What is your Non-Pharmacological ways of helping to manage Asthma?

I live in an area where there is still a lot of construction of homes and communities.

One thing that drives our communities crazy is the burning of debris by developers. It saturates the air and makes going outside impossible. Complaining to County does no good as they say contact State as they issue the burn permits.

Another county prohibits burning of debris. With so many allergy sufferies, Asthma, COPD, bronchitis, that this would be common sense to not pollute the air.

@jc76 Why not contact the state? You have a disability, and there may be state laws about accommodating disabilities. Do you have a local news station with an advocate about consumer protections? Increasing awareness may bring attention to this issue and the developers may not want some public stories about how they are polluting the air.

There are some issues where I live, and the county allows leaf burning in the fall on weekends only. I have to stay inside when that is going on, and I take masks with me when I drive and even a particulate respirator that I can put on to avoid a lung reaction. Not everyone complies.

Are you using HEPA filters inside your home? That helps me a lot.

@jenniferhunter
Thank you for your information. It is a serious problem in the community I live in. Not only me but hundreds of residents complain about it. I did contact my County Commissioner and he said that they could not do anything about it as burning permits were issued by State Fire Division. I did submit a complaint to them but never heard anything.

On our "NEXTDOOR" I see the same complaint of unhealthy breathing conditions. I live in a community controlled by a HOA who are more interested in ensuring the color of our flowers are changed out in the common areas every quarter than the health and safety of it's residents.

If I was not so old and my wife and I did not have so many health issues I would move. It is not because I do not like the like the amnities and community but the unhealthy/unsafe management of the community. It should be the HOA Board addressing this with the state.

Just to show you the lack of concern by HOA we had dozens of residents fall on sidewalks when oak trees roots started causing them to raise up. All sidewalks are common areas but they tried to say sidewalks in front of residences was homeowners responsibility (they are not the private property lines end prior to sidewalks) until a ruckus was made about it. Now finally having them fixed.

I have thought about seeking help from Americans for Non Smoking Rights which helps with lawsuits and complaints. But there main issue is with non smoking areas. My wife has diabetes and servere back problems (back surgery coming up). I have heart failure, very sensitive bronchial tubes and just tested to confirm asthma.

I do have HEPA filters and use a great air purifier called Blue. I think I over due it as I have one in every room. So inside my home I am okay. When it's time to replace filters thought I almost need to secure a loan to pay for them all.

I have gotten to far off the purpose of "MCC" forum and apologise for that. Thank you Jennifer for being a mentor and your suggestions.

We have Blue purufiers at our home as well. I went on their website for "Subscribe and save", it gives 10 %. Still expensive, but at least covers tax

Yoga has helped me practice controlling my breathing without additional medication. (Currently Symbicort, Singulair and azalastine nasal.)
Many of my asthma attacks are triggered by overreactive airways when exposed to stressors that are not truly allergens - for example high humidity combined with either low atmospheric pressure or heat.
When I feel my body reacting, I have learned to sit down and do relaxed deep breathing for a few minutes. I have now gotten to the point where I can even do it without removing myself to an air conditioned room if I catch it quickly. My "rescue" inhaler no longer has to be in my pocket full-time.
Just another benefit of my newish "senior yoga" regimen
Sue

I have severe asthma. I had carbon monoxide poisoning in 2003. Burning debris can be very very very bad. The kind of chemicals it can put in the air can be horrible. Those military burn pits have caused endless problems. Gave the President's son cancer and he died.

Burning plastic produces dioxin, one of the most dangerous chemicals known to man.

Many firefighters are told not to go into a burning warehouse with a lot of plastic, as it is simply too dangerous.

If you are around burning debris? The only real solution is to move. Period.

You can buy an expensive air filter. But they can only process a small amount of chemicals in the air.

If you want medical confirmation of my suggestion to simply move, you could contact:

The American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM)

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One of the top clinics is in Dallas:

re original post.

An oxygen concentrator changed my life. Before that, my breathing was a horror show.

For awhile I was on Advair. With the oxygen concentrator, I was able to wean myself off of it.

I would also look into CPAP.

I know that, with my oxygen concentrator, part of the breathing help is not just the oxygen itself, but the movement of air from the cannula. A ceiling fan also helps me. I have had sleep studies and tried to do CPAP, but I have severe insomnia and can not sleep with it on...even the newer models.

A number of things would trigger my asthma. Those included scents from detergents, deodorants, etc.

So, now I go scent free. That has helped a lot. Even natural scents sometimes trigger my asthma.

So, I try to keep the house scent free and chemical free.

We use those Seventh Generation products, instead of strong household cleaners like ammonia and bleach.

That has helped a lot.

@samcal9977zz
Thanks for the information. I am going to use your information from the AAEM to address the county and state as well as our HOA who does nothing. I am not alone and with others who are on Nextdoor I think we can address this.

This is St. John's County one county over is Duval which does not allow outside buring of debris.

By the way I have a friend from the Air Force who was stationed in a remote area of Thailand where they had the burning pits. He developed all kinds of diseases and had to sue government to get treatment. He is now 100% disabled veteran.

@sueinmn That is great information. Prior to the symptoms I feel there are triggers just like you mentioned. I can feel the tightness start and then the restricted breathing and coughing starts.

I did a full pulmary test at Mayo last week with an xray. I hope the information gathered works as the test was brutal on my lungs, bronchia area, throat, even my mouth trying to maintain a strong seal around mouth piece.

I have a office visit with my PCP on Monday to go over my test results. Hopefully they willl provide medications and/or what you do the deep breathing. Problem with the deep breathing and not an inhaler is most of the time I get the onset of syptoms it is during Sprint Triathlons during the start of the swim. Does not always happen only when something goes wrong like masks filling up with water and can't see where going, or getting hit in head by another swimmer and lose mask, or really cold water.

I use to do Chair Yoga and know about the deep breathing techniques but almost imposssible to do when swimming in a race.

I am sorry about your friend. He should definitely contact the AAEM. They have worked extensively with Ground Zero workers, military victims of Agent Orange and many other issues.

One of the single best environmental clinics is that one in Dallas, I mentioned.

One of the top clinics is in Dallas:

That was founded by Dr. William Rea. He passed a few years ago. He was the direct protege of Dr. Theron Randolph, the physician who started the entire field of Environmental Medicine, chemical injury, etc. etc. etc.

So, that clinic should still be one of the best.

+++

One of the baseline protocols for chemical injury is to live with very little exposure to chemicals.

One thing we can control are harsh cleaners like ammonia and bleach. The natural stuff like distilled white vinegar is fine for all but the worst cleaning jobs.

Here's an article about that from May Dooley...she used to have a radio show:

Best of luck to you.