Asthma-News.com

Subglottic Stenosis disguising itself as asthma

Webmaster — Fri, 12 May 2023 20:26:12 +0000

So I just went for a CT Scan this week to confirm that I have subglottic stenosis. I have been to a lot of doctors this year trying to get my wheezing and breathing to improve and while I have some improvement, I still had a chronic wheeze so I went a specialist ENT to see if it could be something in my nose or throat and she scoped me and I had a CT scan to confirm and I have a 50% lumen stage 2 tracheal stenosis. So that explains A LOT why it feels like I am breathing through a straw sometimes.

So what the F is subglottic or tracheal stenosis you say — well here it is…..

Subglottic stenosis is a medical condition in which the airway narrows in the subglottic region, which is located just below the vocal cords and above the trachea. This narrowing can restrict the flow of air to and from the lungs, making it difficult for a person to breathe.

The condition can be caused by a variety of factors, including inflammation, scarring, and injury to the subglottic area. It can also be a complication of prolonged intubation or mechanical ventilation, especially in premature infants or children.

Symptoms of subglottic stenosis can include difficulty breathing, noisy breathing, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. In severe cases, subglottic stenosis can lead to respiratory distress and require immediate medical attention.

Diagnosis of subglottic stenosis typically involves a physical exam, imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans, and in some cases, a procedure called a laryngoscopy, which uses a small camera to examine the inside of the throat.

Treatment for subglottic stenosis depends on the severity of the condition. Mild cases may be treated with medications to reduce inflammation and swelling, while more severe cases may require surgical intervention, such as a tracheostomy or endoscopic dilation of the airway.

Long-term management of subglottic stenosis may involve regular monitoring and follow-up care, as the condition can sometimes recur after treatment. With proper care and management, however, many people with subglottic stenosis are able to lead healthy, active lives.

So the morale of this story is that if you have been told it is asthma and it just isn’t getting better, KEEP ASKING. It may still very well be your asthma and you just need a different treatment or some lifestyle changes but it could also be something else or a combination of things. Mine was obviously this stenosis but it was also some lung things as I did have bronchitis and I do feel a whole lot better now that I am on a maintenance medication for asthma and allergies (Advair and Singulair) so KEEP ASKING if you don’t feel good yet.

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How Humidity can Affect your Asthma

Webmaster — Fri, 28 Apr 2023 20:23:11 +0000

Humidity can also make asthma symptoms worse in some people, although the reasons why can vary depending on the individual. Here are a few possible explanations:

Humidity can increase the amount of mold and other allergens in the air, which can trigger asthma symptoms in people who are sensitive to them.
High humidity can cause a person’s airways to become swollen and narrow, making it harder for them to breathe. This is because when the air is moist, it can be more difficult for the body to release heat through sweating, so the body compensates by releasing more fluid into the airways.
Humidity can also make it more difficult for a person’s body to regulate their breathing. When the air is hot and humid, people may be more likely to breathe quickly and shallowly, which can cause them to hyperventilate and trigger asthma symptoms.

If you find that humidity is triggering your asthma symptoms, there are a few things you can do to manage them. For example, you may want to avoid spending time outdoors on hot, humid days, or use a dehumidifier to reduce the moisture in your home. You can also talk to your doctor about adjusting your asthma medications or treatment plan to better manage your symptoms.

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Traveling with Asthma – It matters where you stay!!

Webmaster — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 16:50:48 +0000

So I used to travel for work at least 10 days a month for years and back then, I didn’t have asthma but I did have allergies and it really matters where you stay. As a person with asthma – it matters even more — to the point that YOU HAVE TO PAY ATTENTION. A “non-smoking” room where someone just smoked and they sprayed febreeze (which seems to be something some hotels — even really nice hotels — thinks makes the smoke disappear) is a NO-GO.

When a few hotels in Las Vegas announced they were reopening as smoke free, I was THRILLED. I like Las Vegas but it is VERY HARD for me to go there with all the smoking. Between the dust and smoke and the very dry air (which is not always great for asthmatics despite what some people claim) it is a place that I can feel tortured. So staying in a hotel where the WHOLE hotel is non-smoking sounds awesome.

