Asthma Symptoms and How to Prevent Asthma

by Susan Milar
Dramatic Asthma Relief

Asthma is an allergic inflammation of the lungs, which can be triggered by air pollutants, pollens, molds, dust, animal dander, chemicals, exercise,  foods or even changes in temperature. These triggers produce allergens, which are then absorbed into the blood stream causing the B cells or white blood cells to produce billions of molecules of the antibody IgE. These IgE molecules in the bloodstream then combine with the mast cells, which line the blood vessels or basophils, a type of white blood cell.

Mast cells and basophils both contain histamine and serotonin, and the antibody IgE causes the mast cells and basophils to leak the histamine and serotonin into the blood stream. In addition to this, the production of a group of fatty acids called lucotrienes or Lt's are the primary cause of asthma symptoms. Lt's are formed by the combination or action of two enzymes, phospholipase A2 and lipxygenase.

When you experience an asthma attack, the walls of the lungs become inflamed and the mucus membranes fill with fluid and thick, sticky mucus making it difficult to breathe.

Common asthma symptoms are a scratchy throat, coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, and a tight feeling in the chest. An asthma attack can be mild, moderate or severe and lasting for a few minutes, hours, or even several days.

Knowing when to get emergency help for a severe attack can save your life. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, f you are experiencing the following, you should seek immediate medical attention:

• medication does not seem to be helping you,

• extreme difficulty breathing, talking and walking,  

• your fingernails or lips are turning blue,

• chest feels tight and your ribs are pulled inward as you breathe,

• nostrils are flaring when you breath

There are currently 15 to 17 million Americans suffering from asthma, and it is considered the most common chronic illness affecting children. From 1982 to 1994 the annual death rate from asthma rose 75% and is continuing to rise.  This  increase is occurring in the general population and not just within genetically predisposed families. A public awareness campaign is being launched to educate parents about asthma prevention.

Doctors and researchers agree that the single most important thing that parents can do to prevent their child from developing asthma in the first place is to eliminate or significantly reduce dust mite allergens in the home.

Dust mite allergens are known to play a major role in it's development. Researchers have determined that other important allergens (after dust mites) that also need to be eliminated from the home are cats, certain types of mold, dogs, cockroaches and tobacco smoke. It is a popular misconception that children will "outgrow" asthma. It is a severe and potentially life-threatening illness that should be taken seriously. Long term use of steroid drugs is not recommended by doctors and has serious side effects. Making these preventative environmental changes is a much more viable, healthy and preferable alternative. If you or your child are already suffering from asthma or allergies these measures will certainly help. However you will also want to see this important information about safe, natural relief of asthma and allergies without side effects.

What are Dust Mites?

Dust mites are microscopic insects and live in bedding, pillows, mattresses, blankets, upholstery, carpets etc. They thrive particularly in humid climates. They live off of dead skin cells and produce an allergen from their excrement which is inhaled.

All Homes Contain Dust Mites No Matter How Clean They Are.

Studies have shown that dust mite allergens in the home must be reduced to at least 2mcg/g dust or mite populations decreased to 100/g dust to have any significant benefit. There are several things that can be done to accomplish this.

What Can Be Done To Eliminate or Reduce Dust Mites?

Researchers have found through numerous studies that these are the most effective measures:

Changing the relative humidity and temperature of the home: keeping relative humidity less than 50% is proven to greatly reduce the dust mite population. (Portable dehumidifiers were not shown to significantly reduce humidity).

Mechanical ventilation with a heat recovery unit has proved to be the most effective to reduce humidity in the home.

Using air cleaners that have HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters, which will also eliminate other allergens such as pollen and animal dander.

Cleaning using a vacuum with a HEPA filter and steam cleaning rugs and upholstery regularly.

Washing all bedding in hot water (60 degrees C, 130 degrees F) on a weekly basis is known to kill dust mites. Drying bedding in a hot dryer.

Dry cleaning quilts and blankets weekly will also kill dust mites.

Placing plastic casings specifically made for dust mite control on pillows and mattresses.

Chemicals used on carpets and upholstery which are known to kill dust mites include benzyl benzoate, permethrin, pirimiphos methyl, phenyl salicylate, tannic acid, common household disinfectants, combinations of these, and insect growth regulators. (please note: some chemicals can also trigger asthma and allergy reactions, therefore research them carefully before using).

Learn about asthma medications and the side effects.

Further details about dust mite controls and which measures are the most effective based on studies can be found at the following links:

House Dust Mite Control Measures

Asthma and the Challenges of House Dust Mite Management

Emmett V. Glass, MS, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Allergy and Immunology

Glen R. Needham, PhD, Acarology Laboratory, Department of Entomology

Donald L. McNeil, MD, FRCP, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Allergy and Immunology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.

Oren P. Schaefer, MD, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester

Increase in World Asthma at http://www.allergyetc.com/allergyetc/ininworas.html

Lilian R.Blanco, Ph. D., MOIF, D.G.

The Melbourne House Dust Mite Study: Long-term Efficacy of House Dust Mite Reduction Strategies; Sporik R, Hill DJ, Thompson PJ, Stewart GA, Carlin JB, Nolan TM, Kemp AS, Hosking CS

Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology 101(4 Pt 1):451-6, 1998 Apr

Continuous Avoidance Measures With or Without Acaricide in Dust Mite-Allergic Asthmatic Children;Bahir A, Goldberg A, Mekori YA, Confino-Cohen R, Morag H, Rosen Y, Monakir D, Rigler S, Cohen AH, Horev Z, Noviski N, Mandelberg A; 
Annals of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology 78(5):506-12, 1997 May

Domestic Allergens in Public Places III: House Dust Mite, Cat, Dog and Cockroach Allergens in British Hospitals

Custovic A, Fletcher A, Pickering CA, Francis HC, Green R, Smith A, Chapman M, Woodcock Clinical & Experimental Allergy 28(1):53-9, 1998 Jan

Allergen Reduction Measures in Houses of Allergic Asthmatic Patients: Effects of Air-Cleaners and Allergen-Impermeable Mattress Covers; van der Heide S, Kauffman HF, Dubois AE, de Monchy JG

European Respiratory Journal 10(6):1217-23, 1997 Jun

Effect of Application of Benzyl Benzoate on House Dust Mite Allergen Levels

Chang JH, Becker A, Ferguson A, Manfreda J, Simons E, Chan H, Noertjojo K, Chan-Yeung M; Annals of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology 77(3):187-90, 1996 Sep

Accumulation of House-Dust Mite (Der-p-1) Levels on Mattress Covers

Jooma OF, Weinberg EG, Berman D, Manjra AI, Potter PC
South African Medical Journal 85(10):1002-5, 1995 Oct