Asthma Archives

March 6, 2018August 12, 2021

Can Duct Cleaning Help Your Allergies

We have received several calls over the last few days from people wanting to know if we thought having their ducts cleaned would help their allergies.

We know for a fact that heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are a collection point for all sorts of contaminates that can make your allergies worse and trigger asthma attacks. The duct work in a home or office can have mold, dust, pet dander, pollen, bacteria and even dead bugs.

Now many people assume that just because they change their filter regulary that their HVAC system is clean and allergen free. Not really. Think about all the stuff you find under the fridge when you moved it after 1 year. Now multiply that by 20. In 25 years we have seen some really nasty duct work.

Hiring a quality duct cleaning company will not only remove these contaminates improving the air quality, it has been proven that it may allow you system to run more efficiently. A dirty coil can add $30-$40 to your electric bill.

We believe duct cleaning when done correctly can help reduce allergy symptoms. The key is to hire a company that does it correctly. The guy who says he can clean you entire HVAC system for $69 is not going to really clean your duct work. He is just cleaning out your wallet.

To find a quality company in your area visit the National Air Duct Cleaning Association (NADCA) website www.nadca.com. They can provide you with the certified member companies in your area.

Wishing you the best of health

July 21, 2015August 12, 2021

Back to School with Asthma and Allergies

Yes the calendar still says July, but its not too early to start thinking about your back to school strategies for dealing with asthma and allergies. You and your doctor know what needs to be done to keep your child’s asthma and allergies under control, but do the people at school?

Your School Asthma and Allergy Team

The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology recommends that you enlist the help of the following school personnel:

Teacher – Your child’s teacher should know your child’s triggers. So, make sure you tell them. Also, make sure that your child takes their medication BEFORE they leave for school. Don’t miss a dose. Also, don’t let allergy control measures at home be lost in the back to school craziness that happens the first few weeks of every school year.

Room Parent – If your elementary age child has food allergies, be sure to let the room parent know. This is especially important if the school allows treats to be brought in from outside.

School Nurse – Take time to discuss emergency procedures with the school’s nurse. Even if your child is returning to the same school, it doesn’t hurt to provide a quick refresher. Ever since 2010, all 50 states recognize a student’s right to carry and use emergency asthma and allergy medications such as rescue inhalers and Epi-pens. If your child has been prescribed emergency treatment medication make sure your child and school staff know how to properly use it.

PE Teacher/Sports Coach – Asthma and allergies doesn’t mean your child must sit on the sidelines. If your child’s doctor has given the go-ahead for participation in sports, then make sure that the PE Teacher or Coach knows what to do in case of an asthma-related event. Exercise-induced asthma events may signal that the asthma is not under control.

Boost the Immune System Before Back to School

It never hurts to start boosting the immune system before the back to school assault begins. Be skeptical of remedies and treatments off the shelf that promise to increase immunity. The tried and true methods are just common sense:

Make sure adequate hydration is maintained – that means drink water
Get plenty of rest – that means no more all night video game sessions
Eat right – that means more frozen juice bars and fewer ice cream cones
Play outside – just make sure to use sunscreen, then get some Vitamin D naturally
Wash your hands – that doesn’t mean drown in hand sanitizer, it means use soap and water after playing outside and again before eating

Continue to avoid allergy and asthma triggers as much as possible in the lead up to school.

Back to School Physical

Don’t delay in scheduling your child’s back to school physical. This is a great time to discuss any changes in medication or treatment that may be necessary as your child grows.

Have Fun

Make the most of the remaining days of summer. Don’t let asthma and allergies hold your child back from swimming, playing, and enjoying childhood.

Til Next Time!

Cheryl

Read – How To Prepare For An Asthma Attack

May 9, 2014October 27, 2022

Trendy Supplements For Asthma Don’t Work

In a recently published article in the May issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Hortensia Moreno-Macias reports that her review of published studies indicates that there is no clear evidence of a relationship between the use of antioxidant supplements and other dietary supplements and a decrease in allergies or asthma.

Oxidative stress stimulates the inflammatory responses that can lead to allergic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, supplements for asthma and food allergies. The conventional wisdom holds that antioxidants would relieve this oxidative stress. However, a review of the published studies does not show this to be the case. So much for conventional wisdom!

In short, while there was no compelling evidence that the use of fish oil, vitamin C, vitamin E, and other antioxidant supplements for asthma had a positive impact on allergies or asthma they found out that it didn’t harm either. The researcher recommends that in certain situations where antioxidants might not be available in the diet that supplements for asthma might be appropriate.

So, if you feel your diet is not complete and you want to take an antioxidant go ahead, just don’t expect it to help your allergies or asthma any more than eating a well-balanced diet.

Wishing you the best of health
Mike