So here are a couple to get you started. MGM Grand is a new one. Trump International has always been smoke free but has no casino. Hilton Grand Vacations is smoke free and has a hefty penalty for those who break the rules. I have actually stayed at 3 of the Hilton Grand Vacation properties in Las Vegas and they are all VERY NICE. One is a bit far from everything but it is probably the nicest (way down by Circus Circus).

Remember the dry air can aggrevate asthma in some people. Dry weather can aggravate asthma symptoms in a few different ways. One of the primary reasons is that dry air can cause the airways in the lungs to become irritated and inflamed. This can make it harder for someone with asthma to breathe, as their airways are already narrowed due to inflammation.

In addition to this, dry air can also cause the mucus membranes in the airways to become dry and more prone to irritation. This can lead to increased mucus production and a feeling of tightness in the chest, which are common symptoms of asthma.

Furthermore, during dry weather, there tends to be an increase in airborne allergens like pollen, mold, and dust. These allergens can trigger an asthma attack in people who are sensitive to them, causing inflammation and constriction of the airways.

Overall, if you have asthma, it’s important to take steps to manage your symptoms during dry weather, such as using a humidifier, staying indoors as much as possible, and taking your prescribed medications as directed by your doctor.

Remember when traveling to plan for the worst – including with your asthma. Bring your medications but also your rescue inhaler — even if you rarely use it – and bring a copy of your prescription as well as your doctor’s phone number. Just in case something happens and you need to get it filled.

It is also a good idea to wear a medic-alert bracelet and put your medications in a waterproof container and to keep it with you. Last thing you need is to lose your bag.

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Mask Vs Mouthpiece — Which is Better when you use a nebulizer

Webmaster — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 15:29:35 +0000

In general, a mouthpiece may be more effective at delivering medication to the lungs, while a mask may be easier to use for young children or individuals who have difficulty holding the mouthpiece in their mouth. Your healthcare provider can help you determine which option is best for your specific needs and circumstances. And some recent studies have found that mouthpieces do a better job at getting the medicine where it needs to go. That said, some people – children, infants and the elderly for example, have issues using a mouthpiece so it isn’t for everyone so masks are a good alternative if you cannot use a mouthpiece.

A mask covers the nose and mouth and is often used for infants, young children, or individuals who have difficulty using a mouthpiece. A mask can provide a secure fit and can be more comfortable for those who have trouble keeping their mouth closed during treatment. SPECIAL ATTENTION SHOULD BE PAID TO AVOID GETTING THE MEDICINE IN YOUR EYES.

A mouthpiece is a small plastic piece that is placed in the mouth and used to inhale the medication. It is often used by older children and adults who can breathe through their mouth effectively. A mouthpiece can be more efficient at delivering medication to the lungs, as it allows for a more direct and focused flow of medication.

It is important to follow the instructions provided by your healthcare provider and the manufacturer of the nebulizer to ensure proper use and effective treatment. It is also important to maintain the nebulizer and clean it regularly to prevent infection and ensure optimal performance.

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Finally A QUIET nebulizer

Webmaster — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 20:45:06 +0000

A quiet nebulizer — is there such a thing? So I am need to use a nebulizer at least twice a day and some days 3 or even 4 times so my older nebulizer seemed REALLY NOISY. I bought a new one as a backup because I was so sick a couple of months ago that I was in the hospital and I thought if my nebulizer breaks down, I am going to need to run around and try to find one immediately and most are not on 2 hour delivery so I just thought it was better safe than sorry and this one I got so LUCKY ON. It dispenses really well even when the medicine gets very low and IT IS SUPER QUIET. So quiet that it made me realize how incredibly noisy my old nebulizer was.

REMEMBER TO FOLLOW YOUR DOCTOR’s instructions but here are the basics on how to use a nebulizer.

