Thanksgiving 2019 Holiday is the perfect time to express gratitude for our blessings. During this Thanksgiving holiday 2019, at Florida Lung Asthma and Sleep Specialists, we express our thanks to friends, family, patients, business partners, and associates.
Thanksgiving Holiday: Our Wishes and Gratitude
Our doctors and staff at FLASS annually choose this time of year to send you special appreciation. We are grateful to our patients and their families for their patronage, trust, and loyalty. Holiday blogs can be awkward. They might seem cliche or condescending. We do not want to be sentimental or simply superfluous. However, Thanksgiving is one of our favorite times of the year.
Accordingly, we try to show that gratitude is our attitude all year long. During this busy holiday, we often focus so much on the jobs and deadlines needed to create the holiday, that we actually lose the spirit of the holiday itself. At FLASS, we are hoping to avoid that syndrome. That’s why we are blogging out Thanksgiving gratitude in a salute to all the FLASS family. Just as we did a year ago, we sincerely appreciate all those patients, friends, patient’s families, and blog readers. They are the ones who have contributed to our success here in Orlando and Central Florida.
The Triggers of Thanksgiving 2019
Thanksgiving is also the perfect opportunity to remind friends and patients about triggers of asthma. Thanksgiving Season also brings many of these triggers. You see, people expect triggers in spring and summer. However, autumn brings many asthma triggers that might cause asthma attacks and allergy reactions.
“In the fall, there are numerous triggers that can make asthma worse.” These are the words of David L. Rosenstreich, MD, professor of medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He is chief of the division of allergy and immunology at the Montefiore Medical Center. And he is also the director of the Bronx Asthma Project in New York. “We see a lot more emergency room visits due to asthma starting in the fall.
Thanksgiving Asthma Triggers: The FLASS Hot List for 2019
Know Your Thanksgiving Asthma Triggers and Keep Your Rescue Inhaler Handy.
We all know Thanksgiving is about family, food, and travel. And those are the 3 top reasons we love the holiday. Yet our patients who suffer from allergies or asthma need to stay away from triggers. Many of these are varied as pumpkin pie and Grandmother’s dust-mite infested guest bedroom.
Dr. Myron Zitt is the past president of the Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI). He says asthmatics can still enjoy or Thanksgiving holiday. But care and pre-planning are key factors.
Thanksgiving Trigger 1.
Mold Messes with You! Autumn and the Thanksgiving Season arrives with a multitude of molds. Against mold, the best offense is a good defense. For example, you can utilize hypo-allergenic mattress covers and pillowcases. Likewise, you can turn on a dehumidifier in the basement. For more ways of making your house asthma friendly, read here.
Thanksgiving Trigger 2. That’s Not Queen Anne’s Lace
At a distance, ragweed looks like a field of lacy flowers similar to Queen Anne’s Lace or Baby’s Breath. But it is an allergy and asthma trigger that it can be as ugly as its real name. Avoidance of this trigger is essential. Gentle fall breezes can cause it to fly between10:00am to 3:00 p.m. Stay warm and cozy indoors. Likewise, you could use pre-treatment. However, it also helps steer clear of this asthma-inducing trigger.
“There are both prescription and non-prescription allergy medications available, including non-drowsy antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays. Wherever you live or vacation, figure out the season for this trigger and start taking these medications several days before the ragweed season starts — don’t wait until you have symptoms,” he adds.
Thanksgiving Trigger 3. Your Excuse not to Rake Leaves
It’s Not Just for Thanksgiving. Gratitude is Our Attitude.
Say “no” to dancing with the falling leaves! If you have asthma, chances are good you will need to avoid throwing, raking or rolling in the beautiful gold, red and orange leaves. Truly, it is what gives this season its beauty. Enjoy them at a distance. “Fall leaves can be breeding grounds for mold.” Rosenstreich says, “Not only can mold grow on wet, dead leaves, but its spores can also travel easily in the crisp fall air.”
Trigger 4. Back away from that Marshmallow Roasting
All around Florida, the Beachy bonfire becomes popular during holidays. Remember that smoke inhalation of any type can easily trigger asthma. Look at the smoke. And then, stand away to see the direction the wind is blowing. By standing away from the smoke, you can avoid the smoke and a reaction.
Trigger 5. (See Trigger 4!) Avoid that Homey Hearth
Your wood fireplace is also a source for smoke inhalation. You may think it is clean and does not make enough smoke for an asthma trigger! “Persistent exposure to fireplace smoke is associated with more severe asthma.” Wood is not the only possible culprit in the home arena of asthma triggers. “Kerosene and gas space heaters can also make asthma worse. Avoiding these heat sources altogether is the best way to prevent asthma.”
Trigger 6. Asthma VS Flu
Do not play catch with cold and flu viruses! Did you know that people with asthma tend to get much worse cases of flu? It is true, and that is why the Lung Doctors recommend being certain asthma patients are given their flu shots. The flu shot might help to lessen the severity of the virus of the flu you might contact in the average classroom, church or shopping mall.
Trigger 7. Use your muffler or scarf!
That icy chill is not just bracing! A blast of cold air, even without leaves or mold, can trigger asthma. All by itself. It is known that cold air can cause constriction of airways in the lungs. Sometimes, medical labs even use cold air to assist in diagnosing asthma. Thus,“When you have to go outdoors, try wrapping a scarf around your nose and mouth. This will help warm the air before you breathe it in.”
Thanksgiving 2019 Triggers — Beyond the Obvious
Watch Out For Food Allergies That Might Cause an Asthma Attack During Your Thanksgiving Feast.
Turkey Talk: Did you know manufacturers can pump those self-basting turkeys full of soy, wheat, and dairy? Try to purchase a natural turkey. It must contain nothing but turkey and water.
Potatoes: For allergen-free mashed potatoes, we suggest you remove milk and butter from your recipe. Substitute chicken broth and margarine. We also suggest substituting corn starch for wheat flour in any of your recipes. And we hate to appear non-traditional, but you should avoid the slivered almonds on top of that green bean casserole.
Thanksgiving Trigger 2019 Strategy
When it comes to asthma triggers, avoidance is your very best course of action. Nobody wants to spend Thanksgiving in the Emergency Room.
At this time, it is appropriate for the Florida Lung Doctors and their Staff to send their Thanksgiving Greetings to all of their patients, patients’ families, and all of our friends in Florida, in the USA, and in countries all around the world. We are genuinely grateful to you.
“To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant. To enact gratitude is generous and noble. But to live gratitude is to touch Heaven.” By Johannes A. Gaertner