Can an allergy to sulfites cause asthma or does it have to be a pre existing condition?

January 12, 2009 by admin · 3 Comments
Filed under: Allergies 
Kelly K asked:


I think (self-diagnosed) I have an allergy or intolerance for sulfites. It started off with hives, then progressed into my throat tightening a bit, now I have asthma like symptoms. I’ve been in perfect lung health my whole life, so I’m wondering if there’s a correlation between sulfites and this onset of asthma.

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Effects of Asthma Medicine on Pregnancy!

December 17, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Diseases And Conditions 
Neelima Reddy asked:


Women suffering with asthma always have doubts that “will asthma medicine harm my child?” As five percent of pregnant women are asthmatic, this is a common problem. The important news is that asthma medicine is known to be very safe during pregnancy. So, pregnant women can enjoy asthma free pregnancy with asthma medicine.

Your asthma symptoms may get worse or may be better or does not change at all during pregnancy. If your asthma is severe, chances are it can become worse during pregnancy.

If you want a healthy baby, you should be healthy. It is very important to treat asthma in pregnancy because the risks of uncontrolled asthma in pregnancy are greater than the risks of asthma medicine.

There is no information about the safety of new asthma drugs in pregnancy because a woman who is pregnant and who might become pregnant does not take part in the safety tests during the testing of drugs, because of the fear of harming the baby.

Even the drug manufacturers do not take risk with unborn babies. New asthma drug should be avoided during pregnancy if possible.

But the old asthma medicine has been used from years. These old asthma medicines have been used for years during pregnancy and are known to be safe in pregnancy and the drugs which are not safe are not used as long before they are declared as unsafe.

Pregnant women have doubt about the use of inhalers. The doctors believe that the amount of medicine you get from an inhaler is small and goes directly to the lungs and it is not likely to harm your baby.

Effects of asthma in pregnancy:

Especially in the third trimester, asthma improves with pregnancy. Due to the increasing size of uterus, sensation of breathlessness occurs and this is mistaken as worsening of asthma.

Many women experience worsening asthma symptoms as they stop using asthma medicine due to the fear of side effects on the unborn child. Women who stop their asthma medicine have worsened asthma symptoms and are more at risk of early labor and poor growth of baby.

Asthma medicine and pregnancy:

Visit your doctor soon after realizing that you are pregnant to discuss about the best way to manage the symptoms of asthma with asthma medicine. The doctor will prescribe effective asthma medicine during pregnancy and continue to workout throughout your pregnancy to ensure the treatment is effective without side effects.

Taking asthma medicine during pregnancy:

• Follow the directions according to your doctor about when to take asthma medicine and how much dosage to take.

• Talk to your doctor before taking any new asthma medicine.

• Don’t stop taking asthma medicine unless and until your doctor tells you to.

Controlling your asthma in pregnancy:

• You have to take the asthma medicine as prescribed during pregnancy.

• Monitor your asthma using a peak flow meter and observe your breathing symptoms.

• Call your doctor if your asthma medicine is not working well.

• Avoid things that trigger your asthma attack.

• You can take a flu shot if you are pregnant during flu season. Visit Asthma Treatment



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Dealing With Asthma

September 5, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Diseases And Conditions 
Sandy Klocinski asked:


If you have asthma, the inside walls of your airways become sore and swollen. When your asthma symptoms become worse than usual, it’s called an asthma attack. In a severe asthma attack, the airways can close so much that your vital organs do not get enough oxygen.

This chain reaction can result in asthma symptoms. The condition should be taken seriously, since uncontrolled asthma may result in emergency hospitalization and possible death. Unfortunately, many asthma sufferers treat asthma attacks only, which are brought on by a number of triggers.

Asthma is treated with two kinds of medicines: quick-relief medicines to stop asthma symptoms and long-term control medicines to prevent symptoms. Asthma is an inflammatory disorder of the airways, which causes attacks of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. When an asthma attack occurs, the muscles surrounding the airways become tight and the lining of the air passages swell.

Most people with asthma have wheezing attacks separated by symptom-free periods. Asthma attacks can last minutes to days and can become dangerous if the airflow becomes severely restricted. In sensitive individuals, asthma symptoms can be triggered by breathing in allergy-causing substances called allergens or triggers.

Sometimes asthma is called bronchial asthma. Asthma in children is on the rise, but with proper treatment for symptoms of asthma, kids and adults can live well. A new study shows that babies born four months before the peak of winter virus season are more likely to develop childhood asthma than babies born at any other time of year.

Asthma symptoms can also be triggered by respiratory infections, exercise, cold air, tobacco smoke and other pollutants, stress, food, or drug allergies. Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications NSAIDS provoke asthma in some patients. Many people with asthma have an individual or family history of allergies, such as hay fever allergic rhinitis or eczema.



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