The threat of colds and flu for asthmatics: How to maintain lung health throughout the season

As the cold and flu season quickly approaches, it is important to remember that they both trigger asthma attacks.  For those asthmatics with colds and flu as a trigger, following are some general asthma health tips to keep in mind:

1. See your healthcare provider whenever ill.  Depending on your general health status, you may need adjustments in your plan of care due to the existence of other healthcare problems.
2. Develop a plan with your healthcare provider focused on prevention in consideration of colds and flu acting as triggers.
3. Talk with your healthcare provider about periodically measuring the effectiveness of your asthma plan of care.  Spirometry testing may be ordered to do so; a test measuring the amount of air breathed.
4. There are also internal environmental triggers in the home which require correction.
   1. Have your home treated for cockroaches, if they exist.  The flesh and debris expelled into the environment when the insects are squashed contributes to asthma.
   2. Clean dust frequently from furniture, drapes, blinds, floors, and surfaces.
   3. Smoke elicited from fireplaces can irritate the lungs.
   4. Frequent housecleaning including vacuuming of carpets is necessary to minimize pet dander, bacteria, viruses, and allergens.
   5. The fumes elicited from aerosols and cleansers can irritate the lungs.
   6. Cigarette smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke will also cause lung irritation as well as asthma flare-ups.
   7. If you need to use your rescue inhaler more than two times per week or have night symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing, or cough; you need to see your healthcare provider immediately.
   8. Minimize stress, which does trigger an asthma flare-up. The deep-breathing technique is a good choice.  It entails breathing in through the nose, counting to ten while holding, and then blowing air out slowly through pursed lips.
   9. Have your rescue inhaler handy whenever exercising in the event an asthma flare-up occurs during your activity.

Maintain your lung health throughout the cold and flu season!

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The main sting of the U.S. fragmented healthcare system: senseless, preventable deaths

It is a complete abomination that a country as prosperous as the United States could have people dying from preventable illnesses; which are senseless deaths.  In a study conducted to assess rates of deaths from preventable illness, the United States was deficient and fell behind the UK, France, and Germany having higher numbers of such deaths.

In addition, the study found that our country spends twice as much per person as those countries in healthcare costs.  It is an embarrassment that citizens of the UK, France, and Germany fare better in terms of healthcare with fewer deaths from preventable illness despite the fact that their country is spending less on healthcare.

What a waste!  One would think that spending more on healthcare would mean better quality.

In addition, the United States still has a very high number of uninsured individuals.  Lack of access to healthcare is likely to lead to lack of health promotion and disease prevention in primary care.  Lack of primary care can lead to premature preventable death.

Thus, the results of the study appear to directly correlate with the sting of our fragmented healthcare system.  The UK has a universal healthcare system; healthcare for all.  There is ongoing debate and battle in the United States regarding the universal healthcare concept.

It is certainly a surefire way to ensure that everyone receives necessary healthcare with health promotion and disease prevention.  In fact, it appears to be the only way.  Yet, all the while and until then, senseless deaths continue.

In the interim, there is a special call for creative and innovative ideas for healthcare programs and systems to ensure better preventive care and health monitoring.  It is time to put an end to senseless, preventable deaths.

Staying In The Loop: Timely and Adequate Access To Health Information

In general, everyone wants to stay well and live a healthier life.  However, one on one time with a healthcare provider is often limited with little time for sharing of information and health promotion counseling. The number one resolution to this problem is to have a personal resource of up-to-date information to stay informed.  There are some on the web, but the information may not be current or may simply be general.  Can you receive information timely?  If you wait for the standard one to two year wellness physical and check-up, many healthcare information updates may pass you by causing you to miss out on valuable information.  This could mean the difference between life and death, chronic vs. terminal illness.  In other words, the information that you miss could be necessary for something occurring with your health or that of your loved ones.

It is important to find that one valuable resource of up-to-date health information.  Stay informed on your own.  Know when it is time to see your healthcare provider to discuss what you have learned as it applies to your individual health status.  Seek the information yourself. Don’t rely on others to bring the information to you.   There are new developments and research every day in the healthcare field.  Stay in the loop.  Awareness of what is new keeps you knowledgeable and helps to keep you well too.

Personal Health Risks and You: Beyond Health Maintenance

Personal Health Risks and You:  Beyond Health Maintenance

So, you know it is time for you to have your physical done.  It has been a while since your last physical.  In fact, it has been about two years to the day to be exact.  You are a little nervous and unsure of what to expect, but you assume that it will be the usual.  You will have a physical exam done with a host of questions asked in relation to diet, nutrition, etc.

However, it is also important to know your personal health risks.  Personal health risks involve not only your individual habits such as smoking, but also your family history.  Even if your healthcare provider doesn’t present questions about your family history, make sure you open those lines of communication.  

Do your homework first.  Yes, you heard of the main chronic illnesses such as diabetes and high blood pressure and may even know who in your family has them.  However, you need to know about illnesses such as cancer, lupus, migraines, and thyroid disorders which all have a genetic link. In addition, there are special preventive and monitoring measures to be taken if there is a family history of certain cancers.  An example of this is colorectal cancer for which you would be screened ten years earlier than the usual age of 50 if there is a family history.  

Because they have a genetic link, you are at risk for such illnesses simply because those genes are in your DNA.  Yet, a special healthcare plan can be established for you based on your own individual risks.  Ask your family members and gather as much information as possible.  In the event that you are unable to get much information, you have the option of seeking genetic counseling in addition to closer health monitoring.

Work closely with your healthcare provider and/or hire an individual healthcare consultant. Know your personal health risks.  Coupled with your health maintenance activities, you will have your own personal health plan to ensure longevity of your life, staying well, and maintaining wellness!

 Advertisement  - AfricAm Health Focus Newsletter is tailored to suit the special healthcare information needs of African-Americans and those of African descent to combat the many health disparities in the African-American community.   Visit http://www.dmbauthor.com.

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 © 2011 Naypree Enterprises Healthcare Division.  Dana Morris-Blake is the C.E.O. and Founder of Naypree Enterprises and the C.O.O. of the Healthcare Division.  She is a Family Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nurse, and Legal Nurse Consultant with 16 years of experience in healthcare in a variety of fields including, but not limited to medical/surgical, long term care, and primary care/family practice.  Their services include medical/legal consulting, general healthcare consulting, healthcare education, health maintenance/chronic illness counseling, C.N.A. training program consulting, and long term care consulting. Visit  http://www.naypree-enterprises.com.

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