The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently made a move to reduce air pollution, an environmental problem related to a whole host of serious human health problems including premature death, pneumonia, heart disease, appendicitis, and more.

The EPA’s announcement this year includes the strictest smog standards in the US, yet reversing many of the damaging legislative problems that arose during the Bush years.

Their statement, “The tighter standards will cost tens of billions of dollars to implement, but will ultimately save billions in avoided emergency room visits, premature deaths, and missed work and school days.”

1. Pneumonia

McMaster University in Canada recently released the results from their study into the correlation between air pollution and pneumonia in elderly populations. Looking at 365 hospital patients to have confirmed cases of pneumonia, they found that those with 12 months or more of exposure to nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter resulted in an increased susceptibility to developing pneumonia.

“Long-term exposure to air pollution may have increased individuals’ susceptibility to pneumonia by interfering with innate immune defenses designed to protect the lung from pathogens; this may have included epithelial cell damage, reductions in bronchial macrophages, or reductions in natural killer cells.”

2. Miscarriage

Air pollution is also connected to an increase in the incidence of miscarriages. A study of African American women living near busy roads found that they were three times more likely to experience a miscarriage within the first 20 weeks of pregnancy than women in the rest of the population.

Obviously, living away from such busy roads would be a good solution here. Having cleaner cars and fewer of them would also help.

3. Asthma

Children are also affected. Of course, there’s the higher incidence of asthma in children as a result of air pollution.

Some can cope with this, but it has been proven to lead to an increase of absenteeism from school. In fact, Cook Children’s Medical center in Forth Worth discovered in their study that 1 in 4 children in North Texas has asthma, which will keep them home more often than not.

4. Ear Infections

In a study conducted at the UCLA, Brigham, and Women’s Hospital in Boston, scientists found that a reduction in air pollution in certain centers has seen a decrease in the number of ear infections in children. In fact, according to the study, 120,060 children studied between 1997 and 2006 were surveyed to find out the frequency of conditions such as ear infections, seizure activity, and respiratory allergies.

The scientists that then cross-referenced the conditions with the EPA’s data on air quality in those regions found that as pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, nitrous dioxides, particulate matter, and carbon monoxide decreased, so did these conditions.

5. Appendicitis

In a new theory, some scientists are beginning to connect air pollution with appendicitis. In a study with 5191 adults over a 7 year period of time, air pollutants such as ozone, nitrogen dioxides, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, and particulate matter were studied for their possible connection to an increase in this disease.

“They found correlations between high levels of ozone and nitrogen dioxide and the incidence of appendicitis between age groups and genders.”

Shorthaul Flights

Neighborhoods in close proximity to small, regional airports may be particularly vulnerable to air pollution related to shorthaul flights. Private planes and corporate jets that fly into these airports seem to emit higher levels of ultrafine pollution particles, increasing levels of these particles by as much as 10 times in these areas.

The moral? Perhaps move to an area away from these types of airports if at all possible.

Black Carbon Pollution

Black carbon is being called the planet’s second most potent greenhouse gas, but it may also have a more direct impact on human health. According to a study of 18 years world of data, the long-term health consequences of black carbon could be responsible for 2.5 million deaths every year.

Black carbon, which comes from biomass cooking fires, diesel engines, and so on, is a particulate pollution that causes many human health illnesses. The people most vulnerable to black carbon pollution are those using biomass cooking stoves in developing countries.

Some organizations are working to develop cleaner cooking stoves such as Aprovecho’s StoveTec and Envirofit.

Are you the type of person who dreads the arrival of spring season because Are you allergic to pollen? When you were a kid or now as an adult, do you usually suffer from asthma or allergic attacks?

If you belong to any of these two categories, then it is a must for you to know that there are states or cities in the country which are more allergy-prone than others.

Every year, the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America (AAFA) publishes a list of the areas in the country which have the greatest risk for allergy prone individuals, as well as those who frequently suffer from asthma attacks.

