Today, the Florida Lung, Asthma and Sleep Specialists (FLASS) continues our special set of March articles on the topic of asthma.
Although statistics tell us that one in twelve Americans suffer with asthma, we do not really know the causes.
Research scientists and geneticists are constantly working on the answers.
For example, only last month, researchers announced a possible new target for treating asthma.
Scientists at the University of Colorado School of Medicine at the Anschutz Medical Campus have discovered the protein Muc 5AC “plays a critical role in airway hyperreactivity.”
They added that this is “a characteristic feature of asthma that makes it difficult to breathe.”
The studies will need much more work, but the Florida Lung, Asthma and Sleep Specialists will continue to bring you breaking stories. At this point, their experiments with mice show “that genetic removal of Muc 5AC eliminated airway hyperreactivity.” Deep readers will appreciate reading the details of this 2015 study at this reliable online source.
As we await the results of these and many other asthma studies, we appreciate that we do know what leads to an asthma attack: Triggers!
Is Your Home a Trigger Jungle?
An ordinary home is a potential jungle of triggers to the asthma patient.
Jill Heins, director of Respiratory Health for the Amrican Lung Association of the Upper Midwest states, said, “Many asthma triggers are hiding in plain sight, in the bedroom, common living spaces, the kitchen and also in the bathrooms.”
You can watch videos as well as learn more about triggers at this informative source.
In our previous blog, we explained If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with asthma, you should be aware that “Triggers” can be anything, and a patient’s exposure to them causes a flare up of symptoms.
Once you have your treatment plan from FLASS, of course you will have medicine to control your symptoms when they flare, but would it not be better to prevent the exposure to triggers in the first place? Dr. Heins thinks so, She states,”limiting exposure to asthma triggers is key to preventing asthma attacks.”
At FLASS, we help you understand that asthma management involves more than medication therapy. Proper management of your disease involves the avoidance of triggers.
Know The Most Common Triggers In The Household Jungle!
Let us review some of the typical indoor triggers:
- Dust mites
- House Dust: Be careful to keep shades or blinds dusted. Curtains and drapes are not recommended.
- Mold: Check your bathrooms, kitchen cabinets, porches, laundry rooms.
- Strong odors: Any fragrance source can be a trigger: candles, incense, room sprays, cleaning supplies.
- Pet dander: Many things associated with Fido, Polly or Fluffy can be a trigger: pet hair, feathers, droppings, clay litter dust, cat boxes, dog beds
- Cigarette smoke
- Cockroach parts and droppings
- Just as chest infections and cold weather can be triggers in the winter season, springtime brings its own set of asthma triggers. Read more about them because they are all on the way to us at this time of year!
The list above includes are many of the most obvious triggers, but did you know that not everyone has everyone has the same asthma triggers?
At FLASS, we have seen patients who make asthma symptoms worse because they do not, or can not, recognize and neutralize the constant triggers in their environment. However, when a family member is diasgnosed, transforming the home into a trigger-free environment can be a daunting task.
First Things First
If you have decided to demolish the asthma triggers in the home, what is your first priority? You or your loved one who has been diagnosed with asthma should begin by creating a trigger-free environment for sleeping.
According to Dr. Heins, the most bothersome triggers in the bedroom are dust mites and pets.
Tips For Banishing Asthma Triggers from the Bedroom.
1. Rip out the wall-to-wall carpet. If this is impossible, then keep it very clean and vacuum it at least weekly.
2. Purchase allergen-free covers for the pillows and mattresses.
3. Wash the bedding and stuffed animals once a week, in hot water.
4. We are sorry, but Fido, Fluffy and Polly must never be allowed in the bedroom.
Even an Air Purifier with Hepa filter is a good idea, at least for the sleeping room.
We invite you to study more practical tips for managing asthma at the BeSmartBeWell online resource.
