Asthma, Allergies and Acid Reflux

By Melanie Casey

As an Asthma, Allergy and Acid Reflux Sufferer, I have learned a lot about each of these conditions. This book contains information about Allergies, Allergy Shots, Asthma, Acid Reflux and natural remedies for each of these conditions.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Sep 4, 2013
• ISBN: 9781304395771

Melanie Casey

Melanie Casey was born and lives in South Australia with her two young children and her husband (who didn't know he was marrying a writer when he walked down the aisle). After studying English Literature and Classical Studies, Melanie shifted to Law, and now works in government. A chance meeting with a highschool English teacher in the supermarket made Melanie realise that she should be doing what she'd always loved, writing! Another period of study, this time at the Professional Writing School of Adelaide's College of the Arts ensued, helping Melanie acquire the skills she needed to put her plan into action.

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Asthma, Allergies and Acid Reflux

Asthma, Allergies and Acid Reflux

Adult-Onset Asthma

I developed Adult-Onset Asthma two years ago and I am still trying to get it under control with the help of an Allergist, Pulmonologist and ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) Doctor.

Two years ago, I moved from the Midwest to the suburbs of Washington D.C. in Northern Virginia. While living in the Midwest, I had allergies. I only needed to take a Zyrtec a day, but I was OK. I did not have asthma then.

While I was living in the Midwest, I had my two children. I started noticing that I would get sinus infections more often. I related it to being around my two small children and all their play date buddies.

When I moved to Virginia, I was OK for the first few months. Then Spring came. I developed an awful sinus infection and bronchitis.

The first doctor told me to rest and the bronchitis will go away with time. I didn't go back to him again.

I went to another doctor who told me I had a sinus infection and bronchitis. They put me on more allergy medicine, antibiotics and oral steroids. I started getting better, but about a week or so after I finished my medicine, the sinus infection and bronchitis and sinus infection came back and it was worse.

I then had an asthma attack in the middle of the night and was rushed to the ER. I could not breathe. I felt like I couldn't get air into my lungs. The ER doctor did a couple breathing treatments before I could breathe better and did tons of tests. That is when I found out I had asthma.

Once I finished the antibiotics and oral steroids the ER doctor gave me, I was better for about two weeks and then I went downhill again. Luckily the ER doctor also gave me an albuterol inhaler to maintain my lung function and to take in case I felt another asthma attack coming on.

The ER doctor gave me a referral to an ENT (ear, nose and throat doctor). I saw him since I still wasn't feeling well and I was wheezing constantly. He gave me another round of steroids and antibiotics.

After three different rounds of antibiotics and three rounds of oral steroids, I finally started feeling a little better, but not completely.

The ENT doctor gave me a referral to an Allergist. The Allergist ran an allergy test where she pricked me with 40 different needles coated in different allergens.  I found out I was allergic to almost everything outside, inside and tree nuts. She gave me a more advanced allergy medicine and started me on allergy shots since my asthma is induced by allergies.

My allergist also gave me a referral to a Pulmonologist since the medicine was not helping me completely.

What Triggers Adult-Onset Asthma?

Anything that irritates your lungs could trigger adult-onset asthma. For me, it was a bout of bronchitis and moving to an area that is full of allergens that I am allergic to.

Some common triggers of Adult-Onset Asthma include:

•   Recurring childhood illnesses - Bronchitis, Pneumonia

•   Smoking

•   Allergens

•   Dust

•   Infections - Pneumonia, bronchitis, flu

•   Some medications - Beta-blockers and NSAID

•   Allergy-prone foods - nuts, seafood, etc.

Some people with Adult-Onset Asthma may have had it (undiagnosed) as a child and not know it. The symptoms could have gone away for years and come back later in life.

Asthma