9 Times Asthma Really, Really Got on Your Nerves

We know that asthma is serious, and understand how it can affect you on a day-to-day basis. While we’re here to offer advice and support, we’re also here to lighten the mood. Because if you can’t laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at? Here, we present the nine times asthma was the most annoying thing ever.

When you took the stairs

You’ve been fantasizing about a ground-floor apartment for months because of this. It doesn’t seem fair that climbing two short flights of stairs has you feeling like you’ve just run the London Marathon – except you don’t get a medal and no one is cheering you on.

When you went for a run

If you’re a parent to a child that’s old enough to call you out on your mistakes, you’ve probably attended a school sports day on more than one occasion. Yes, we too thought this meant grabbing the dog, a blanket and a picnic basket, but there’s actually a parents’ race for you to take part in. Do we need to continue?

When you were late for work

If I’m being honest, this actually happened to me this morning. It’s not the ideal situation to find yourself in at 8am, especially when you’ve only applied mascara to one eye, have your laptop clutched under your arm and a tendency to fall over. Oh, and asthma.

When you went on that date

Okay, so this one is particularly stressful. It’s Friday, you’ve spent a fortune on a new outfit and you’re actually “really excited about this one.” Fast-forward an hour and you realise mid-meal than you’ve left your inhaler at home and you’ll have to forego dessert.

When you saw that movie

For some bizarre reason, you decided to give your friends full control of your Netflix account and now you’re face-to-face with Ryan Gosling as he confesses his love to Rachel McAdams in the rain. Uncontrollable sobbing isn’t the best look, especially when you’re asthmatic.

When you took a plane

There’s only so many of those feeble little coughs you can get away with before you give up and give in. Being in a small, compact space next to a complete stranger is never fun – but if you’re prone to sneezing, wheezing and coughing, well, good luck.

When you walked the dog

Everyone loves getting outside once in a while, and what better way to enjoy the outdoors than a hike with a furry friend, right? Wrong. Whether they’re refusing to come back or busy leaping into rivers, they know how to make you sweat - and not in a good way.

When you bought perfume

This can be a real ordeal, and is usually why many opt for the scent in the prettiest bottle as opposed to the one that actually smells nice. Honestly, we can’t think of anything worse than having to pay out so much for something so little – all while having ‘eau de can’t breathe’ sprayed all over us.

When you went ‘out-out’

Unfortunately, alcohol can actually make your asthma worse – so after-work drinks can pose a risk (to your health, not your pride). The histamine in alcoholic drinks can trigger your symptoms, even after a few sips. So no, you’re not a lightweight, you’re just asthmatic. #asthma #allergy #respiratorydisease #triggers #cause #children #health #healthcare #symptoms #SensioAIR #airpollution #allergens #illness #allergens #allergen #pet #pets #dander #fur #animals #animal #dogs #cats #dust #skin #tech #technology #food #drink #alcohol #wine #travel #culture

Image courtesy of Suhyeon Choi, Unsplash

5 Asthma Triggers You Probably Didn’t Know About

Asthma can be extremely disruptive when it comes to your everyday life. Affecting the airways, asthma can cause shortness of breath, discomfort and panic.

While asthma can occur as a result of pollution, intense exercise or respiratory infection, it can also be triggered by a number of lesser-known factors, most of which might surprise you.

Below, five of the lesser-known culprits behind your asthma attacks.

Indoor environment

The conditions in which you live play a significant role when it comes to your health. A build-up of dust in your bedroom, living area or attic can bring on your symptoms, and mold or damp in your bathroom can also have a serious impact. If you’re into DIY, take care when handling and storing paint, glue and varnishes, even if they’re in the garage.

Second-hand smoke

It goes without saying that cigarettes are hazardous to your health, and it’s common knowledge that smoking can cause serious lung damage. According to Asthma UK, around 82% of people suffering with the condition find that tobacco smoke affects their asthma. However, you don’t need to be a smoker to feel the effects - the chemicals in cigarette smoke cause irritation and inflammation of the lungs and airways.

