Exploring the Link Between Oral Health, Asthma, Allergies & Eczema

 

The mouth is teeming with bacteria. Most of this bacteria is the good sort which helps in the normal function of your teeth and gums, but there is still a chance you may be suffering from periodontal or gum disease.

Gum disease is said to be one of the most common ailments in the world. There’s almost as many people suffering from gum disease as the common flu at any given moment in time. But most people don’t realize that gum disease could have much more fatal consequences. In the past, studies have linked the seemingly benign disease to various other forms of bodily ailments such as- diabetes, heart disease, asthma and, in severe circumstances, cancer.

 

The Window to Your Health

There is a substantially growing amount of evidence supporting the notion that the mouth is the window to our body’s overall health and wellbeing. Particularly gum disease or periodontal disease has been observed by experts to be closely correlated to other forms of ailments people generally suffer.

The bacteria associated with gum disease was, at first, thought to be the primary contributing factor. It was believed that as gum disease worsened the bacterial growth increased and spread to other parts of the body and created different sorts of issues there. Recently, though, there is a growing consensus that inflammation is the leading cause for this link between deteriorating oral health and overall wellness issues.

 

Asthma & Allergies

Studies have shown that the most common ailment associated with gum disease is asthma. Researchers in the United Kingdom have found that when adjusted with other factors, such as age, sex, height, weight, smoking habits and lifestyle choices, the patients suffering from gum disease were most at risk for developing asthma.

The debate on whether gum disease is related to other forms of health issues is still ongoing. Whether it’s bacteria or inflammation or both which cause these problems is still relatively unknown. Research is ongoing but there is a lot of evidence to show that the irritants present in the body can migrate to other parts, sometimes leading to minor allergies.

Bacterial infection is considered to be the main cause for gum disease leading to respiratory problems such as asthma. Pneumonia is also said to be caused in certain cases where the bacteria in the mouth is transmitted to the lungs via the windpipe.

 

Eczema

Asthma is itself closely associated with a sort of skin irritation whose cause has not yet been uncovered – atopic eczema. Eczema is a sort of skin inflammation which cause the skin to redden, dry out, itch and crack. Patients, especially children, suffering from asthma are said to be at a higher risk for this sort of skin ailment. Dry and irritated skin is a fairly common problem and this sort of eczema is mainly triggered by allergens in the body.

Susceptibility to allergies, asthma and eczema are all correlated to developing gum disease. The best way to combat these ailments is to take much better care of oral hygiene.

 

Preventative Care

Brushing the teeth twice a day, once before bed at night and once in the morning, is a common staple of good oral care. But a lot of people don’t understand the importance of brushing for longer, preferably two minutes, for better results.

Also, a lot of people are unaware of the amount of fluoride their toothpaste contains or the amount that is actually recommended for use. Fluoride is highly effective in protecting your teeth from tooth decay, which is why it is being added to mainstream toothpastes by manufacturers. The element is naturally present in food sometimes and is known to also eradicate your mouth of almost all its bacteria. The recommended level of fluoride is 0.7-0.2 parts for every million parts of water.

 

Oil Pulling

You’ve no doubt heard about the health craze, oil pulling. Though it’s taken on a new life in the health world these days, it’s not new at all – the practice actually has old roots in Ayurveda Indian medicine.  It simply involves swishing around with a plant-based oil (coconut, sesame, sunflower) for about 15 minutes, which is said to improve oral health and draw out toxins from the body.

A casual perusal of online article on oil pulling will present a whole host of health issues that the practice supposedly cures; everything from hangovers to sinus infections to eczema.  While there doesn’t seem to be definitive proof of any of this, it makes perfect sense that faithful oil pullers would see a variety of health benefits.

Oil pulling is a great way to keep your mouth very clean, and having a very clean mouth helps to maintain health in the rest of your body as well.  So while I’d hesitate to endorse oil pulling as a cure-all for anything, it is one way to ensure good oral health, which has a myriad of benefits.

You can protect yourself from all the issues caused by gum disease by simply brushing and flossing regularly, replacing the toothbrush you use once every 3 months and eating a healthy diet. Regular dental checkups will also be useful in spotting signs of gum disease early and treating it effectively. Detecting gum disease early will be your best chance at avoiding any of the other health issues correlated with it.

 

 

About the Author:  Dr. Kimberly Dyoco is a Chicago dentist who founded One Mag Smile, a practice that specializes in both general and cosmetic dentistry.  Dr. Dyoco loves exploring the many links between oral health and the rest of the body and enjoys sharing her knowledge and passion as a guest author on a wide variety of health and lifestyle publications. To find out more, check out www.1magSmile.com.

Categories: Asthma, Disease, disease early, Eczema, exploring, Gum Disease, health, health issues, oil pulling, oral health, oral heath, people don

Could Colds During Pregnancy Lead To Child Asthma?

Studies suggest that mothers who catch a cold during pregnancy could be more likely to have children who develop asthma, as the bacteria and viruses affect the in-utero environment. Babies who are exposed to the allergens are more likely to become sensitive to them and this could affect them later in life, according to researchers. The new study, which examined the risk of the common cold to unborn children, shows that women who are pregnant should take extra precautions around people who have colds and are sneezing, as it could lead to problems for their children later in life. The mothers infections and bacterial exposure during the pregnancy leads to the environment in the womb being altered. Allergist Dr Mitch Grayson stated that in addition to this, the same children in the study who had early exposure to allergens, including house dust and pet hair, also had increased odds of becoming sensitive by the age of five. When dust mites from the mother and the child’s mattresses were analysed, children with high dust mite exposure yet low bacteria exposure were more likely to develop allergies to dust mites than those with low dust mite exposure and high bacteria exposure.

