BlogReads.net | Read More. Stay Updated!

Home - health - 9 Allergens That Cause Breathing Difficulty

9 allergens that cause breathing difficulty

Airborne allergens are the main culprits that trigger seasonal and chronic respiratory disorders. A person can experience difficulty breathing, coughing, sore throat, wheezing, and inflammation of the nasal passage just to name a few of the discomforts. Some prescriptions can help manage moderate to severe symptoms of such allergies. Also, mild symptoms can be managed by avoiding these nine common allergens that are found in breeding indoors and outdoors. Some of them are:

Pollution
Particulate pollution has become one of the major triggers of respiratory disorders in urban cities. Any form of exhaust smoke, be it from vehicular or industrial pollution, can trigger inflammation in the nasal passages. This inflammation causes shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness, indicating an allergic reaction.

Dust mites
Dust and dust mites are two different things. Dust indoors is mostly dead skin cells and atmospheric residue that settles on surfaces. However, dust mites are microscopic bugs that breed on difficult-to-reach surfaces and multiply rapidly. Inhaling these microscopic particles can irritate and inflame the respiratory passage lining.

Pollen
Pollen is one of the most common airborne allergens in the country, accounting for most cases of respiratory disorders. Pollen is released by the male part of the flower to pollenate female flowers and produces seeds. Pollen is mostly carried by insects, thus making it a commonly transmitted airborne allergen.

Pet dander
Pets shed their fur, and along with that, everything that gets stuck within the fur. So they carry indoor and outdoor allergens that can trigger serious breathing difficulty. Some people are so allergic to pet dander that they immediately start sneezing and coughing. Inhaling the dander also makes the throat and mouth go dry.

Mold
Mold is cloudy fungi that grow millions of spores in damp weather and extreme humidity. It is usually found around the house, under the roof, on the window frames, or in any damp corner. Repeated exposure to mold can cause the eyes to become watery and trigger a runny nose and sneezing. It can also cause a person to experience difficulty breathing, trigger wheezing, and develop a headache.

Insects/pests
Even common insects and rodents like cockroaches, mice, and rats carry a colony of pathogens that are considered major triggers of asthma attacks. Cockroaches carry specific enzymes or proteins left behind in the saliva and excrement. Coming in contact with these allergens triggers a serious reaction.

Disinfectants
Even floor cleaners, toilet cleaners, and common disinfectants used around the house contain heavy concentrates that can trigger breathing difficulties. These artificial allergens vary in terms of severity depending on the amount of exposure. But not all products are harmful, and only some are potent enough to trigger long term complications.

Industrial chemicals
Working in industrial spaces also exposes people to harmful chemicals and solvents. Even wearing protective masks and gear may not suffice due to the sheer potency of industrial fumes. Repeated exposure is often cited as one of the main reasons for allergies that trigger severe breathing problems.

Fragrances
Some people may also have an allergic reaction to natural or artificial fragrances. For example, pollinating flowers like daisies, chrysanthemums, and sunflowers all smell good. But with the fragrance, they also release pollen that triggers an allergic response. Alternatively, some artificial fragrances that use alcohol as a base ingredient can also trigger irritation upon inhalation.

