Pros: This Crane humidifier offers relief from cough, cold, and flu. It has a simple yet modern design that makes it a good addition to any décor. It runs so silently that users are easily able to sleep while it is running. It also has a very simple maintenance process.
Cons: Some users have problems cleaning the water tank, but these are mostly due to improper use. Users should read the instructions that come with the unit in order to avoid this pitfall. Other problems related to improper use are: dust buildup, limited effectiveness, running out of water too soon, and unit leaks.
Bottom line: The Crane Drop Shape Cool Mist Humidifier is an excellent choice for people who need to relieve the discomforts of dry throat, chapped lips, dry skin, and nasal congestion. Because it moisturizes the air, it also helps alleviate the nuisances that come with home heating systems, such as furniture and paint cracks, peeling wallpaper, and static electricity. Humidifiers are recommended by physicians as well because they are a good alternative to cold and cough medicine. This unit comes with a fun design and runs very quietly – because it is so discrete, you can even leave it out when having company over!
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Features
The Crane Drop Shape Cool Mist Humidifier has the following features:
- Offers relief from flu, cold, and cough symptoms.
- Relieves asthma and congestions that results from allergies.
- It can run all day in whisper-quiet operation.
- Offers moisture for dry skin, sinus irritation, and dry cough.
- It comes in well-design and certified packaging.
Whisper-Quiet Operation
Beside the fact that this Crane humidifier is stylish and practical, it is also very simple to use – it even comes with a shut-off feature that starts automatically when the amount of water in the water tank is too low. Because it runs so quietly, users can enjoy a good night sleep while the unit is still running. Operating this Crane humidifier is very simple: users only need to remove the water tank and fill it with water, secure and place it back onto the unit, and place it onto an even, elevated surface. Lastly, users will need to adjust the settings to their comfort.
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How to Get the Most Out Of It
For the best results, only use filtered or distilled water and place it onto an elevated surface. Avoid placing it on wood furniture, towels, or carpet. Cleaning it is important as well – the water tank should be emptied daily and disinfected weekly. Before storage, dry and disinfect completely.
What the Users Say
Overall, the majority of users are very happy with the Crane Drop Shape Cool Mist Humidifier. They like the fun design, how quietly it runs, and how effective it is. It does a great job in keeping a room humid and solves many problems related to dry air. It is a great unit for its price and one of the best ones out there at the moment!
We have compared the price of Crane Drop Shape Cool Mist Humidifier at various online stores and found that Amazon has the best price offering 20% discount with Free shipping.
Filed under Asthma Supplies by on Apr 6th, 2012. Comment. 
Pros: This inexpensive air purifying unit comes with a big list of features and the fact that it is so quiet and easy to handle makes it a top preference for many. Its filters effectively remove indoor particles, reduce allergies, and are so easy to clean that the unit is almost maintenance-free. It comes with advanced controls that allow the user to change its speed and also program it to shut down.
Cons: The unit’s motors can get a little noisy with time, but it’s nothing that can’t be fixed with a little WD-40.
Bottom line: Thanks to the effective air cleaning powers that it comes with, the Honeywell QuietClean HFD-110 air purifier can remove a large percentage of smoke, pollen, and dust from a room and return fresh, clean air instead. When comparing it to ionic air purifiers, the manufacturers say that this unit’s filter is capable of capturing up to 12 times more air pollutants. It comes with a quiet and powerful fan that filters the air multiples time per hour and improves its quality. Good quality air is important not only for our wellbeing, but for the wellbeing of our children, grandchildren, pets, etc., as well.
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Easy to Use
The Honeywell QuietClean HFD-110 air purifier is not only effective, but also very easy to use. Its permanent filter can be easily cleaned in water, requiring very little maintenance and zero replacement costs. Users can also take advantage of a “filter-clean” indicator that reminds them when the filter needs to be cleaned. The unit’s simple to use controls give users the choice of selecting from multiple air-cleaning levels. The QuietClean HFD-110 also comes with a shut off timer – users can automatically shut it down after a few hours if they wish. It has a simple yet elegant tower design that takes up very little space.
What the Users Say
The general consensus among users is that the QuietClean HFD-110 is an excellent air purifying unit. The fact that it is very quiet is also a plus for many of them. The difference that it makes can be usually noticed right away, especially if used it in a small studio apartment. Allergy sufferers are also very happy with this unit – after leaving the unit on only for a few hours, many notice a big difference with their allergies. Sufferers of asthma, chronic bronchitis, and sinus infection say that the QuietClean HFD-110 reduces coughing and helps them sleep better.
