Asthma in the Office: How to Work Around the Condition

If you have asthma, it goes without saying that work can be a challenge. Often triggered by stress and anxiety, your symptoms can make a guest appearance when you really, really don’t need them to.

According to Asthma UK, 43% of people suffering with the respiratory condition say that their symptoms can cause them problems in the workplace. Here, we discuss three ways you can make your working day as symptom-free as possible. As for the stress? Well, that’s down to you.

Talk to colleagues

It’s important to inform the people you’re working with about your asthma. This ensures that they’ll know how to react if and when you have an asthma attack at work. So, be sure to inform your colleagues, managers and any first-aiders based at your workplace.

Remove triggers

If you know that certain triggers set your asthma off, discuss your requirements with your manager or HR personnel – they’ll make adjustments to ensure you’re comfortable. For instance, if you’re sensitive to dust, you’ll be given a well aired work space that gathers little dust.

Be prepared

Always have an inhaler with you at work, whether that means keeping one stashed in your desk drawer or in the pocket of your hi-vis jacket. You’ll be grateful if an attack strikes unexpectedly.

Image courtesy of Alvin Mahmudov, Unsplash

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5 Reminders to Help You Cope When Your Little One is Sick

You’ve not had a shower for two days, you haven’t slept properly for a week and you can’t remember the last decent meal you ate. Welcome to the Calpol Club.

When your little one is ill, you’re understandably worried 24/7, and it's likely you're putting your mini-me’s needs ahead of your own. You’re up with them through the early hours, reading and re-reading the medicine instructions you already know by heart and watching their every move. I know you feel like you’ll never leave the house again, but you will – just probably not today.

So, when you’re not being a napkin ninja and cleaning food off floors/walls/your face, take a second to realise that actually, you’re doing the best you can, and no, you’re not the world’s worst parent.

So, in honour of you being the household hero (no, really) we’ve compiled a little list of things you can do to help you get through the mini war zone your living room/bedroom/life has become.

Stay calm

This is easier said than done, but allowing yourself to get even more stressed won’t help you or your child. Take a step back and acknowledge you’re doing your best, even if your toddler’s tantrums say otherwise.

Get some rest

You need to be alert and aware when looking after your little one, so be sure to get some decent sleep when you’re able to. You’ll feel better after a few hours of rest, so when your child finally dozes off – that’s your cue.

Don’t forget to eat

It’s easy to forget to have breakfast, lunch and dinner when you’re busy tending to the needs of your child, but try not to. You need to keep your energy levels up, so try to eat regularly to stay on top of things.

Ask for advice

Don’t be scared to ask for help. Whether you have a question for your doctor, or want some advice from your best friend (a mother-of-four, how does she do it?) you should always seek support when you need it.

Enjoy downtime

Yes, really. A big part of your little one’s recovery process is downtime, which means you’re entitled to the same. If that means an evening in front of the TV with your child, or a blanket and their favourite toy – great. However, don’t feel bad if you decide to call upon your other half or the babysitter while you step outside for a quick run or a trip to the shops. Do whatever you need to do to keep a clear head.

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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.

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Image courtesy of Jill Wellington, Pixabay