Howdy All. Here's our next entry in the Safecastle Freedom Award 2011 contest.
Just a note: We've received quite a number of contest entries (thank you all). So if you've sent one and haven't seen it yet, don't worry! Everyone who sends an entry (assuming you've followed the very basic rules) will be posted.
So without further ado:
The Importance of Stocking Up on Asthmatic Medications Now!
This article is written for those who live in rural areas where there is no medical assistance within immediate access, or in a TEOTWAWKI scenario in which there is no Doctor available.
It is intended for those who suffer with Asthmatic symptoms or, for those who will be providing treatment for the person who has an Asthmatic condition.
If you would like to review some basic information on Asthma, I recommend this website. http://www.noattacks.org/about.html
The following treatment information is for your reference and consideration. It presents to you the possible alternative treatments currently available. I encourage you to stock up on those items that you are lacking in your medical chests.
Most asthmatics, who have a history of this condition, know already what precursors trigger and worsen their onset of pulmonary attack.
-If it is an allergen,attempt to avoid it. If airborne, wear a face mask to contain your lungs to it's exposure.
-If it is obviously allergen related, there are allergy tests available which are performed by an Allergist, MD specialist which can assist you in specifically identifying the allergen, and to then specifically treat the allergen triggering mechanism. This method of treatment will require you to undergo a series of sensitizing injections of weaker strains of the allergen so that your body will develop an effective level of a natural immune response over time.
-If the asthma is triggered by exertion or stress, attempt to limit strenuous exercise, and avoid undue stress. Consider learning biofeedback techniques, or meditation to control stress.
The limit setting on stress, will be quite difficult to arrange in a TEOTWAWKI situation, so it is prudent to consider the reality of this fact now.
-If you have NO idea what triggers the onset of the symptoms, begin the identification process by logging everything you do, eat, drink, sleep, wear, come in contact with, touch or smell, (perfumes, animals, cleansers, environment, etc.) just before the symptoms begin. You will hopefully see repetitive patterns of cause and effect when the attack is triggered. It is also very important to document what, if any, actions helped to ease the symptoms.
Consider these possible treatment suggestions that do not require a Physician's prescription:
-A steam enclosed bathroom. If possible have an assistant accompany the asthmatic person.
- A humidifier.
-If you live in a very humid area, try the use of a de-humidifier in your home.
-Consider the use of a menthol topical rub, like Vicks Vaporub applied on your chest.
-The calm voice of coaching help from of a friend or loved one, assisting you through the strident breaths, helps you focus on slowing your breathing down.
-The use of caffeine in tablet form, or in any strong formulation source. Caffeine has properties that have shown promise of giving temporary breathing relief for up to 4 hours.
-The use of an antihistamine, like Benadryl, or Pseudophedrine. These can be quite effective for longer term cessation of symptoms, if they are allergy related.
-The use of guaifenesin to treat chest congestion and to assist removal of the excess mucous.
Note: Be sure to carefully check your state laws for any purchase limits or restrictions for Pseudophedrine, before acquiring it for storage.
Some states have outlawed its availability as an OTC (over the counter) med, and some states have restrictions on the quantity you may procure, other states require a Rx prescription now to purchase it.
- Primatene tablets, (Ephedrine tablets), are also an OTC option to try for longer term cessation of symptoms up to 24 hours.
There are also Rx (prescriptive) medications available:
These suggested treatments will require you to visit your MD now, so you can obtain the necessary testing and prescriptions and equipment to enable you to manage your disease in the possible absence of a MD later.
-Singular, controls asthmatic symptoms from occurring.
-Some others are theophylline, albuterol, and Epinephrine injectable by sub-cutaneous administration.
-If you are already on prescriptive medications that are effective in controlling your asthma, then request several months of refill prescriptions from your M.D. so you have at least a years of meds in storage.
-Relief to open airways and bronchioles with inhalant or nebulizer treatments, is another possible treatment option.
A nebulizer and an ample 2-year supply of equipment tubing and in-line medication cups should also be stocked and stored. Sterile water for the treatments can be made at home by boiling the water for 15 minutes and bottling it in a sterile (boiled) canning jar and lid. Keep several jars on hand if you are making your own. If you wish to make saline, add only non-iodized salt at 1/4th tsp. per quart (1 Liter) into the boiling water.
-Your physician may order the use of a medication to be added to the in-line med cup for these treatments.
- If you are off grid, or in the event of a long term sustained loss of electrical power, do not forget pre-planning the availability of either an inverter to power that AC nebulizer with a 12 volt battery, or the use of a generator or solar panel.
In stressful situations, the 12 volt battery or solar panel powered option is a lot quieter.
-If no Rx meds are available to you, and all the above suggested alternate treatment methods still have not ceased the stricture, wheeze and stridor, then attempt to give an OTC inhalant product like, Primatene Mist, (epinephrine). Use the inhalant with caution and forewarning that one puff of epinephrine is quite potent and can cause in some persons, unintended consequences of cardiac symptoms, like tachycardia and high blood pressure.
