allergy and asthma

allergy and asthma questions and answers

All the information you need about allergy and asthma Check out AllergiesAsthmaHelp.com For all your Allergies and Asthma Questions and Answers

Q: How do explain to a friend u have asthma?
i have a friend that has asthma just like me in the begining of the year she asked me if i had asthma and i said no because i didnt but later in the year i was diagnosed with allergy asthma and now i dont know how to tell her that i do have asthma, and all my other friends dont think i have asthma when i do

A: There are people who "wheeze" occasional (or frequently) and are easily diagnosed with asthma by a competent doctor. There are many other people who suffer with occasional shortness of breath and coughing who are now diagnosed with asthma. Both groups benefit from new inhaled medications (OK, relatively new) Your friend should be able to understand you have mild, intermittent asthma symptoms and that your doctor thinks you will benefit from treatment. Do not be shy about using your medication when you need to. Lots of people carry inhalers around with them. I keep mine in the car. It makes the medication easier to find.

Q: Does anyone know if you have asthma, do you always get coughing and wheezing?
My doctor diagnosed me with allergy asthma a few years ago, but i never have a cough or shortness of breath..all i get is the chest tightness and difficulty breathing, is this normal and is that really asthma? sorry ment to say, no coughing or wheezing, just shortness of breath and chest tightness and difficulty breathing.

A: My 18 year old daughter has had "allergy induced asthma" since she was 5. She has a lot of sinus issues. She does not have the wheezing that we all associate to asthma. However, if her asthma is super bad she has wheezing in her chest - like you would if you have bronchitis or pneumonia. She does get the chest tightness. It is from the bronchi dilating & becoming constricted. She coughs a lot when she has drainage from sinuses and throws up a lot. She had allergy testing & no allergies were found so.......She has to take Albuterol Inhaler when she has the chest tightness. Sometimes she is short on breath.....stress exacerbates asthma. She had a high school teacher with asthma that related to her right down to the throwing up. It is awful! Here is a great resource with mega info. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/asthma.html

Q: Why does outdoor running cause my lungs to burn & coughing, but indoor is fine? Allergy? Asthma? Breathing?
I am in good shape and can run many miles indoors. My body doesn't get tired outdoors, but my chest and lungs hurt. I can run on a treadmill with windows open, cold winter air, etc without a problem. But when I go outside to run, my chest burns, mucous develops, and I have a lot of coughing to the point of feeling sick. It was this way back when I ran track in school years ago as well. Not sure if this is more likely a breathing technique problem, or a combination of allergies and asthma. I have had bronchitis a few times in my life, and pneumonia once.

A: It is probably something in the air outside. There may be lots of pollen and other things that are causing your problems.

Q: What is a good pet for a child with allergies/asthma?
My daughter LOVES animals, but she has bad pet allergies. What is a good, cute, lovable pet for her? No cats, ferrets, and were not allowed dogs where we live otherwise I know there is non-allergenic dogs.

A: If she's looking for a good pet that will lover her like a dog without the fur, birds are the way to go. Small parrots, like conures and "pocket parrots" are great for small spaces and very colorful. Larger parrots are harder to care for, but some say they are smarter and have larger vocabularies of you're looking for talking birds. If your interested, read up on them. Trust me, you won't be dissapointed.

Q: allergy/asthma/breathing difficulties- ANY ADVICE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!!?
I am a 1st year school teacher(in a trailer) and I have been sick for 8 months now. In September I was told I had Walking Pneumonia. They gave me 2 shots and antibiotics. I feel like I never recovered! I have to continuously go to my family doctor. My symptoms are hacking/unproductive coughing, congestion, shortness of breath, frequent nosebleeds, fatigue, dizziness, swollen glands, extreme tenderness under my jawline/behind ears, the tip of my nose tingles(sometimes), and I often feel like I not getting enough oxygen. The palms of my hands sometimes become very splotchy and almost translucent, I can clearly see my veins. I have been on many, many different antibiotics, inhalers, Singulair, and nose sprays; nothing has worked!!! I am losing the hope of ever feeling "normal" again. Again, like I said, it is my first year of teaching and I know it is common to catch everything until you build your immune system, but I am miserable and it is affecting my everyday life!

A: You probably never did recover from the pneumonia. It can take up to 6 weeks to fully recover from it and if you were right back at work and still suffering, then you're constantly forcing your immune system to work in overdrive and eventually you're going to beat up your white cells fighting so many things that when simple things come along, you can't fight them off and you're constantly sick. Make sure you're washing your hands like crazy. Kids carry a lot of germs. Lysol down your house. You could be re-infecting yourself over and over again. The things you touch everyday: light switches, toilet handles, door knobs, railings, faucets, refridgerator door, drawer handles, phones, keyboard, mouse..... When it's cold outside make sure that you cover your face. Breathing in the cold air will cause your lungs to bronchospasm and will basically force an asthma attack. You could also have pneumonia induced asthma. You probably need an inhaler like Combivent or Albuterol or Xopenex plus a steroidal inhaler like Advair or a nose spray like Rhinocort. Get yourself a 2nd opinion as well. Sometimes new eyes can give you a better chance.

