Anyone have asthma?

[hsm5grls]

My dh was in a house fire when he was 15. He had 3rd degree burns on 40% of his body and also lost 40% of his lung capacity. He now has asthma and takes Albuterol inhaler and uses a nebulizer. When the weather gets cold he gets very sick and coughs until he vomits and gets dizzy even when using the meds. What can I do to help him breath easier. I try to keep the house free of dust and keep a pot of boiling water on the stove so the air isn't to dry in the house. What are some things you do? I hate to see him suffer so much in the winter. Anything else I can do to make it easier on him.

 

[Rosalind]

Uh, I find cures for it--does that count?

Keeping the house as dust-free and hypoallergenic as possible is good. Wash pillows in hot water cycles to keep the dust mites down. Get a vacuum with a HEPA filter and change the filter regularly. Really, really make absolutely sure there aren't any insects in the house. Allergies to insect dust fragments are found in most cases of asthma.

How old is your HVAC system in your house? If you have central air, make sure the ducts get cleaned a couple times yearly. You can get a brush to clean them yourself if you want, it's not hard. Make sure that the furnace filter gets changed if it's disposable, cleaned if not, at least once a month--more often if you find it's really dirty. Older furnaces tend to dirty up their filters pretty bad. If you have an older HVAC system, it probably doesn't do very many air exchanges; in the 1950s - 1980s, people were more concerned with heating costs than air quality, so HVAC systems were built to recirculate the same dusty old stale air. New systems are required to do frequent air exchanges. If you can, close off the bedroom at night, put an extra quilt on the bed, and open a window just a bit near his side of the bed so he can get some fresh air circulation.

 

[hsm5grls]

Thank you! All this info. helps. We use space heaters. That is why the air gets so dry. I am going to try leaving the window cracked by him. Also I have heard that milk is not good for people with asthma is that true?

 

[nccountrygirl]

Yes that to is true, it causes phlegm to build up. Some soft drinks like Mountain Dew do the same think.

 

[hsm5grls]

Are there any home remidies or herbs that can help. I know he needs to keep using his meds. but is there anything that I can give him to help. Roslind what cures have you found? I don't really think he can be cured as this is a result of lung damage but I am looking for anything at this point. I am scared. Every year he gets worse and I am scared I will loose him. I cry about it all the time. He is so young only 32 and he gets soo sick. Last night he was really bad and he is tired of going to the doctor and hospital for it.

 

[okiechick57]

Good Morning , I have asthma also :| mine is not as severe as your dh.......but the cold weather causes me problems also... does he have a maintainence inhaler? not just the Albuterol one? thats was big help to me . to maintain good breathing , and would ward off some worse attacks..... I keep my heat low in my house and drying out is hard on me too. Some foods do make mine worse, I had to watch my breathing for a long time, wrote down what I ate so I could compare when it got bad, I dont use milk but I know it is of concern with the phlem buildup...
I am assuming he has a regular doctor, have him ask for some cough med that does not make things worse.
I used to work at a health food store and know they have really knowledgable people in the herb/pill department....go in and tell them whats going on, just make SURE to also ask his doctor for advice on what NOT to take with inhalers.... for mysel,f now.I use an herbal mix called Ginko Biloba plus.....it keeps me okay most of the time, and is cheaper since I do not have any health insurance........

 

[hsm5grls]

Thank you okiechik I am going to look for that. He has a huge fear of using any med on a daily basis. He is afraid they may be addicting. He became addicted to morphine in the burn unit and he was weened off of it before they released him. Now he is afraid of meds. He is going to have to go on a preventive med. though. His lung just keep getting worse. He has an apt. tomorrow with the doc. and we are really going to have to discuss this preventive med. situation.

 

[Lunachick]

Hi. My daughter has asthma since she was 3. Sometimes the meds in the nebulizer can make you barf because it's trying to clear the mucous out of your lungs, and it gathers in the stomach, which makes you nauseous. Her condition is agravated by the dust mites, does he have that problem?

Cold air triggers asthma attacks, also chemicals like bleach etc. shouldn't be used close to him.

My daughter is still trying to find some herbal remedies for herself. I hope he feels better soon.

If you or any member in your family catches a cold, try not to spread it to him, colds will trigger asthma attacks also. This info is from our experiences.

 

[okiechick57]

Quote:
I understand that.....I loathed the idea of using meds everyday and especially when I didnt have attacks, THATS WHY I DIDNT have attacks....it took me a long time to conform or accept the idea I would be on some kind of meds for the rest of my life or while I live here in Oklahoma , but it is so much better if you have a daily med or inhaler to keep you from suffering so......and talk about scared, when you have big attack, well.........I got so scared with my last one in July.spent the whole day in hospital getting breathing treatments....... bac k on daily for me.......just have to accept it....... Good luck, get both health store opinion and doctor.just dont do either without running it by both.......take list of meds he is on to store and vice versa to what you might try from health food store.....

 

[hsm5grls]

Thank you all I am going to print this for him to print this for him and make him read it. I don't think he fully understands that other people suffer from the same thing and that he can feel better. I thank you all for the help and if you think of anything else please add it.