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Healthy Home
Asthma: Taming the Tiger
by Diane H. Pitts, R.N., P.T. (Diane's bio)
IMPORTANT!: Please read our legal notice regarding this health column by clicking here.
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My three year old could hardly breathe. I sat by his bedside through the night listening intently, looking closely at his chest; my heart was in my throat as I crouched over him hoping to feel air exhaling. I had been fooled because symptoms had gradually worsened. We bombarded the doctor's office early the next morning. Since that time, I have gained an understanding of asthma that helps our family tame that unpredictable tiger.
Asthma is actually a lung disease of the small airways. In fact, over 17 million persons are known to have the disorder, one-third of them being children. Asthma differs from person to person. Some have mild symptoms; others constantly struggle to breathe. Some attacks are momentary but others persist for days. They can range in intensity from annoying to life threatening.
What Should I Look For?
The most common indicators of asthma are:
~ Recurrent feeling of tightness in the chest
~ Persistent wheezing (hissing sound heard when exhaling)
~ Frequent, repeated shortness of breath
~ Continuing cough that extends for more than a week
Do you or your child have to exhibit all the symptoms? The answer is NO! In fact, two children in one family can present varying signs. Our youngest son was diagnosed at a young age and now takes an antihistamine; however, a cold drives his lungs into an immediate reaction.
For years our middle son coughed at night but never showed other signs. Last year he abruptly developed a wheeze and fatigue. A well-qualified physician diagnosed asthma. Eventually the outward symptoms disappeared, however I wondered if there were other steps to take. We consulted a pediatric asthma specialist who recognized the subtle indicators of uncontrolled asthma.
Intervention for mild symptoms can reverse damage and prevent worse attacks. Education helps us recognize the asthma tiger's sneakiness. Recognition of symptoms is the first step. Managing them is the second.
How Do I Manage Asthma Symptoms?
~If your asthma specialist or pulmonologist prescribes medications, take them. Follow instructions and don't miss doses. Some medications take days or weeks to reach full potential.
~Ask questions. Your healthcare provider can answer them.
~ Avoid or lessen exposure to things that trigger asthma episodes.
This brings us to a common trigger that causes allergy-related asthma —household dust.
House Dust –A Major Cause of Allergies:
A microscopic creature called a dust mite feeds off human skin scales or animal dander in household dust. Our sons are allergic to this type of dust so taming the tiger means going to his den, but conventional cleaning methods are insufficient to route these mites.
We concentrated our efforts where the boys spend one third of their time – the bedroom. We did the following:
~ Used allergy mattress covers.
~ Covered all pillows with non-allergenic casings.
~ Used wood instead of carpet.
~ Eliminated stuffed animals.
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So, do we have everything perfectly under control? Hardly! We'll change our taming methods as the tiger changes his. I'll let you know how it goes!
For Your Soul Consideration:
Sometimes I struggle to breathe easily in my pressure-packed world. But when living becomes difficult, I need to remember the One Who called me into existence.
"Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being." (Genesis 2:7, NAS)
Let's all breathe a little easier!
Copyright 2002, Diane H. Pitts. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.
THE CONTENT OF THE "HEALTHY HOME" COLUMN IS PRESENTED IN SUMMARY FORM, IS GENERAL IN NATURE, AND IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THE CONTENT IS NOT INTENDED IN ANY WAY TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR FACE-TO-FACE, IN-PERSON, PROFESSIONAL, MEDICAL, PSYCHIATRIC, OR PHARMACEUTICAL HEALTH CARE ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER WITH ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE REGARDING A MEDICAL CONDITION, HEALTH DIAGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT. NEVER DISREGARD MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY IN SEEKING IT BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ IN THE "HEALTHY HOME" COLUMN. Please read our full legal notice.
| About Diane H. Pitts, R.N., P.T.: Diane Pitts has practiced in the fields of nursing and physical therapy for twenty-five years. She currently manages the education and escapades of three active boys in addition to pursuing an interest in writing. Healthy Home seeks to provide the reader with practical ways to maintain wholeness in body, mind, and soul. Contact her at healthyhomecol@earthlink.net. |
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