Asthma Prevention During the Fourth of July Holiday
Fairfax, VA (PRWEB) July 02, 2013 -- When it comes to you and your asthma, it is important to be able to identify your asthma triggers and the proper steps to help avoid them. Asthma triggers can irritate your asthma symptoms – coughing, wheezing, and difficulty catching your breath. Remember there is no cure for asthma, but only steps you can take to help keep your asthma under control and prevent an asthma attack.
Some asthma triggers include:
-Air pollution
-Allergies
-Cold air
-A cold of flu virus
-Sinusitis
-Smoke
-Fragrances
One trigger that is important to remember to avoid during the Fourth of July holiday is smoke. Minimizing your exposure to all sources of smoke, including tobacco, incense, candles, fires, and fireworks can help reduce the risk of asthma symptoms. Remember, asthma and smoke do not go will with each other.
Fireworks smoke contains toxic dust that may aggravate your asthma triggers and can cause you to have mild to severe breathing problems. Air pollution such as smoke can make breathing very difficult and cause you to cough.
If you have breathing problems that are made worse by fireworks smoke you should take some preventive measures to help avoid any irritation.
-Stay indoors (well air-conditioned room).
-Do not smoke. Avoid smoking areas/places.
-Drink plenty of fluids, such as water.
-Keep taking your medications exactly as your doctors have prescribed to you.
-If you have a rescue inhaler, make sure to bring it with you and use it has prescribed by your doctor.
-Consider taking something to cover up your nose and mouth such as a surgical mask or dusk mask that can help protect your lungs from the fireworks smoke. Wetting your mask with a baking soda and water solution may give you additional protection.
About Pulmonary and Critical Care Specialists of Northern Virginia, P.C.
The physicians of Pulmonary and Critical Care Specialists of Northern Virginia, P.C. (PCCSNOVA) provide care for patients with a wide range of pulmonary diseases such as Asthma, Bronchitis, COPD, Emphysema, Lung Cancer and Pulmonary Nodules. In addition, their board-certified sleep specialists offer local expertise in a variety of sleep disorders such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Narcolepsy, Insomnia and Restless Leg Syndrome. They have been recognized as “Top Doctors” by Northern Virginia Magazine and Washingtonian.
Sources:
-Asthma Prevention. WebMd. http://www.webmd.com/asthma/guide/asthma-prevention
-Breathing Problems: How to Deal With Fireworks Smoke. NetworkHealth. http://www.network-health.org/uploadedFiles/Healthwise_IX_mailers/zu1516%281%29.pdf
Pulmonary Medicine Marketing, Pulmonary & Critical Care Specialists of Northern Virginia, http://www.pccsnova.com, 703-391-8833, [email protected]
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