 

Researchers looked at 513 pregnant women in Germany, and their 526 children. The women completed questionnaires during the pregnancy, when the children were 3 and 12 months old, and then every year up until the children reached five years old. Of the families, 61 per cent of them had a parent with asthma, hay fever or atopic dermatitis. According to the ACAAI, asthma and allergies can be hereditary; if both parents have allergies, the child is as much as 75 per cent more likely to be allergic. If just one parent is allergic, or if a close relative has allergies, then the child has a 30 to 40 per cent chance of developing some form of allergy. This drops to just 10 to 15 per cent if neither parent has an allergy. Researchers claim that they now know for certain that allergies and asthma can develop in the womb, as genetics play an important factor in both diseases. However, this study sheds light on how the environment a mother creates during pregnancy can begin to affect the child before it’s even been born. Asthma is the most common potentially serious medical condition to complicate pregnancy, according to the ACAAI.

 

Asthma affects around 1 in 12 women during their childbearing years, and when women with asthma become pregnant, one third of the patients improve, one third get worse, and one third remain unchanged. Asthma is a serious condition which affects a number of people and has numerous triggers, including house mites, dust, pollen and pollution. As pollution and toxins in the air have increased over the years, the risk of developing respiratory diseases has also increased. There are ways to treat asthma and, depending on the severity of the condition, your child may require medication to maintain it. If you’re concerned about the risk colds and asthma have to your baby, or think your child is developing symptoms of asthma, you should seek advice from your GP as soon as possible. As with any pregnancy, it’s important to stay as healthy as possible, maintain a balanced diet which includes all the nutrients both you and your baby need, and get enough exercise; you should also avoid alcohol and smoking, to maintain good health for both you and your baby.

Categories: Asthma, bacteria exposure, Child, Children, dust mite, Dust Mites, exposure, mite exposure, new study, pregnancy

Weighing Scales Provide Wake Up Call for Asthma Sufferer

Weighing yourself often might not work wonders for your emotional wellness, but for Sally Edwards it made all the difference to a major health concern. ‘My doctor had retired and I changed to a new surgery where they had an asthma clinic,’ says the hairdresser from Aldington in Kent. ‘They saw on my notes that I suffered from asthma, but this was the first time anyone in the medical profession had weighed me. She took a sharp breath and made a face, so I knew it wasn’t good news.’ The 5ft 2in 45-year-old was appalled to discover her weight had shot up to more than 11st, and was now officially obese.

 

According to Sally, ‘The problem was that I didn’t feel fat because the weight had crept on so gradually during and after my pregnancies. Then when the children left things on their plates, I’d pick at the leftovers…I knew that I had to do something about it or my asthma would just get worse because I would become more immobile and reluctant to exercise.’ There is a clear link between obesity and asthma attacks, says Deborah Waddell, clinical lead nurse at the charity Asthma UK. She notes, ‘Obese people find their asthma much harder to control.’ In fact, researchers from RoyalBromptonHospital in London found that having a BMI of more than 30 makes you more likely to need the steroid prednisolone – used to reduce inflammation in the airways – and to resort to your inhalers more often.

 

Dr Andrew  Menzies-Gow, a consultant in respiratory medicine at Royal Brompton, comments, ‘Unfortunately, one of the side-effects of prednisolone is increased appetite and weight gain, so patients are more inclined to find activity difficult. It’s a vicious circle, but if  an asthma sufferer can break that cycle and lose weight, the benefits will be obvious.’ Sally definitely saw the need to lose weight and improve her fitness. ‘Getting up the stairs was very scary because the wheezing was so loud,’ she recalls. ‘And it stayed at the same level in my 30s and into my 40s. I couldn’t run after the children at the park.’

 

In order to lose weight, Sally stepped up her exercise regime, taking up jogging after looking on the Asthma UK website. Now, she runs four miles three times a week, attends a weekly spinning class, and cycles short distances instead of using the car soon. ‘I lost a stone-and-a-half in eight months and it made a huge difference,’ enthuses Sally. ‘It really brought the asthma under control and made the attacks less frequent and less severe – I have just one a month instead of three a week. When I was 11st, my body was struggling to cope with the weight, especially climbing stairs, but the fitter you are, the stronger your lungs become.’

 

Waddell explains, ‘If you can exercise, this will expand the airways, and improve your lung function. Following a low-fat, low-sugar diet and getting rid of weight, especially around the middle, will make a big difference. It’s all about changing your behaviour and lifestyle.’ Dr Menzies-Gow adds ‘Weight loss and exercise are not a magic bullet for asthma, but they can help enormously.’ He recommends that you take a close look at your entire lifestyle, stop smoking and avoid pets which aggravate the condition. As for Sally, the weighing scales were a wake-up call, but they’re still not her best friend: ‘I still don’t weigh myself very often, but now I have a pair of size 12 jeans and I try them on once a week,’ she admits. ‘I know that if they don’t fit then I have to try just that bit harder to keep the weight off.’

Categories: Asthma, asthma sufferer, asthma uk, exercise, Lose weight, menzies gow, sally, weighing scales, weight, Weight Loss

Could Second-Hand Smoke Be Damaging Your Child’s Health?

A new study has found that the health concerns associated with the wellness and wellbeing of children who live with smokers could be more serious than previously thought. A shocking report shows that children who are exposed to cigarette smoke at home do not respond as well to asthma treatment as those who live with non-smoking parents in a non-smoking household.

 

Children who are regularly exposed to cigarette smoke had lower levels of an enzyme that helps them to respond to the main asthma treatments. This report was published in a journal called Chest recently.

 

This is bad news, as the number of children in the UK who have asthma is on the increase. Over a million children in this country are believed to be suffering from asthma, and they are most commonly treated by steroids and inhalers. For some patients, however, these treatments are not totally effective, leaving them unprotected from harm in the event of an attack.

 

It is now known that passive smoke can not only worsen the symptoms of asthma in children, but can actually impair their response to treatments in the form of inhaled steroids. It is not yet known how or why this effect occurs.

 

Researchers into the subject have found that children who have severe asthma, and parents who smoke at home, have a lower level of an enzyme called HDAC2, especially when compared like for like with children who do not have smoking parents.

 

This enzyme – HDAC2 – is required in the human body to help it benefit from steroids, and to allow them to exert their anti-inflammatory type effects over the symptoms of asthma.

 

To come to this conclusion, researchers looked at a group of 19 children who were suffering from severe asthma. Nine of the children in the group had a parent who smoked whilst ten of the children had parents who were non smokers.

