Consider these tips for better sleep even with asthma

Daytime can be easy for people with asthma. However, the night offers a different scenario. Nocturnal asthma can have people coughing, wheezing, and experiencing shortness of breath and tightness in the chest, which can all prevent one from enjoying quality sleep.

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Some people are vulnerable to asthma triggers such as dust mites, allergens, and temperature changes at night. Also, lying flat on the back worsens post-nasal drip, another trigger for an asthma attack. To ensure these external factors for nocturnal asthma are addressed, clean the bedroom before hitting the sack, suggests Dr. Lisa M. Cannon. Though it can be tempting to head straight to bed without minding the sleep environment, minimizing the risk of being exposed to dust mites ensures improved air quality before sleeping.

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Wash the sheets weekly. If possible, wash and beddings and blankets in hot water once per week to kill most allergens and dust mites. Dry the sheets using the hottest drying option possible. Avoid covering the bed with damp sheets, as doing this can encourage molds and mildew to grow. Animal dander, pollen, and dust mites may enter through the window. Close the window if possible but ensure proper ventilation to prevent the air from being stale.

Dry air is any asthmatics enemy. According to Dr. Lisa M. Cannon, it would be helpful to use both a humidifier and an air purifier to prevent sore throat and post-nasal drip in the morning. Elevate the upper body to avoid post-nasal drip that may lead to an asthma attack.

Dr. Lisa M. Cannon earned her medical degree from New York College of Medicine and her fellowship in pulmonary disease, critical care, and sleep medicine from Mount Sinai Hospital. For more updates like this, visit this blog.

Gardening Without the Sniffles: The Possibility of Allergy-free Horticulture

For many people who suffer from asthma or hay fever, allergens put a constant damper on any outdoor activities, especially when the patient is susceptible to pollen, a ubiquitous part of vegetation.  This doesn’t mean, however, that asthmatic or allergic patients have to limit their gardens to rockwork and concrete.  With the right choice of plants, a hypoallergenic garden can be grown.

It is logical to begin planning a hypoallergenic garden by choosing plants that do not rely on the wind for pollination.  This would immediately eliminate several popular choices for plants, including many forms of trees, grasses, shrubs, and flowering plants.  All is not lost, however, and with the help of a horticulturist, allergy and asthma patients can find a sufficient variety of non-flowering or insect-pollinated plants to grace their gardens.  Garden layouts should prevent flowers from being close to entryways or windows around bedrooms.

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Allergic patients may also wish to reconsider many popular forms of garden mulch.  Oyster-shell, gravel, or other inorganic mulches are preferable to wood-chip mulches.

Timing and labor are also important.  Grass should be kept really short and be mowed by a member of the household with no allergies.  Meanwhile, patients should avoid gardening during windy days to prevent pollen.  Because weeds often release huge amounts of pollen, weeding should be frequent.

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Although there is no guarantee that a hypoallergenic garden can prevent all instances of allergies (due to wind playing a huge role in carrying allergens being unavoidable), it can significantly reduce the number of allergens in the air letting the patient work on and appreciate a lush and beautiful outdoor landscape. Patients should take the necessary caution such as wearing protective gear and taking medication such as relievers when gardening.

Lisa Marie Cannon‘s practice provides diagnostic, treatment, and management options to patients with pulmonary and respiratory conditions.  Visit this Facebook page for more updates and findings on respiratory health.