Asthma is a very serious medical problem that can greatly impact your life. Controlling asthma is much easier when it’s done before it becomes an attack. The following article will provide you with techniques for controlling asthma.
Do you know which type of asthma you suffer from? You can learn to combat the life changing effects of asthma by understanding your specific type. For example, if your asthma is brought on by bronchitis, you should keep your rescue inhaler with you during times when you are sick. You will be able to prevent asthma attacks if you can recognize symptoms.
If you have asthma, it is crucial that you do not smoke, or quit if you do. Smoking is unhealthy for anyone, regardless of their health; however, when you have asthma, smoking restricts the oxygen your lungs needs to breathe and function properly. If your lung function is affected, you run the risk of having more frequent attacks.
If you suffer from asthma and you smoke, it’s crucial that you quit. Smoking is detrimental to anyone’s health, but those with asthma suffer especially because cigarettes lessen the oxygen supply that is crucial for the lungs to function properly and prevent an asthma attack.
You should stay away from anything you might believe which can trigger an asthma attack. This can vary from person to person, as small particles like dust can cause asthma attacks. Others may have attacks that are triggered by physical activity. Knowing exactly what sets off your asthma is thus, very important.
When struggling with asthma, consider using a leukotriene inhibitor. A leukotriene inhibitor works by preventing leukotrienes. Leukotriene is a type of chemical substance which may cause inflammation and could cause an attack. By blocking the effects of leukotrienes, a leukotriene inhibitor can reduce the frequency and severity of your asthma attacks.
You need ongoing treatment for asthma because it’s an ongoing disease. Be certain that you are using the right maintenance medicines to control your asthma and that you also have a rescue or emergency medication when you have an acute asthma attack. Find out from your allergist and your doctor what is best for you.
Be sure you and your family members get a yearly flu vaccination. Keep yourself healthy, and without respiratory infections as best you can. The preventative measures you can take against such sickness range from simple habits of hand washing to getting your annual flu shot.
If you have asthma, you need to avoid any kind of tobacco smoke. Do not smoke yourself, either! Inhaling the chemical-laden fumes and even the vapors from cigarettes can be extremely harmful. This can cause an asthma attack, and you may be unable to bring it under control. Avoid secondhand smoke by leaving physical distance between yourself and the smoker.
If you suffer from asthma, ensure that your diet contains adequate amounts of Vitamin E and Vitamin C. These vitamins help reduce asthma flare-ups by improving lung function. You can find the vitamins you need in food or supplements. The vitamins work to strengthen your immunities, thereby warding off sicknesses that tend to exacerbate asthma.
Though it should go without saying, do not turn on any fans or circulation systems when in a room containing visible dust that has yet to be cleaned. If you do, the dust will move around, and you can trigger your asthma. A fan will just blow around dust without providing fresh air, so opening a window is a better option as it brings in fresh air and ventilation.
An increased propensity for asthma attacks has been linked with the utilization of multiple cleaning products. The more you use, the greater the risk of an attack. Try to use organic based cleaning products that are not harmful to asthma sufferers.
Know how to use your inhaler correctly. Find a quiet secluded area so that you can calmly take the inhaler as directed by the instructions from the manufacturer. The inhaler only helps if the medication reaches your lungs. While inhaling air, spray required dosage in your mouth. After inhaling, it’s important that you hold the medication in by holding your breath for 10 seconds at the least.
Scented products could cause averse reactions to asthma sufferers. It is safest to use unscented products when possible. Scented products, like air fresheners, incense and perfume, raise indoor pollution levels and can trigger asthma attacks. Be aware that fresh paint and new carpet also can emit harmful odors that irritate sensitive airways. Try keeping the air indoors as fresh as it can be.
Social Worker
Avoid using a feather or down pillow if you have asthma. Feathers can trigger asthma symptoms and reduce lung function. The same reasoning applies to all bedding – only purchase bed sheets and comforters that are manufactured from hypoallergenic materials.
If you suffer from asthma and you are not eligible for health insurance, speak with a social worker. You will need asthma medications, and if you are unable to afford them, a social worker can find a hospital or clinic that can offer you medication for free or for a little cost.
During the months that are colder, wear a shawl, muffler or scarf that will cover your nose and mouth to help you avoid asthma attacks. Filtering and warming air before you inhale it can help prevent asthma attacks. Cold air can trigger severe attacks, especially for young children.
You might want to purchase a dehumidifier to use at home if you have asthma. Not only will a dehumidifier decrease humidity, but it will also be helpful in controlling the dust mite population. Both are causative factors in asthma attacks. Dehumidifiers keep the air in your home dry by eliminating humidity.
See how many times a week you typically use the rescue inhaler. If you are using it more than twice, your asthma may not be as well-controlled as you think or you may be experiencing unusual circumstances bringing on more frequent attacks. You can use your frequency of inhaler use to gauge the effectiveness of your asthma treatment plan and make modifications when necessary.
