When you are diagnosed with asthma, you may be anxious about having an asthma attack, and overwhelmed by the changes that will need to be made in your life. With the proper information, you can learn how to control your asthma and live an improved life. Read on to find out some solid ways to deal with asthma.
What triggers your asthma? Knowing as much as possible about your specific type of asthma will go an incredibly long way in helping you combat the day-to-day effects it has on you. For example, if you have exercise-induced asthma, you will want to always make sure you have an inhaler in your gym bag. Knowing your asthma symptom patterns will help keep you safe.
Do you know what type of asthma you have? Before you can develop a self-care plan for your asthma symptoms, you need to know the specific cause of your symptoms. Asthma caused by exercise can be treated easily if you carry an inhaler when you go to the gym. Knowing the patterns related to your symptoms could aid you in avoiding crises.
Be sure to avoid cigarette smoke if you have asthma. You should not smoke! Avoid breathing chemical fumes and vapors. These can trigger a severe asthma attack that can be difficult to get under control. Never visit a home or establishment where people will be smoking, and if people start to smoke, walk out.
Be certain to properly use your inhaler. An inhaler is most effective if used in a relaxed location and according to the maker’s instructions. The medicine in the inhaler only works if it actually makes it to your lungs. As you are inhaling air, spray the correct dosage in your mouth. Hold your breath at least ten seconds, so that the medicated mist can fill your lungs.
A dehumidifier can significantly reduce the asthma attacks experienced by you or other afflicted members of your household. By decreasing the humidity you have in your home, it will decrease the dust mites, which will then decrease your asthma from flaring up. Dehumidifiers cause the air in your home to become dry, which means less humidity.
Vitamins E and C are beneficial to anyone with asthma. These vitamins can help improve your lung function, ultimately controlling asthma. These vitamins can be easily obtained, either through your diet or a supplement. These vitamins will also provide a boost to your immune system. This will prevent respiratory illnesses that can trigger your asthma attacks.
When suffering from asthma, make sure to choose products that are unscented. Scented products should be avoided, such as air fresheners, perfume, and incense. These can increase the amount of air pollution in the home and even trigger an attack. In addition, paint that is fresh or carpet that is new release odors that can cause breathing irritations that lead to an asthma attack. Aim to make the air inside your home allergen free, and as fresh and clean as possible.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma, you should avoid smoking or even being in the presence of smokers. When you inhale tobacco smoke, particularly in small areas without much ventilation, lung function may be severely impacted, and you have a higher chance of having an attack.
You will need to keep your residence really clean, especially the bedroom where the asthma sufferer sleeps in order to help lessen the chances of an attack. Keep food in a kitchen or on the dining room table, and avoid cigarette smoking inside. When cleaning your home, try not to use products that contain harsh chemicals, such as bleach. You should also allow fresh air to thoroughly circulate throughout your home after you’re done cleaning it.
It is best to use products that are unscented in the home with someone who is asthmatic. Simple everyday things such as air fresheners, incense and perfume can cause indoor air pollution levels to increase and trigger an attack. In addition, paint that is fresh or carpet that is new release odors that can cause breathing irritations that lead to an asthma attack. Try to keep the indoor air as clean and fresh as possible.
If you are dealing with asthma, a good idea is to use a pillow without feathers. The pillow feathers can cause asthma to flare up and minimize your lung function. This also goes for bedding; use sheets, comforters and blankets that are crafted from hypoallergenic materials.
Hay Fever
There is good reason to make sure you have your rescue medicine for asthma in a convenient, easy to reach place. Traveling tends to put extra stain on the body, and you’re more susceptible to your asthma triggers under these conditions. You won’t be able to control factors in your environment, such as air quality, while are away from home. This also adds to the likelihood of an attack or more symptoms than you are used to at home.
Know that your asthma treatment or medication may have to be increased a bit if you are suffering from allergies, hay fever or a cold. Many of these illnesses will worsen your asthma symptoms bad enough to require more treatments than you typically need. Your doctor may prescribe a new medicine or change the dose of your existing medication until the hay fever or cold passes.
Regardless of whether your asthma has been flaring up, don’t neglect routine checkups. A flare up can come at any time and your doctor can always look into safer medications for your particular symptoms.
Pay attention to your symptom triggers. The more aware of your triggers you become, the easier it will be to avoid them and reduce the number of attacks you suffer. Generally, it is found that items such as smoke and pollen can trigger attacks in those that suffer with asthma. Whenever you can, stay away from these agents that can trigger symptoms or cause full-blown asthma attacks.
Know the right way to use any asthma medication you are taking, in particular your rescue medication. Asthma is generally managed through regular medicine which is supplemented with rescue medications like inhalers. Because asthma can be a lifelong issue, it is vital to take both regular and rescue medications according to the instructions.
It’s essential to know how to cope with asthma, if you have it. When you find ways to treat your asthma, it can become less troublesome. We have, thankfully, learned a lot about living with asthma and how you can be happier if you have it.
Asthma generally takes a long time to develop, and the symptoms may be vague at first, making it difficult to diagnose the problem. People can even die from their very first asthma attack as they’re not prepared for it! Therefore, if you find yourself having difficulties breathing or with a chronic cough, it is essential that you see a doctor and get tested for asthma. The sooner you get the needed treatment and medication, the better.