Their basis is whether a city or state has a longer pollinating season; the level of traffic and factory smog; the possibility of mold growth in the air; the spore levels and the number of Board Certified Allergists per patient in the area.

A Look At The Top 10 Safest US Cities For Allergies

Now that you already have an idea about the worst cities for people with allergies, here is a comprehensive look at the top 10 least allergy-prone cities in the US. The data is based from the 2009 rankings of the AAFA, which lists down the most challenging places to live with spring allergies:

1.  City: New Haven, Connecticut

Total Allergy Score: 41.36

For their 2009 study, the city of New Haven in Connecticut has the lowest score in terms of being an allergy-prone city. Best known as the home of Yale University, it seems as if students who suffer from asthma won’t have a thing to worry about because the city is one of the least allergy-prone areas in the country.

As such, you can go biking and hiking at the nearest parks without having to worry too much about the environment in the city itself triggering your allergy attacks.

2.  City: San Diego, California

Total Score: 49.20

Last year, San Diego ranked as the 10th most allergy prone cities in the US. So what prompted the change? Perhaps it’s the fact that the city makes better use of the allergy medications that they have available for patients with different allergies and they utilize it better than the average 1.13 medications per estimated patient.

They also have a better than average number of certified allergists per patient, so allergy-prone individuals wouldn’t have a hard time living in this huge city in California which is known for its beaches.

3.  City: Daytona Beach, Florida

Total Score: 50.62

Located in East Center Florida, Daytona Beach is known as the “World Center of Racing“. And as far as allergens go, the city fares much better than other neighboring places: it has a better than average pollen score and medicine utilization per patient.

This is most likely the reason why more than 8 million visitors flock to the metropolitan area of Daytona Beach every year.

4.  City: Miami, Florida

Total Score: 51.04

The only problem that individuals suffering from allergies may have when living in Miami, Florida is the fact that they have a lower than average number of board certified allergists per patient.

But, still the pollen content in the air and the medicine utilization per patient is better than average. [Pollen Allergy]

The city ranked number 83 from last year’s worst allergy prone cities from the AAFA list, marking a definite improvement for 2009.

5.  City: Boise, Idaho

Total Score: 54.97

A low pollen count, better than average medicine utilization – what more can you as an allergy-prone individual ask for from a city? If you live in or are visiting Boise, Idaho, you will see that it is a fairly allergy-friendly area.

It’s also the capital and the largest city in Idaho where tourists can go inner tubing, watch a horse race, participate in the Idaho Shakespeare Festival or take in one of the many nature trails that the city has to offer.

6.  City: Oxnard, California

Total Score: 55.17

Joining in the ranks of the top 10 least allergy prone cities in the US is Oxnard in California. Located in Ventura County, Oxnard wasn’t even included in the list of the worst allergy-prone cities last year.

It could be due to the fact that the pollen content in the city is average, and they have a better than average medicine utilization.

7.  City: Palm Bay, Florida

Total Score: 56.55

Yet another city in Florida which the AAFA considers to be the least allergy-prone is Palm Bay. Even if you have spring allergies, it will not get triggered because the city has a better than average pollen score.

8.  City: Colorado Springs, Colorado

Total Score: 56.69

What better way is there to spend a vacation than basking in the grand mountain scenery at Colorado Springs in Colorado? Whether you’re a resident or a visitor of the second largest city in the state, you won’t have to worry about allergy attacks because it has a fairly tolerable pollen count.

As such, you can visit the stunning Garden of the Gods without having to worry about wheezing or coughing as a result of allergies.

9.  City: Denver, Colorado

Total Score: 57.78

Last year, Denver was ranked as the 63rd most allergy prone city in the US. For the list released for 2009 by the AAFA, Denver was revealed as having an average pollen score and a better than average medicine utilization per patient.