Categories: Asthma, Children, cigarette smoke, nbsp, Parents, severe asthma, smoke, smoker, smoking parents, treatment

Could Steroid-Dependent Asthma Be Linked To Depression?

People with very severe forms of asthma, who rely on prednisone, are more than three times more likely to be depressed than people with asthma who don’t use prednisone and those with mild to moderate asthma. According to a new study from researchers in The Netherlands, prednisone-dependent asthma patients ‘deserve’ screening for depression and anxiety to both remove the suffering and perhaps improve their physical health through the treatment they would receive for mental health conditions. Often, depression can go unnoticed and can develop into a more severe condition. The connection between depression and asthma is well established. As well as being a chronic illness in itself, there are now strong reports of depression levels being high as well. Prednisone is a steroid anti-inflammatory medication which is used to treat asthma attacks in people with severe asthmatic symptoms. Prior studies have found that steroid use can be connected to depression and other mood disorders, and the links go in both directions with depression and the severity of asthma symptoms. This study took place with 187 participants to examine the depression risk among asthma patients. Among the participants, 67 had severe prednisone-dependent asthma and 47 had severe asthma but were not dependent on prednisone. Another 73 patients had mild to moderate asthma – the people in the three groups were similar but the prednisone-dependent group were, on average, older and had greater limitations to their breathing.

 

All of the patients were asked questions about depression and anxiety, as well as questions regarding their personality traits which could well be a factor in their risk of mood disorders. Researchers discovered that people with severe prednisone-dependent asthma were 3.4 times more likely to be depressed than those with severe, but no prednisone-dependent, asthma. They were also 3.5 times more likely to be depressed than patients with mild to moderate asthma. There were no significant differences in the personality traits of the patients, but there was a 2.5x higher chance of the prednisone-dependent participants developing anxiety than those with mild to moderate symptoms – however, there was no significant difference in those with severe non-prednisone dependent asthma. The increased risk of the depression may well be due to the stress of the treatment, according to researchers, rather than the severity of the illness itself. This could be similar to other chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, which require a complex daily regimen to be treated. Having to maintain the treatment every day reminds you of the illness itself, and that can lead to untreated but long-term depression. The more depressed you are, the less likely you will be able to take care of the responsibility of maintaining your medication. Researchers involved in the study believe that GPs need to be more proactive in screening asthma suffers for depression, anxiety and related disorders, to check early on whether symptoms are present. If you’re concerned about your health or think that you may be suffering with depression, either as an illness itself or as a side effect of your medication, you should speak to your GP as soon as possible so that they can assign you help or medication to treat the condition. The researchers of the study also placed importance on friends, family and caregivers to express their concerns if they believe that they know of someone who is suffering with untreated depression, as often people are either anxious about coming forward with their symptoms or don’t spot them in the same way that people living around them may well do.

Categories: Asthma, asthma patients, dependent asthma, depression, moderate asthma, mood disorders, new study, personality traits, prednisone dependent, severe prednisone

Easy Ways to Keep your Asthma and Allergies from Flaring Up

Allergies and asthma attacks are a fact of life for many, but they don’t have to make life totally miserable. If they get out of hand, allergies or asthma can not only cause discomfort, but they can lead to hospitalizations and other medical complications. Fortunately, there are ways you can try to keep asthma and allergies from flaring up.

 

1. Contain pet dander

We love our pets, so it’s tough to blame them for our problems. Pet dander is a common allergen. If something at home triggers asthma or allergy symptoms, first try restricting the animal. Keep them from the area where you spend the most time, especially the bedroom. If this does not bring relief and the pet is indeed the issue, you may need to resort to a pet-free home. Allergy shots and medication are also an option for people who can’t bear to part with their pet, but don’t want to live with uncomfortable allergy symptoms like a runny nose and itchy eyes.

 

2. Fix leaky pipes

Are there water leaks under the sink, in the bathroom or in the basement that need repair? These areas are prone to grow black mold, one of the most serious health risks. Mold spores love moisture which can trigger allergic reactions and make some people severely ill. Be sure the bathroom has an exhaust fan in good working order, and take care of all leaks. Children are most likely to run health risks from mold because their immune systems are still not fully developed.

 

3. Replace AC filters

Air conditioner filters trap allergens. Pollen, dust, mold spores and animal dander will remain in the filter until it is full. Depending on the type of filters you use and the environment in and outside your home, a good rule of thumb is to replace the filters every 3 to 6 months. If you live in a climate like Arizona where you rely heavily on your air conditioner, you may need to contact a professional of duct cleaning in Phoenix on a more regular basis. Clean filters mean the allergens continue to be trapped and are not circulating around the house where you can breathe them in.

 

4. Control the dust

Dust, pollen, mold spores and animal dander circulate around the home in the air, and lodge in furniture and carpeting. Dust tables, entertainment centers, shelves and other furniture often and regularly wipe down windowsills with a damp cloth. Rather than dusting with a dry cloth, try using a wet cloth to trap the dust effectively rather than spread it around the home again. Furniture and carpets should be vacuumed once or twice a week. When cleaning, be sure to wear a dust mask.

 

5. Cover bedding

Most asthmatic attacks are attributed to dust mites. The microscopic bugs like warm, humid environments with a special preference for bedding and carpeting. Pillows, mattresses and box springs can be protected with airtight covers. Bedding should be washed weekly in hot water, and sheets and covers dried in a hot dryer.

 

There are ways to minimize allergy symptoms. The trick is to learn which irritants affect you and avoid the triggers. Keeping a clean and well maintained home will ensure that your family stays healthy without having to suffer from daily allergies or asthma attacks. Although there may still be things in your home that trigger symptoms, basic cleaning and maintenance is a good place to start.

