Asthma

[Runt]

Oh, something interesting. I learned from one of my taekwondo classmates that asthmetics are supposed to avoid soda and caffeine in general. Soda because the carbonation deoxygenates the blood (not good for someone having trouble breathing as it is) and caffeine... I'm not sure why caffeine is bad... probably because as a stimulant it gets heart and respiritory rates up unnaturally and puts even MORE stress on an already stressed system. Though I'd have to ask a doctor to be sure.

 

[Bastet]

Really? What kind of dance did you do?

I did ballet from about age 6 - 13. My teacher left town, and mum didn't want to drive an hour to the next nearest town for lessons, so I had to give it up. Most of my childhood I wanted to be a prima ballerina. :lol: I couldn't imagine how different my life would be if that little dream had come true!

I'm making coltsfoot tea right now. We'll see if it helps or not.

Does it taste nice? I'm a bit wheezy myself tonight, wish I had some to try lol. Let me know how it works for you. :goodjob:

 

[Engyo]

Another thing to watch for, especially in adult-onset asthsma is medications. My wife was put on some medications for an elevated heart rate, and complications from that developed into bronchitis with athsma. We stopped the meds, and all the bronchial stuff faded too.

Great example of the cure being worse than the original condition.

 

[Runt]

Most of my childhood I wanted to be a prima ballerina

LOL, same here. As a kid my dance teachers were always telling me that I had the perfect ballet body... but then I kept growing taller and taller. I'm now 5'10... and the ideal is 5'7. I'd be taller than my porter on pointe, if not while while simply standing! I still dance, but any ideas of going pro haved died as I realized I could never do it unless I was WAAAY better (there was a 6 foot tall ballerina recently... but she was extraordinary and I'm... not) and as I realized that I AM ideal for taekwondo (tall, long legged, flexible, strong, good balance and control, fast... yup, they love me, hehe! They just say I need to learn to put more POWER behind my moves, and then I'll be set!)

Does it taste nice? I'm a bit wheezy myself tonight, wish I had some to try lol. Let me know how it works for you

It tasted good. Very soothing. Didn't seem to actually DO anything.... but that might be because the herbs are too old, or perhaps I simply didn't steep them long enough.

Another thing to watch for, especially in adult-onset asthsma is medications.

Luckily, I'm not on any medications (not even aspirin or allergy meds... though the latter might actually HELP the asthma), but I've heard of that happening to other people. I have an aunt with really bad asthma, and I know she took something after having surgery on her arm (carpal tunnel) that gave her an asthma attack. Obviously not the same case, but yeah, got to be careful with medications. That's why I prefer herbal medicine... much less side effects, generally more enjoyable... only time I'd say that you want medications over herbal treatments is when you have something for which minor treatments are not enough. I know for a fact that cough suppressants work better than herbal treatments... but if you have a minor cough/stomachache/headache a minor treatment may be what you want vs something that blasts away your malades but gives you lots of nasty side effects.

 

[desi]

From what I understand of asthma it happens when people are exposed to specific triggers such as cat spit in the air, mite droppings, smoke, etc... The key to controlling asthma is to identify the allergen and avoid it.

 

[anders]

runt,

You wrote "because my parents WON'T TAKE ME TO THE DOCTOR!!!"

Are you a pre-schooler, or what kind of crazy regulations are there in your country? A Swedish child showing signs of asthma would not escape the school nurse, and referral to a physician would be prompt and appropriate treatment would start immediately. Probably there would be a periodically visiting school doctor, free of charge. If not, and parents would refuse to pay the bill (about USD 20 to a GP; perhaps USD 15 for university students going to the students' health care centre), they would probably get a court order.

