Asthma

Not being able to breathe has to be by far one of the most terrifying feelings ever!  Asthma is a very common condition that may cause you to experience that feeling at any given time.  Asthma is a condition in which your airways both become narrow and swell at the same time, while also producing extra mucus.  When all three of those things happen at the same time during an asthma attack it makes the simple act of breathing become quite a difficult task…plus it can trigger you to begin coughing and wheezing, making things even worse! 

For some individuals, asthma may only be a minor nuisance and not completely ruin their daily routines.  While for others, it may be a major problem that causes interruptions in how they go about their everyday life…they may have to skip out on certain activities for fear that an asthma attack could occur.  There is no complete cure for asthma at this point in time, but the good thing is that its symptoms can be controlled to allow you to be more at ease and enjoy more of the things you like to do. 

A good fact to become familiar with is that asthma often changes over time due to changes in your body, certain illnesses, and the aging process.  Total Home Health understands this and it is extremely important that you work closely with your health care provider to stay on top of the course of your asthma signs and symptoms.  This will ensure that your treatment will continually be fine tuned in order for you to feel better on a daily basis, and will help prevent a life-threatening asthma attack.  Total Home Health strives to provide you with the best treatment in order to achieve the best results and outcomes for your health…today, tomorrow and always!

Asthma symptoms range from minor to severe and vary from one person to the next.  You or your loved one may have asthma attacks here and there or only at certain times, such as when you are more active for example…or you could have symptoms nearly all the time.  You just never know what to expect with this rather unpredictable condition.  The following are the common signs and symptoms of asthma to be familiar with, which may include:

-  Shortness of breath

-  Chest pain/increased tightness

-  Difficulty sleeping due to shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing

-  Wheezing sound heard when exhaling (may sound like whistling)

-  Coughing or wheezing that is worse when you get a sickness such as the common cold

If your asthma is worsening, you may have signs and symptoms that include:

-  Increased difficulty breathing

-  More frequent signs and symptoms that become more of a nuisance

-  Finding a need to use a quick-relief inhaler more often than usual

It would be great if we could tell you exactly what to expect each and every time your asthma flared-up…but unfortunately we can’t at this point.  There are some situations in which asthma symptoms may have an increased risk of flaring up.  These situations could include:

·         Exercise.  Asthma flare-ups in this situation will be worse when the air is cold and dry.  Plus, during exercise you will most likely become out of breath more easily.

·         Your Occupation.  These flare-ups are caused by your job.  Whether if it’s by dust, chemical irritants, or gases that enter your airways.

·         Allergies.  These flare-ups will be triggered by particular allergens in the environment.  This could include being around pets or flowers.

Other triggers that may cause your asthma signs and symptoms to flare-up may also include situations such as:

·         Being in presence of someone who is smoking.

·         Certain medications (including beta blockers, or those that end in –olol).

·         Stressful situations.

·         Preservatives added to some foods and beverages, including shrimp, dried fruit, processed potatoes, beer and wine.

·         Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

·         Some women may notice their asthma symptoms worsen during their menstrual cycle.

Yes, there are risks too that can result in you or your loved one having an increased chance of developing asthma.  Be aware of the following risk factors which could include:

·         Having an immediate family member that also has asthma (such as a parent or sibling)

·         Being overweight

·         Smoking

Ultimately, Total Home Health has a program that will suit your needs during the course of your asthma condition.  Along with treating you like one of our own, we will work closely with your provider to strictly abide by your treatment regimen.  We will fine tune your treatment and care at the first inclination that your asthma condition is showing changes in order to continually provide you with the best results.  With our professionals you will never be let down and will always receive treatment that has goals of providing better health for you while always keeping your own wishes in mind.  Enroll today and let Total Home Health help you throughout your course of asthma…you will not be disappointed.