Categories: Air Conditioner, allergies, Allergy Symptoms, animal dander, Asthma, Asthma Attacks, dust, health concerns, Health Risks, Home, mold spores, Pet Dander, pets

Top Asthma Triggers That Could be Making You Ill

Asthma is a respiratory condition that affects your breathing, as the lungs swell and tighten in response to various triggers. If you have such a condition, it’s vital that you speak to your GP or an allergist to receive the right medication – it’s a dangerous illness that could be fatal if left to worsen. Around 60 per cent of asthma cases are allergic asthma, which means that underlying allergies make it hard for you to breathe. This could be cats, pollen, dust or chemicals in the air, but a skin-prick test can determine what is making your asthma worse. Once you know what the triggers are, you can avoid them to ensure you don’t exacerbate your condition. The seasons are one of the most common causes so you should be aware of the seasons, specifically if you have allergies to grasses, weeds and pollens. Allergic symptoms can start as early as February when the trees start blooming, grasses can make your symptoms worse right through summer, and weeds will continue to affect you until autumn. So be aware of the signs and get your treatments sorted ahead of time. Once you know that pollen is your trigger, you can keep an eye on your risk by checking the daily pollen count in your local area. If you know what you’re sensitive to, this will help you read the rankings a little more clearly and you’ll know what to avoid for future summers to keep allergies at bay.

Seems to simple to be true? Maybe, but closing your window could actually be the answer to some of your problems! You can use an air conditioner to filter out pollen that does find its way into your home, especially on high pollen days. There is a chance that your allergies are worse in the evening because pollen gets trapped on your clothes and hair. So make sure that you change your clothes, shower and wash your hair of an evening so that you don’t exacerbate your problem. This goes for your nose – believe it or not, but your nostrils trap pollen too, and this can lead you to have worse allergies when you’ve been out all day. You can try using a saline rinse, or a herbal nasal spray to reduce the risk of pollen getting trapped in the nasal cavity. If these don’t work, you can speak to your GP who may be able to advise of a prescription treatment that will do the job more effectively. Antihistamines can be bought over the counter and can work with your asthma medication to keep your symptoms under control. There are plenty you can buy over the counter, but if they don’t work there are stronger ones that your GP can prescribe for you. Some people find that their allergic asthma gets worse when they workout outside, so opt for an indoor workout instead. If you really must exercise outdoors, try to avoid the late morning or early afternoon as pollen is released at sunrise and tends to peak just a few hours later. You should also aim to keep your home temperature in the mid to low 60s and the humidity between 40 and 45 per cent, as dust mites thrive in homes that are warmer than 70 degrees. These are known to make allergies worse, so keep an eye on this and make sure that you keep your home at a temperature that sends them packing.

Categories: allergic asthma, allergies, Asthma, avoid, Pollen, worse

Can You Tell If You"ll Outgrow Your Asthma Condition?

A new study has discovered a way of using genetic testing to determine whether patients with asthma are likely to outgrow the condition, or if they will continue to experience symptoms as they grow older. The report, published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, analysed data from a study spanning 40 years. Researchers discovered that children with asthma and higher risk scored including a number of genetic variants associated with asthma were more than 36 percent more likely to develop a life-long condition, whereas those with a lower genetic risk were not. Nearly half of all children with asthma will grow out of it by the time they reach adulthood. There are currently no tests to predict which children will do so, however. This new report could change that and identify those who will suffer with the chronic lung disease for life.

 

Recent genetic studies have found that several variants, including single nucleotide polymorphisms and SNPs, carry a small increased risk of asthma. In this study, researchers wanted to see whether these genetic risks are associated with the onset or severity of asthma, as well as the disruptions to daily life. The findings of the study showed that those with a higher genetic risk score were also more likely to develop atopic, or allergic, asthma, as well as impaired lung function – this is known as airway hyper-responsiveness, or incompletely reversible airflow obstruction. These individuals are more likely to miss school or work, and have an increased risk of hospitalisation due to asthma than those with a lower genetic risk. Researchers are keen to stress that this predictive value of the genotype score was independent of family history. Those with symptoms of asthma are urged to seek medical advice in order to determine if they have the condition.

Categories: Asthma, Children, condition, genetic, genetic risk, increased risk, new study, risk, study

What Do You Need to Do to Fight and Control Your Asthma?

When your wellness is affected by asthma, you find your wellbeing taking a hit time and time again. Unfortunately, asthma is just one of those health concerns that doesn’t quit – especially if you don’t know what triggers the condition or how to prevent this from happening. However, with a little research and preparation, you can avoid nasty asthma triggers and breathe easy. So, how do you do it?

 

The first thing you need to do to take control of your asthma is to get tested. Asthma is categorised by the fact that it makes your lungs swell and tighten in response to triggers, so it’s important to see an allergist to find out what those triggers are. In about 60% of asthma cases, allergic asthma is at play, meaning that it can be hard for you to breathe if you come into contact with underlying allergens. Skin-prick tests, and other methods of testing, can help you to figure out and avoid your triggers, be they cats, pollen, dust, or something else entirely.

 

If, during your test, you find that you’re allergic to tree pollens, grasses, and weeds, this unfortunately means that you’ll might start seeing symptoms as early as February, as this is when the trees begin to bloom. You might find yourself miserable through the summer if grasses are a trigger, while weeds can keep you wheezing through autumn. It’s important to know which one you’re allergic to, in order to combat symptoms. You can look online for a daily ranking of allergens, including seasonal tree pollens, grasses, weeds, and outdoor moulds. This gives you the chance to say indoors when levels of allergens are high.

 

However, it’s not always possible to stay indoors and weather the storm of allergens, so what do you do then? If the pollen levels are high, but you need to go outdoors, you might want to consider a N95 filter mask. They’re not so chic but they do keep pollen out of your nose and mouth. Neil Kao, MD, an allergist at the Allergic Disease and Asthma Centre in Greenville, South Carolina, notes, ‘Your nose is like a car windshield—pollen sticks to it.’ However, you can help to clear that windshield with a saline sinus rinse, which can be found in any pharmacy. If that doesn’t do the trick, there are always non-prescription herbal nasal sprays like NasalCrom (cromolyn sodium). These help prevent allergic reactions in your nose.