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Quiet and Effective
To summarize, the QuietClean HFD-110 is an excellent and quiet purifier that quickly eliminates airborne pet dander, mold, bacteria, viruses, pollen, and dust mites. It comes with a helpful indicator that lets users know when the filter needs to be replaced and also program the unit to shut down automatically. Thanks to its elegant and simple design, it also takes up very little space. The QuietClean HFD-110 is one of the simplest to use air purifiers on the market at the moment.
We have compared the price of Honeywell QuietClean HFD-110 at different online stores and found that Amazon has the best price offering 20% discount with Free shipping.
Filed under Asthma Supplies by on Mar 25th, 2012. Comment.
Exercise-Induced Asthma (EIA) Designation
- Exercise-induced asthma,
- Exercise-induced bronchospasm.
Exercise-Induced Asthma (EIA) Definition
The exercise-induced asthma is a feeling of shortness of breath, with the presence of cough, wheezing, and chest tightness after physical exertion.
Normally the bronchial tree responds to the exercise by increasing the radius of the interior of the bronchi (bronchodilation), but it does not respond in those affected by exercise-induced asthma and their bronchi becomes narrow which is also known as bronchoconstriction.
Exercise-Induced Asthma (EIA) Causes
The exercise-induced asthma (EIA) is due to cooling and relative dryness of the air (loss of H2O) by an increase in ventilation during exercise.
Cooling and drying cause changes in osmolarity of the mucosa, leading to, on one hand, there is a mast cell degranulation with release of mediators and on the other hand, occur a direct vagal stimulation. The result is the appearance of bronchoconstriction.
- Cold air inspired
- Low humidity of inspired air
- Loss of heat from the air
Exercise-Induced Asthma (EIA) Symptoms
The defining characteristics of the EIA are:
- Can occur at any age, and is as common in adults and children. Picnicas configurations (widths of body composition) are more likely.
- It may appear isolated or associated with any clinical form of bronchial asthma. In most asthmatics, exercise causes bronchoconstriction.
- The severity of EIA is not predictable from baseline function. Patients with normal lung function at rest may have EIA.
- Phase characteristics of the EIA:
- Initial bronchodilation (asymptomatic). As in the non-asthmatics, in patients with asthma exercise initial bronchodilation occurs without symptoms.
- Clinical bronchospasm . After 5-10 minutes after the effort began, when the heart rate reaches about 160 beats per minute, appears bronchoconstriction.
- Recovery phase . Between 30 and 60 minutes after starting the exercise, begins a return to normal airway caliber and dyspnea disappears.
- Refractory period . In more than half the cases of EIA, there is a period of 2 to 4 hours, during which no bronchospasm occurs again, even if you continue to exercise. The refractory period is due to depletion of mediators of bronchoconstriction and / or generation of bronchodilatory prostaglandins (PGE 2 ) during exercise. The refractory period can be induced by preheating, and used for the asthma does not decrease your athletic performance.
- The IEA can be prevented by inhalation or after taking certain drugs. They are used for this purpose the ß 2 -mimetic action short and long cromolyn, and leukotriene inhibitors.
Diagnosis Of Exercise-Induced Asthma (EIA)
A history of cough, dyspnea, wheezing, chest tightness or performance problems during exercise suggests EIA.
Confirmation of the diagnosis usually requires an exercise test, which can be carried out:
- Under laboratory conditions, using treadmill or bicycle ergometer and heart and respiratory monitoring. The child is routed intense enough to increase basal heart rate by 80% maximum for 4 to 6 minutes.
- In outdoor career, trying to reproduce the situation that causes the symptoms. We evaluate the distance covered in 10-12 minutes and relevant incidents throughout this test.
In either cases, spirometry performed before and after exercise at intervals of 5 minutes and for 20 to 30 minutes. A 15% decrease in FEV is the diagnostic criteria for exercise-induced asthma (EIA).
Filed under Exercise Induced Asthma by on Mar 16th, 2012. Comment.
Asthma is a chronic disease that requires mostly background therapy (chronic treatment) associated with regular monitoring, even if the patient feels no active asthma symptoms.
Asthma can be compared to diabetes or hypertension and other chronic diseases requiring long-term treatment.
