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Environmental Health Concerns
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Asthma (Also known as bronchial asthma)
Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the way your body carries oxygen in and out of your lungs. The name “asthma” comes from the Greek word for pant or breathe hard. When the inside walls of your airways become swollen, sore, and filled with mucus, your lungs cannot get enough air. Trouble breathing, wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness are warning signs of an impending asthma attack. If the symptoms are severe enough and your vital organs are not receiving enough oxygen, death can result.
Asthma is a real disease, not an emotional or psychological reaction. Causes of asthma can include allergens, irritants, and infections, as well as other conditions, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, medicines, and sulfites in foods. New research demonstrates that early exposure to environmental irritants can increase your chances of developing asthma.
Asthma also comes in many types, such as exercise-induced, cough variant, occupational and nocturnal. It is not contagious, so you cannot catch it from someone else. Asthma sufferers are not alone—around 20 million Americans report having asthma and the condition is on the increase.
Diagnosing asthma will require some key tests, such as pulmonary function tests, which measure lung function. Two of the most common pulmonary function tests are spirometry and methacholine challenge. Allergy tests are required to determine if you are sensitive to foods, pollens or other particules, and these tests can help determine your triggers for an asthmatic attack. A simple blood test measures immunoglobulin E (IgE), which will be high during an allergic reaction. IgE is a key antibody that is released during an allergic reaction.
Understanding the type of asthma you have can help the healthcare professional determine the type of medical regimen you require. Drug therapy is a common treatment with asthma. There are two drug therapies used with asthma. One drug therapy is aimed at preventing asthma in the long term, while the other is used for quick relief of the asthmatic symptoms. Reducing the triggers in their environment is very instrumental in the daily care of an asthmatic. Home air filtration systems, as well as constant vigilance to keep pet dander and dust to a minimum, are recommended to reduce attacks.
The Healthy Green Institute recommends a complete indoor environmental and lifestyle assessment that may help identify the potential triggers that exacerbate the condition. The results from an assessment will provide suggestions to help reduce the exposure your environment and lifestyle have on a health condition like Asthma.
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Disclaimer:
The contents of this Web Site are meant for informational purposes only. The state of knowledge regarding Crohn's Disease, environmental related illnesses and the treatment of patients potentially exposed to hazardous substances in the environment is constantly evolving and is often uncertain. In this educational endeavor we have made a diligent effort to ensure the accuracy and currency of the information presented, but make no claim that it comprehensively addresses all possible situations.
The Healthy Green Institute of America, LLC and its web site is intended as an educational resource for individuals and families seeking information that may help them solve difficult environmental related health issues.
It is not, however, a substitute for the professional judgment of health care providers. The information must be interpreted in light of specific data regarding the patient and in conjunction with other sources of authority.
If you feel that certain treatment options and/or detoxifying your body and your indoor environments may help improve your health and wellness, please seek the advice and guidance of health care professionals that understand these options.
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