It’s actually dubbed at the “Mile High City” since it lies at an altitude of about 1,600 meters – although the city generally enjoys a mild climate year-round.  As compared to other cities in Colorado, Denver has a better than average medicine utilization per patient.

10.  City: Riverside, California

Total Score: 57.77

Capping off our list of the top 10 least allergy-prone cities in the US is Riverside, California.

The average pollen count and better than average medicine utilization per patient makes it a fairly allergy-friendly city for those who are suffering from wheezing and coughing as a result of the environment that they’re in.

Riverside is a large city which more than 300,000  residents call home, and there’s a variety of modern and natural sights to soak in.

If you live in an allergy-prone city and it’s that time of the year when you have an attack of the allergies, then you may want to try paying these 10 least allergy-prone cities a visit.

So what is it about a particular place which makes it more allergy-prone than others? Basically, it is factors like high pollen content, mold counts and the level of pollution which triggers the allergy attack in an individual.

The ABC’s of Allergies: What You Need to Know about Allergy Attacks?

Before letting you know about the top allergy-prone cities in the United States, let us first take at the basic facts about allergies. First, why do you get them?  Experts believe that allergies tend to be inherited from one’s parents.

As your body gets exposed to allergens, its defense gets weakened which in turn triggers an allergic reaction. These allergens can intrude on your body through your nose, mouth and lungs.

Second, what exactly are the elements which are considered to be allergens? This includes:

• Airborne grass, tree, weed, pollen
• Dust mites
• Mold spores
• Pollen
• Pet dander

Remember that even if you are born with allergic tendencies, you are not automatically prone to having an allergic reaction. As in the case of pet dander, it may take several years for you to be sensitive to a specific allergen.

Aside from inheriting allergic-prone genes from your parents, your allergic reaction will also get triggered if you are usually around pesky allergens, and when your body comes in contact with allergens your immune system tells you to stay away from.

Finally, what are the symptoms of an allergic reaction? Sneezing, having a stuffed nose, coughing, itchy throat, watery eyes, and having dark circles under the eyes from sinus pressure are just some of the symptoms that you should watch out for.

A Look at the Top 10 Allergy-Prone Cities in the United States
As mentioned earlier, your allergic reactions will definitely get triggered if you live in a place where allergens are usually around. So which places in the United States are considered to be the most allergy-prone cities? Take a look at the following list:

1.  City: Lexington, Kentucky

Worst Season:  Spring
Top Allergens: Pollens

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America or AAFA, Lexington has a worse than average pollen score at 100. It means that there’s a daily average of 300 grains per cubic meter of pollen which pollutes the air on a daily basis if you live in this city. [Pollen allergy]

Kentucky also has a worse than average medicine utilization factor, as well as board certified allergists per patient. From a rank of 52 in 2007, the ranking of Lexington as the allergy capital of the nation is ranked by the AAFA has jumped to number one in 2008.

2.  City: Little Rock, Arkansas

Worst Season: Fall
Top Allergens: Weeds, pollen, mold spores

Last year, the AAFA ranked Little Rock, Arkansas to be the 9th most allergy-prone city in the country.  What makes the city of Little Rock especially prone to triggering allergies in people is the weeds pollen.

However, the main culprit seems to be its mold level, which is higher than average as compared to other cities.

Molds actually grow on rotting logs, grasses and compost piles – but the worse thing is that they spread when their spores become airborne. [Mold allergy symptoms]

3.  City: Greensboro, North Carolina

Worst Season: Fall
Top Allergens: Grass, tree and weed pollens

According to the AAFA, the city of Greensboro in North Carolina is the most miserable city for fall allergies. As the name of the city implies, there are a lot of ‘greens’ that you need to deal with if you live in Greensboro, North Carolina and all that lush color will trigger allergy attacks.

Watch out for ragweed, weed, and grass pollens during the fall. This is especially an allergic-reaction trigger because the city has more than 170 parks which produce enough ragweed – enough to make the typical allergy-sufferer miserable.

