With Memorial Day Weekend quickly approaching, we are in the full swing of allergy season. All types of allergens are floating through the air both outside and within your home that can cause a range of allergic reactions. If you have asthma, the spring can be an especially difficult time because many common spring allergens are asthma triggers. Asthma is a respiratory condition that affects people of all ages, and asthma attacks are often triggered by some type of allergic reaction. It is important for those who suffer from asthma to recognize the common triggers and do what they can to prevent asthma attacks.
The IAQ Video Network and Cochrane & Associates released a video in March 2017 called “What is in the Air You Breathe?” This video discusses the main triggers of asthma and what those affected can do to help prevent asthma attacks during allergy season. Visit ServiceMaster DC blog to watch the video.
Included here are some of the highlights of the video that are helpful to those who suffer from asthma.
Asthma Facts According to the 2014 Figures from the CDC
- Over 24 million Americans suffer from asthma (7.7% of population)
- Asthma causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways when triggered.
- In 2014, 3,651 deaths occurred as a result of asthma.
- Asthma treatment costs the U.S. over $50 billion per year.
- Asthma develops during childhood.
Asthma Symptoms
Asthma is a chronic lung disease with symptoms that include coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. These symptoms are reoccurring and are usually the worst in the morning or late at night. Asthma attacks occur when an allergen irritates the lungs and causes the airways to become inflamed and restricted. The shrinking of the airways and buildup of mucous makes it extremely difficult to breathe. Because asthma attacks only happen when someone affected is exposed to an asthma trigger, it is very important to know what these triggers are to avoid them:
- Mold
- Pollen
- Air pollution
- Dust mites
- Tobacco smoke
- Animal dander
- Wood and grass smoke
- Chemicals
- Cockroach allergen
Mold
If you suffer from asthma, make sure you avoid these common asthma triggers, take your medication, and listen to advice from your doctor to prevent asthma attacks from spring allergies. Mold is one common asthma trigger that can be prevented in your home with the right steps. If you suspect that there may be mold in your home or business in the San Francisco area, contact ServiceMaster Disaster Restoration and Recovery right away for mold remediation services. We can effectively remove mold growth from homes and businesses to help reduce the risk of asthma and other mold allergies this spring.
Related articles: 10 Tips for Reducing Mold Allergies
Steve VanDenBerg is the owner of ServiceMaster Disaster Restoration and Recovery. He has over 30 years of experience working within the restoration industry and successfully leading start-ups, turnarounds, acquisitions and mergers, and rapidly growing companies.
Steve earned his BS in Business & Accounting from Calvin University in Grand Rapids, MI and began working for DSI Holdings as their Chief Financial Officer. When Steve began with DSI Holdings, they were running an underperforming ServiceMaster Restore franchise with one location. Steve implemented new policies and procedures for accounting and finance as well as a professional sales plan that increased profits eightfold over his time as the CFO. He was then promoted to President and CEO and in this time, he expanded the company from two locations with $4M in sales to 12 locations and $45M in sales. DSI Holdings became one of the largest disaster restoration companies in the U.S. and helped with major restoration projects throughout the U.S. and around the world.
Steve purchased ServiceMaster DRR in 2015 when the business was in decline. Drawing on his years of experience in turning around struggling ServiceMaster franchises, Steve overhauled our operations, including finance, sales, and marketing, which led to a quick turnaround. Within Steve’s first 24 months, sales increased by 60 percent. Steve also helped greatly improve our operating margins and established a relationship with California’s largest residential insurance company. Under Steve’s leadership, we have become one of the largest disaster restoration providers in California.
Steve has found great success in turning around struggling and stagnant restoration franchises by changing the business model and strategy, greatly increasing sales and profits. Many of the changes he has implemented have even been adopted by the franchisor into their operating model.