Asthma

There are more than 25 Million individuals in the United States diagnosed with asthma, 7 Million of which are children.  Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the lungs.  Specifically, it affects the airways, called bronchial tubes, in the lungs.  When triggered, the bronchial airways become inflammed causing them to narrow.  This means that not enough air is allowed into the lungs.  Mucous may also be secreted into the airways which further impairs airflow into the lungs.  These occur due to what is called airway hyper-responsiveness which is basically when the bronchial tubes "overreact" to triggers.  Triggers may be such things as:

• Allergies
• Exercise
• Irritants (chemicals, smoke)
• Respiratory infections
• Medications
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
• Cold air
• Sulfites and preservatives (Mayo Clinic, n.d.).

Signs and symptoms of asthma include:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness
• Coughing  
• Wheezing.  

Individuals will have these symptoms in varying degrees.  For some, it may be minor, others serious, and in some cases, it may be fatal.  In 2013, 3,630 people in the United States died due to asthma (Xu, 2016).  This figure was essentially the same in 2015 with 3,615 deaths due to Asthma (AAFA, 2020).  Ways to know your asthma is worsening include signs and symptoms occurring more frequently, breathing becoming more difficult, or relief inhaler needed more often.

There are several risk factors that predispose individuals to asthma. 

• Having a blood relative with asthma, 
• being overweight, 
• smoking, 
• being around secondhand smoke and 
• being exposed to pollution or chemicals (Mayo Clinic, n.d.).  

Asthma, Eczema and Allergic Rhinitis make up what is called the Allergic Triad.  Having one of these conditions increases the chances of having the other two.  Chronic inflammation is the basis of all three conditions.

In order to diagnose asthma, other conditions should be ruled out through a physical exam.  Tests should also be done to check lung function.  Spirometry checks for the amount of bronchial tube narrowing by looking at how much air can be exhaled and how fast it can be exhaled after a deep breath.  Peak Flow meters measure how hard someone can exhale.  Other tests include Metacholine challenge, Nitric Oxide test, chest x-ray, allergy testing and sputum eosinophils test (Mayo Clinic, n.d.).

When determining how severe an individuals asthma is, a classification system is used.  Mild Intermittent refers to mild symptoms up to two days per week and up to two nights per month.  Mild Persistent refers to symptoms more than two days per week, but no more than once per day.  Moderate Persistent refers to symptoms once a day and more than one night a week.  Severe Persistent refers to symptoms throughout most of the day and frequently at night (Mayo Clinic, n.d.).

There are medications and treatments available.  When an individual is having acute difficulty breathing, what is referred to as rescue medications are needed.  Long term medications are used to control asthma symptoms. 

 Short acting beta agonists include:

• bronchodialators:  inhaler that rapidly relieve asthma symptoms.
• Ipratropium 

Long Term Medications include:

• Inhaled Corticosteriods, 
• Leukotriene modifiers, 
• Long acting Beta Agonists and 
• Theophylline
• Oral or IV corticosteroids: can relieve inflammation in cases of severe asthma, but are only used for a short term.  

 Other treatments:

• Bronchial thermoplasty is a treatment that heats the airways with an electrode.  This treatment is not used often and is usually done with severe asthma that generally has not improved with inhaled corticosteroids and long term medications.  

Asthma action plans are usually written based on what treatments are being used.  These outlines which medications to take, when to take them and when to increase or decrease the amount of medication.  What the individual's triggers are should also be listed and how to avoid them (Mayo Clinic, n.d).

There are lifestyle changes individuals can make to help alleviate asthma symptoms including:

• Using air conditioners, 
• Minimizing dust, 
• Dehumidifiers, 
• Preventing mold spores, 
• Decreasing pet dander and 
• Cleaning regularly can all help keep asthma to a minimum.

Watch Youtube video below. 

UPDATED MAY 18, 2020


AAFA. (2020) Asthma Capitals 2019: Asthma-Related Mortality.  Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.  Retrieved from https://www.aafa.org/asthma-capitals-asthma-related-mortality/.

Mayo Clinic.  (n.d.) Asthma.  Mayo Clinic.  Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/basics/definition/con-20026992

Wheeler, S.  (2009)  The Allergic Triad: Asthma, Eczema and Allergic Rhinitis.  The Orchard and Pea Patch Preschool's Blog.  Retrieved from https://theorchardandpeapatchpreschools.wordpress.com/2009/12/15/the-allergic-triad-asthma-eczema-and-allergic-rhinitis/

Xu, J.  (2016)  Deaths:Final Data for 2013.  CDC.  Retrieved from https://www/cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr64/nvsr64_02.pdf

Autism

            Autism is a group of disorders affecting brain development.  Autism in individuals can vary widely and is therefore known as Autism Spectrum Disorders.  Currently 1 in 68 children in the United States are diagnosed with Autism, 1 in 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls.  This amounts to 3 million individuals in the United States with Autism.  The number of Autism diagnoses have increased over the past 40 years due to improved diagnosis and awareness.