To use a nebulizer for asthma, the following steps are typically recommended:

Wash your hands and assemble the nebulizer according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Measure the prescribed amount of medication and add it to the nebulizer.
Attach the mouthpiece or mask to the nebulizer.
Sit in a comfortable, upright position and breathe normally.
Turn on the nebulizer and inhale the medication as directed by your healthcare provider.
Once the medication has been fully inhaled, turn off the nebulizer and clean it according to the manufacturer’s instructions

A nebulizer is a medical device that is used to deliver medication directly into the lungs to help treat respiratory conditions such as asthma. It converts liquid medication into a mist or aerosol that can be inhaled through a mouthpiece or mask.

When a person with asthma uses a nebulizer, the medication is delivered directly to the lungs, which can provide faster relief than other forms of medication, such as inhalers. Nebulizers are particularly useful for young children or older adults who may have difficulty using inhalers correctly.

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My Personal Review of Advair — So far anyway

Webmaster — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 15:36:56 +0000

So I have been pretty open about my asthma struggles and over the last month I have seen my internist who put me on Advair 250/50 and I actually felt quite a lot more energy after a couple of days. Last week I went to see my pulmonologist and he increased it to 500/50 — which to be honest I have not been able to pick up yet as Cigna – my health insurance company — for some friggin reason — says I am not allowed to have it for another week. Like I have to use up all the 250/50 first – STUPID. Anyway so this is a review of my experience on 250/50 and I am still wheezy so I am hoping that the 500 does some more magic because I do feel a lot better now that I did without the Advair and I am now able to ween off the Prednisone that I have been on since February. So now I am down to 5 mg of prednisone a day for the next week and then kicking down to 2.5 mg and then off completely — fingers crossed.

I haven’t had any weight gain on the Prednisone and I have lost weight the past few months but I have had puffy fingers and toes and my blood pressure has been a bit high a couple of times so hoping ditching the Prednisone fixes that all up.

So here is what Advair is all about :

Advair is a brand name for a combination inhaler medication used to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It contains two active ingredients: fluticasone propionate, a steroid that helps reduce inflammation in the airways, and salmeterol xinafoate, a long-acting bronchodilator that helps relax the muscles in the airways, making it easier to breathe.

Advair is usually prescribed for people with moderate to severe asthma or COPD, who require both a steroid and a bronchodilator to control their symptoms. The medication is available in different strengths, depending on the severity of the condition, and is usually taken twice a day by inhalation.

As with any medication, there are potential side effects associated with Advair. These can include headaches, throat irritation, hoarseness, coughing, and increased risk of pneumonia or other respiratory infections. It is important to talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking Advair, and to follow the instructions for use carefully to minimize the risk of side effects.

You take it in this weird kind of inhaler where it is a powder. BE SURE TO RINSE YOUR MOUTH OUT AFTER you use it — and do not swallow the rinse water. As it can cause mouth issues.

THIS IS JUST MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE — THIS IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE. But I have gone from being very weak and really struggling and very winded when I climb the stairs to now being just south of normal. I am still not “strong” and I am still not “well” but I do feel like I have a lot more quality of life. I can climb the stair and I am now able to walk around more which you can’t really do rehab if you can’t walk or climb stairs — RIGHT. So moving in the right direction

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Using a high quality Furnace filter for your asthma

Webmaster — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 18:24:01 +0000

There are certain things people like to save money and this is one I don’t get. You need to change your furnace filter for your health and you should as an asthmatic use a high quality one to get all the crap out of the air.

Some of it is being lazy. People seem to skip this chore. Even when my husband was in the military and the filters were literally free, people still didn’t do it. Every house we moved into had a disgusting one that looked like it had been there for years.

You as an asthmatic cannot afford to be lazy like that. A high quality filter will remove a lot from the air in your house to help you keep you healthy. You may also want to consider vent cleaning as it can remove things from the ventilation system that don’t make it to the filter. We had ours done when we moved into this house and it was literally amazing the crap that came out from huge piles of dog hair and human hair to toys to coins to glitter to just plain filth. You can vacuum them yourself but the pros use a high power compressor and that is what brings all the crap out so for the best result (remember don’t be cheap with your health) use a Pro.