4.  City: Greenville, South Carolina

Worst Season: Fall
Top Allergens: Grass, tree and weed pollens

Much like Greensboro, Greensville in South Carolina is not as good a city to live in for those who are prone to allergy attacks. Fall is the worst season of all because the city is a lush landscape of greenery at this time of the year.

The things which make the city a haven for nature lovers may just be the bane of allergy-sufferers, especially those who are dealing with asthma attacks as a kid.

5.  City: Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina

Worst Season: Spring
Top Allergens: Weeds or weed pollens

Based from the AAFA data, the city of Raleigh-Durham has an average pollen count – which makes it easy to conclude that there is one other culprit which serves as the city’s worst allergen: weeds.

Raleigh-Durham has plenty of weak leaf, yellow nut sedge and yellow Indian grass which grow abundantly – so when spring season comes, you need to take into account this fact if you would not like to suffer from allergy attacks.

6.  City: Jackson, Mississippi

Worst Season: Fall
Top Allergens: Grass, weed

If you have allergic reactions to grass, weed and pollen, remember that they usually circulate at around 10 in the morning to 12 noon.  Experts recommend staying indoors during these hours to minimize your allergic reaction – no matter where you live.

However, if you are from Jackson, Mississippi – this is actually not a haven for allergy-sufferers, especially those who have a bad reaction to Bermuda Grass and ragweed.

The city is rich in these two allergens. So if you are suffering from allergic reactions, the best way to counteract this is by staying away from the outdoors during the time of the day when such allergens are airborne.

7.  City: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Worst Season: Fall
Top Allergens: Weed or weed pollens

Yet another city which is not really a good place to be during the fall season is Grand Rapids in Michigan. Ragweed, plantains and nettle are the worst allergens – especially during the autumn season.

If you would like to fight off a possible allergic reaction and you really need to be outdoors, make sure to take a quick shower and change your clothes after enjoying a day outdoors.

8.  City: Knoxville, Tennessee

Worst Season: Spring
Top Allergens: Mold spores, weeds and grass pollens

Knoxville, Tennessee was ranked as the 6th worst city to be for those who are prone to allergies – especially during the spring season [Spring allergies]. Despite having an average pollen count, they do have a worse than average medicine utilization for allergens.

What makes Knoxville a particularly bad city to live in for those who are suffering from allergic reactions is the presence of garden sorrel and a grass called redtop.

9.  City: Wichita, Kansas

Worst Season: Fall
Top Allergens: Mold spores, weed or weed pollens

You may want to say that you’re not in Kansas anymore if you live in the city of Wichita and you have allergic reactions. Ragweed and chenopods are the culprit elements and during the fall, weeds and molds provide plenty of airborne allergens for an allergic-prone Kansas resident to be particularly unhappy.

10.  City: Madison, Wisconsin

Worst Season: Fall
Top Allergens: Weeds or weed pollens

There are plenty of allergens to travel around when you live in Madison, Wisconsin.  Amaranth, pigweed, tumbleweed and the occasional mold are the items which trigger allergic reactions to individuals.

If you live in these allergy-prone cities and you don’t see yourself moving in the near future, then you should always consult your doctor about how you can stay away from allergens when walking outdoors so that you can enjoy either the fall or the spring season without having to cough, sneeze or wheeze your way through it.

While asthma is a chronic condition, you can still enjoy your life with asthma control program.

After diagnosing with asthma, you feel that you should make undesirable changes in your lifestyle.

Asthma changes your life but your life also improves when you follow asthma control plan and look for support networks that offer help in controlling asthma.

Remember one thing that you are not alone suffering from this chronic disease.

You should not hesitate in taking support from family members and friends for asthma control. If you take support, you can make best out of your life. There are many options you can look for when you need support and help for asthma control.

