Asthma doesn't just run in our family - it gallops!!
I was watching some videos on Youtube from "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Show." He has a segment each week where he reads off tweets from the weekly hash tag. One segment was called Hashtags: Dadvice
It's pretty funny to watch him read off the tweets. This episode had advice from dads to their sons.
This is what one tweet from @mikeruss39 said
"After the first time I got drunk my dad told me to be careful. 'Alcoholism doesn't just run in this family - it gallops.' "
I thought that would be the perfect thing for me to say about asthma in my family.
Asthma doesn't just run in our family - it gallops!
My parents, siblings and I all have asthma. All three of my teenagers have asthma, as do many of my nieces and nephews.
The same can be said for Hubby's side of the family - grandparents, parents, siblings, nieces and nephews all have asthma.
So, when Hubby and I married, it was the perfect storm. Our kids didn't have a chance of NOT inheriting asthma (and allergies.) And if my teenagers marry someone later who has allergies and asthma on their side of the family, the genetic defect will continue!
Sigh. I hate asthma. But at least our family can have a funny quote about it now!
Asthma is better understood as an epigenetic disease rather than purely genetic. Epigenetics is the study of how genes and the environment interact. CF is a purely genetic disease but allergies are epigenetic. In order to have an allergy you have to first be exposed to the substance, you get someone with a predisposition to allergies and an allergen can switch on the otherwise inactive gene. CF is there no matter what youre exposed to and is automatically switched on. Beleive it or not we all have the genes to have a tail but those are switched off. We see the few rare cases because some people for unknown reasons have those genes switched on. Saying that, asthma would probably be almost nonexistant if we all lived in bubbles
ReplyDeleteYou are learning so much in biology, thanks for sharing - cool stuff!!:)
DeleteAnd I confirmed a generic xopenex nebulizer solution exists in America. It's manufactured by TEVA so next time you or you son needs it filled, ask the pharmacist about it
ReplyDeleteNice work, I'll ask the pharmacist about that
DeleteSorry I keep writing but have any ideas how to transport my inhaler while in college? I've kept it in my backpack until now but I always find it gets sprayed unintentionally because of clutter. Last week I found my inhaler was out of juice when I needed it and I had to use a stranger's. I use Proventil, I used to use xopenex but my insurance doesn't cover it anymore and pro air always clogs on me. Which insurance do you have? I get aetena off of my aunt. Her company switched in September and it's been a tough insurance to deal with. They don't want to cover abilify for me for depression because I'm over 18 and it gets even murkier since she is my legal guardian and not my parent. I've gone 3 days without abilify and I hope they cover it soon because abilify is $35 a pill, no joke.
ReplyDeleteHm, my college aged sons keep their inhaler hooked to their spacer and carry it in a separate pocket from all the other books and supplies.
DeleteI carry my inhaler and spacer together too, but nestle it vertically in my purse so nothing hits the inhaler and accidentally discharges it. I use Pro Air, and haven't had it clog. I like it because of the counter, so I can tell how close I am to being empty.
Will your insurance let you have a back up inhaler? Your doctor may be able to write a prescription for two, but you may have to pay cash for the 2nd one yourself.
Just an idea....
Will Needymeds cover your Abilify? Here's the link - there are 3 different types of Abilify. Once has a coupon listed next to it - yay!
http://www.needymeds.org/drug_list.taf?_function=list&letter=A
I keep mine in my pocket :P
DeleteLizzi, great idea! :)
DeleteAn overlooked leading cause of asthma is VOC's (volitile organic compounds) in cleaning chemicals. VOC's linger in home and are the leading cause of "sick home syndrome", along with causing asthma for many. Or, making asthma worse. Try to purchase VOC free glass cleaners especially since almost all glass cleaners have high levels of VOC's (ammonia, alcohol, fragrances etc). You should be able to find VOC free glass cleaners on Amazon, not in stores.
ReplyDeleteThanks for post. Asthma is common in most of the people. In cold region more people get affected by asthma. So for those people there is availability of albuterol inhaler which is use for the asthma treatment. But make sure that pregnant women are not able to use it. As it may be harmful to them. you can see all details here http://www.feedarticles.com/albuterol-use-in-case-of-female-asthma-patients/ So before use they need to consult with doctor.
ReplyDeleteI've been diagnosed with asthma since 4 and i'm 14 alr. It gets worse every year especially when i start entering secondary school. Non of my family members have asthma but i have no idea how i got asthma. I've been diagnosed with severe asthma 2-3 years back.
ReplyDeleteJolene, I'm sorry. It's hard to have asthma, especially when those around you don't have it - they don't understand what it's like.
DeleteI'm unlucky too, I didn't inherit the best genes from my parents :(
And now all three of my kids inherited my asthma. Sorry guys!!