Traveling with Asthma: Part 1

June 5, 2014

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Asthma

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Travel

It’s summer vacation time, but before you’re able to hit the road, there’s the dreaded chore of packing. Next to your sunscreen, flip-flops and stylish sunglasses, don’t forget to pack your asthma medication. Smart packing and a little research on your destination will go a long way in making your trip smooth and enjoyable.

Make a Packing List

Taking your medication with you is especially important if you’re in a foreign country. Brand names of drugs are sometimes different in other countries and it could be tricky to communicate with a doctor who speaks a foreign language; it’s best to avoid any issues by taking your medication with you. Pack spares of your medication so you have a backup in the event of lost medication.

If you’re traveling by plane, check with the airline about any packing constraints. Check packing guidelines from the Transportation Security Administration (855-787-2227), and visit the “Special Travel Needs” section on the airline’s website. Leave your medication in the original container and in your carry-on for easy access; if you’re checked baggage gets lost, you’ll be glad your medication is in your carry-on luggage. Some airlines even make oxygen available to passengers, so ask before your flight if that’s an option.

Research your Destination

Check the weather for your destination, and look for information about pollution levels at online new sites. That way, you can prepare for the type of air quality you’ll encounter.

You may also need to call your insurance company to verify that you’re covered while traveling. If you plan to go abroad, you could need travel insurance. If you have a smartphone, check to see if it works internationally as it could come in handy if you need to look up a hospital.

Assess your Hotel Room

Hotel rooms can be a hot spot for cleaning and smoking fumes, and dust mites. If you’re sensitive to harsh cleaning chemicals, avoid a room near a pool where those chemicals are used. Also check that your room is in a non-smoking area. If dust mites cause you trouble, consider bringing your own bedding or ask the hotel if they use impervious mattress covers.

With a little preparation, you can avoid navigating a foreign healthcare system and have a fun, relaxing and healthy trip.

Fact or Fiction? Spring Allergy Myths Debunked

May 22, 2014

Lisa Feierstein

Allergies, Asthma

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Pollen

Photo from Shutterstock

No sooner does cold season end that allergy season begins. It’s easy to get cold and allergy symptoms confused, and finding the right tools to treat allergies can be a challenge. Take a look at these answers to allergy myths for tips on how to keep pesky symptoms in check.

1. Allergies and colds have the same symptoms.

Not exactly. Allergy symptoms may include itchy nose, eyes and throat; clear mucus; and symptoms that persist from as little as a few days to a few months. Colds typically end after two weeks; usually occur in the winter; and can cause coughs, aches, fatigue, a sore throat, and a runny nose with yellow mucus. Allergies rarely cause coughs and never cause aches or fever, which are occasional cold symptoms.
2. An air purifier will stop allergy symptoms.

An air purifier will remove airborne allergens, but doesn’t take care of allergens that have settled on clothing or furniture. Wash clothes and shower to remove pollen at night, and try an impervious mattress cover as a shield against dust mites.

3. All allergy medicines cause drowsiness.

Some antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and doxylamine succinate (Nyquil) can cause drowsiness. Newer antihistamines like loratadine (Claritin) and Fexofenadine (Allegra) are less likely to make patients drowsy. Benadryl may be a better solution for nighttime allergy relief, whereas Claritin is better for the daytime.

4. Moving to the Southwest will cure allergies.

Allergens are everywhere, and there are plenty of plants in the desert that produce pollen. Offenders include sagebrush, cottonwood, ash and olive trees. Moving to the desert may offer temporary relief, but new allergies can develop after a few months.

5. People with pet allergies are allergic to the pet’s fur.

The pet allergen is a protein produced in pet skin and, to a lesser extent, its urine and saliva. There aren’t any non-allergenic breeds, but pets with shorter hair shed less and send less dander into the air. These breeds are a better option to the pet lover with pet allergies.

How to manage asthma’s annual nemesis: pollen

May 13, 2014

Lisa Feierstein

Allergies, Asthma, Breathe EZ

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Pollen

In early spring I don’t even bother washing my car; I’ve given up on the fight with the yellow-green pine pollen. Although few people are allergic to pine pollen, it’s a visible reminder of other invisible pollen that trigger allergic reactions. Thirty-five million Americans suffer through hay fever each year, but it can be an even tougher time for those with asthma.

If spring allergies increase your asthma symptoms, keep this list of springtime pollinators and allergy tips on hand to help you prepare for the worst.

Springtime pollinators:

Tree	Pollination Period	Peak Pollination Count
Cedar	January to February	Early January
Elm	January to April	Early March
Pine	February to April	Early March
Oak	February to May	Late March
Ash	February to April	Mid February to Mid March
Hackberry	March	Early March
Pecan	April to May	Late April to Early May

How to lessen allergy symptoms:

Close windows and doors.
Change clothes and shower at night to keep pollen from lingering indoors.
Reduce time spent outdoors when pollen counts are high. Pollen counts are highest before sunrise and after sunset.
Replace indoor air filters at home each month.
Dry laundry inside so pollen won’t settle on clean clothes.
See an allergist to determine which allergens affect you.
Keep antihistamines on hand. Nasal steroid sprays and neti pots can also offer relief.