The incidence of asthma
is rising in the United States.
Currently there are more than 14 million people who suffer from this chronic lung condition. While the exact cause of asthma remains largely unknown, it is known that allergens like pollen and mold can make life very difficult, if not dangerous, for the asthma sufferer.  Research reflects that asthma is directly related to lung inflammation and allergies can make symptoms worse.

The symptoms of asthma
generally include shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, and coughing.  These symptoms vary in intensity from person to person.  Some asthma patients experience problems only on occasion while others have to do battle every day.

It's vital for a person with asthma to be diagnosed and treated properly.
This means regular consultation with a knowledgeable health care provide. Without proper treatment asthma can become disabling and even life threatening.  Despite the medical advances in asthma research and medications, the number of asthma deaths and asthma-related emergency room visits continues to climb.

What can you do
if you have asthma

• If you have asthma, your doctor will recommend self-management techniques to help prevent attacks.
• See your health care provider regularly and take prescribed medications as directed.
• Do not use over-the-counter asthma medications.
• Do not smoke. Avoid people who smoke cigarettes, cigars and pipes, as tobacco smoke can trigger asthma attacks.
• If you are overweight, talk to your health care provider about safely losing weight to prevent asthma complications.
• Know your allergen triggers -- the things and events that cause you to have asthma attacks.
• Reduce your exposure to allergens.
• Take your medications exactly as directed, even when you are feeling well and have no asthma symptoms.

Avoid allergens
Many people with asthma also have allergy problems. Sometimes reducing your exposure to allergens may help you manage your asthma. If you have allergy problems, you may want to consult your health care provider for allergy testing. The following steps help people with allergies to feel better and for people with asthma these techniques can reduce the number of asthma attacks:

• In your home:
• Use mite-proof pillow cases.
• Wipe down or vacuum your mattress and pillow covers once a week.
• Avoid feather pillows and quilts. Use polyester-fill pillows.
• Cover your windows with washable curtains and shades. Blinds can gather dust.
• Clean your shades weekly.
• If possible, avoid or remove wall-to-wall carpeting. Wash any throw rugs in hot water once a week.
• Store shoes, off-season clothing and other items in plastic containers with lids that are easy to dust.
• Damp dust and mop your house weekly.
• Wear a dust mask when vacuuming or ask someone else to vacuum.
• Eliminate houseplants -- they gather dust and mold.
• If mold is a problem in your house, use a room dehumidifier. Do not use vaporizers or humidifiers. Also, remove wallpaper, as mold can grow underneath it.
• Keep your windows and doors closed during pollen season. If possible, use an air conditioner instead. If you use an air conditioner, check it regularly for mold.
• Change the filter in your home air conditioner or furnace at least once a month.
• Use a bleach solution to kill mold and mildew in bathrooms and kitchens.
  (Note -- make sure that cleaning areas are properly ventilated).
• Control cockroaches and other pests, such as rodents. You might be allergic to debris left behind by pests.
• Keep pets out of your bedroom. If possible, make your pets outdoor pets or find new homes for them.
  Outdoors
• Stay indoors between the hours of 10 am and 2 PM when pollen counts are the highest.
• Monitor air quality via radio, television and newspapers, which often run listings of the pollen and mold levels.
• If you can, avoid outdoor chores that stir up pollen, such as mowing the lawn and raking leaves.
• Drive with the windows closed.

Dos and Don'ts for the Allergy Season
by Sue Spataro, RN, BSN
The great outdoors - filled with fragrant flowers, sprouting shrubs, green grass, and of course pollen, the uninvited guest. But you and other family members don't even think about venturing outdoors because of allergies. Dry, red itchy eyes, running noses, and sneezing aren't your ideas of fun so you resign yourself to the indoors. But you also know that there are parts of the house that can also cause allergies to flare up. What can you do?

Keeping the air in your home clean using a HEPA filter vaccum

Hoover Windtunnel Upright Vacuum Cleaner with HEPA filter also see: Natural Cleaning Ideas

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