Frequent Colds

[RAG]

It seems like lately I've been getting more colds then usual.  I use to average maybe 2 or 3 a year.  All of a sudden it seems like I get a cold it goes away then a week later I'm getting another cold.  I do have a slight allergy to tree pollen.  So I do take this into account.  There are times I wake up with a sore throat then my nose will feel irritated and the next thing I know I'm sneezing and having a runny nose.  I saw my doctor who did a throat culture which was normal.  I take Clarenex and Flosnase for my allergies.  Yet I still have the above symptoms.  Looking for some advice?

[Forum-M.D.-DT]

Thank you for visiting the Family Practice Forum.



Well, getting colds frequently certainly goes along with allergies. Whether it be allergic rhinitis or Asthma, these "allergens" make you more prone to upper respiratory infections. Has your doctor done a "Peak Flow" on you? This test helps to determine whether or not you may have asthma which is  one of the most "underdiagnosed" conditions. Lets talk more about asthma, why? because in my experience, those with recurrent upper respiratory infections either have some component of allergic rhinitis (hayfever) and/or Asthma.

Asthma is defined as “a condition in which airways are narrowed due to hyper-reactivity and inflammation of the airway in response to certain irritant stimuli”



What causes Asthma?



Those with asthma have airways that narrow in response to certain triggers.  This narrowing or bronchoconstriction is the primary cause for the shortness of breath and wheezing seen with asthma sufferers.  Some common triggers are listed below.  Limiting exposure to these triggers is vital in keeping ones asthma under control.



Common Triggers



Indoors: dust mites, mold, animal dander,

Outdoors: pollen, insecticides, pollution (ozone)

Foods: food preservatives, nuts, seafood

Medicine: Anti-inflammatory agents, heart medicines (Beta-blockers)

Viral Illness or other seasonal allergies

SMOKE!

Other: exercise, hearty laughing, cough



These triggers cause bronchoconstriction. Airways (bronchi) have a layer of muscle around them.  This muscle layer will contract, causing narrowing of the airway, when the airway encounters an irritant. Those with asthma have airways that are more sensitive to certain inhaled irritants. The constriction of the bronchioles by this muscle layer is what causes narrowing of the airway and difficulty in breathing in and out.



The entire goal of treatment and prevention of asthma is through the avoidance or treatment of this bronchoconstriction.



Symptoms of Asthma:



1. Dry cough

2. Fatigue

3. Headache

4. Wheezing

5. Shortness of breath

6. Chest tightness

7. Anxiety

8. Sweating

Asthma prevention:



“Maintenance therapy” - The goal should always be to AVOID bronchoconstriction, not merely treating it when it occurs.



Avoid Asthma Triggers



Cover your mattress and pillows with an airtight nylon or vinyl cover.



Limit the use of throw rugs



Choose furniture and/or washable curtains or vinyl shades. These tend to collect less dust.



Wash sheets and blankets often (use HOT water - kills dust mites)



Use pillows with foam/polyester instead of feathers



Use machine washable cotton or acrylic blankets



Keep your home’s humidity < 50 %



Use bleach to clean basement and bathrooms  to reduce mold/mildew .



Keep pets out of the bedroom and bathe them frequently



Limit exposure to dogs, cats, horses, birds.



Do not allow smoking in your home



Use an air conditioner and keep windows in the car/home closed, especially when the pollen counts / ozone levels are high.



Don’t mow your own lawn.  If you must, wear a pollen filtration mask.



Avoid foods or medications which may trigger asthma (listed above)



The avoidance of asthma triggers is of upmost importance in controlling asthma symptoms and the need for medication. I cannot stress the importance of prevention enough.   Poor control of asthma essentially means that your body is unable to efficiently use oxygen/deliver oxygen to the blood stream and vital organs/tissues of the body.









Medication:



Albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil)



This is the most commonly prescribed medication for treatment of asthma. It works by dilating the airways thereby allowing for improved movement of air in and out of the lungs. It is available in both inhaled and nebulized forms. Its effects last for 4-6 hours.



Inhaled Corticosteroids (Flovent, Azmacort, Pulmicort)



These are very important in the prevention of an asthma attack.  They are given 2-4 times/day and work through reducing the sensitivity of the airways to certain irritants. This reduced sensitivity results in a reduction in bronchoconstriction. These are not helpful with an asthma attack. Their primary (and very important) role is in the prevention of asthma.



Cromolyn Sodium (Intal)



Another inhaled medication which is particularly helpful in reducing the frequency of exercise-induced asthma.  Works similar to corticosteroids in reducing airway inflammation.



Leukotriene Modifiers (Singulair, Accolate)



These are oral medications (pills) taken once or twice a day which function to reduce the migration of inflammatory cells to the lungs.  Fewer inflammatory cells in the airways results in a marked decrease in bronchoconstriction.  These are relatively new medications and are extremely effective in helping control asthma symptoms.



Ideally, if one’s asthma symptoms are adequately controlled, there should be a very limited need for the use of Albuterol.



I hope this helps!

[searching]

Hi...  just wanted to add that if one does have asthma, beware of the dreaded trigger of PERFUME!  I have a hair-trigger asthmatic response to just about all of the triggers that Dr. Tomasello listed, as well as the triggers of perfumes, powders, and other strong-scented chemicals.  It still amazes me that some people are unaware that their own perfume or aftershave may be the culprit in not being able to get their asthma under control.  Case in point:  I once worked in an office setting with a woman who also had asthma.  I would avoid her like the plague because she wore a perfume which triggered my asthma attacks.  However, she, herself would cough and struggle to breathe all day long.  My best guess?  Most likely it was her own perfume not allowing her airways a break from being triggered!

[ravenscraig]

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