Traveling with Asthma and Allergies Overview of Asthma & Allergies Asthma “triggers” are those things that make the airways tighten and become inflamed which leads to coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Sometimes a trigger brings on a reaction right away, but other times it may take several hours or days before symptoms begin. Here is information on several triggers. Any infection – a cold, virus, the flu, or sinus infections – can trigger an asthma episode. The following tips will help you stay well and hopefully avoid asthma symptoms. Many people notice that when the weather changes, asthma symptoms occur or increase. Cold air, increased heat, and humidity, as well as changes in seasons, can all trigger asthma. Allergic reactions can cause asthma symptoms to begin or worsen. Allergens are present both indoors and outdoors and are identified by seeing an allergist for skin testing. Common outdoor allergens are tree, grass, and weed pollens, and mold spores.

They spread in the breeze and are difficult to avoid. Indoor pollens include dust mites, pet dander, indoor mold, and pests (cockroaches, rodents). The following information will help you avoid/control these allergens. Dust mites (Indoor): Dust mites are very tiny bugs you cannot see. They can be found in carpets, mattresses, pillows, cloth furniture, curtains and drapes, stuffed animals, and dust. Increased humidity in the home as well as the presence of pets can also increase dust mites. Molds (Indoor): Molds grow indoors where leaks have happened in roofs, pipes and walls, as well as in damp basements, crawl spaces or where there has been flooding. Cockroaches (Indoor): Cockroach droppings and remains (along with other pests like mice) are a common asthma trigger if you are allergic to them. The following ideas will help control this allergen in your home. Tobacco smoke: Smoke from cigars, cigarettes and pipes is a powerful asthma trigger. The smoker inhales tar, carbon monoxide, nicotine and other harmful substances that irritate and inflame the airway as well as those that can cause cancer.

These same substances are also present in “second hand smoke” which is made up of both the smoke that comes from the burning end of the cigarette, cigar or pipe as well as what the smoker exhales. Smoking directly or second hand smoke can lead to more frequent and worsening asthma symptoms. Strong odors from perfumes, cleaning agents as well as wood smoke and air pollution are irritants that can trigger asthma. Smoke: Avoid wood smoke and the use of kerosene heaters, unvented fireplaces, gas stoves or gas heaters. Laughing hard, crying, being upset or stressed can trigger asthma in some people. You cannot always avoid or control these but you can develop ways to deal with this better. Your doctor/provider should be told about all the medicines you take, including over-the-counter medicines (cold medicines, aspirin, etc.) and other prescription medicines such as blood pressure medications or eye drops. You should also tell your provider about any herbs, vitamins, or other supplements.

Some of these may make asthma worse, and it is important that your provider know about these. Food allergy resulting in asthma symptoms is more common in infants and young children. If you think food allergy may be a cause of increasing asthma symptoms in you or your child, an allergist can be helpful in determining what you are allergic to. Sulfites in foods can be an asthma trigger for some people. They are a preservative that is sometimes added to food or medicines.osim air purifier ozone Of note: Food allergy results more commonly in anaphylaxis which includes wheezing and breathing difficulty as well as hives, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping and rashes around the mouth or other parts of the body. p80 airfree air purifier reviewAnaphylaxis is an emergency and treatment is needed right away.crc mass air flow sensor cleaner ebay

Exercise is important to staying healthy – both physically and mentally – and may improve lung health. Exercise is anything from taking a walk to playing team sports. It is important that you get at least 30 minutes of moderate activity four to five days per week. Asthma should not stop you from doing anything you may want to enjoy. Many asthmatics have asthma symptoms during or after physical activities. For some people, the only time they experience symptoms is with activity; this is called exercise-induced asthma. Sports that are generally well tolerated by people with asthma are those with short bursts of exertion such as volleyball, gymnastics, baseball, and wrestling. Swimming is a strong endurance sport that is generally well-tolerated as it is performed where the air is warm and moist. Biking, aerobics, walking, or running on a treadmill are also good activities. Activities with more constant periods of exertion (basketball, soccer, distance running) or those performed in cold weather (ice hockey, ice skating, and skiing) might not be tolerated as well.

However, many asthmatics can fully participate in any activity they like. Following are some tips to avoiding/managing symptoms with exercise. Asthma should never stop you from doing the things you want to do. It is important to work with your doctor/provider and follow your care plan so you can enjoy the benefits of exercise without asthma symptoms. © Copyright 1995-2016 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 4/3/2014...#10374As someone who’s worked in a variety of office settings, I can truly say that I appreciate certain simple comfort items that might be taken for granted – for example, one of life’s basic necessities, water. Yes, you heard me right – I’ve actually been in offices with no water cooler whatsoever.

