Asthma and Humidity-Causes and Cures

A sudden asthma attack results from an upper respiratory tract infection or certain allergies. It can give rise to symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, etc. Read on to know to more about asthma attack symptoms. 

Asthma is a chronic disorder of the respiratory system, which causes inflammation of the airways (bronchial tubes). This leads to constriction and swelling of airways, causing difficulty in breathing. The causes of asthma are associated with genetic, chemical and environmental factors. Some common triggering factors for asthma are infections such as cold and flu, allergies to certain medicines, pollens, dust mites, food allergies, irritants such as cigarette smoke or dust and some chemicals. Asthma could also be caused by certain exercises performed in cold and dry air. When a person is exposed to any of the triggering factors, histamine and other agents are released by the body. This can cause inflammation of bronchial tubes, which leads to narrowing and clogging of the airways. It can give rise to symptoms such as breathlessness, coughing, wheezing and chest tightness. About 20.5 million people in the United States are diagnosed with asthma.

What is Asthma Attack?

Asthma attack or asthma exacerbation is caused by swelling and inflammation of airways. The narrowing of airways is caused by inflammation, hyperreactivity or bronchospasm. The inflammation of airways results from an exposure to allergens or irritants or from the action of chemical mediators such as histamine. The inflamed tissues produce thick, sticky mucus, which can cause clogging of the airways. This mucus may accumulate within the lungs, causing breathing difficulties. The tightened muscles are wrapped around the airways, which causes constriction of airways. Chronically inflamed bronchial tubes become extremely sensitive to allergens or irritants. This condition is known as ‘bronchial hyperreactivity’. Asthma attack is triggered by upper respiratory infections, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), inhaling dry and cold air and certain allergens such as pets, pollens, dust mites, molds and tobacco smoke.

Symptoms of Asthma Attack

During an acute asthma attack, a series of changes occur within the lungs and airways, which contribute to develop signs and symptoms of asthma attack. Inflammation, excess mucus production and bronchospasm can cause various signs and symptoms of asthma attack such as shortness of breath, wheezing and cough. The symptoms of asthma attack may vary in severity and duration from person to person. Early warning signs of asthma attack are headache, chronic cough, itchy throat, difficulty in talking, disturbed sleep patterns, difficulty in breathing, chest tightness and wheezing. Wheezing is one of the most frequently seen symptoms of asthma attack. It is a whistling or hissing sound that comes with breathing. Wheezing is heard usually during exhalation; however, it can also occur during inhaling. When these early signs of asthma attack are noticed, then one should seek immediate medical treatment in order to prevent severe asthma attacks. Mild asthma attacks are more commonly seen and they can be cured within a few hours after an appropriate treatment.

Severe asthma attacks are less frequent. However, they may last for a longer duration and require immediate medical treatment. The symptoms of severe asthma attack develop gradually and may become serious within 6-48 hours. There are certain signs that indicate worsening severity of asthma attack. These signs include a low peak expiratory flow (PEF) rate, increased pulse rate, increased wheezing, fatigue and restlessness.

In case of severe asthma attack, there may be life-threatening symptoms. Some typical symptoms of severe asthma attack are breathlessness, difficulty in talking, nasal flaring, increased pulse or heartbeat, chest pain, sweating and peak flow reading in the ‘red zone’. Silent chest is an important sign of severe asthma attack. There is no wheezing during inhalation or exhalation. There may be certain symptoms of cyanosis such as gray or bluish tint to skin, lips and nail beds. There may a feeling of anxiety, reduced alertness, severe drowsiness or confusion during severe asthma attack. An extremely severe asthma attack may lead to respiratory arrest and death. Asthma attack is considered a medical emergency and requires immediate medical assistance.

Treating Asthma Attack

The symptoms of asthma attack may resemble other respiratory disorders such as respiratory tract infection, bronchitis and emphysema. Hence, an accurate diagnosis of asthma is very essential to decide adequate treatment option. The severity of asthma symptoms is monitored with the help of pulmonary function tests, such as peak flow reading, spirometry, nitric oxide measurement and pulse oximetry. Asthma treatment focuses on managing the symptoms, maintaining normal lung function and preventing severe asthma attacks. Certain medications such as short-acting beta agonists, oral corticosteroids, leukotriene inhibitors such as montelukast and zileuton and methylxanthines can be used to reduce inflammation in an acute asthma attack. The use of HFA inhalers (hydrofluoroalkane) can help in controlling the symptoms of breathlessness. If symptoms of asthma attack are life-threatening, then intubation and mechanical ventilation become necessary to help breathing.

