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- What is asthma?
- Symptoms of asthma
- Causes of asthma
- Prevention of asthma
- Risk factors for asthma
- Complications of asthma
- When to see a doctor about asthma
- Diagnosis of asthma
- Conventional treatment of asthma
- Alternative/complementary treatment of asthma
- Living with asthma
- Caring for someone with asthma
Management of children (and adults) with asthma means the removal (or at least strictly limiting) triggers that cause their asthma symptoms. Management of asthma means looking for triggers and avoiding them as much as possible.
The most common asthma triggers that cause allergic (extrinsic) asthma are:
- Allergens - to pollen, mould, animal fur and dander, dust mites, dust, pollution, bush fire smoke
- Chemical toxins - any types of chemicals in the environment that produce strong fumes which can irritate the lungs, such as pollution, car fumes, paint, floor vanish, cleaning products
- Cigarette smoke - use of tobacco should be avoided by people with asthma as it is a major trigger for asthma symptoms, as cigarettes really irritate the lungs and besides cause worsening of lung scarring and smoking can result in cancer; even people who do not smoke can have their asthma symptoms triggered by second-hand smoke from smokers around them
- Cosmetics - some cosmetics are perfumed with artificial perfumes which can trigger asthma symptoms in some individuals
- Food - certain foods can trigger asthma symptoms; the most common are peanuts, eggs, cow's milk, nuts in general, soy, wheat, chocolate, shellfish
- Food additives - especially artificial colours, flavours and preservatives (such as sulphites, MSG, benzoate, yellow dye # 102) should be avoided as they can trigger symptoms of asthma. Other additives to be avoided are:
- Medications - some medications can trigger asthma; the ones to avoid are NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as aspirin and Nurofen
- Perfumes - these can trigger asthma symptoms in most asthmatics with allergic asthma, as the strong, artificial odour from perfumes can irritate the already sensitive lungs of people with asthma
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The most common asthma triggers that cause non-allergic (intrinsic) asthma are:
- Colds and flu - when the lungs are infected with a cold or flu (influenza), this can make the lungs more susceptible to the symptoms of asthma, as the airways are inflamed and can cause tightening in the chest, difficulty breathing properly and wheezing
- Exercise - any type of physical activity can cause symptoms of asthma either during or more commonly after the exercise
- Laughing - sometimes laughing too hard can cause asthma symptoms
- Strong emotions - such as excitement, stress and sorrow can all cause symptoms of asthma to appear in some individuals
- Temperature changes - changes in temperature and weather, especially exposure to very cold air can trigger asthma in some people
General management tips for asthma
- Avoid the allergen(s) - keep your home free from the allergic triggers (allergens such as dust, animal fur, pollen, flowers, plants, etc)
- Avoid the asthma triggers - this will help to reduce the likelihood of an asthma attack from occurring (common triggers are cigarette smoke, chemicals, perfume etc)
- Have an allergy free home - try to live in as dust and allergen-free environment as possible (have wood or tile floors, use natural furnishings and non-allergenic cleaning products, use organic non-perfumed cosmetics and face care products)
- Stay home on windy days - try to stay home on days which are especially windy as this may exacerbate symptoms to a high level, but if this cannot be avoided, make sure your medication is handy
Any nutritional supplements that are being used should be discussed with the family doctor (or paediatrician) to ensure it does not conflict with medications that have been prescribed.
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< 10:alternative treatment 12:caregiving > Last reviewed: 7 October 2007 || Last updated: 3 January 2009
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