Hyperkalemia – 10 foods to avoid

Potassium plays a huge role in the health of our heart muscles and nerve cells. And high levels of this element in the blood cause hyperkalemia. If you consume meals high in potassium, your doctor may advise you to decrease portion sizes and concentrate on fruits and vegetables with a lower potassium content. Here is a list of foods rich in potassium that must be avoided if you have hyperkalemia. Yogurt and dairy products A serving of nonfat yogurt weighing eight ounces has roughly 625 mg of potassium, making it one of the dairy aisle's highestÂ sources of potassium. Even reduced fat milk contains 366 mg of potassium in a glass of cow's whole milk. Ricotta and cottage cheese are also high in potassium. Goat cheese is a low potassium food, proving that not all cheeses are made equal. Likewise, About 131 milligrams of potassium may be found in a half cup of vanilla ice cream. Bananas When people consider foods high in potassium, bananas frequently come to mind. A banana normally contains 422 mg of potassium. Among all the fruit, bananas are athletes' favorite as they provide energy. However, it could be highly dangerous for someone suffering from hyperkalemia. Consult your doctor if you have hyperkalemia and stick to fruits such as apples and berries. Leafy vegetables About 420 milligrams of potassium can be found in only a half cup of cooked spinach. Raw spinach, young or mature, has roughly 167 mg per cup. Fennel, bok choy, beet greens, and Swiss chard are also high in potassium. You can opt for kale instead. Kale has more nutrients than these other dark leafy greens, but it has less potassium. 73 mg is present in one cup of raw kale. Fish Clams, which provide 534 mg of potassium in just 3 ounces, are the finest source of protein from seafood. Around three ounces of skipjack tuna offers 444 mg, another major source of potassium. One of the most popular fish, salmon, frequently has a lower potassium content. Keeping a check on what type of fish you are eating if you have hyperkalemia is a must. Kidney beans Beans are a balanced addition to any meal plan as they're rich sources of protein and fiber. However, according to data from the USDA, one cup of the kidney-shaped type has 713 mg of potassium. A half-cup of black beans has 489 mg of potassium. Avocado This creamy, green-fleshed fruit is packed with 690 mg of potassium and is high in fiber and heart-healthy lipids. Although it might seem good for your heart, you should avoid it if you have hyperkalemia. Potatoes Potassium is heavily concentrated in potatoes; 925 milligrams of potassium may be found in a baked potato. A three-ounce portion of french-fried potatoes has 470 mg of potassium and a lot of fat and calories. The potassium content in an ounce of potato chips is 465 mg. Indulging in fast foods like fries is adverse for those with hyperkalemia. Oranges A single orange has 240 mg of potassium, making it a food with a high potassium content. With 450 mg per 8 oz glass, orange juice is a more potent source of potassium. Fruits vary in their potassium content. Berries are a poor source of potassium and can be a decent substitute for oranges and orange juice. Another good option is apples. Dried fruits The nutrients in fruit, including potassium, that have been dried are concentrated. You get roughly 750 milligrams from half a cup of dried apricots. Also, even though raisins and dried plums make a fantastic snack, they should be avoided by someone with hyperkalemia. Legumes and beans Legumes are a significant source of potassium as well. White beans have the most, with 600 mg of potassium in a half cup. In half a cup serving, other legumes such as lima beans and pinto beans have between 300 and 350 mg.

10 unfavorable cities for people with allergies

Over 50 million people live with allergies every year and many of them have seasonal pollen allergies. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) studies over 100 cities every year to curate a list of the best and worst cities for people with spring or fall allergies. Factors such as seasonal pollen scores, over-the-counter treatment use, climatic conditions, and availability of board-certified health professionals or allergists are taken into consideration. Based on these reports, here are the 10 worst cities for people with allergies to live in: Scranton, PA Scranton is surrounded by forests and grasslands, which are pushed into the city by the fall winds, causing higher-than-average pollen levels, making it one of the worst cities for allergy sufferers. Wichita, KS The city of Wichita is windy and flat. With pollen flowing down the plains and virtually no trees to stop them, the city is one of the worst places to live for people with allergies. McAllen, TX McAllen faces hot weather in the summer with abundant pollen and flowering plants. Over the last few decades, the city has also seen a stable rise in ragweed pollen, worsening the situation for allergy sufferers. Richmond, VA Richmond is known for its subtropical climate and excessive humidity. Coincidentally, these are some features that make it intolerable for many people with allergies. San Antonio, TX Ragweed in Texas can grow taller than a person, producing massive amounts of pollen and triggering seasonal allergies for many people. Oklahoma City, OK The city of Oklahoma has dry weather, with little-to-no rainfall, which causes pollen and smoke to remain suspended in the air. Thunderstorms compound this situation by spreading pollen across the city, making it unpleasant for allergy sufferers. Hartford, CT Hartford is a highly urbanized city situated close to greenery and forests. This causes high pollen suspension rates, which may be troublesome for many. Buffalo, NY Buffaloâs dry climate, combined with stagnant water from lake storms, is responsible for high pollen counts, making it difficult for allergic people to thrive. New Haven, CT Poor air quality and high amounts of pollution traveling from New York City make New Haven one of the worst cities to live in for people with allergies. Albany, NY Albany has many allergy triggers, such as longer growing seasons, excessive rain, and humidity, making it a tough city for allergy sufferers to live in.