The office itself was in a prime New York location on a well-known university campus, but the daily inconvenience of picking up a bottled water made me miss the days of working in a well-heeled corporate environment. But in this day and age, most of us are accustomed to having at least the bare essentials when working in a place of business, whether it’s big or small, corporate or non-profit. Believe it or not, your office’s décor, furnishings, supplies and amenities say quite a lot about your company. Anyone visiting will instantly deduct their own opinion about your business, as first impressions tend to leave their mark – for better or for worse. Create a lasting impression with an inviting reception area, and your guests will certainly take notice, whether you’ve provided a relaxing and attractive waiting area with a silk floral arrangement or a comfortable group of club chairs. Most importantly, though, is your employees’ well-being – it makes good business sense to furnish your workers with the necessities (and perhaps even a luxury item or two) they’ll need to feel comfortable and welcome.

Let’s face it: we spend at least half of our lives at work, so wouldn’t you want to make your work space as conducive to productivity as possible? Simple elements, whether a framed piece of art or a grouping of plants, can instantly add refinement, style and a sense of beauty to otherwise bland and uninspired surroundings. Choosing the right office furnishings and creating a work-friendly atmosphere not only looks good, but will benefit your employees, customers and potential clients in the long run. Although not an exhaustive list, here are some general suggestions to get you started: The best contacts and resources to help you get it done One of the most obvious ways to making your office an inviting and attractive place is by keeping it clean & uncluttered. However, there are other actions you can do to take it once step further, creating an eco-friendly atmosphere that’s sure to be appreciated by staff and guests alike. Potted plants are both attractive and useful decorative solutions – besides creating a warm and naturally cheerful atmosphere, plants and floral arrangements add vital oxygen to your office.

By removing harmful pollutants from the air, plants improve indoor air quality & comfort levels by stabilizing humidity levels. We recommend: Plants have also been proven to increase worker productivity and attendance as well as add to workplace satisfaction. You can purchase your own plants, but you may want to choose an interior landscaping company that will determine the best plants for your environment based on climate, décor, and so forth. In addition, they offer the convenience of maintenance, another factor to keep in mind (nothing is more depressing than a dead plant in your work space)! Another way to keep your air free of toxins, irritants and pollutants? There are many different models available, so it’s important to consider these factors:Finally, if you’re going to create an eco-friendly atmosphere, why not support your efforts with products deserving of your new green environment? Choose environmentally-friendly cleaning items and biodegradable and recycled paper products to sustain your green office.

There are many economical and smart products to choose from – use in public spaces such as break rooms, cafeterias and microwave/kitchenette areas, and if you work in a larger business, ask your janitorial service to switch to green products. Provide your employees with products such as Dymon Antimicrobial SCRUBS®, hand sanitizer wipes that will help to keep your office clean, safe and (nearly) germ-free! Now that your office is green & squeaky-clean, why not incorporate the little comforts of home that will make your employees and guests feel extra-special and appreciated? Follow these simple rules of thumb and watch your office transform from cold and corporate to warm and hospitable: We recommend: Safety First! It’s always a good practice to keep a First Aid Kit in the office for emergencies; you may also want to keep one or more fire extinguishers handy.It’s always great to have coffee, tea, sugar, creamer, cutlery etc. and bottled water (or water coolers) on hand – whether you’re hosting an important client or supplying sustenance to your team, having the proper beverages and kitchen amenities will make anyone feel instantly more welcome.

You might consider snacks and soda, too, if it’s within your company’s budget. Restful Restroom: As anyone knows, it’s always nice to find a restroom clean and in good order, especially for the ladies. If you happen to have a restroom area within your office space (versus in a public area), you may want to provide feminine products, soaps, lotions and air freshener to ensure the comfort of your employees and guests. Desk Décor: Pencil holders, organizational baskets, calendars, etc. add a personal and attractive touch, combining design with functionality . In addition, you may want to furnish your office with elegant desk lamps as a pleasant alternative to fluorescent lighting (which is also harsh on the eyes). Framed Art: Add original paintings, prints and canvasses and instantly give your space a facelift! Artwork livens up any office, creating points of interest and breaking up monotony in your design scheme. Choose works that reflect your color scheme and your company’s vibe – go to (website for decoration tips ) for suggestions.