            Research has been done that shows that here are gene mutations associated with Autism.  Although some of these may cause Autism by themselves, in most cases there is a combination of both genetic and environmental factors that contribute.  If there is a genetic predisposition for Autism, environmental factors such as advanced age at time of conception (mom or dad), maternal illness during pregnancy, mothers being exposed to high levels of air pollution or pesticides, and certain difficulties during birth, particularly those where the baby’s oxygen is deprived of oxygen for a period of time.  A woman can reduce the risk of Autism by taking prenatal vitamins with folic acid before conception and during pregnancy.

            There are some common signs of Autism.  Not all individuals with Autism have all the signs and not to the same degree.  This accounts for the wide range of presentations of Autism.  Symptoms of Autism may include being focused on certain objects, not making eye contact, need for routine, repetitive behaviors, difficult social interactions, not responding to name, prefer to be alone (does not engage in play), different verbal abilities, may repeat phrases, obsessively interested in a particular topic, outbursts when in overly stimulate environments and a higher risk of epilepsy.

            Autism is usually diagnosed by a Pediatrician, Child Neurologist, or Child Psychology or Psychiatrist.  Development Screenings and Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluations are typically performed.  Developmental Screenings should be performed for developmental delays at 9, 18, and 24 months.  Additional screenings may be needed if child has a sibling with Autism or behaviors associated with Autism are present.  A Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation involves observing child’s behavior and interviewing parents.  May also include hearing and vision screening, genetic testing or Neurologic testing.

            Although there is not a cure for Autism, there are treatments.  Medications may be used to help manage high energy levels, seizures or the inability to focus.  Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Sensory Integration Therapy and Applied Behavior Analysis.  Therapies can work towards encouraging positive behaviors an developing active living and communication skills.

If you or someone you know have recently had a child diagnosed with Autism, consider downloading the following kit provided by Autism Speaks.

100 Day Kit for Newly Diagnosed Families of Young Children 

Autism Speaks. (n.d.)  What is Autism?  Autism Speaks.  Retrieved from https://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  (2015).  Autism Spectrum Disorder.  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Retrieved fromhttp://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/screening.html

National Institutes of Health.  (2016) Autism Spectrum Disorder Fact Sheet.  National Institutes of Health.  Retrieved fromhttp://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autism/detail_autism.htm

Hypertension

Hypertension, or High Blood Pressure,  is a condition that, unfortunately, is common in this day and age.  Hypertension is the force of the blood onto the blood vessels witin someone's body being too high as the heart pumps (MNT, 2020).  Blood Pressure varies throughout the day, which is normal.  A problem arises when Blood Pressure is high for extended periods of time.  There are about 103 million people in the United States with Hypertension (AHA, 2018).  Many people have no symptoms, but symptoms include:

• Severe headache
• Fatigue
• Confusion
• Vision problems
• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Irregular beartbeat
• Blood in urine
• Pounding in your chest, neck, or ears (Steinbaum, 2018).

Two types of Hypertension are Primary (essential) Hypertension and Secondary Hypertension.  Whereas there is no identifiable cause with Primary Hypertension, 
Secondary Hypertension occurs due to secondary to such things as:

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea
• Cushing's Disease
• Pregnancy
• Kidney conditions
• Adrenal Gland Tumors
• Thyroid problems
• Hyperparathyroidism
• Congenital Blood Vessel Defects
• Medications (Mayo, 2022)(MNT, 2020).

There are many risk factors for Hypertension, some you can change, some you cannot.  Risk factors you cannot change are:

• age 
• race
• family history (Mayo, 2022).  

Risk factors you can change are:

• being overweight 
• being sedentary
• smoking 
• excess salt 
• not enough vitamin D
• not enough Potassium
• excess alcohol
• stress (Mayo, 2022) .  

Having uncontrolled Hypertension leads to:

• heart attacks
• heart disease
• strokes
• aneurysms
• heart failure
• kidney complications
• vision loss
• metabolic syndrome
• memory loss (MNT, 2020).

Blood Pressure is reported by two numbers.  Systolic pressure is the pressure when the heart is pumping blood through blood vessels.  Diastolic pressure is the pressure when the heart is at rest between heartbeats.  

Ranges for Blood Pressure:

• Normal Blood Pressure is 120/80 and below.  
• Elevated Blood Pressure ranges from 120-129/80 and below.  
• Stage 1 Hypertension ranges from 130-139/80-89.  
• Stage 2 Hypertension occurs at 140 or higher/90 or higher.
• Hypertensive Crisis occurs at 180 or higher and/or 120 or higher (Harvard Medical School, 2020).

Treatment for Hypertension include:

•  lifestyle changes
• using less salt
• exercise
• about 30 minutes a day, 5 days per week
• maintain healthy weight/losing weight. 
• eating more fruits and vegetables
• not smoking/smoking cessation
• Medications
• Diuretics: typically prescribed first.  
• If  that alone does not bring a person's Blood Pressure to where it needs to be, another prescription is added like:
• Beta Blocker
• ACE Inhibitor
• Calcium Channel Blocker
• Angiotension II receptor Blocker
• Central Agonist
• Peripheral Adrenergic Inhibitor
• Vasodilators (MNT, 2020)(Mayo, 2022)(CDC, 2021).