 

When you do go out, your hair can trap pollen throughout the day, so washing it when you get home can help to rinse it out, and ensure you get a good night’s sleep. This is especially useful advice for gel, mouse and hairspray users, as these products are really good at trapping pollen. Another good thing to do when you get home is to close your window (although you should really keep them closed the whole time you’re out!) An air conditioner can help you to further filter out pollen, especially on days in which the pollen count is high, and most ACs will have a filter-only mode so you don’t have to blast your home with cold air all winter.

 

Generally speaking, keeping calm can help prevent asthma flare-ups. A study recently found that sufferers of seasonal allergies (hay fever) have more extreme reactions the day after they perform stressful tasks. Clifford Bassett, MD, an allergist at New York University Medical Centre, explains, ‘Stress raises levels of the hormone cortisol,’ and that often leads to an amped-up allergic response. To combat stress, try stress-relieving techniques like meditation or a soak in the tub. Finally, over-the-counter antihistamine options work alongside your asthma medication to keep your symptoms under control. If those don’t work, ask your doctor about prescription antihistamines.

Categories: allergic, Asthma, nbsp, Pollen, pollens grasses, Testing, tree pollens, Triggers

Stomach Pain: One of the Biggest Problem in Children

When we think about illnesses that children suffer from there is actually a huge number of them that instantly come to mind. Of course there is the chicken pox which blights the young lives of many children (although is actually more a serious conditions if contracted later on in life). Asthma is another problem that we mostly only think of as one of that children tend to suffer with but one that they often shrug off later in life. Other issues that children have include skin rashes and obesity. But perhaps there is another problem that we don’t think about but should be more in our thoughts than some of the others. This is chronic stomach pain.

 

Chromic stomach pain has brought more closely to public attention recently by a report by German researchers that suggests children to dwell on and fret about chronic stomach pain are likely to have a lower quality of life than those children who have a better attitude about the condition. The report also noted that parents can play a very key role in the way that their child copes with the problem itself. This clearly shows that we should be thinking more about the problem of chronic stomach pain and parents should be equipping their children with strategies on how to deal with it.

 

Another of the more surprising aspects of study was that children with chronic stomach pain were found to report a lower quality of life than those kids who have to deal with asthma, skin rashes and obesity. This is a very worrying trend that appears to suggest that chronic stomach pain is one of the worst conditions for children to have, as it can affect their life for a long time and do a lot of damage to their overall wellness and wellbeing.

 

“If the children [with the condition] think, ‘My pain will not stop,’ then this can lead to further impairment and increase psychological strain,” said Claudia Calvano of the University of Potsdam in Germany who is a co-author of the study. Given the fact that it is estimated that between 8 and 25 per cent of young people suffer from chronic stomach pain and bring it with them into adulthood this is certainly something that we have to look at in terms of sorting out the problem and improving the wellness of many people around the UK and the globe in general.

 

The researchers looked at two different forms of stomach pain – firstly, the kind which doctors can identify a medical reason for the pain, which is referred to as organic pain, and secondly, another type where doctors can find no clear source, which known as functional pain. The more obscure of the two, functional stomach pain may come as a result of interactions between stress, diet, exercise or psychological challenges for child. This can much so much be harder to identify that specific problems and find a solution for them. Organic stomach pain may be present alongside obvious symptoms like vomiting or fever, although it can also simply be a standard pain in the stomach that does not go away.

 

When Calvano’s team of researchers examined data on 170 children and teenagers from the ages 8 to 18, the team found that it was poor coping skills, rather than gender, economic status or type of abdominal pain, was directly linked with the child having a lower quality of life. We must find ways to give children better coping strategies to deal with the pain so that they can lead a normal life more easily.

Categories: Asthma, Children, Chronic, chronic stomach, life, Pain, skin rash, skin rashes, stomach, stomach pain

Could Prenatal POP Exposure Lead to Long-Term Asthma?

Environmental wellness is always a concern to consider, but this becomes even more vital when you’re pregnant. Not only are you watching out for your own wellbeing; you also have a baby growing inside of you and the outside toxins you’re exposed to could put your baby’s wellness at risk. It’s no secret that prenatal exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) may be harmful to a child’s developing immune system – this has been suggested by plenty of previous research – but few studies have looked into the long-term health outcomes of POP exposure, until now. Findings recently published in Environmental Health Perspectives show that if your baby is exposed to certain POPs while still in the womb, he or she may have an increased risk of developing asthma that persists into young adulthood.

 

Todd Jusko, an environmental epidemiologist at the University of Rochester, who was not involved in the study, comments, ‘The focus in immunotoxicity studies has often been on immunologic intermediates, such as immune cell counts. This study is unique in that it looks at a long-term clinically relevant outcome.’ For the study, Danish researchers evaluated the relationship between asthma and prenatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), the pesticide hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and dichlorodiphenyl- dichloroethylene (DDE) – which is a daughter compound of the pesticide DDT. Lindsey Konkel, editor for Environmental Health News and The Daily Climate, explains, ‘PCBs, HCB, and DDT have been banned or restricted for many years due to concerns over human health effects, but they persist in the environment and the human body. Although levels of these chemicals have been dropping in the human population, diet—especially seafood consumption—remains an important route of exposure.’

 

Konkel notes, ‘Past studies have reported an association between prenatal exposure to DDE and asthma in children at ages 44 and 7–10. Prenatal HCB exposure has been associated with airway hyper reactivity in rats. Other studies examining prenatal exposure to PCBs and asthma-like symptoms have yielded mixed results; two studies found an association with wheeze in infants and allergic sensitivity in children at age seven while another reported an inverse association with allergic disease.’ However, the authors of the new study argue that previous studies have not followed up with subjects past childhood, and this may be the reason for the divergent findings. According to lead author Susanne Hansen, a doctoral candidate in epidemiology at the Statens Serum Institut in Copenhagen, ‘A twenty-year follow-up allows us to distinguish between [true] asthma and asthma-like symptoms, such as wheeze, which may resolve in the first six to seven years of life.’