Bronchodilator Drugs for Asthma Relief
- Medications and short-acting bronchodilators are prescribed to relieve rapid asthma attacks or episodes of cough.
- They act against the narrowing of the airways and allow them to expand.
- In most cases, the patients feel improvement after a few minutes by helping them breathe easier.
- Duration of action is four to six hours.
- Bronchodilator drugs are also used before exercise to avoid the appearance of discomfort in people with asthma caused by exercise.
Bronchodilator drugs sometimes cause tachycardia, rapid heartbeat, which usually decrease rapidly. The opinion of a cardiologist may be necessary if these events are getting worse or whether there are cardiac abnormalities.
Many people are afraid to take this type of product because they are not good for the health of your heart. Doctors are sometimes forced to persuading patients to use this type of product.
Tips for using rapid-acting bronchodilator drugs
- Verify that the product is not empty.
- Check the expiry date.
- Have several bottles at hand, at home or at work, for example, in case of occurrence of a crisis that can occur in any circumstance.
- The dose of bronchodilator drug used depends on the individual and severity of asthma.
- These drugs are used for short periods.
- Taking more than 4 puffs per week of rapid-acting bronchodilators (1 bottle of 200 doses per year) means that asthma is not balanced and it is necessary to consult.
The need to increase doses of the product, sometimes up to 12 or 15 puffs daily due to the ineffectiveness of inhaled doses, reflects worsening of asthma for which it is necessary to consult your doctor urgently.
Tips for using metered dose inhalers (MDI)
The use of metered dose inhalers is to allow the drug to reach the airways directly and their use require training from the physician.
These MDIs are sometimes misused thereby reducing drug efficacy:
- Poor synchronization between the pressure on the bottle and the inhalation of breath. Pressure on the bottle is not always done at the right time in relation to the inspiration and the breath is immediately apparent.
- Breathing is not sufficiently retained after inhalation
There are other devices available facilitating the penetration of products and avoiding the bad timing of hand-lung spray such as systems dry powder inhaler including the turbuhaler (the asthmatic person rotates the small camera and take a deep breath when they heard a small noise)
Inhaled corticosteroids and anti-inflammatory drugs
A vast majority of asthmatics has asthma that requires treatment of anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed for many months or even years.
- This treatment should be prescribed when asthma becomes persistent and that the person will take longer than 4 puffs of bronchodilator per week.
- The dosage and duration of treatment vary with the intensity of the discomfort and the figures obtained during the examination (PFT).
- This treatment is tailored to each asthmatic patient.
- Unfortunately a vast majority of asthmatics do not take any DMARDs and take the risk of their disease getting worse.
- These drugs are generally used with a metered dose inhaler or dry powder.
- Discontinuation of anti-inflammatory treatment is rarely possible for some months without seizures recur within variable.
- Only the physician following the patient with asthma may decide to discontinue this medicine.
These drugs do not cause any sensation of improvement just minutes after they are being taken, unlike the bronchodilator medications.
Side effects of inhaled corticosteroid drugs
Side effects of these drugs should not be confused with those of steroids taken as tablets, syrup and injections.
- Change in the voice accompanied by hoarseness
- Fungal infection of the mouth
- Many studies have shown that at doses typically prescribed, there is no decrease in the growth curve of a child or adolescent.
It is advisable to rinse after the use of corticosteroids to prevent the occurrence of side effects.
Steroids in tablet form
During severe attacks or when asthma worsens during bronchitis for example, corticosteroid drugs in tablet form are prescribed. In this case, it is associated with the treatment of inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting bronchodilator.
Individuals receiving this treatment generally have severe asthma that must be monitored very closely.
- This treatment is prescribed in general for a few days.
- In some situations, this treatment is prescribed for longer: In this case, side effects may occur: increased appetite, weight gain temporary, changes in mood etc.
Chest Physiotherapy for Asthma
- Chest physiotherapy is a method that can help people with asthma, especially babies and young children.
- It allows to crises eliminate secretions trapped in the bronchi, thus fighting against bronchial congestion.
- Chest physiotherapy can also learn to better control his breath, breathing place to relax at the onset of discomfort, causing an anxiety crisis that exacerbates asthma.
- The sessions can also learn to use drugs in the form of metered dose inhalers
The spacer for children
The use of a spacer is designed specifically for young children:
The spacer is a tank that can easily inhale the product without sync “hands / lungs” that young children and babies cannot practice.
