Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.
This week on Health Watch, we’ve been talking about ways to stay safe and healthy this holiday season. Some people may have more to be wary of than others. Asthma sufferers have to take special precautions to avoid an attack. If someone in your family or someone on your holiday guest list has asthma,
Dr. Rebecca Gruchalla, chief of allergy and immunology at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, has some tips for avoiding holiday asthma problems.
Strong scents can sometimes trigger an asthma attack, so be mindful of any scented candles, room fragrances, air fresheners or scented sprays being used. An artificial tree kept dust-free is your safest bet if you will have asthma sufferers in your home.
If you become ill, stay home or reschedule your own party. Most people who have asthma will have increased breathing problems if they develop a cold or the flu.
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December 2005
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