| What are the effects of cigarette smoke on asthma? |
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People with asthma who smoke have more respiratory problems. In addition, children with asthma who are exposed to second-hand cigarette smoke also have more symptoms of asthma.
People with asthma should not smoke, and the parents of children with asthma should never smoke in the house, the car, or anywhere in the child's environment.
A recent study indicates that a child that lives in a home where someone smokes, wheezes twice as long and therefore needs and uses twice as much medication. |
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| Should I get rid of the family pet? |
Some children with asthma are sensitive to pets, and exposure to the pet in your home or the homes of relatives or playmates can trigger asthma symptoms. Cats are the most common causes of trouble. If your child has symptoms on exposure to any pets, it would be in your child's best interest to get rid of the pet.
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| How can I learn about triggers? |
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The best way is to keep a careful record of the child's activities during an asthma flare. You will learn quite quickly what situations seem to cause trouble. Standard triggers are viral infections, exercise, irritants, allergens, smoke, and mechanical triggers such as coughing, laughing, and yelling. |
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| Can heating with a wood stove trigger an asthma episode? |
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Yes, even a tight wood stove draws smoke pollution from outside into the house. |
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| What is the best humidity for the environment of a child with asthma? |
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The mucous membranes of the body function best in clearing irritants at a humidity of 25 - 40 percent.
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