 

For the study, the researchers examined the blood POP levels of 872 pregnant Danish women. At the age of 20, the children of the mothers who had had the highest blood HCB concentrations during pregnancy were nearly twice as likely to have been prescribed asthma medication as the children of mothers with the lowest concentrations. If the mother had a high level of one particular PCB congener, dioxin-like PCB-118, the child was nearly twice as likely as children of mothers with the lowest levels to have used asthma medications. Michele La Merrill, a developmental toxicologist at the University of California, Davis, asserts, ‘The association between dioxin-like PCB 118 and asthma is an interesting one but not sufficient to suggest a general link between all dioxin-like chemicals and asthma.’ The possibility of such a general link, says Merrill, is ‘a provocative question that would be worth continuing to ask in future studies.’ If you’re pregnant and worried about the long-term effects of POPs, look online or speak to a health professional for ways to reduce your exposure.

Categories: Asthma, environmental health, exposure, general link, Long term, POP Exposure, prenatal, prenatal exposure, Research, studies

Warning: Serious Air Pollutants Are All Around You

It’s quite worrying to think about it, but the air that you breathe every day could be harming your health. There are lots of different particles in the air, and some of them can be damaging or dangerous for your wellness and wellbeing, particularly if you suffer from asthma.

 

Air pollutants are all around us. They come in the form of cigarette smoke and fumes from car exhausts, both of which release particles and gases into the atmosphere, and these can then irritate your respiratory system.

 

Leading charity Asthma UK believes that pollution actually plays a very strong role in causing asthma in the first place, both in children and in adults, as well as being a strong trigger to exacerbate the symptoms of those already suffering from the condition. Two thirds of people who suffer from asthma feel strongly that fumes from traffic make their asthma symptoms worse, and about 42 percent of asthma sufferers actually said that the worry about the effects of heavy traffic fumes would cause them to avoid areas with congestion. A strong 85 percent of those who suffer from asthma say that they feel very concerned about the effect that the increasing levels of vehicle fumes will have, both on their own future and that of their children in the years to come.

 

There is strong evidence that links the development of asthma with certain residencies, such as those who live next to roads with heavy traffics, particularly roads that are frequently travelled by diesel-fuelled lorries and busses, which cause the highest levels of pollution. Some studies suggest that asthma that starts when you are an adult can have the strongest link with pollution. This study links adult-onset asthma with pollution in the home environment, rather than any association with travelling or the workplace.

Categories: air, air pollutants, Asthma, fumes, pollutants, pollution, strong, suffer

Fitness Fears: Why Are Asthma Sufferers Afraid to Exercise?

You don’t need me to tell you that exercise is beneficial for your health; regular activity makes you feel good, prevents a variety of health concerns and helps you to maintain your weight. But did you know that exercise can enhance your wellbeing when you suffer from asthma? You might be concerned that physical activity will trigger your symptoms, but actually exercise can have the opposite effect.

 

As you age, exercise becomes more important than ever as you need to keep using your body to get the best out of it. Studies have shown that people who keep exercising through their middle years stay healthier than people who don’t. By staying active, you enable your heart, bones and digestive system to stay healthy, keeping your joints working, your reflexes sharp and your muscles strong. Moreover, exercise is good for your emotional wellness as it reduces your stress, releases endorphins that make you feel happy and energised, and helps you to sleep.

 

However, for asthma sufferers, exercise can be a mountain to climb. In fact, eight out of 10 asthma sufferers don’t do enough exercise, the commonly cited reason for which being concerns over aggravating symptoms. But you shouldn’t let asthma hold you back! In fact, exercise can help you to improve your lung capacity, which will help you to manage your asthma better. Exercise also gives you more stamina for everyday activities, such as cleaning and shopping. Plus, once you realise you can workout and still feel great, you’ll worry less about your asthma, and have the confidence you need to manage your condition.

 

When you’re getting started, the first thing you need to do is see your GP or asthma nurse. Not only will they be able to check whether your asthma is under control (meaning you rarely have symptoms), but they’ll also be able to help you find the best type of exercise for you and check you’re on the right medicines. If exercising brings out your asthma symptoms – such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or tightness in the chest – your doctor might advise you to take a few puffs of our reliever inhaler before starting the activity. You might also be referred to a physiotherapist who can develop an exercise programme suitable for you and your individual needs.

 

You don’t have to spend hours in the gym to get fit, and nor should you get started that way. According to fitness guru Rosemary Conley, who’s had asthma all her life, the best thing to do is ‘Go gently at first, but even a five minute walk three times a day will make a real difference. Walk to the shops, use the stairs more, mow the lawn – anything!’ If you haven’t been exercising at all, start with trying to do 5 minutes a day. Wait for this to become easy, and then move up to 10 minutes, gradually building up to at least 30 minutes a day. Remember to warm up and cool down before and after exercising, and include stretches so you don’t strain your muscles.

 

Finally, remember these safety tips:

 

1. If exercise still triggers your asthma, see your GP or nurse again.

2. Make sure anyone you’re exercising with knows what to do if you have an asthma attack.

3. Always carry your (blue) reliever inhaler.

4. If you have asthma symptoms when you exercise, stop, puff on your reliever inhaler and wait five minutes for your symptoms to disappear before you start again.

5. Don’t exercise outside when it’s chilly if cold weather exacerbates your asthma.

6. Don’t exercise outside the when the pollen count is very high if pollen is a trigger.

 

Categories: Asthma, asthma control, asthma sufferers, asthma symptoms, exercise, exercising, nbsp, reliever inhaler, Safety, Symptoms

What Could Be Causing Your Lung Problem?

There are a number of reasons why you can develop lung problems, from developing asthma to dust and chemical irritants. In fact, airborne irritants can even cause asthma. Then there is the outdoor problems – toxic car fumes, secondhand smoke and toxins in the air can all lead to coughing and wheezing, particularly if you already have respiratory problems. There are some lesser known irritants though that can exacerbate your problems – here is a list of the less common triggers that could be affecting you from your everyday lifestyle.

Fireworks

There have been a number of reports over the years that fireworks can cause asthma attacks, with one particularly worrying incident in 2000 stating that a 9 year old girl with mild asthma suffered a severe attack and died, after playing with sparklers at a picnic on the Fourth of July. When lit, the ever-popular Roman Candles, bottle rockets and sparklers release a number of chemicals which include sulphur dioxide. This can make asthma worse when it’s inhales, particularly in concentrated amounts. And it can get worse if you attend large-scale firework displays, as the smoky fallout can contain barium aerosols, which it has been suggested can make asthma worse.

