Asthma and allergy
Since my early teens I’ve suffered from a fairly mild dose of asthma, which improved greatly after moving from a high pollen area to a coastal zone.
After having allergy tests, I discovered that the things I’m most sensitive to are cat dander, dust mite and some particular grasses. Interestingly enough, I still have a cat in the house, and obviously have to mow from time to time, so I still have a moderate exposure to allergens! These tend to cause flare ups in allergic responses such as itchy eyes and sneezing though, and don’t tend to make me wheezy.
Exposure and Triggers
I’ve often wondered about other ways to minimise exposure. In the case of dust mite, it has been suggested to change from carpets to floor boards. Seriously, not going to happen! Maybe it depends more on how severe your asthma symptoms are as to the extent to which people go to minimise exposure to triggers.
I’m reminded of a recent lady who brought her daughter in, quite wheezy, and explained that the house was full of mould and damp wallpaper, but there was nothing they could do about it. Hmmmmm. Now I’d have to suggest that in this particular case, moving house is in order!
But I digress. Emergency departments treat asthmatics very, very frequently, with varying degrees of problems that range from a simple cough to near complete airway closure. In fact, according to the National Asthma Council, the prevalence of asthma in Australia is relatively high by international standards, with 14 – 16% of children (one in six) and 10 – 12% of adults (one in nine) being affected. Additionally, there is a strong link between asthma and allergy – more than 80% of people with asthma have evidence of allergic sensitisation.
I’ve often wondered about use of other methods, such as air purifiers in helping with reducing symptoms of asthma. Have any of you tried these or other methods? (You can find the profile of EcoQuest here, a company who makes air purifiers). I guess for me personally my symptoms are not severe enough to warrant any further preventative intervention, but for many it is probably worth trying.
What are your experiences with use of preventors to minimise allergic or asthmatic flare ups? Any things that you have found to work better than others?
I’ve suffered from asthma my whole life, had my first hospital stint at 14 months and have had plenty more since!
My main trigger is sudden weather changes. If it’s been a warm day and the temperature drops quickly once it gets dark, inevitably I will get wheezy. I’ve had the allergy skin test done a couple of times and my arm lights up like a Christmas tree, I’m allergic to pretty much everything!
I can’t live in a bubble though, so I rely on my meds to see me through. I’ve been on almost every asthma medication there’s been, including Singulair for a spell (though it didn’t help my asthma much).
I’m about to switch from Seretide to Symbicort, as my respiratory doctor thinks the benefit of Symbicort (that it can be used to relieve mild asthma symptoms in place of Ventolin) is greater than taking Seretide and Ventolin together. Her logic is that you get the benefit of a fast-acting reliever in the Symbicort, plus a dose of corticosteroid. For me, I’ll also take the Symbicort once in the morning and once at night as a regular dose.
So! I’ll document how the Symbicort goes for my next visit to her in 4 months time, and fingers crossed I get through autumn ok!