The quality of air we breathe in is deteriorating every day, there’s no denying it. In fact the air inside our houses is more polluted then the air outside, pollutant levels are almost 2-5 times higher inside. This is bad news for people suffering from severe asthma and allergies. Allergies and asthma may be two different diseases requiring but the triggers for them are almost the same. Common triggers include dust mites, dander from animals, dust particles, pollen, smoke, perfume and others. There are medical remedies for asthma but as long as the triggers remain intact they will just keep coming back. So it becomes necessary that we follow the “prevention is better than cure” rule.

There are several essential asthma products that can be used in our homes to counter common triggers. Anti-allergy pillow covers and duvet covers are a good way to stay safe from dust mites. These covers are made from special micro porous fabric that trap in dust mites and their allergens and prevent them from coming in contact with you. As products like anti allergy mattress covers are made from a special fabric they allow body heat and moisture to pass through while preventing the allergens from dust mites, ensuring that you don’t have to wake up in the middle of the night sneezing, coughing or wheezing.

But dust mites are just one aspect of the problem; there are several other factors that can trigger an asthma attack. To make sure that your house is free from dust particles, pollen and other allergens it is highly recommended that you use a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner. HEPA vacuum cleaners are capable of removing 99.7% of all particles greater than 0.3 micrometer, something normal vacuum cleaner can’t. This would include most allergens and pollutants floating in the air like dust mite feces, pollen, mold spores and even animal dander. For greater efficiency you can also install air purifiers with HEPA filters or use air purification sprays. If fumes and smoke are common in your house then it would be best to install activated carbon filters as these types of filters absorbs most gases, fumes, vapours from chemicals and odours from the environment.

There are several ways to keep your home clean but when it comes to keeping your family safe from allergens and pollutants a thorough research is required. Remember every home is different and each has its own source of pollutants. In some households dander from pets may be a major cause whereas in others pollen grains. No matter what type of allergens you encounter, most of them are microscopic and air borne so it is always recommended that you keep the inside of your house clean. Using HEPA filter vacuum cleaners, natural allergy sprays, anti allergy mattress and pillow covers may not completely stop asthma but they will surely prevent it from returning frequently.

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What is Asthma?

History of Asthma

Asthma has been around for a long time. Hippocrates (460-357 BC), the Greek physician was the first person to describe asthma and the resulting conditions whereas Galen (130-201 BC), a Greco-Roman doctor was the first to define the causes of asthma.

Definition of Asthma

Asthma is defined as a chronic disease characterised by inflammation of the airway resulting in symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) an estimated 300 million people suffer from asthma, globally.

How asthma affects the lungs and airways?

The main airway or trachea is 2-3 cms wide. It branches into two parts near the lungs, known as bronchi, one leads to the left lung and the other to the right lung. The bronchus subdivides further and spreads out like the roots of a tree. The smallest tubes are hardly 1mm thick and are made of ring like structures that are capable of contracting and expanding. In case of asthmatic people the airway gets swollen and the tubes carrying oxygen contract so air cannot pass freely through them.

This gives rise to typical asthma symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath and persistent coughing. Moreover the inner linings of the bronchioles swell up and produce excess amounts of mucus which further blocks the tubes. In mild and moderate asthma cases this process occurs gradually and most asthma medicines work by opening the airways so that the person can resume normal breathing.

In some severe asthma attacks the airways get blocked in such a way that oxygen doesn’t reach the lungs. Severe asthma attacks can be fatal and patients may require immediate hospitalisation. Asthma not only prevents oxygen from reaching the lungs it also stops carbon dioxide from leaving the lungs. Carbon dioxide is poisonous for humans and if it is not expelled quickly can cause serious damage to the body.

What are the causes of Asthma?

The causes of asthma are various. Experts have divided the causes into two broad categories- environmental factors and genetic factors. So it is safe to assume that both external factors as well as genetic disposition of the person are responsible for asthma. It has been seen that there are certain common irritants that affect most asthmatic people such as cold, flu, exercise, pollution and perfumes.

