Thunderstorm Asthma is a widely reported phenomenon where asthma flares are brought on when it storms. Regular rainfall can sometimes be a help to many allergy suffers since the rain washes away some of the pollen in the air. However, thunderstorms can draw pollen up intp the clouds where they spill out in the high humidity that accompanies these dreaded storms. The winds can spread the pollen everywhere in the air to be inhaled and deposited into our respiratory systems tr

Anyone with Asthma knows that navigating the challenges of lung health can sometimes tricky and the solutions can at times seem allusive. This is why it's so important to have a healthcare team in place [ an Allergist , Primary Doc, and and Pulmonary Doc-if deemed necessary ]. [ Yep ER ward again, every July! It's not a good month for me! :() ] Every summer for the last 4 years I hit a wall during the month of July. I do all of my normal daily asthma treatments, however, I

We all know that inhalers are an important part of Asthma management, but improper use of them can result in continued out of control asthma and more frequent flares. Your healthcare team, allergist, pulmonologist and primary care doctor can all assist you with improved techniques. [A few of our LivingThruGrace crew members who live with asthma are here to demo simple inhaler techniques to get better results every time!!] First remove the mouthpiece cover [ if your inhaler h

Living with Asthma or living with a loved one with it can pose some challenges in keeping it properly managed and controlled. While an asthma attack or flares cannot always be prevented, there are steps we can take; lifestyle adjustments that can aid in lowering your chances of multiple flares that impede the quality of your life. If you are experiencing a shift for the worst with your asthma, by all means, please see your healthcare provider. Reducing the allergens that ge

Living with Asthma is certainly a great challenge, but for many who are diligently doing everything they're supposed to to no avail, Severe Asthma could be the culprit. Asthma itself can cause bouts of anxiety, but when it becomes a behemoth that literally takes over your life it's time to step up the fight! If you suspect that your asthma has grown beyond it's norm for you, see your health professional, you will most likely be lead to a Pulmonologist ( if you aren't already

What's the weather like today? It's a common question yet it takes on a whole new meaning when living with Asthma. So many weather factors can effect our asthma and it varies from person. Extreme weather can be more problematic [ for our 'weathered' airways :() ] than mild weather. Those dreaded pollen counts are also affected by weather so it's kind of layered. LOL Extended changes in weather patterns known as Climate Change have a major effect on our asthma health. Inc

Often times, even those who think they know the facts on Asthma are surprised that some of what they knew were Asthma Myths. Let's get into a few of these well known beliefs! [ I'd love to dig into that olive paste!! :() ] Myth #1 Food has no effect on asthma. This couldn't be more wrong. A diet high in processed foods filled with sugars, high in fats like fried and snack foods, white flours and artificial ingredients cause Inflammation in the body, that includes the bronc

For many of us who live with Asthma it's a year round struggle, and for other's its strictly seasonal. September and October bring on Ragweed Pollen and that's asthma kryptonite! :() Fall harvest can be beautiful and bring about good times but also breathless times. Falling leaves onto damp ground and grass, weed pollens [ like Ragweed, Tumbleweed, Russian Thistle, Pigweed, Sagebrush] levels rise and are at their highest levels this time of year. Too this allergen storm ad

It's that time of year, time for fun fall activities and that means for many trips to the pumpkin patches and orchards! However, trips like these are loads of fun [ for all!] they can prove to be more than a notion for those of us who live with Asthma and Allergies. Many kids and adults have to deal with asthma and allergy issues year round [ myself included! ], but others may only become triggered during certain times of the year, or in a particular environment. Shown abov

Once the season starts for me, there isn't a change in my focus, just a change in my tactics and strategies. ~Bode Miller Well, summer's almost at it's August marks that; and with that brings fall with all it's beauty but also all of it's allergens Yikes! :() This time of year can be a sticky challenge for those who live with asthma and allergies because of Ragweed Pollens and Mold. One of the main culprits of fall are those beautiful but pesky Leaves! Leaves are vacation

I know everything happens for a reason and I've been holding on to that, to the knowledge that God always has a reason and a plan for our suffering and our lives. To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: ~Ecclesiates A little over a month ago I thought i'd come down with a bug which of course awakened the slumbering Asthma Beast that resides within! :() Anyone who lives with asthma knows that all it takes is one cold, flu, weather front

What can we do but keep on breathing in and out, modest and willing, and in our places? ~Mary Oliver [ Any high quality sea salt will due, I just happen to have pink sea salt on hand. However, You're COARSE GRIND sea salt will work. I didn't have any coarse salt on hand :/ ] When I find a natural way to assist and maintain my asthma I'm all over it :D I'd heard recently, about Salt Therapy and it's benefits for the body, and for breath care specifically. I've seen pictur

[Roxanne is helping her friends demo the Nadi Shodden Pranayama-Alternate Nostril Breathing Technique. This pose helps to relieve stress and has a healing effect on circulatory and respiratory problems; Clawdie & Niki aren't so sure! Plug or hold one nostril while slowly and deeply breathing through the other] Those of us who live with asthma know all too well the feeling of being unsure of participating in an activity, or going someplace 'lung challenging' [ like humid Flo

Did you hear about the one about the convict who had an allergy? He broke out!! :D ~whatallergy.com In a couple of months we will officially head into spring and then summer seasons, and that means summertime heat, humidity and allergen offenders...dum- de -dum- dum! Warmer seasons grace us with it's beauty of fresh blooms, lush green lawns and majestic trees happily waving in the summer breeze. However, there's trouble lurking behind these spring and summer scenes in the f

Question: What did the sign in the window of the yoga master searching for a new disciple say? Answer: Inquire within! [ Danica keeps flexible and open lungs through Yoga and breath work!] Those of us with Asthma are frequently searching for ways to keep our breathing levels steady. Along with regularly taking asthma control meds, there are methods of gentle physical and meditative exercises that have been shown to improve cardiovascular, and respiratory performance in asthm

[Melody & MiaLana my smoothie Mix Masters!] In part 2 we will explore more delicious and 'lung happy' foods to add to our arsenal for better breathing. So, for those needing to add some spice to their lives, there's a solution, :() Chili Peppers!! These spicy peppers are full of a substance called Capsaicin, it's what makes hot peppers Hot! Capsaicin is believed to have an anti-inflammatory effect on the airways by first, stimulating and then blocking the cough inducing ne

Can I call you Little Asthma? 'Cause you take my breath away. :() ~Jokes.cc.com Our lungs; part of the epicenter for our existence, after all they are diligent workers that pull in Oxygen then transport it everywhere throughout the body, and they allow us to breathe out Carbon Dioxide [ Which is marvelous for all the plant life! ]. Our lungs also work in conjunction with our immune system as they contain mucus [ Yes, our body makes mucus, it's when we produce too much that

A burning heart No romance it brings Signs and signals to listen.. [ livingthrugrace.com] One might believe that Heartburn is unrelated to Asthma, however, the two are related, in fact heartburn is one of the common triggers for an asthma attack. Once again, what we eat, the quality of the food that we put into our body is important. Here's how heartburn works: So, it is believed by many physicians, that heartburn or better known as [ GERD ] Gastroesophageal Reflux Disea