Primatene Mist, (epinephrine), has been slated for a revamp of it’s CFC propellant formula to reduce it’s environmental hazards toward reducing our Ozone layer by it’s maker, Armstrong Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at the end of this 2011 calendar year. There have also been some consumer concerns and rumor that it would be taken completely off the OTC market. Consider stocking up on this important resource in ample supply now.
One thing is for certain, stress will be abundant and hygiene will be difficult to manage in a TEOTWAWKI event, so expect a full moon effect for asthmatics! Be prepared!
I MUST SAY THIS WAS A VERY INFORMATIVE ARTICLE.. ONE THING THAT I COULD ADD IN THE ALLERGY DEPT IS THAT IF A PERSON HAS ALERGIES(HAYFEVER ETC...) ONE NATURAL REMEDY IS TO CONSUME AT LEAST 1 TSP. OF LOCAL HONEY (TAKEN FROM BEES THAT HIVE IN YOUR AREA)PER DAY- HONEY THAT HAS BEEN MADE BY THE BEES FROM VARIOUS DIFFERENT PLANTS THAT YOU WOULD BE EXPOSED TO ON A DAILY BASIS... THIS INFORMATION CAME THRU MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER AND IS WIDELY USED THROUGHOUT OUR FAMILY-THOSE WHO FOLLOW THIS IN OUR FAMILY BEGIN GIVING LOCAL HONEY TO OUR BABIES WHEN THEY ARE ABOUT 6 WEEKS OLD.. DOSEAGE FOR INFANTS IS JUST DIP YOUR LIL FINGER AND GET A BIT AND PUT IN THE BABYS MOUTH THEY LOVE IT..THERE ARE A FEW IN OUR FAMILY THAT DIDNT DO THIS WITH THEIR CHILDREN AND THEIR CHILDREN AND THEMSELVES ARE PLAGUED WITH ALLERGIES AND RUNNY NOSES.. THIS ALSO APPLIES TO ANY CHANGES IN LONG TERM LOCATIONS FOR INSTANCE IF YOU MOVE TO ANOTHER STATE ETC.. IF YOU FIND A LOCAL BEEKEEPER AND START WITH THE LOCAL HONEY YOU ARE LESS LIKELY TO DEVELOPE NEW ALERGIES OR SYMPTOMS.. I AM NOT A DOCTOR AND THIS IS JUST A RETELLING OF A CUSTOM IN OUR FAMILY THAT HAS BEEN PASSED DOWN LIKE MANY OTHERS AND HAS WORKED VERY WELL... GOD BLESS... GLO
ReplyDeletePatrice,
ReplyDeleteI am a registered nurse, having just graduated from nursing school last year. I must warn your readers that we were taught in nursing school to NEVER give honey to a child under 12 months of because of the possibilty of a severe allergic reaction due to an undevolped immune system.
Pam in Tennessee
The local honey is an idea I've heard of before and it's a good one! Don't give babies honey until they are over a year old though because of the risk of botulism.
ReplyDeleteGlo,please take off the caps. That's in the blog world like yelling at someone. I know you are not yelling, but that's what it means. No problem...
ReplyDelete--K in OK<><
This was a very informative article. Thank you so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the information anonymous on the CAPSs thing- i am still pretty new to this typing thing-
ReplyDeleteAlso for those who differ from our tradition- this is just a custom in our family and in all the hundreds of us weve been lucky not to have had an alergic reaction to honey.. i am a firm believer that doctors dont always know thier butt from a hole in the ground about alot of things.. home remedies are coming back into mainstream medicine because they have been proven to be tried and true..i myself(only me) do not agree with not giving children any kind of real food until they are a year old-- i BELIEVE that not exposting them to things at the beginning when they are developeing thier own immune system(apart from the mothers immunities in the woumb)is why so many many young children are developing all kinds of alergies and conditions that they will have to treat for the rest of their lives..Once again i am not a doctor i am just relaying what we as a family do and believe in...i Believe that everyone has to follow their own convictions and do what they believe in..i too do not know everything
CDC: Asthma Rates on the Rise
ReplyDeletehttp://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/05/03/cdc-asthma-rates-rise/?test=latestnews
Tuesday is World Asthma Day, and the CDC has released a new report that shows the number of people diagnosed with asthma in the United States has grown by 4.3 million between 2001 and 2009. That means as of 2009, 1 in 12 Americans live with the inflammatory disorder.
An increase in asthma diagnoses means an increase in medical costs. In 2002, asthma-related medical costs added up to about $53 billion. By 2007, that number jumped 6 percent to about $56 billion.
That translates into over $3,330 per person.
Hi Patrice, I have been enjoying reading through your blog for the last few days! I also live in Idaho (Pocatello) and am very envious of your farm.
ReplyDeleteI have has asthma since I was 17. I'd like to offer a resource that has worked wonders for me, the Buteyko method. Would you believe, just breathing through your nose, and only through your nose, can decrease asthma symptoms? There is more to this method than that, but mouth breathing is a major aspect of asthma problems. I learned about this method from http://www.kickasthma.com/.
I've been using this method for the last 6 or 7 years, and only have used my bronchodilator maybe once a year since then. No steroids, no ER visits.
I'm not selling anything here, just sharing something that has changed my life!