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Asthma and the Weather — Yes, it is a real thing

Webmaster — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 18:15:38 +0000

Yes, your asthma can be triggered by the weather. GEEZ – like one more thing to be tracking on for us asthmatics.

For some people, it can be humidity. While there is an old wives tale that we should all live in the desert if we have asthma, that isn’t really true. Super dry air can be a trigger for a lot of asthmatics but so can humidity. And humidity can breed mold which is an allergen and trigger for lots of people with allergy related asthma. And dry places have issues too as Las Vegas is super dry but it also has lots of health issues such as “Vegas throat”. There are also lots of allergens in the desert when it does rain. And some places, like Las Vegas have embraced smoking culture and second hand smoke is bad for you and it is a major known trigger for asthmatics.

What can you do as an asthmatic? KEEP A DIARY.

Having a bad asthma day? Write down where you were, what you did, what you ate, what the temperature was, what the season was, the date, the weather. Was it humid? Was it raining? Had it been raining that week and everything was now just wet. This can help you and your asthma team narrow down your triggers and plan for them. You cannot control the weather obviously but you can control some things. You can adapt your asthma plan to deal with seasonal things like allergies and humidity. You can choose to not go certain places (like places where there will be a lot of smokers). I go to a swap meet every other month and it is outdoors and I really like it but it has a section where all the dealers smoke and I just don’t go over there. Do they have great things I might want to buy – who knows. Maybe. But it isn’t worth a possible day of asthma cough and inhaler side effects to find out. I get muscle cramps if I use my inhaler more than a couple of times in a day and smoking is something that will cause me coughing and shortness of breath so I just avoid any situation I can control where there will be smokers.

Mold is also a major trigger of mine and I am almost like a human mold detector. The Wal-Mart near my home used to be a major trigger so I avoided going there. No idea what it was but I would need a cough drop after about 10 minutes and then a drink and then a puff of inhaler. WHY DO THAT TO MYSELF? Now I avoided that store for a few years and I did go in there a few months ago and they seemed to have fixed whatever was causing that. My guess would be leaky roof or problem with the air system but it is now gone. That said, there are several stores that cause this for me. Not lots and not all. But some. I can smell mold in the Walgreens near my house and it does. The Target near my house is fine, but the next one down the road is horrible. I can’t smell mold but everything clogs up if I go in there. My point here is that you CANNOT CONTROL mold in nature. But you can control it when it is caused by humans. Don’t shop in stores where you don’t feel well or seem to have issues. There are tons of alternatives so if a store makes you have some allergy or asthma reaction — SKIP IT and go to the next one. Your health is way more important that whatever you think you need at that store.

If some of your triggers are in your home, you have more options.

1 – Check your furnace/AC and have it cleaned.

2 – Have your vents cleaned especially if you just bought a home (I had mine done when I bought my house and the crap that came out of there from the previous owner were amazing, gross but amazing)

3 – Consider using a spray or device to kill dust mites. ( I use the spray below and I am sure you could make your own but you can actually feel the air being cleaner when you spray it and it is all natural)

4 – Use a high quality furnace filter (this is not a place to save a couple of bucks) and CHANGE IT OFTEN.

5 – Consider an air cleaner. It can be extremely helpful.

6 – Keep pets out of your bedroom.

7 – Handle roofing issues and leaks and bathroom repairs and basement issues promptly. These can all cause mold

So in summary………..

KEEP A DIARY when you have a reaction to the weather or something you think may be weather or allergen related.

AVOID PLACES YOU CAN CONTROL and fix the things you can fix.

Talk to your asthma specialist or medical professional to see what else you can do about weather and environmental triggers for your asthma.

Consider some changes in your home to eliminate or reduce triggers.

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Piece of Mind from a Pulse Oximeter — who knew!!