You may feel alone when you are suffering with asthma. There are many support networks available in the web. Asthma control is possible when you learn more about your disease and symptoms, asthma treatment options and finding people who you can connect with them long term.

Ten steps for asthma control:

Apart from the support you get from outside, you can control asthma by following ten steps to improve your quality of life.

1. Understand your asthma condition: You should know about your condition, symptoms and type of asthma you suffer from for asthma control. Once you know about your disease, you can take control of yourself and take decisions that you should make to improve your health.

You should go in detail and deep in finding the causes of asthma for asthma control. Find out what the symptoms that are affecting your life are and what can be done to lead a healthy life and make sure that you are going in a correct way for asthma control.

2. Avoid the triggers: When you identify your symptoms of asthma, you should avoid things that trigger your asthma. Asthma can be triggered by allergens in the environment, food, medications etc. Avoid environmental pollutants such as dust which triggers your asthma.

Avoid foods that you are allergic to and medications and drugs that cause allergy reaction leading to asthma. There is no reason to use a substance which affects your health.

3. Not sure what triggers your asthma? Find out and take action: If you are not able to find out what causes asthma, your physician can work and discover your asthma causes. Identifying the triggers is the key in asthma control.

Once your physician discovers your asthma triggers, you can easily avoid them from your life. If environmental pollution is the cause, eliminate the dust and air borne particles from your home and take necessary precautions at the work place.

4. Taking prescribed medications: Before the disease controls you, you should control it by taking necessary medications. Medications should be followed in time and in prescribed manner to avoid worsening of the situation.

Develop a regular routine for asthma control as it is hard to remember to take medicines everyday. Routine makes your life easier.

5. Finding asthma specialist: When you have planned to take the treatment, you have to find asthma specialist who can treat asthma in well mannered way. You should be comfortable with your doctor and treatment method.

Selecting the asthma specialist is the key factor for asthma control as the treatment goes for long term because asthma is preventable but not completely curable. You should visit your asthma doctor regularly to check how well your asthma is controlled.

Even, if you have mild asthma symptoms, you should see your doctor for every six months for asthma control.

6. Obey the treatment procedure: If you have diagnosed with asthma, you should obey the treatment plan and procedure rather than going against it. Many people show lack of interest in asthma control as it is a long term process. Sometimes, you feel to avoid the treatment and live like normal person.

But, remember one thing that if you disobey to follow the treatment plan and medications, it can lead to severe illnesses and your condition worsens. You have to follow the guidance of doctor for asthma control.

Talk to your doctor about other alternatives if you find it difficult to follow a treatment program. Your doctor can suggest alternative methods so that you can live an active and normal life.

7. Find activities that you can enjoy: Even if you are suffering from asthma symptoms, you have to find the activities that can be enjoyed. The activities should not ruin your health and should not deviate from the goal of asthma control but should be of fun.

The activities can be chosen in such a way that you can get out and enjoy with others and forget about the disease you have. You can better cope with your disease when you live normal and active life.

8. Other existing conditions with asthma: when you are diagnosed with asthma, you develop depression and other related illnesses. Once depression is developed, your asthma symptoms become even worse. Your quality of life declines and you lead a poor life.

But, the good news is that there are positive treatments for depression. Cognitive behavior therapy helps to overcome depression to improve asthma symptoms.

You can share your feelings with someone who might listen your complaints and actively suggest positive solutions to wipe out the negative feelings you have in your mind.

If you have depression, you should take the treatment that can help you come out of the depression.

This is the important step in asthma control. If you don’t know whom to approach for depression treatment, you can ask your family doctor so that you can go to the correct person for the treatment.

9. Meet positive people: Talking to positive people helps to decrease negative thoughts which influence on your life. Positive people can encourage and make you feel comfortable.

So, take time and have commitment to meet positive people who have positive influence on your long term goals and objectives.

To whomsoever you are going to talk, they should know about your condition and speak to you with hope and optimism about the condition. With positive people around you, you can get out from bad times. There are several organizations you can contact for information.

