L’asthma is a chronic disease characterized by difficulty breathing and wheezing during seizures, which affects nearly two million people in France. Among the risk factors are the inhalation of trigger substances like allergens, tobacco smoke and irritating chemicals, explains the World Health Organization. If this disease does not not heal, good care improves the patient’s quality of life.
Martine Ott, medical adviser in indoor environment at the University Hospital of Strasbourg, under the direction of Professor de Blay, explains what are the rules to follow to live in a “healthy” environment.
What is your job exactly ?
When a specialist detects a respiratory disease, he calls an indoor environmental medical adviser to come to the patient’s home. So that’s what I do. I receive the doctor’s request, I make an appointment and I go on site, where I ask the patient to answer a questionnaire. The goal is to identify the factors that cause or aggravate the breathing difficulty such as tobacco, room fragrance, carpeting, mold stains, heating, recent work… I then review each room , and I do some tests. Some are quick, like the one to determine the presence of mites, others take longer. Once the report has been drawn up, I can send my recommendations to the doctor and the patient.
The purpose of this care, which is completely free, is to reduce exposure to allergens, avoid possible hospitalization and limit the consumption of medication.
What advice do you give to clean up your interior?
A-er, it’s essential! We often tend to forget it or think that a ventilation system is sufficient. When the windows face the street, it would be best to avoid opening them at peak times in order to limit pollution inside the room. I also recommend avoiding all pollutants that have no health benefits, such as home fragrances, candles, various oils or even Armenian paper. Burning these products releases hazardous volatile chemicals. If work is necessary, it would be best to use less toxic products, which can be easily chosen thanks to the new A+ labelling.
Last recommendation: in case of visible mould, you have to find the cause and take action to remedy it.
What are you planning for World Asthma Day on May 6?
The allergology department of the CHRU of Strasbourg has joined forces with the restaurant “Le Buerehiesel” to offer a hypoallergenic menu for two days. Based on beef tartare, chicken fricassee, morels in yellow wine, pannacotta and strawberry sorbet, it was designed to prove that it is possible to eat a gourmet meal without the risk of allergies.