Q: should i get my one year old allergy tested?
my son is now 13 months old. in the past 2 months they have decided that he has allergies asthma and excema. i haven't noticed any reactions to any foods as i can tell. i really think that allergy testing would benefit as then i could try to eliminate as much as i can. i feel bad as i dont know what he is allergic to so i cant get rid of it. his asthma and excema seem to act up when he is having allergy issues so i believe that allergy testing would actually help it all.

A: Well, I certainly don't think it could hurt. You should be aware of any issues with your child and lets face it, different Dr.s have different opinions on just about everything and how to treat it. How did they come up with allergies if they haven't tested him? Are the asthma symptoms from the allergies?

Q: Singulair Allergy/Asthma medication?
I was into an intense game of Dance Dance Revolution and started feeling breathless and dizzy. I immediately took my Singulair pill (since I forgot to before I started playing) and took some extra strength migraine pills to cure my really bad headache. I only took my recommended dose on Singulair (1 10mg pill) and took 2 of the migraine pills (recommended dose)... After taking an hour long nap, I woke up to extreme and unbearable stomach pain. Even drinking water makes me want to vomit. The only way I can describe the pain is like "Heartburn" in my upper stomach... My question is: Are the pills reacting badly to my system and each other? Or is it just an overdose? Any answers help :)

A: I take singular every night and I have taken Ibfrofen..Asprin..Tylenol...the norm...and never had any problems. That doesn't mean that this applies to you to/no problems. Is this the first time you have taken the two together? If it isn't then it's most likely something else. You live in the states right? If so you can always call a pharmacy for advice...or the number for the ER in the hospital...or the poison control center(the national hot line number..should be in the front pages or so of a phone book)...if you suspect it could be something more than a normall stomach ache.

Q: How is coughing asthma?
this is rare but for the last 2 years i have had a cough so bad that comes after a cold (sore throat,sneezing,chest congested,runny nose) then comes the cough that doesnt let me sleep cause i cough so much and sometimes makes me throw up also. i feel something between my neck and chest but dont know how to explain,its really not short of breath i think.. hard to explain. so this cough is how my 'cold" ends" for last 2 years .. also when i go out and its winter time ,it gets worst..cant seem to breathe normal while walking and i got to catch my breath when i go up stairs and windy days. my doctor said its allergy asthma due to the cold but i dont understand it at all and want more info on how i can get help with cough. she gave me albuterol inhaler, to drink tea with honey, halls lozenges and nasal spray. This is not helping when my cough gets bad.

A: Both Countrygirl and Summer time mom have made excellent suggestions. A steroid inhaler, such as Pulmicort, is used for long-term maintenance. They work quickly, reduce inflammation, and keep the airways open. When my son was using his Pulmicort inhaler, he never needed albuterol. The only reason he is no longer using it is that my insurance won't pay for it, and it's too pricey for me to afford. Albuterol inhalers are used for maintenance also, but as our pediatrician explained, they are more of a "rescue" inhaler. They'll stop an acute attack in it's tracks, but they arent as effective as other drugs in maintaining open airways. A nebulizer can also be used to deliver albuterol and other drugs such as chromolyn (sp?) sodium, making it easier to administer combination drugs deeply into the lungs. As you see, this can all get quite confusing. Because the albuterol alone isn't helping, you either need to discuss with your doctor the possibility of combining other drugs with the albuterol,or you need to see an allergy and asthma specialist. I'd talk to your doctor first, he already knows your history. As an added note, when you are outside in cold weather, simply wear a scarf over your mouth and nose to warm the air you breathe. This will drastically reduce the cold weather induced attacks. To answer your header question, the cough is simply your body's way of clearing/expanding your airways so that you can breathe easier, or a reaction to an irritation. In your case, a bit of both.

Q: Has anyone tried salt lamps to relieve allergies/asthma?
My parents and I were at a home improvement show and saw a guy selling salt lamps, claiming they helped with asthma and allergies. There weren't a lot of details available. My cousin, who suffers from both, is getting married in a few months so we considered getting one as a gift to her, but I would really like to hear if anyone has tried them or has any more details before we dish out close to $100. Anyone have testimonials?

A: i think that is a crock. I think hempa filters work much better for controling allergies than salt lights. But i have used certain types of herbs to relax, clear sinuses etc. My favorite is a heat pad that contains mint oil and other mints this when heated is aroamtic and releives sinus pressure like nothing that i have ever used before.

Q: what is the difference between chest allergy and asthma?