Your doctor also direct you to local support groups where adults and kids can meet others going through the same phase of frustration and learning process. Together, you can share experiences with them and can have helpful tips and coping strategies.

10. Be happy: Be happy and smile whatever the condition you may have. Smile improves your outlook, productivity and well-being, whether you are suffering from the disease or not. If you think all the time about the disease, you cannot control it and instead the disease controls you.

Don’t worry constantly that you are suffering with a chronic disease, instead enjoy your life by taking medications at the scheduled timings which is the important part of asthma control.

Improving your lifestyle does not mean making complete change in your life, spending hours of time in gym and avoiding all the things you like. You can incorporate changes that will slowly help you become stronger, healthier and less stressed.

Working with health care provider and following the treatment program helps in asthma control. If you do not seek medical care or follow treatment plan for asthma control, your ability to function deteriorates.

These causes trigger your asthma leading to asthma attack.

Identify the triggers for the asthma cause and avoid them.

Asthma cause with house dust mites:

House dust mites are the asthma cause if you are sensitive to the droppings of house dust mites. These dust mites may be tiny insects that live in the dust around your house such as in carpets, soft toys, bedding and soft furniture.

If you suspect that dust mites are the asthma cause, then you have to reduce the symptoms by following some steps:

• Use complete covering system on your mattresses, pillows and beddings
• Replace with hard flooring by removing all carpets if you have asthma
• Use a vacuum cleaner and clean all areas regularly. Using an attachment to the vacuum cleaner, damp dust all surfaces
• Do not keep soft toys on bed. Remove them from the bed and keep them in the freezer by keeping all the toys in a bag for minimum six hours every one or two weeks to kill the dust mites
• Use a dehumidifier to dry the air as it makes it more difficult for the house dust mites to survive
• Wash bed sheets, pillow covers and drapes once in a week in hot water
• Soft furniture should be cleaned with anti-house-dust-mite-chemicals
• If you have asthma, ask your family member to vacuum the home

Asthma cause with heating and cooking:

Dampness in your house may be one of the asthma cause. If your house is without central heating, the symptoms are harder to control.

Ducted air heating may worsen asthma symptoms as dust mites are breathed as the air is re-circulated. Fan heaters and convectors also move the air and dust around

If you have gas fires and gas cookers at your house, they have high levels of nitrogen dioxide. You may be allergic to nitrogen dioxide and your asthma may be triggered.

Asthma cause with carpets and furniture:

Furniture and carpets are the one of the asthma cause. Furniture, flooring and shelving made from chipboard contain formaldehyde resin, which gives off a pungent, colorless gas that can irritate the airways.

Carpets also are a source of formaldehyde gas left over from the manufacturing process. Before buying a new carpet, you should ask the shop if they could unroll and air it before you bring it home.

If you are allergic to latex, avoid carpets with a foam underlay. Your asthma may be triggered with the smell of new sofas and soft furniture. Keep the windows open for a few days if you had bought new furniture.

If you are allergic to pets, your symptoms last long even after the pets left home long before because the pet allergens can linger for long time on furniture and carpets and it is very difficult to remove without a steam cleaning or rigorous cleaning.

Asthma cause with Building works and repairs:

Building work and repair is one of the asthma causes. If you have poor housing conditions, poor ventilation and inadequate heating, then you are triggered with asthma attack.

Building works and repairs for asthma cause:

• Repairs and renovations at your home can cause lot of dust
• If you are treating your house for woodworm, dry rot, and damp, problems can arise
• Insulation materials contain formalin and formaldehyde which can leak fumes into the house. These materials may create problem for you.
• Before starting any building work within your home, consult a doctor if temporary increase in medicine is needed.

