The Air We Breathe at Home

The concept of Indoor Air Quality is a fairly new phenomena to most people today. Most of us have taken the clean air we breathe as a given. In our lives now, we have to be concerned with Clean Air at home. It affects our lives in many ways due to the condition of the homes that we live in.

There can be a multitude of different contaminants in the air we breathe at home. During testing in the last 10 years, we have found ozone, formaldehyde, natural gas, carbon monoxide and VOC's or Volatile Organic Chemicals. That is a real chemical and polluting mixture in some of our homes. On top of this we are not even counting the amount of mold in our homes due to hidden moisture problems. It basically tells us that we need to be very aware of our environment. I always recommend that all homes need to be evaluated on a regular basis for a complete home checkup with a competent Indoor Air Quality Professional with credentials.

Formaldehyde can be found in particle board furniture. It might cost less initially but the long term consequences on our health is not in yet. If you are replacing any of your Kitchen or Bathroom cabinets, try to get them to use real wood, you will be happy and healthier in the long run.

I once tested a couch that was making my client sick every time she sat on it. She was having neurological symptoms. The test results were startling to find Freon 113 in the air. Freon 113 (also called CFC-113) is a colorless, nonflammable liquid and is used by foam manufacturers as a blowing agent in the foam production for the couch. Companies also use freon 113 to make high temperature lubricants and fluorocarbon resins. It is no longer used in A/C Systems or refrigerators but still used in the foam business. For more information on see EPA 749-F-94-012.

Ozone can also be a problem for certain individuals with Respiratory or Auto Immune Compromised problems such as Asthma. Ozone can be found in certain types of Air Cleaners and should be avoided. We do not recommend any form of Ozone in the Indoor Air of your home due to this fact.

Do yourself a favor, research before purchasing any type of Air Cleaner. We only recommend HEPA Rated with a Carbon or Carbon Zeolite Filter. This is a good all around Air Cleaner. Don't listen to the sales person, most of them know less than you do about Air Cleaners. I personally use the Austin Air Filter with Carbon/Zeolite media in the filter. As always, check with your Doctor to see what they recommend.

In conclusion, the air we breathe is important. The quality can be determined by what we put or use in our homes. Do not just accept things because they are on the supermarket shelf. Read the labels carefully. Just because it is advertised on TV does not make it safe for everyone. If you have an odor in your home, it means there is a source or a problem somewhere. Don't just spray a fragrance to cover up the odor. Find the source and take care of it, you will be healthier in the long run.

To learn more about your home, visit our website at http://www.safe-homes.com

Mr. Art Emiss is available as a professional speaker to help educate your community or group function.

Triggers For Asthma Attacks - Learn to Recognize Asthma Signs and Symptoms

There are many different triggers for asthma attacks, which may be from going outside and pushing your body to its limits, or a simple walk down the road. It all just depends on the asperity of your attacks.

Allergens are a main trigger for asthma attacks, and is the most reported of them all. These allergens can include pollen, house dust/dust mites, animal dander or protein, cockroaches, certain foods, and mold.

Respiratory infections and sinusitis can cause irritation or disturb the airways, nose, throat, lungs, and sinuses. These symptoms can worsen the asthma for you, and may cause you to suffer from more dangerous asthma attacks.

Another trigger for asthma attacks can include irritants such as: strong odors and/or sprays in the air and around you which may be perfumes or household cleaners, cooking fumes, paints, varnishes, coal, chalk, dust, or talcum powder, air pollutants, changing in the weather, and chemical-exposure in work.

Other triggers for asthma attacks are sensitivity to medicines such as: aspirin, non-steroid anti-inflammatory medications, ibuprofen, indomethacin, naproxen, and sulfites used as preservatives in food and beverages.

Most cardiovascular exercises and inhalation of second hand smoke are other common triggers for asthma attacks. Wood smoke is another trigger for asthma attacks just like secondhand smoke, which is caused by burning wood and breathing in the fumes.

Nervous stress and emotional anxiety are other common ways to trigger asthma attacks, which can be certain reactions towards stress-related effects and causes.

Recent medical studies also show that most stress related symptoms may affect the immune system, and increase the asthma symptoms you are currently suffering from - in return, another trigger for an attack, but this time more severe and more harmful to you.

GERD, short for gastro esophageal reflux may be another trigger. Due to the fact that this certain reflux of stomach acids persistently is common with individuals who have asthma. The various symptoms may include heartburn, belching, or in infants, spitting up.

Learn to recognize the asthma signs and symptoms before they escalate into an asthma attack. Visit my asthma homeopathy site and discover the different natural asthma remedies that you can take at home.

Asthma Supplements and Cautions

Most home remedies are completely inappropriate for the treatment of asthma. But caffeine does have a role. It is a chemical cousin of the classic asthma medicine theophylline.

Caffeine is far less effective treatment for asthma than is conventional medicine. But in a pinch it can relieve a mild to moderate attack of broncho-constriction. This approach has been written up in numerous medical journals, including the Journal of the American Medical Association and the New England Journal of Medicine.

Herbs: Ephedra

Most herbal reference books list ephedra as a primary treatment for asthma. This medicinal plant has been used for thousands of years to dilate constricted airways. A chemical derivative, ephedrine, is still found in over-the-counter and prescription asthma medicine.

However, the benefits of the compound wear off quickly, especially if it is used frequently. For another, there are too many potential side effects. IT can cause nervousness, insomnia, heart palpitations, stomach pain, and difficulty urinating. Anyone with prostate problems, heart trouble, or high blood pressure should steer clear of this herb.

The FDA says that since 1994 it "has received more than 800 reports of adverse events associated with ephedrine alkaloid-containing products, ranging to heart attacks and death." There has been great concern over the marketing of ma huang in the over-the0counter diet pills, especially those that are promoted as "herbal fen-phen."

Ginkgo

Most of the excitement about ginkgo surrounds its potential benefit for the brain. There is also a long tradition of using ginkgo for breathing problems including asthma and bronchitis.

The antioxidant properties of this herb make it attractive for the same reasons that vitamin C seems appropriate. The dose ranges from 120 to 240 mg a day. Ginkgo should never substitute for standard doctor-supervised drug therapy of asthma.

Stinging Nettle

We have become fascinated with this herb for its wide variety of uses. In addition to relieving mild to moderate prostate problems, it appears valuable in treating allergies, arthritis, and possibly asthma. It's suspected it is the anti-inflammatory action of the herb that makes it so helpful.

There may even be some antihistaminic activity. The tea may be the most effective way to consume the herb. Dr. Varro E. Tyler recommends 3 to 4 teaspoonfuls of dried leaves (about 4 grams) in 150 ml of boiling water for treating prostate enlargement.

A similar dose may be appropriate for asthma. The amount if stinging nettle employed in Germany in one stuffy of arthritis was 1,340 mg of Urtica dioica. Again, no single herbal treatment should substitute appropriate medical treatment of asthma.

Ben Branklin is an Authority in Natural Medicine. He's put together a Free site of the Natural Prescriptions. It saves you an expensive doctor visit, and more importantly it's safer. Go to TheNaturalPrescriptions.com to find the natural prescriptions for these health concerns: Asthma Supplements.

http://TheNaturalPrescriptions.com/Wordpress/asthma-supplements-and-cautions