Air bags

Studies have shown that asthmatics who stay in their cars after a crash are likely to suffer attacks, as the aerosol compounds which are released into the cabin when the airbag inflates act as an irritant.

Flour

Love to bake? It could be causing your lung troubles! When inhaled in large quantities, flour dust can irritate the lungs so much that there is actually a term for it – baker’s asthma. This is actually one of the most common forms of work-related asthma, and there are many professional bakers who have been known to develop asthma due to an allergy to wheat flour.

Gas appliances

The byproduct of gas appliances, nitrogen dioxide, has been connected to asthma symptoms in children, according to a 2008 study. Researchers found that children who lived in homes with higher levels of NO2 were more likely to cough, wheeze and suffer from tight chests. Even with just small amounts emitted from stoves, fireplaces and heaters, this byproduct can aggravate asthma.

Candles

If you love to burn candles of an evening in your home, you’re probably blissfully unaware of the effects that it has on your respiratory system. A study carried out at the South Carolina State University found that paraffin-based candles, which are the most popular form, emit in toluene and benzene. However, beeswax and soybean candles don’t emit these chemicals. You won’t be at risk if you decide to light the odd candle during a romantic meal or while you’re having a bath, but if you don’t ventilate the area you may find that your asthma symptoms worsen.

Printers

A lesser known trigger, laser printers and photocopiers actually emit ultrafine particles which make your symptoms worse. In 2009, an account from a 62 year old woman who began coughing and wheezing at work was published. Her job was selling lottery tickets in a small kiosk, and it was found that the ink used in the ticket printer was making her ill. Once she stopped working in the kiosk, her symptoms gradually disappeared. If you work in an admin job where you are dealing with printers and copiers a lot, you may find that your asthma symptoms are worse during the times when you’re dealing with this equipment.

Categories: Asthma, asthma symptoms, asthma worse, Breathing, candles, gas appliances, lung, problems, Symptoms, worse

Puppy Problems: How to Respond When Your Dog Has Asthma

Your puppy isn’t only man’s best friend; he’s a much-needed boost to family wellness. However, when you hear your four-legged friend start to wheeze or fight for breath, it can be a frightening experience for you and the pup. It’s not common for asthma to affect canine wellness, but puppies can indeed develop the respiratory condition – just under a different name. Allergic bronchitis is a rare occurrence in puppies, but you don’t need to worry too much about his wellbeing; it’s a manageable condition.

 

When your puppy has asthma, the air passages to his lungs fill with mucus, causing them to swell and spasm. This means that less air is able to reach his lungs, and so it is more difficult for him to breathe. The primary symptom of asthma is coughing, and so you won’t realise there’s a problem until you hear a little gruffness in his growl. When asthma attacks occur, your puppy may also wheeze and seem to gasp for air, which may cause him to paw at his own face or move around in a strange way in order to get more air.

 

As with human asthma, there are many potential triggers and so it’s not unusual to never discover the cause. However, most cases of allergic bronchitis are caused by an allergic reaction to something in the dog’s environment, be it cigarette smoke, air pollution, pollen, perfumes and fumes from household cleaning products, fresheners or fertilizers. Plus, your furry little friend may have a food sensitivity, possibly reacting to an additive or flavouring.

 

No matter the cause of your puppy’s asthma, there is a variety of treatments that can help to widen his air passages and reduce inflammation:

 

1. Antihistamines. These reduce fluid and mucus in your puppy’s airways

 

2. Corticosteroids. These lower the inflammation in your puppy’s lungs and air passages.

 

3. Bronchodilators. These work to decrease swelling in your puppy’s air passages.

 

4. Cough suppressants. The vet may prescribe these if your puppy develops a chronic cough as part of the asthma.

 

Depending on your canine’s symptoms and the severity of his condition, the vet will either choose to administer these medications immediately, or through the use of an inhaler which your dog may need throughout his life. Either way, you can all breathe a little easier.

Categories: air passages, allergic bronchitis, Asthma, passages nbsp, Puppy, Treatments

Asthma: Why Dust In The Air Can Trigger Attacks

In Dubai, weather warnings have been released stating that high winds will wreak havoc on cities and towns. These winds will pick up dust, creating dust storms and rain. The high speeds of the winds and sands will decrease visibility, too. The most important factor of this weather though is the effect it will have on people with respiratory issues. Those stating the report have explained that anyone with asthma should either wear a mask or avoid heading out into the weather if at all possible. Doctors in Dubai have noted that there has been a 20 percent increase in patients with upper respiratory complications since the arrival of such extreme weather.

Such sandstorms contain two types of particles, one of which is coarse and one which is fine. Generally, the fine particles cause more damage to people with asthma. GPs have advised that anyone who suffers from asthma should continue to take medication during this weather, even if staying indoors. They suggested that if patients are experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath and severe cough, they should seek medical advice as soon as possible in case of an attack.

Asthma is a respiratory condition which affects one’s ability to breathe easily – irritants and particles cause the airways to create an anti-inflammatory attack on the body, which causes the airways to swell and constrict. People suffering from asthma can help to reduce the risk of an attack through limiting their exposure to excess dust and mould spores, chemicals in the air such as air fresheners, and perfumes. Exercising helps to open up the lungs, so light physical activity once or twice a week can help. It’s important to take it easy with exercise though, as it can have an adverse effect – speak to your GP if you’re unsure which forms of exercise are best for the severity of your condition.

Asthma: Why Dust In The Air Can Trigger Attacks

Categories: Asthma, Attack, dust, Stormy Weather, weather, Winds

Could a New Procedure Offer Hope to Asthma Sufferers?

Around 30 million people in the United States of America suffer from asthma. This is a debilitating respiratory condition which can cause wheezing, shortness of breath, swelling and, in severe cases, it can lead to premature death. Those who suffer from asthma find that it affects their wellbeing on a daily basis at times, and, as well as these unpleasant physical symptoms, the effect of living with such a condition can also have a negative effect on mental wellness, too.