Asthma cause with cleaning, decorating and repairs:

Cleaning, decorating and repair are one of the asthma cause. If you are cleaning or redecorating your home in every day life, the products and solvents that are used can cause breathing difficulties if you have asthma. These chemicals are known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOC contains in cleaning fluids, glues, varnishings, and paints.

Cleaning, decorating and repairs for asthma cause:

• The products that contain VOC are furniture polish, dry cleaned clothes, carpet cleaners and air fresheners which can trigger asthma.
• Instead of using sprays, use solid or liquid alternatives.
• Wet paints may cause problems as they gives off chemicals that trigger your asthma.
• You can use water based, low odor gloss paints which are slightly better than wet paints.
• If you are stripping the wallpaper, wash down before starting as it may help damp down the dust otherwise the dust may fall on you.

Asthma cause with wood and coal fires:

Wood and coal fires without adequate flues can cause mild worsening of breathing problems if you are allergic to the fumes.

Find out which asthma treatments works to overcome asthma.

Asthma is a chronic disease and inflammatory condition of the lung airways.

It is a disorder which obstructs the airways and is characterized by difficulty in breathing.

Your airways become irritated during asthma attack.

There is no permanent asthma treatment but managing it effectively can prevent asthma attack. Asthma medications which are taken orally or inhaled in vapor form is one of the asthma treatments you can follow.

There are two types of medications for asthma treatment:

1. Quick relief medications: Quick relief medications are used as asthma treatment and are also called as relievers. These relievers give short term treatment for you when you have worsening asthma attack. You can feel the effect of medicines within few minutes.

Some of the quick relief medications for asthma treatment are

• Short-acting bronchodilators (ex. Ventolin, proventil).
• Oral or intravenous corticosteroids which help to stabilize severe asthma attack.

2. Long term medications: Long term medications are used as asthma treatment and are also called as preventers. These preventers are used every day and are taken long term to control and prevent asthma attack. You can see the results after taking for few weeks and if you are suffering with constant asthma, you need long term medications.

Some of the long term medications for asthma treatment are

• Theophylline or aminophylline
• Inhaled steroids such as aerobid, vanceril, corticosteroid and azmacort prevent inflammation
• Long-acting bronchodilators such as serevent and famoterol help open airways
• Leukotriene inhibitors such as accolade and singulair
• Cromolyn sodium or nedochromil sodium

Drugs which resemble two hormones are used for asthma treatment. These hormones are adrenaline (epinephrine) and hydrocortisone (a steroid).

When you have emergency or sudden fear, adrenaline is pumped into your bloodstream. It acts quickly from the middle of the adrenal glands near your kidney. Adrenaline makes your pulse faster and heart thump and prepares your body for emergency action.

Hydrocortisone comes from the outer part of the adrenal glands which is called cortex. It works completely in a different way to adrenaline and it works much slowly for much longer time.

Medications which are similar to hydrocortisone slowly allow the lining of air tubes to become normal in patients who are suffering from asthma. By using these medications for asthma treatment, your asthma becomes less severe and you are less prone to asthma attack.

If you are suffering from asthma, you have to use both relievers and preventers. Use these medications in the form of breathing. If you inhale them through your nose and mouth, you need less medication, you don’t have many side effects, and the medicines work quickly.

Advantage with hydrocortisone like steroids you breathe can be biodegradable inside the body and as a result they do their work in the lungs and don’t get much of a chance to produce any side effects in the rest of the body because your liver breaks them down.

Quick relief medications:

Bronchodilator, which is a quick relief medication, works by relaxing the muscles that have tightened around the airways. These are also called as rescue or relief medicines because they open the airways quickly for breathing easily and can stop asthma attack quickly.

These medicines which are used for asthma treatment act quickly but their effect remains for short period. Therefore these quick relief medicines are taken in the beginning when you feel the symptoms like wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and tightness in the chest.

You should have inhalers always when you have asthma attack. If you have severe asthma attack, your doctor may use steroids for asthma treatment to reduce inflammation in the airways.

