Chronic Disease Leaves Millions Breathless
May is Asthma and Allergy Awareness month. Asthma is a serious, potentially life-threatening respiratory disease that affects the quality of life for millions of Americans. This chronic disease causes the airways of the lungs to tighten which makes it difficult to breathe.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that more than 22 million people, including 6.8 million children, have asthma. Twelve million people have reported having an asthma attack in the past year and asthma accounts for nearly 15 million outpatient clinic visits and nearly two million emergency department visits each year.
Factors found in the indoor and outdoor environment can cause, trigger, or exacerbate asthma symptoms; fortunately it is fairly easy to eliminate them from an indoor environment. Although there is no cure for asthma yet, asthma can be controlled through medical treatment and management of environmental triggers.
Recognize & Treat Childhood Asthma
Asthma affects an average of one out of every 13 school-aged children. Thirteen million school days are missed each year due to asthma. Asthma is also the third-ranking cause of hospitalization among children under 15. Asthma in children is the cause of seven million physician visits and nearly 200,000 hospitalizations.
Your child may be experiencing an asthma attack if he or she has any of the following symptoms: trouble breathing; wheezing; coughing; chest pain; and/or chest tightness. Asthma attacks are caused by triggers such as mold, dust mites, cockroaches, cats and dogs. Exposure to secondhand smoke can cause asthma in pre-school aged children. Other asthma triggers may be air pollution (such as ozone and pollen), foods, respiratory infections and exercise.
Eliminate Allergens In Your Home
Spring is in the air, but unfortunately, so is an abundance of dust. Dust is a well known allergen that adversely affects millions of people. It is impossible to control the dust in the atmosphere but it is possible to manage the amount of dust in your home.
Take a combative approach against dust by using the following housecleaning tips:
1. Placing thick mats at your doors, both front and back, inside and out.
2. Ask everyone, including your guests, to remove their shoes before entering your home.
3. Use microfiber cloths when you dust, these are best at adhering to the dust without stirring it up.
4. If you have carpeting, consider replacing it with hardwood or tile flooring. Carpet traps dust which goes airborne with each footstep.
5. If replacing your carpet it not an option, make sure to vacuum pathways and busy areas at least once a week.
6. Use an old tennis racket to clean the old fashioned way; take your rugs and cushions outside for a beating.
7. Consider using slipcovers for chairs and sofas; they are easy to pull off to take outdoors for shaking or may be machine washable.
8. Use an electrostatic filter which connects to your ductwork ($700 to $1,500 professionally installed).
9. Treat all spaces in your home with the same care when dusting (use microfiber cloths and dust at least once a week); this includes closets, bathrooms, guestrooms, and the kitchen.
10. Use your thermostat to clear the air after cleaning your home; switch your thermostat to "fan on" and allow it to run for 15 minutes.