 

[Runt]

Anders--

First, I've got very minor asthma. My parents know it exists but because it IS so minor and I have never had any serious problems they have done nothing about it. Outside of my family few can tell I have it at all. I have also very physically active for so long that my endurance is high enough that I can go through aerobic exercise with no problems as long as there are reasonable breaks. I've had a couple minor incidents at taekwondo and once at dance rehersal when we were really working hard, but I'm too old for any school to force my parents to take me to a doctor. We have physicals at our schools for sports and stuff, as well as for any dance troop I have been a part of. They check for asthma, but all they have you do is jog in place for 2 minutes and see if you have any trouble. If you have trouble they do more tests, if you don't, they don't. I have never had any difficulty lazily jogging in place for two minutes.

Basically, it is enough to bug me. I can have a little trouble getting a deep breath for days, and if it is really bad I may feel slightly lightheaded... but nothing dramatic like wheezing, passing out, having full blown attacks, or other problems. I'm not even sure myself if it is worth going to a doctor for it... it is primarily seasonal (beginning of summer and fall) and exercise induced (and as I said, it takes a lot of exercise). I figure if I haven't come near to dying yet, it is unlikely to happen in the future (at least, not from this cause) and therefore there is no reason to go to a doctor.

And herbal remedies work too...

As for our crazy country... yeah, we suck. Everything is about money here. Parents can deny healthcare to their children and the government won't do anything about it.

 

[anders]

I am so sorry that I can't do more than sympathise with you.

It is no help to you and other US youth, but I'd like to tell you anyway that I just realised that in Sweden healthcare and dentistry is free for children and youth up to 19 years of age. This message is given in every phone book, and in eleven languages. Because of this, I think that parents have no way to prohibit treatment.

 

[Runt]

Wow.... Sweden keep sounding better and better all the time. Maybe when I'm completely done with my education I'll move myself (and any potential family I may have) there. As far as I can tell you have greater freedom of religion and your government takes better care of its citizens... what more could one want?

The only problem? I'd have to learn Swedish. Wait, no I wouldn't! I'm American! We only have to know one language--our own--but everyone else sure as hell better learn OUR language or we won't let them join the happy-go-lucky little "Friends of America Club"!

Sorry... that was my little rant for the day...

 

[Mr Spinkles]

As for our crazy country... yeah, we suck. Everything is about money here. Parents can deny healthcare to their children and the government won't do anything about it.

From my experience, this is not true at all. As a child my doctor tried to sue my parents for refusing to use anything other than directed donations from my father to treat my blood disorder. He did not do this for the money, but because he thought it was the right thing (on a sidenote, it turned out my parents were correct....the blood supply was still tainted at that time with Hep C).

Money is a huge problem though, I agree....my medicine costs 2,000 dollars per vile, three viles per dose, two doses per week.... mg:

 

[sweet666]

why don't you just go to the doctor without your parents-I do. But then I'm from England so I don't know how the whole medical thing works in America. Yogas fun and it's good for breathing as it teaches you to control it-although I don't know how it works for asthma sufferers.

 

[Runt]

Mr_Spinkles-- Alright, good point. But that is an extreme case. Mine is not. Nobody would have sued my parents because I was never really in any danger. Discomfort, perhaps, but not enough to really hold me back much.

sweet666-- That is part of the problem. Doctors cost money. Medications cost money. My parents have medical insurance for my sis and I but I haven't the slightest clue what it is. I am old enough to have a job and live on my own, but right now, at least, I am doing neither.

Perhaps in the fall...

 

[Bastet]

Asthmatics, beware of Ibuprofen (it's a pain medication, particularly good to help reduce inflammation). :roll: The warning on the pack reads:

"Most asthmatics can use products containing Ibuprofen, but if you are sensitive to Ibuprofen, aspirin, or other medicines for pain relief, do not use this product. If you are unsure, consult your pharmacist or doctor."

I have taken this stuff many times in the past, but yesterday it triggered an asthma attack. I wasn't happy lol. It was hours before I could breathe properly again. Needless to say, I threw the rest of the pack out and won't be taking it again. :roll: So just be careful, and always read your warnings on labels! :goodjob:

 

[Runt]

Hmm... I don't take Ibuprofin, but I think my sister does... and she has asthma too...