Long term medications:

Corticosteroid is the effective long term medication for asthma treatment which is inhaled to reduce the swelling of the airways for the reduction of asthma attack. These inhaled corticosteroids are safe and preferred asthma treatment when taken as directed by the doctor for controlling mild, moderate and persistent asthma.

Theophylline is a long term medication used for asthma treatment or used together with inhaled corticosteroids to treat mild asthma attack. Cromolyn and nedocromil are long term medications used for asthma treatment.

Leukotriene modifiers are used for asthma treatment or used together with inhaled corticosteroids to treat mild asthma attack.

If you stop taking long term medications, your asthma attack may worsen again. You have to use short-acting bronchodilators when your symptoms worsen and long term medications to treat the inflammation.

Your doctor may change the medications according to the severity of the asthma attack. Work out with your doctor for best asthma treatment and control asthma for leading a normal and active life.

If you have asthma, asthma management is an important part of your life.

Asthma management means staying away from the things which trigger your asthma and taking medicines as prescribed by the doctor.

You have to learn to take care of yourself by asthma management for living with asthma.

You talk to your doctor and make a plan that works on your asthma. For this, follow some of these steps for asthma management.

Steps to follow for asthma management:

• Talk to your doctor and tell about your medicines and drugs you are taking in case if anyone is affecting your asthma.
• Use asthma medications properly and ask your doctor how to use your inhaler because using inhaler in correct method is important. If inhaler is not used properly, amount of medicine gets into your airways.
• Follow the asthma plan and have regular check ups done.
• If you are facing any problem with asthma medicine you are taking, then consult your doctor immediately.

Avoid things that can worsen asthma for asthma management:

• If you have problem with pollen, stay indoors with air conditioner on when the pollen is high and avoid places with high pollen.
• You may have problem with animal dander, so avoid pets inside home and bedroom and wash your pet often.
• If your asthma is getting worse when you are exercising, talk to your doctor how to be active during exercise because exercise is important and should not avoid exercise.
• Dust mites at home may be the cause for your asthma. Control dust mites by washing pillows, blankets, bed sheets and curtains once in a week in hot water or you can use dust proof covers for pillows and mattresses.
• If smoking is creating problem, do not smoke or allow any one to smoke in your home. Don’t stand near a person outside who is smoking.
• Wash your hands often to control cold and flu and get a flu shot every year. If cold is the cause of your asthma, wear a scarf over your nose and mouth.
• Avoid foods that contain sulphite if you are allergic to it. Sulphite is also found in wine, home-brewed beer and prepared meats.
• Keep humidity levels between thirty to fifty percent in the home as high humidity can promote growth of biological agents that may cause asthma attack.
• Avoid sprays like air fresheners, perfumes or strong smelling cleaners which can cause asthma attack.
• Keep the home clean with free of dust mites. Avoid furniture that collects dust. Remove the carpets and drapes from the bedroom of those who are suffering with asthma.

Apart from these, you have to follow healthy lifestyle for living with asthma. Living with asthma is crucial but by avoiding certain things and following asthma management, you can do it.

Signs of asthma to look for asthma management:

• If your asthma symptoms are bothering a lot at night
• If your asthma symptoms are happening more often
• If your asthma symptoms are worse than they used to be
• If asthma medications are not working properly
• If you are missing your school or office because of your asthma symptoms
• If you have to go the emergency room or doctor due to asthma attack

By keeping asthma journal to write your signs and symptoms of asthma attack, you can manage asthma. Living with asthma is quite difficult, but work out with the doctor about your asthma symptoms and take the necessary and appropriate treatment.

Following a healthy lifestyle and healthy diet is part of the asthma management. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and diet that are low in fats and sugar. Managing stress is an important element of the asthma management for living with asthma.

Asthma management is easier if you find out what are the triggers with which your asthma is getting worse and following the medication properly. By proper asthma management, living with asthma will become easier.