If you are an asthma patient, be sure to stay away from people who smoke, even if you are not a smoker yourself. When you inhale smoke, especially in close quarters, lung functioning is decreased, and it can trigger an attack.
Avoid all types of smoke, including cigarette smoke, if you have asthma. Sometimes smoke can cause an asthma attack. Keep away from chemical fumes, chemical vapor, and tobacco smoke as much as you can. All of these will increase your asthma symptoms. Ask people around you not to smoke in your presence. Don’t be rude about it, but don’t be afraid to ask for what you need.
Unscented products are the safest option for those who suffer from asthma. Products with a strong smell such as air fresheners, incense or perfume can trigger asthma attacks. You should also avoid fresh paints or new carpets, as they give off fumes that can irritate the airway. As much as possible, try to keep your home filled with fresh, pure air.
Anyone with asthma should limit their exposure to household pets and other types of animals. Even people that do not have allergies are prone to suffer an asthma attack from the pollen and dust on animals.
Make sure you get a flu shot each year if you have asthma or if your child does. Stave off these infections immediately by getting your vaccinations yearly.
Go to several doctors. Your primary care doctor should be the first person you go to, but think about seeing a few specialists. Asthma centers, pulmonologists, allergists or even nutritionists will be able to work with you, make certain that you check out all outlets offering treatment.
Mold and mildew will often grow in a humid home. These substances can easily trigger asthma attacks. You should therefore try to keep your home dry. During winter, use a device to dehumidify in the winter, and air condition in the summer.
If you have asthma, visit your doctor every three or four months so that they can help you monitor your health. Only your doctor can fully evaluate your condition and recommend appropriate changes in treatment. You need to stay on top of scheduling doctor visits. Otherwise, your condition might deteriorate suddenly.
Take the time to understand the proper usage of your asthma medication, particularly any that is labelled as rescue medication. For most asthma cases, an emergency treatment option, such as an inhaler, is used to supplement day-to-day management medication. Because asthma can be a lifelong issue, it is vital to take both regular and rescue medications according to the instructions.
Asthma has numerous potential causes, including both genetic and environmental factors. If you have a family member with asthma, keep a close watch on your children and yourself for any asthma related symptoms. All sorts of environmental factors can cause asthma, and they include smoke, pollution, excess dust and mold spores. It is best to avoid these hazardous situations, especially if there are children present.
When you clean your floors, do so with a wet mop instead of a broom. When you are sweeping with a broom, you stir up triggers like dirt and dust mites that can cause you to go into an asthma attack. When dusting, use a damp cloth, as feather dusters just move dust around.
Over time you should work to strengthen your body and increase the capacity of your lungs. Do not try to push yourself to the limits, especially at first. This can cause an asthma attack.
Stay Indoors
Hurry to the hospital if you see any symptoms of a dangerous asthma attack. The symptoms of a severe attack include reduced efficacy of medication, even in higher doses, along with gray or blue lips and fingernails. Your child may also not be able to talk very well.
If the pollen count is rising, stay indoors when possible. Asthma’s not an allergy, but many things that irritate allergies also irritate asthma. The air quality information should be used to find out when it is better to stay indoors to avoid irritants present in the air.
Watch your children carefully for food allergy signs. If your child develops hives or a breathing difficulty after eating certain foods, make an appointment for an allergy test with their pediatrician. Allergies can exacerbate asthma symptoms, and can cause asthma attacks. Allergic asthma is a type of asthma where attacks are brought on by allergies.
Knowing the correct way to use an inhaler is essential. Spraying it into your mouth and then inhaling doesn’t work. Breath deeply each time you push your inhaler button. A rescue inhaler will not help you if you aren’t breathing it in correctly.
One common and easy way to prevent asthma symptoms in the home is to keep the environment clean and dry. You should use a dehumidifier regularly in the home to control the moisture level. If you keep humidity steady, you will be able to lessen the number of attacks that occur seasonally.
If you suffer from asthma and have to use your inhaler in excess of two or three times per week, you should see a doctor and ask about changing your medication. This level of frequency can mean your medication is ineffective for your needs. Also, if you refill the inhaler more than 2 times each year, there is the same result, which means making an appointment with your doctor.
If you suffer from asthma, you should always avoid doing a lot of exercise outside in air that is cold and dry. Cold and dry air can cause your bronchial airways to constrict, causing an asthma attack. That’s why you always need to be certain it’s humid and warm before you attempt any exercise outside.
You should pay a visit to your doctor if you feel like your symptoms are becoming worse. More importantly, apply these tips as soon as you can to improve your life and reduce these symptoms.
If you are an asthma sufferer, a good tip is to begin by warming up with some stretching before any strenuous exercise, and then make sure you properly cool down as soon as you are finished exercising. Doing both can prevent serious attacks during or after exercising.