A: Asthma is a disease of the human respiratory system in which the airways narrow, often in response to a "trigger" such as exposure to an allergen, cold air, exercise, or emotional stress. This narrowing causes symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, which respond to bronchodilators. Between episodes, most patients feel fine. The disorder is a chronic inflammatory condition in which the airways develop increased responsiveness to various stimuli, characterized by bronchial hyper-responsiveness, inflammation, increased mucus production, and intermittent airway obstruction. The symptoms of asthma, which can range from mild to life threatening, can usually be controlled with a combination of drugs and lifestyle changes. Public attention in the developed world has recently focused on asthma because of its rapidly increasing prevalence, affecting up to one in four urban children.[1] Susceptibility to asthma can be explained in part by genetic factors, but no clear pattern of inheritance has been found. Asthma is a complex disease that is influenced by multiple genetic, developmental, and environmental factors, which interact to produce the overall condition. An allergy can refer to several kinds of immune reactions including Type I hypersensitivity in which a person's body is hypersensitised and develops IgE type antibodies to typical proteins. When a person is hypersensitised, these substances are known as allergens. The word allergy derives from the Greek words allos meaning "other" and ergon meaning "work". Type I hypersensitivity is characterised by excessive activation of mast cells and basophils by immunoglobulin E resulting in a systemic inflammatory response that can result in symptoms as benign as a runny nose, to life-threatening anaphylactic shock and death.

Q: Is Calcium and magnesium citrate good for asthma/allergy child?
My son is almost 3 and has been coughing since Jan. Since he was baby he always has stuffy nose, but lately he start coughing really bad sounds like barking mostly while he sleep. He was diagnosed asthma caused by allergy. Dr suggested puffer (which is steoroid) but I would like to know if there is something natural options. my friend who has a boy same conditions swear calcium and magnesium citrate will coat inside of his lung to make less flair up. Is it true? or is any other better option naturally? thank you so much in advance.

A: The Number 1 cause of asthma is close proximity of a dog or cat. Whatever you do, get any dogs and/or cats away from him and thoroughly clean your place of all dog/cat stench. Now as to the steroid inhaler, take that as a last resort. Try albuterol inhalers, first. And if he gets very, very bad and cannot inhale, try a tiny sip of vodka (nothing else). I realize he's only 3, but in a life and death situation, you've got to do things you would not ordinarily do. Anyway, I have deadly asthma, and I almost died on an airplane, and then I read about distilled spirits almost always relieving alsthma symptoms in an old medical book. I drunk some bourbon, much less than a shot, and my asthma went away instantly. Later bourbon become ineffective, but vodka still helps, big time.

Q: what are some good home remedies for allergies/ asthma?
I have both, and if i get one it triggers the other. are there some teas that really help? any suggestions are welcome :)

A: This site has some good info: http://asthma4u.info

Q: Best vacuum for people with allergies/asthma?
I am allergic to house dust,I have cats and need one that picks up cat hair and pet dander very well, I can't afford one of those Real expensive ones but maybe 200 would be the most i could do.Do you also know if vacuums with filters are better or ones with bags?Thank you

A: Consumers Reports did a comparison of vacuums a couple of years ago and found that the worst vacuums are the ones with the cyclones that spin air around, and that the best vacuums are generally upright models that have tight seals, and a HEPA filter in addition to a disposable bag. Cannister vacuums generally did not pick up as much dirt as even the cheapest upright vacuums, but cannisters with HEPA filters kept dirt contained in the vacuum as well as uprights. So look for an upright vacuum with HEPA filtration of 0.2 to 0.3 microns, use high quality bags with the same filter size, and change the bags when they are about 1/2 full or sooner. Here's one model that meets your price and has good specs. There's probably ones that are just as good fro a lower price if you do a little searching.

Q: Is it allergies, asthma or something else?
My daughter is 8 months old. About 2 months ago she was in the hospital and they diagnosed her with bronchiolitis. They have her on pulmocourt 2x a day for the rest of the winter. She seems to always having a runny nose and a cough. The cough is normally when she wakes up in the morning but sometimes has it throughout the day. Is this allergies, asthma or something else. We have another follow up later on, just wondering if anyone else has seen this. She had hives all over her body, but that is because she had an allergic reaction to amoxicillin she was on for an ear infection. Which reminds me right now she has a double ear infection as well. No, the dr. really tries to answer all our questions. She is very nice. She has a brother who is 3 and in daycare. I am a teacher. Therefore, a lot of germs are brought home. The follow up is to recheck the ears. They are also sending her for a sweat test to rule out the possibility of cystic fibrosis. My husband's half sister had it. They said chances are very very slim that it could be that. They said it is a better chance to be an irritant to pet dander or dust. We have a dog.

A: Allergies= clear runny nose discharge Cloudy discharge from the nose/ mucus that is cloudy is a cold and green thick mucus is a sinus infection. Coughing may be from the drainage. They should have given her something to stop the runny nose. Ear infection=flu/lung infection complex you need to ask for an injection of penicillin for her. I'd change doctors if this one seems like he/she is in a hurry and is an hmo. Sometimes they do not direct as much attention as they should. Does the doc seem to be in and out quickly?

Q: Breathing issues - allergy induced asthma?
I just recently went to the Doc and he gave me an Advair inhaler to try for a couple of weeks. Just once in the morning and once in the evening. But I still have trouble taking deep breaths (its only been two days, but its still sucks to try to breath in deep and end up coughing). I don't smoke, never have. And I've taken Allegra to also help. Are there any options on how to take full, deep breaths without the pain and coughing? Or any tips from those with asthma ?

A: medication can only take you so far. rather than forming a dependency n them, try natural methods such as an air purifier. These are not only safer but cheaper and more effective in the long run.