Emotions

Our emotions can really toy with our asthma symptoms. Perhaps your asthma has previously been triggered by laughing at a friend’s joke (read: misfortune), or by crying while watching an especially sad scene in a movie – you may want to avoid The Light Between Oceans if you have asthma and a tendency to cry. In fact, the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) and the American Thoracic Society (ATS) both reported a link between laughter and asthma, so you don’t necessarily need to be sad to feel the effects.

Alcohol

Did you know that the glass of wine you indulged in last night may have affected your asthma? Probably not. However, according to a survey by Asthma UK, 64% of sufferers claim that certain alcoholic drinks trigger their symptoms. Red wine was the primary offender, with beer and cider not far behind. If you’ve noticed a correlation between certain alcoholic drinks and the worsening of your symptoms, it’s best to avoid them altogether.

Stress and anxiety

Asthma UK has revealed that 69% of asthma sufferers reported that feelings of stress and anxiety can bring on their symptoms. When stressed, our bodies release extra hormones - and we react with tense muscles, faster breathing and a quickened heart rate, all of which can contribute to worsened asthma symptoms. To minimize the impact stress and anxiety can have on your asthma symptoms, make sure you’re managing your condition well – stay healthy, take your meds and speak to your doctor if you’re feeling more stressed than usual.

To stay ahead of your asthma and allergy outbreaks, the Sensio AIR team recommends regular visits to your GP, careful use of medication and the use of an at-home air quality monitor.

The Sensio AIR device will be available to buy soon, but you can manage your symptoms in the meantime by downloading the app. iPhone users can get it here, and Android owners can download it here.

#asthma #allergy #respiratory #disease #triggers #cause #health #healthcare #symptoms #SensioAIR #airpollution #pollution #allergens #illness #stress #smoking #exercise #alcohol #mentalhealth #alcohol #anxiety

Image courtesy of Jill Wellington, Pixabay

5 Allergy Mistakes You’re Probably Making

Not one to take your shoes off when you return home? It's time to change that.

We know you’re doing everything in your power to keep your allergies under control. You take your meds, wear sunglasses during pollen season and avoid your neighbor’s cat at all costs.

However, there are some things you could be forgetting. If you’re someone who enjoys a large glass of red come dinner time, read on. Here are five allergy mistakes you could be making.

Not taking your shoes off

This little detail can make a big difference. Wearing shoes around the house can result in a trail of pollen being left behind, and this applies to your clothes too. Try to remove your footwear as soon as you return home, and change into fresh clothes in the bathroom – not your bedroom.

Having alcohol with dinner

According to Everyday Health, drinking alcohol actually encourages blood flow to the nose, which can make your nasal allergy symptoms worse. If you’re feeling particularly unwell, or you’ve noticed an increase in your symptoms, trade your wine for water.

Taking a dip in the pool

While going for a swim won’t affect your allergy symptoms in itself, the chlorine in the water might. If you’re lucky enough to have a pool in your back garden, or you’re a member of the local swimming group, be wary in water. Ingesting the chlorine can irritate your airways and make you feel poorly.

Skipping your pre-bed shower

While many opt for an early morning shower, it’s a good idea to indulge in one upon your return home. You can pick up an array of harmful particles while out and about, many of which will cling to your hair, clothing and skin – so be sure to wash them away with a bedtime shower.

Opening your windows

This one can be difficult – it’s tempting to throw every window open when spring finally makes an appearance, but try not to. The breeze is welcome, but the particles that come with it are not. Pollen will flow into your home along with the cool bursts of air, so opt for an air conditioner instead.

#asthma #allergy #respiratory #disease #triggers #children #health #healthcare #symptoms #SensioAIR #airpollution #pollution #allergens #illness #stress #smoking #exercise #alcohol #medication #medicine

Image courtesy of Drew Coffman, Unsplash