There are certain specific irritants known as allergens that incite asthma but reaction to these allergens varies from person to person. Common allergens include pollen, dust mites, molds, certain types of food items, reactions to drugs like aspirin and several NSAIDs. Moreover there is a high chance that asthmatic people will have allergic conditions like eczema and hay-fever. In fact a lot of research is still going on to find the exact cause of asthma.

Dust Mites

Dust Mites are one of the key causes of Asthma that can be tackled. Numerous academic studies have shown the relationship between the presence of dust mites and the occurrence of asthma. Houses that are covered in carpet and have a warm structure that holds in the heat are breeding grounds for the mites.

How to cure Asthma?

Unfortunately asthma cannot be cured completely, it is a chronic condition. Curing asthma is more about controlling it. Most treatments focus on:

• Controlling the inflammation and preventing chronic symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath.

• Easing attacks when they happen.

• Sleeping in asthma friendly hypoallergenic bedding materials such as pillow covers, mattress covers, duvet covers

Ireland’s Asthma Population

Ireland has the fourth highest amount per capita of asthma sufferers in the world. It typically affects 5% of adults and about one in five children. This is up from 4% of children in 1983 and represents a growing problem in Irish society.

According to Asthma Society UK in Northern Ireland, 182,000 people (1 in 10) are currently receiving treatment for asthma. Irish Bed linen is now becoming popular for the relief it provides those with asthma.

About the Author

Nigel Burns is the founder of www.mitex.ie

Diagnosing asthma in babies and toddlers is not easy. There are two reasons for it; firstly the symptoms can easily mimic other issues and secondly babies cannot speak for themselves. While it’s important to seek medical assistance if you suspect your child to be suffering from asthma, the purpose of this blog entry is to help you understand the symptoms of asthma in toddlers and take preventive measures.

Once you understand the symptoms of asthma in toddlers it cuts down on confusion. You need to be able to differentiate between “breathing” and “normal breathing”. Most of the signs don’t necessarily mean that your child has asthma but they may have. If as a parent you are able to understand your child’s breathing issues and symptoms then it becomes easier to explain it to the pediatrician. For adults various techniques can be used for helping asthmatics with breathing but not recommended for babies. Here are a few signs that you need to watch out for to identify asthma in your little one:

Wheezing: If you hear a whistling sound when your child exhales then it is wheezing. Wheezing is generally associated with asthma but not always, there are other reasons for wheezing. It may not be the best symptom but it surely is a major one.

Loud Breathing: If you continuously hear your baby breathing loudly then it is not a good sign. Loud breathing indicates several problems; it may be due to asthma, sinuses, and allergies or just due to a cold. So don’t forget to mention it to your pediatrician especially if it happens when your child is healthy.

Coughing: If your child has a cold then coughing is normal but keep an eye out for a persistent cough; coughing that doesn’t stop and the one that comes in spurts. Moreover if your child coughs at night or continues coughing even after an illness then it is a matter of concern as it may signal asthma.

Fast Breathing: If you feel that your child is breathing too fast then don’t hesitate to count his/her respiratory rate. Use a stopwatch and count the number of respirations for one minute. Here’s the equation for measuring the respiratory rate:

1 full inhale + 1 full exhale = 1 respiration.

Childhood is a critical stage; as their immune system is weak they are vulnerable to a lot of infections. If you have a family history of allergies and/or asthma then you need to be extra careful. For maximum comfort and alleviation of asthma triggers use anti allergy mattress protectors, HEPA filters and other essential asthma products to ensure that you are safe from house dust mites and other allergens. Understanding asthma in babies is just as important as diagnosing them and the best way to do it is careful observation and basic knowledge about asthma. If you’re in doubt always take the advice of a qualified medical practitioner or call the asthma society of Ireland’s helpline.

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