A breath is delivered by the aerosol through the mouthpiece of the spacer. The child may then inhale the product while 5-10 inspiratory movements.
- The inhalation chamber of a volume is large enough for babies and young children.
- Inhalations of smaller rooms are available for older children, from about 4 to 5 years.
- Shake well before delivering the dose.
- Issue only a dose at a time and wait 5 to 10 breaths before giving the second dose.
- These inhalation chambers are supported by health insurance.
- Do not forget to regularly clean the mask and tank.
- When the child is very restless, we recommend:
- 2 people can participate at this stage
- Place the child on the lap of one of two people.
- Reassure and avoid excessive angst
- Maintain the child’s head
- Do not give the aerosol directly to the mouth
Too many asthmatics stop their asthma treatments
The numbers are staggering: more than half of asthmatics do not meet the requirements recommended by doctors.
- The asthmatic person experiences great difficulty accepting the idea of being hit by a chronic disease with which they have to learn to live and follow a treatment for long period.
- Long duration of the treatment is difficult to grasp for patients who tends to escape and interrupt their treatment as soon as they recover a little.
The absence of events does not encourage patients to continue their therapy. According to a study by the Asthma Association conducted among 4000 asthmatic, only 65% of them lead normal lives, and nearly half have disturbed sleep with difficulty in breathing.
Filed under Asthma Treatment by on Mar 2nd, 2012. Comment.
Treatment of work-related asthma is threefold:
- Avoid things that aggravate your asthma. .If you have asthma exacerbated by work, you can get relief by reducing your exposure and wearing protective equipment . If this does not work, you may need to change jobs to avoid your asthma triggers. If you are having occupational asthma, it is best to completely avoid the trigger for your asthma. Protective equipment is often inadequate. If you are suffering from work-related asthma, it is usually best to change jobs to avoid what causes your asthma.
- Prescription from your doctor, take asthma medications to control your symptoms.
- Follow your plan of action against asthma. It contains written instructions of your doctor about what to do and what to do if symptoms worsen.
It is also important to know what to do in case of an asthma attack.
Will I still suffer from occupational asthma? Symptoms will disappear?
It depends. Your occupational asthma may disappear or not.
In some people, occupational asthma may disappear completely. This is more likely if the disease is diagnosed early and if you avoid completely the element that triggered it (changing jobs).
In others, occupational asthma does not completely disappear. It may improve slowly over time, if you avoid the trigger.
Your chances of full recovery from occupational asthma are better if:
- You get a prompt diagnosis and treatment and
- You avoid the element that caused your asthma, by changing jobs.
Will it change my job because of work-related asthma?
It depends.
If you have asthma exacerbated by work (something at work aggravates your symptoms), it could be that you can keep your current job by using protective equipment or taking other special measures to limit exposure to element that triggers your symptoms.
If you have occupational asthma (you’ve never had asthma before, and you have developed asthma because of something at work): you should completely avoid the trigger for your asthma. In most cases, this will require quitting your job and you redirect yourself elsewhere.
If you must change your job because your current job has given you asthma, your employer may be able to transfer you to another department. If this is impossible, you might have to quit your job and you shift into a work area where you will not be in contact with your asthma triggers.
If you ask a compensation (reimbursement) for occupational asthma, you might get some money to take courses of training or retraining in order to gain the skills you need to change their field of work.
Can I get compensation (refund) if I develop occupational asthma?
You may get compensation if you develop occupational asthma. It is also possible (but unlikely) to obtain compensation for work-exacerbated asthma.
People who have asthma or exacerbated by the professional work can lose a lot of money because of missed days of work, drug costs and retraining, and a potentially lower wages if they must change job. If your doctor confirms that you have occupational asthma, check if you are entitled to compensation (money).
Regulations concerning compensation vary by province and territory to another. Contact your Provincial Commission of occupational accidents for more information on eligibility criteria and possible solutions.
Ask for compensation as soon as you get a diagnosis. Claims may take time to be processed.
Get help and support for work-related asthma
The work-related asthma affects your health and your work. This can be very stressful. You may have questions on how to manage your asthma and to cope with the disease.
If you do not know where to start, consider joining a support group for people with asthma. Sharing your experiences can help you better understand your situation and monitor your treatment. This will help you overcome your anxiety and stress.
Filed under Asthma Treatment by on Feb 4th, 2012. Comment.
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