Is your baby expected during a high pollen and mold season? Then there may be a chance he or she might develop wheezing by the age of two. Unfortunately, wheezing is an early symptom of asthma.
A recent study published by the Thorax journal has reported that children born in the winter months, typically between fall and winter, have three times a greater chance of developing asthma later in life than those born in the summer.
During this study, pollen, spore and mold counts were tracked daily while each participating baby was monitored for wheezing. Factors were taken in to effect such as second-hand smoke exposure, mold in the home, signs of cockroaches and other potential wheezing triggers.
The most significant association found in this study was from two particular fungal spores (basidiospores and ascospores) which are found on mushrooms, molds and rusts from plants. Pollen from pine, cypress and alder trees caused greater wheezing than from elm, mulberry and oak trees.
Of course the wheezing seen in children from this study may be due to a combination of pollen and mold exposure along with early respiratory viruses. But this study revealed an important factor that may influence early asthma development in children in conjunction with family history and other asthma triggers.
Asthma is a chronic illness that makes it difficult to breathe. When you experience an asthma episode, your airways become swollen and red, the muscles tighten around your airway and mucus clogs your airway. Symptoms of asthma can include wheezing, coughing, whistling sounds while breathing and shortness of breath.
There are many triggers that can cause an asthma episode. These include:
- Irritants – Strong smells such as perfumes, kerosene, cleaning supplies, wood smoke and cigarette smoke.
- Weather Changes – Changes in the weather from hot to cold or dry to moist.
- Allergies – Allergies to foods, mold, animal dander, cockroaches, dust mites or pollens.
- Exercise – Exercise and outdoor play.
- Stress – Emotions such as crying and laughing as well as stress.
There are warning signs to look for that may indicate a developing asthma episode. Here are some of these early warning signs:
- Itchy or watery eyes
- Lethargy
- Grumpiness
- Headache
- Coughing
- Weakness or exhaustion
- Dark circles under the eyes
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Out of breath
- Sneezing
- Coughing during the day or night
There are two types of medications typically used in asthma treatment. These are Controllers and Relievers. Usually both of these are used to successfully treat and manage asthma.
- Controllers – These keep asthma under control by preventing asthmatic symptoms. These are typically taken every day. Some examples of these are Advair, Singulair, Intal, Pulmicort and Flovent.
- Relievers – These are used to relieve asthma symptoms quickly. These are only used when early warning signs or asthma symptoms are being experienced. Some examples are Albuterol, Proventil, Ventolin and Xopenex.
If you have asthma, take your controller medicine daily or as directed by your physician. Avoid triggers and take reliever medicine as soon as you experience early warning signs or asthma episode symptoms.
Call your doctor if your reliever medicine stops working or if your symptoms are worse after taking the reliever. It is also important to call your doctor if your reliever medicine is needed every four hours.
If you cannot complete a sentence without gasping for air, your fingers are blue or gray or you feel confused, call 911 immediately.
Remember to bring your medicine and inhalers with you at all times, especially when traveling. Talk to your doctor about a flu shot each fall and see your doctor at least twice a year to check on your asthma.
