Fiance with asthma?

Question

My fiance has asthma, but i've never seen her have an attack, so i didnt think it was that bad. but last night while in bed, she started having trouble breathing and afterwards, her lungs felt like someone was crushing them. ive never been around someone with asthma so i want to know what i can do to help alleviate her attacks.

it hurt to see her in pain, and since we're getting married soon, i want to be there for her.

also, we're very much in love and i want her to know that i'm not going to leave her b/c of her illness. (she's had b/fs break up with her since she had asthma). i told her last night, that i would never leave her, but i want to say the right thing that leaves her knowing that i'm marrying her and accept her for who she is, including her asthma. (does that make sense to you?) any words of wisdom?

please help! i care very much for this woman!

she's not allergic to her dog, and i quit smoking for her

Answer 1

Use this link:
http://www.webmd.com/content/tools/1/tiyh_allergy_proof.htm Be sure to click on each room. I have asthma, and mine has been so bad at times I have been in the hospital. Allergies affect it - a lot. Once we moved (only 4 miles away, so it wasn't a climate change), it got better. I remembered some things the doc I worked for always said. The bedrm is where you will spend 6 to 8 hrs per day, which is a third of your life. If you can allergy proof just your bedrm, you will remove one third of your exposure to allergens, and will lessen the asthma triggers. Be sure and sleep w/ windows closed. Although she's not allergic to dogs, they carry dust and pollen on their fur, so keep them off the bed, and wipe their fur down daily with a wet cloth. Buy some mattress and pillow encasings, or at least launder the pillows in hot water and double pillowcase them. Here's a biggy - buy a HEPA filter and leave it running 24/7 w/ the bedrm door closed. DO NOT buy the ionizing type. The work by creating ozone, which triggers asthma in most asthmatics. Dust and vaccum home frequently, and go by your local American Lung Assoc, and pick up literature and maybe a tape to better educate yourself with regard to asthma. The info is free. They also have a website. Knowledge is power, and you also need to know if you two have kids that your children will be at a higher risk for asthma. If her condition worsens, she will benefit from an allergist, but make sure it is a board certified allergist, not an ENT who also does allergy shots on the side. Make sure she stays on all meds. Good luck!

Answer 2

Learn what you can about asthma. Talk to her about it, as well as any internet research or discussion with a doctor. Find out how she usually controls it, and where she keeps her emergancy inhalers. Pay attention to how she keeps her house (if you're still keeping 2 residences). Because asthma has many triggers, you may find that there are some simple changes you can make in your home that are just a habit for her in hers.
This can be a really bad time of year for anyone with respiratory diseases. Pollen counts are higher in the Spring than any other time of year. There are also certain molds that will cause troubles as they develop (in the soil, etc. - not saying you keep a terrible house).
During these beautiful days, it's tempting to leave the doors and windows open. That can be the wrong thing to do if the pollen is flying around! So think about getting good filters in your home's heating/cooling system, and micro-screens for your doors & windows.
Restrict the urge to go for a run with her, her lungs might not appreciated the bombardment. Some asthmatics have to restrict outdoor activities, so keep some indoor activities at the ready. And if you find burning candles helps "set the mood" for you, try to find the kind that actually drip wax. Yes, it's messier and you must not leave them unattended, but they're much healthier. The no-drip type actually emit soot into the air at a far higher rate than traditional types. At the very least, think about soy-based candles.

Answer 3

My girlfriend of 10.5 years has asthma , she is allergic to everything with a leaf or fur , she uses her inhaler daily , she also has a nebulizer , which is good , and has worked well , that is all they mainly administer at the hospital when she has trouble breathing , she has been in ICU (intensive care unit ) several times with her asthma ,and allergies, but she is stubborn when it comes to animals she feels she has to bring home every d*mn stray she sees ..it does not do her asthma or her allergies well at all . It hurts me every time mine has an attack , all you can do is like the others said ..keep the house clean as possible , also avoid using chemicals to clean with , such as bleach , mean green, pine sol , etc. most household cleaners will aggravate asthma, as well as dust from a vacuum , carpet is also not good because it stores dust &dirt below the surface , I had new carpet installed 6 months before I met her , after she moved in the carpet went out. , Just keep her enviroment clean , be supportive, and she can show you how to administer the breathing treatments from the nebulizer or the inhaler, but if she can not administer those on her own , medical help may be needed , so if you are ever in doubt during an attack call for help , sometimes I even have to make mine go to the hospital, just let her know you are going through this with her, and you want to learn what to do in case help is needed , she should know these things , because you do not want her to battle it alone , that you are by her side.. I hope this makes sense , I tried to explain this ,based on my experience ...hope it helps in some way ...good luck

Answer 4

There are several things that you can do for her....She needs to make sure they her living area and her clothes are clean. I know some people cannot take strong scents such as please so you need to find an alternative......the best thing that you can do is to make sure you do your research...

Overall, I would say that your fiance needs to get rid of anything and everything that can possibly trigger an attack. I would also suggest that she keep her stress level to zero...I would also do some serious praying because she could easily have something in the house that triggers her attacks...Make sure the vents and ducts are cleaned as well. Personally, I think that she should get those cleaned professionally. I hope everything works out.

I know this might sound funny but she may also need to watch the hair products she uses as well. Try organic products...sometimes hairsprays and gels really tamper with your body as well.

She needs to go and seek help from a physician if it worsens.

I hope the following sites offer you a little help:
http://www.chiro.org/nutrition/FULL/Natural_Asthma_Relief.shtml

http://firstaid.webmd.com/asthma_treatment_firstaid.htm

http://www.buteyko.co.nz/asthma/default.cfm

Answer 5

As another woman who has Asthma, there isn't really much you can do, except give her her emergency inhaler and stay by her to comfort her until the attack subsides.
Also, as the previous posters have suggested, keep her away from her triggers if possible. It's not always possible to do so (for me it isn't always for my Allergy-induced Asthma), but the more you can do, the better she will feel.

Drinking Pepsi or other caffeine soda helps asthmatics with the attacks. Whenever she has an attack, give her some soda to help.

As for saying the "right thing", I'm sure you already have and in time she will see you really mean it.

Answer 6

It does feel like someone is crushing your chest when you are having a severe attack. What you need to do is be there to help her get her emergency inhaler- and administer it if she is unable to. Sit her up, rub her back. Let her breathe in steam, drink a Coke, and help her to relax.

Encourage her to take her medications and try to help avoid situations where an attack can happen. Such as avoid smoky places, if she has allergies- avoid those things if possible, keep dust out of the home as much as possible, learn her warning signs that an attack is about to happen such as face becoming flush, words slurring, body movements slowing down etc.

Just be there for her and she will be just fine!

Answer 7

I really don't believe that guys broke up with her JUST because she has asthma. That just doesn't make any sense. I think they broke up for other reasons. Asthma is so treatable. The only think you need to do is be aware of her triggers. Pet dander, seasonal allergies, etc. And know where a rescue inhaler is so you can get it to her. Right away.

Answer 8

if you smoke than smoke outside, if you have animals then get rid of them, and also have a vaporizer thing in your bedroom and make sure she uses her inhaler when she needs too