Webmaster — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 01:34:25 +0000

So I will confess, I like gadgets so when Covid hit, I bought a pulse oximeter as everyone told me that if you get Covid and it is getting worse, it will be a good measuring device of the severity. Since I had covid before they were even calling it covid, I never really used it for that but I have used it A TON for my asthma. And of course when I was in the hospital, they had one on me most of the time. (Getting in and out of the bathroom with an IV and all these wires and gizmos was a bit much if you haven’t tried it and my gown had a pocket for the little pack for all that stuff and it was still difficult) Anyway I digress. Just a bad flashback.

Anyway, there are times with my asthma where I feel like I am not doing great and it ramps my anxiety up to the roof and putting the pulse oximeter on calms me right down. Oh look I am still at 96 or 95 or 97 (these are my usual numbers, I usually don’t go much above that except once in a while and I never really go below 95) so it knocks the mental challenge of asthma right off. The worry and the unknown. Well, now I know.

My brother had asthma growing up and I am sure it was very stressful on my parents to not know if he was doing ok. For 20 bucks, you can buy one of these little gadgets and know immediately if you or your child or whoever is at least getting enough oxygen. They still might be having an attack so don’t use it to assume that is not happening but stress can make attacks worse and having people around you all freaked out doesn’t help. My husband being all freaked out and asking me right in my face when I can barely talk seems to not calm me down. But sitting upright and doing some controlled breathing and wearing a pulse oximeter helps me get my mind focused. Then at least I am not fighting an asthma attack and anxiety at the same time.

It also helps to know if you do get sick or have an issue and the number changes. What are your normal numbers? It is good to know your benchmarks.

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Should you be using a spacer with your asthma inhaler

Webmaster — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 18:20:03 +0000

Should you use a spacer when you use your asthma inhaler?

Well, this is obviously a question for your doctor but if you haven’t asked your doctor or they haven’t suggested one, you should for sure ask. For me and for a lot of people, this is a BIG YES YOU SHOULD.

Spacers help you to use your asthma inhaler properly. That is the simple answer. The longer answer is that using an inhaler isn’t easy. It seems easy, we all get used to using it and think we have it down but it isn’t easy. It is hard. You have to time your breathing and aim correctly and maintain the correct head posture. And on top of that you might be wheezing or be feeling the anxiety that comes with knowing you need some help with your breathing.

A spacer puts all of that in the right place and eliminates a lot of that timing. Studies have also shown that spacers get more medicine from the dose into your lungs (where you want the medicine) than using just an inhaler. Yes, sometimes you will have to just hit the inhaler but a spacer is something that should be part of the conversation for everyone, especially when you are a caregiver for someone with asthma. The elderly and children may have a harder time using just an inhaler and getting an effective dose. They may end up spraying the crap out of their tongue and being turned off by the inhaler. So try a conversation with your doctor or asthma specialist to discuss adding a spacer.

Here is a link to a great article from the NIH on spacers. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6004521/

Here is a spacer similar to the one I use but get the suggestion from your doctor. I like this one because it has a cap so it keeps the part where I put my mouth nice and clean. You can also get a case and keep both your inhaler and spacer together which is a great idea for travel (an extra inhaler is also a great idea for travel since people tend to lose them and show up at the pharmacy in a panic) Remember World War Z when he has to go to the skanky dude who has taken over the pharmacy during the end of the world just to get albuterol. Don’t be him and get a spare inhaler for your trip.

And if you think you need a case – BE SURE TO MEASURE the length of your spacer. Some spacers barely fit in the cases and most need the mask removed. I don’t use a mask with my spacer, I use the mouthpiece but for people who like the mask, it might be a pain to move it on and off just to fit it into the case. Here is a nice case for travel but it is a bit large but I use mine on trips not daily commutes so I want something that can hold some things and keep them dry. I once had my suitcase left on a tarmac in Montreal for what must have been hours because all of my clothes in it were quite wet so I really wouldn’t want my medications or pills or any other medical things to get messed up so a nice waterproof case is nice.

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