Watch Youtube video below.  Click like, share and subscribe.  Also, in blog, at right of articles, click follow for updates on articles.

UPDATED 2/12/2023


AHA. (2018) More than 100 million Americans have high blood pressure, AHA says.  American Heart Association.  Retrieved from https://www.heart.org/en/news/2018/05/01/more-than-100-million-americans-have-high-blood-pressure-aha-says

CDC.  (2021) High Blood Pressure Symptoms and Causes.  Center for Disease Control and Prevention.  Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/about.htm#:~:text=High%20blood%20pressure%2C%20also%20called,blood%20pressure%20(or%20hypertension).

Harvard Medical School. (2020) Reading the new blood pressure guidelines.  Harvard Health Publishing.  Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/reading-the-new-blood-pressure-guidelines

Mayo Clinic (2022) High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)  Mayo Clinic  Retrieved from . http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/basics/alternative-medicine/con-20019580

MNT. (2020) Everything You Need To Know About Hypertension.  Medical News Today.  Reetrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/150109

Steinbaum, S. (2018) Symptoms of High Blood Pressure.  WebMD.  Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/guide/hypertension-symptoms-high-blood-pressure

NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS: Losing Weight

            At the beginning of every year, many people make New Year’s Resolutions.  There are many different resolutions that are made from financial to career to health resolutions, among others.  Sixty-Eight percent of Americans are currently overweight or obese so losing weight is a resolution that is commonly made.  There are many benefits to losing weight.  Someone does not have to lose the full amount of weight they need to lose before they start benefiting from losing weight.  Losing 5 – 10% can have benefits throughout the body.

            Losing 5-10% of someone’s weight can affect cholesterol.  It can increase HDL, “good”, cholesterol by 5 points.  HDL cholesterol is protective against heart disease and stroke and should be at least 40 mg/dL.    Triglycerides are harmful to blood vessels and should be less than 150 mg/Dl.  High triglyceride levels put people a risk for such thigs as strokes and heart attacks.  Losing 5 – 10% of body weight can decrease triglycerides as much as 40 mg/dL.  LDL “bad” cholesterol is produced by the liver and is a sticky which causes it to attach to the walls of blood vessels.  Losing weight can decrease LDL by 10%.

            Increased weight contributes to increased blood pressure.  The extra weight causes abnormalities that result in the elevated blood pressure.  Decreasing body weight by 5 – 10% can decrease both systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 5 mmHg each.  High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke so decreasing blood pressure decreases risk for both.  Increased body fat causes chemicals to be released that cause blood pressure to rise and induce the liver to produce LDL.  Reducing weight reduces the amount of chemicals produced.

            For those with Diabetes, Hemoglobin A1C is a test which measures the level of blood sugar levels over the previous 3 months.  A normal Hemoglobin A1C level is 6.5.  Dropping 5 – 10% of body weight can decrease Hemoglobin A1C by 0.5.  Losing 10 pounds can decrease the risk of developing Diabetes by 58%.

            Losing weight can also decrease pressure on joints.  When someone is overweight or obese, each pound equates to 4 pounds of pressure on joints.  Even dropping a little weight can decrease a great deal of pressure off the joints.

            Being overweight or obese increases risk of some cancers such as uterine, cervical, breast, colon, rectum, prostate, among others.  Losing weight decreases the risk for developing these cancers.

            Losing weight should be more than just a new year’s resolution.  It should be a resolution to making your body healthier.  Think about all those that love and depend on you, and decide if losing the extra weight is worth being around longer for those around you.

Pietrzkowsk, N. (n.d.)  Benefits of 5 – 10 Percent Weigh Loss.  Obesity Action Coalition.  Retrieved from http://www.obesityaction.org/educational-resources/resource-articles-2/general-articles/benefits-of-5-10-percent-weight-loss

Gentry, T. (n.d.)  Benefits of Weight Loss.  Learn how you can reduce joint pain and other health risks by losing weight.  Arthritis Foundation.  Retrieved from http://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/arthritis-diet/losing-weight/weight-joint-pain.php

Healthy Weight for Life.  (n.d.)  Medical Benefits of Losing Weight.  Healthy Weight for Life.  Retrieved from http://www.healthyweightforlife.com.au/medical-benefits.php

New Year

Although I created this blog some time ago, I am now on a mission to make use of it to introduce information concerning health issues as well as issues that although may not be a health issue itself, may impact health.   I welcome all feedback on articles posted and requests for articles on certain topics.   My intention is to share information that will educate people and impact lives.  Hopefully, in doing so, conversations will be started and curiosities sparked.  I am beginning a new year with a new me and would love to be part of others’ journeys as they do the same.  Stay tuned as articles should come your way every two weeks.  May your 2016 take on a form which leads you in the direction your heart and soul desires.