That’s why many asthma sufferers will be intrigued to learn that a new procedure is being offered in some parts of the USA. Whilst many people can control their asthma to varying degrees through medication, in the most severe cases, the condition can be difficult to control with medication alone.

The new procedure is called bronchial thermoplasty and is now on offer at the University of Minnesota Medical Centre, amongst other places.

Thirty million people in the United States have asthma, but in some cases it is so severe that it can be difficult to control with medications. A trained Pulmonologist performs the procedure, which requires the use of a device that has been made by Boston Scientific.

This is a bronchoscope which is passed through the airways of the patient in order to apply heat to their airways. This then shrinks the muscles around the internal airways, as they are heated to 150 degrees for 10 seconds each time. By shrinking the muscles, the procedure opens up the airways, allowing more room for easier breathing.

The process involves a series of treatments – three in total. These are spaced out with three weeks between each treatment. Each part of the treatment targets a different area inside the lungs.

Not everyone with asthma is entitled to this new treatment – only those who have severe asthma that is not controlled and is affecting their quality of life will be eligible.

Could a New Procedure Offer Hope to Asthma Sufferers?

Categories: Asthma, procedure, severe

Could Stroking Your Pet Lead to Cysts in Your Brain?

You may see nothing wrong with stroking your cat or rubbing your dog’s belly, but your wellness may be at risk by doing so. Pets are carriers of germs that are unintentionally passed on to you, and can cause you to develop health concerns such as skin infections, respiratory ailments and even cysts in your liver and brain.

 

‘The scabies is a skin disease, wherein tiny spider-like mites on the pet results in an itchy rash around the belt,’ explains Dr Bimal Kanish, dermatologist at Christian Medical College and Hospital. ‘This disease is quite common as we do come across one or two cases in a day where one of the sources of infection can be pets. Apart from that, bites by mites on the pets, also results in irritation and redness of skin in humans. We suggest the patients to maintain personal and domestic hygiene apart from the medical treatment.’

 

Dr Gurpreet Singh, chest disease specialist at SPS Apollo Hospital, commented, ‘Some people do complain of symptoms of asthma and bronchitis aggravating after they come in contact with a pet just returning from outside. I get around seven to eight cases of asthma and bronchitis on daily and during consultation they inform of their symptoms aggravating after coming in contact with their pets. The hair of the pets should be cleaned properly as they act as a carrier of allergens like dust and pollens.’

 

According to wellness experts, it is possible for the tapeworm in your pet’s body to transfer to you, which may affect your wellbeing with cysts in your liver and sometimes in your brain. Dr Harmeet Singh Saluja, gastroenterologist at SPS Apollo Hospital, advises, ‘Proper hygiene is a must to avoid hydatid cysts in the liver and brain. I do get one such case in a week, whereas we hardly used to get any case about a decade ago. This is mainly due to the increase in the trend for pets in the city.’ Dr Jaspreet Singh Mauj, a veterinarian from Sarabha Nagar, added, ‘The pets need to have a good hygiene apart from the proper cleanliness where they live. They should be frequently bathed. Their de-worming should be done in proper time span apart from their regular check ups. They should also not be allowed to go anywhere near the place where food is getting cooked.’

Categories: Asthma, cysts, pets

How To Tell If Your Child Will Grow Out Of Their Asthma

Childhood asthma is one of the most serious health concerns for parents, who feel paralysed with fear as they watch their children struggle for breath. Despite knowing that it affects the wellness of millions of children around the world, parents find it a very worrying condition, and most of them pray that their child grows out of their asthma.

 

Childhood asthma is quite common, but up until now it has been impossible to tell whether your child has the kind of asthma that they will grow out of, or the kind that will affect their wellbeing throughout their life. Now, a new genetic test could help to predict whether or not your child’s asthma is likely to turn into a lifelong condition.

 

The new genetic test is the result of a 40 year-long study into asthma, which found that half of children grow out of their asthma by the time they reach adolescence. Now the study has managed to identify genetic factors which increase the likelihood of childhood asthma becoming a lifelong condition by up to 36 percent.

 

This study could show that genetic testing is useful to predict which children are at risk of developing a long-term condition and which can feel reassured in the knowledge that it is a limited condition that they are going to grow out of in a few years’ time.

 

Experts stress, however, that this research has not yet produced a test that is advanced enough to be used in day-to-day medical practice, although this is obviously the hope for the future, as tests could well be developed to help assess the risk.

Categories: Age, Asthma, genetic

Could a New Electrical Vaccine Help To Cure Asthma?

Dust mites, which are present in every home across the country, cause more breathing difficulties than any other allergens. This makes it extremely difficult for asthmatics to preserve their wellness during everyday life. Now, a new vaccine looks to address those health concerns by curing asthmatics once and for all.

 

This new vaccine fires an electrical pulse through the skin, where it is received by the cells of the immune system. This exposure then prompts your body to produce ‘helper cells’ which protect your body against dust mites. Being immunised against dust mites in this way could dramatically reduce the number of asthma attacks suffered every year.

 

The treatment which could revolutionise the wellbeing of asthmatics across the country, works by helping to block the entire process which leads to breathing difficulties in sufferers. In those with a dust mite allergy, the body’s immune system produces an out of proportion response to the droppings of dust mites, and produces a chemical called histamine to help fight against the perceived threat. This rush of histamine then causes swelling and irritation, which affects the airways and makes it difficult for the sufferer to breathe.

 

Currently, the only treatment available for this condition is immunotherapy, where the body is injected with small amounts of the dust mite droppings to gradually get the immune system used to the protein. This is a lengthy treatment, however, requiring around 80 injections and taking up to five years to become fully effective.

 

The new vaccine, which is being developed by scientists, would see a small amount of the protein’s DNA, which allows the body to then build the harmful protein for themselves, and then the ‘helper cells’ to help fight against it. The electricity allows the vaccine to permeate the tough the membrane of the cells.

Categories: Asthma, electric vaccine