get the right meds for your allergies because I know 1st hand that allergies and athsma are no fun at all.
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