The best way to prevent an asthma attack is to avoid any contact with triggering factors. You need to identify the allergic triggers and avoid their exposure as much as possible. With the help of appropriate medical treatment, nutritious diet and a healthy lifestyle, you can prevent these troublesome symptoms of asthma attack.

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20 million Americans and 2.2 million Australian suffer from asthma. To begin to understand asthma you must start with the trigger and the effects of an attack.

As a parent with 3 children who suffer from asthma I appreciate the need to understand asthma and how to treat it.

The incidence of asthma has increase dramatically in Australia through out the 1980’s and 1990’s but seems to have levelled out since then. In Australia something like 2.2 million people suffers from Asthma, with the Indigenous people having a much high figure proportionate to their population.

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America 20 million Americans suffer from asthma.

What is Asthma?

Asthma is commonly divided into two types; allergy induced asthma and non- allergic asthma. Both result in the similar symptoms:
A dry, irritating, persistent cough, particularly at night, early morning
A tightness in the chest
A shortness of breath and
A wheeze when breathing

When then symptom occur a visit to your local G.P. is advised.

People with asthma have sensitive airways and these become restricted when exposed to certain triggers cause by both allergic and non-allergic reactions.

In an allergic reaction can be triggered by inhaling allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, pollen, mould and some food additives etc.

Non-allergic triggers could be things such as exercise, stress, anxiety, cold air, dry air, smoke, chemicals such as perfumes and other irritants.

Asthma is the restriction of the airway;

through inflammation where the airway becomes red and swollen
the production of excess mucous to block the airway
and bronchoconstriction where the muscle in the airway tighten restricting breathing.

As the airways become constricted the person begins to find it difficult to breathe in, but particularly difficult to breathe out causing a considerable amount of coughing and distress. Many asthmatics are so distressed they need to be hospitalized to help their condition.

The exact cause of Asthma and why some people are more susceptible to asthma than other is not yet fully understood, however, there is often a family history of asthma, eczema or severe hay fever. Although in Australia something like one in six children has been diagnosed with asthma, it can strike at any age. Evidence has shown that unborn babies whose mothers smoke during pregnancy or children who are exposed to a smoke filled environment during their early childhood have an increased risk of developing childhood asthma.

Australia is among the highest in world when it comes to asthma. People need to be aware of the symptoms and consult their doctors if needed. Asthma is controllable with the correct medications and asthma action plan.

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What is Asthma?

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Humidity is important, but too much or too little can produce a host of health problems or cause damage to your home.

When the air in your home is too dry, it can crack the walls and ceilings and shrink the framing around windows and doors, allowing cold air inside and making your home less energy-efficient. Dry air also saps moisture from your body, leading to conditions such as a dry nose, scratchy throat and itchy skin. In addition, when the respiratory system is dry, it is easier for viruses to invade, increasing your chances of getting colds, flu and upper-respiratory problems.

Too much humidity, on the other hand, brings about a different set of problems: wet stains on walls, musty odors and mold. When it comes to your health, too much humidity provides an optimal environment for bacteria, dust mites and fungal growth. All of these can lead to respiratory problems, especially in those with asthma and allergies.

The ideal humidity level is between 30 percent and 60 percent. So how do you strike that delicate balance between too much and too little humidity in your home?

Pick up a hygrometer, a small, inexpensive and easy-to-use instrument that measures the humidity in your house. Place it where the humidity problems are most obvious. Keep it away from direct heat, such as near a radiator or heat register.

Simple changes in your lifestyle can help, such as remembering to open or close windows and doors. Depending on the severity of the problem, you may need to install a whole-home dehumidifier or humidifier, like the ones offered by Aprilaire. These products address humidity issues that affect the entire home and allow homeowners to add or remove just the right amount of moisture for a healthy living environment.

By: Silvester Thompson

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