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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
Caring for someone with asthma
Partner
People who have a partner with asthma can support their partner in practical ways:
- Allergy-free home - the home environment needs to have potential allergens removed to reduce likelihood of triggering symptoms:
- Bed sheets/blankets/pillows - should be washed weekly and left to dry in the sun to kill any dust mites that may be present and reduce this risk of triggering an asthma attack in some people
- Cleaning products - the best cleaning products to use should be hypo-allergenic, natural and preferably organic, without any harsh perfumes, as these can trigger asthma symptoms
- Hard flooring - carpet harbours many potential triggers for causing an asthma attack, not just dust, so it should be removed and hard flooring should be used instead (wood or tiled flooring is the best)
- Pets - some people with asthma may be allergic to the fur or dander from pets, so depending on the level of allergy, a pet may not be recommended in the home. There are though, some breeds of animals which are known to cause little allergic reaction and this may be an avenue for those families that want to have a pet
- Stop smoking - it is highly recommended to stop smoking around a partner with asthma as it can trigger symptoms. If you cannot give up smoking, you should at the least not smoke in the home (or car) or any other confined spaces near your partner because second hand cigarette smoke is as detrimental to them as if they smoked
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Friends
People who have a friend with asthma can support their friend in practical ways:
- No smoking - cigarette smoke is a known trigger for asthma symptoms, so be courteous and do not smoke when your friend is close to you
Parents
Parents who have a child with asthma can support their child with a number of strategies:
- Appropriate treatment plan - parents of a child with asthma should understand their child's treatment plan so that they can encourage their child to take the correct medication when required
- Allergy-free home - the home environment needs to have potential allergens removed to reduce likelihood of triggering symptoms:
- Bed sheets/blankets/pillows - should be washed weekly and left to dry in the sun to kill any dust mites that may be present and reduce this risk of triggering an asthma attack in some children
- Cleaning products - the best cleaning products to use should be hypo-allergenic, natural and preferably organic, without any harsh perfumes, as these can trigger asthma symptoms
- Hard flooring - carpet harbours many potential triggers for causing an asthma attack, not just dust, so it should be removed and hard flooring should be used instead (wood or tiled flooring is the best)
- Pets - some children with asthma may be allergic to the fur or dander from pets, so depending on the level of allergy, a pet may not be recommended in the home. There are though, some breeds of animals which are known to cause little allergic reaction and this may be an avenue for those families that want to have a pet
- Fish intake - it is highly recommended to have oily fish at least twice a week, as these types of fish have higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which have important and potent anti-inflammatory properties and which can help to reduce incidence and severity of symptoms. It may be advisable to also use omega-3 fatty acid supplements in some children, but only do this with the approval of your doctor
- Stop smoking - it is highly recommended to stop smoking around a child with asthma as it can trigger symptoms. Much evidence shows that many children with asthma live in conditions where the adults in their home smoke and this is know to aggravate symptoms. Parents who cannot give up smoking should not smoke in the home (or car) or any other confined spaces near your children
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< 11:living with asthma 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.
