Living with asthma, both daily and during an attack, can be frightening and draining. The good news is that it is possible to really turn things around and live a normal life with asthma. Read further to gain some insightful tips on ways to handle asthma.
Because asthma is a continuing condition, you have to continually manage your health. Your doctor may prescribe medications that must be taken daily. In addition, you will likely have medication to take in the event of an attack. Talk to your doctor and allergist to see what is the best idea for you.
What triggers your asthma? Being aware of your specific condition will help you combat the effects it has over your body day in and day out. Those whose asthma is exacerbated by exercise will know to always have an inhaler on hand. Knowing when an asthma attack is likely to strike can help you avert disaster.
Asthma sufferers should avoid smoking cigarettes and any place that has cigarette smoke. Do not smoke yourself, either! It is also a good idea to stay away from the fumes or vapors from harsh chemicals, such as those used in cleaning. This can set off an Asthma attack that you might not be able to stop. If you find that you have people smoking around you, get yourself out of that area rather quickly.
Do not smoke around your children if they have asthma. Secondhand smoke is a trigger for asthma attacks, not to mention the myriad of other diseases it can cause. If your child is in an area where people are smoking, remove him quickly to avoid an asthma attack.
You may want to use a leukotriene inhibitor if your asthma is being particularly problematic. A leukotriene inhibitor prevents the formation of leukotrienes. Leukotrienes are inflammation-causing chemicals that can bring on asthma attacks. Taking an inhibitor blocks the receptors that leukotrienes normally interact with and leaves your throat less inflamed and attack-prone.
Cleaning Products
Use your inhaler as directed. Go to a quiet place, and be sure to follow all instructions from the manufacturer. The inhaler can only help you if the medication actually reaches the lungs. Inhale air while spraying the necessary amount of medication into your mouth. Then hold it and try not to breathe for a minimum of 10 seconds. This will give enough time for the medication to properly fill out your lungs.
When you suffer from asthma, avoiding cleaning products is really important to do. Cleaning products are often full of chemicals, and breathing those chemicals in can irritate your lungs. Instead of relying on harsh cleaners, check out some organic solutions. They might cost a few dollars more, but the difference is well worth it.
Using over four kinds of cleaning products in the home can trigger asthma attacks. Choose organic products, and stick to as few products as possible.
A lot of medications can trigger an asthma attack without you knowing. Aspirin is an example of a widely used medicine that can cause asthma problems. You should also pay attention to heart medications you may take, or ones that treat abnormal blood pressure. If you suffer from asthma, be sure that your medical professional is aware of this.
Asthmatics should avoid being exposed to smoke, regardless if you are a smoker. If you inhale the smoke, it will harm your lungs and increase the possibility of an asthma attack. Always be mindful of this, especially in small spaces that do not have very much air flowing.
If you’re having an asthma attack, a great way to handle this is to immediately evacuate the air from your lungs. Force air out of your lungs with quick, powerful exhalations. Exhale with maximum force! Inhale three times with short breaths, and then on the fourth one take a deeper breath so your lungs are full of air but still comfortable. Then breath out as hard as you can again. Breathing in this rhythmic manner helps you to concentrate on the breaths you’re taking. This is a good way to empty your lungs and let more air come in. Do not be alarmed if you cough or generate excess mucous; this is perfectly normal. Your only concern is to return your breathing to normal.
To cut the risk of an asthma attack, keep your house as clean as you can, particularly the bedroom of the person with asthma. Also, you should keep food confined to the kitchen, and opt to smoke outdoors only. Try not to use bleach or other irritants inside, and always thoroughly change the air in your house after cleaning.
If you find yourself in a room that is dusty, don’t turn on any kind of fan. This could trigger an asthma attack because this will move the dust around. It’s better to open the window if you’re in need of fresh air.
Your home is where most asthma triggers are located. These triggers include dust, spores and mold. To ensure health and reduce the potential for asthma attacks, have a yearly inspection for the presence and removal of these hazards. Furthermore, thorough and frequent cleaning will ensure that allergens and other possible triggers do not accumulate in your home.
Make sure you use the inhaler in the proper, prescribed method. Find a quiet spot and follow the instructions the manufacturer has given. The inhaler will only work if the medicine reaches your lungs. Spray the required dosage into your mouth while inhaling air. Be sure to hold the mist in your lungs for about ten seconds.
During colder months, wear a shawl, scarf or muffler to avoid asthma. This will warm the air that you breathe before it enters your lungs. Studies have indicated that asthma attacks are sometimes triggered when cold air is inhaled. This is especially true for young children who have asthma that is moderate to severe.
Stay away from any tobacco smoke, even people that are smoking tobacco. As soon as you inhale any smoke from tobacco, your lungs become sensitive, which increases your risk of an attack. Just avoid any type of smoke, especially in small areas, and keep your lungs healthy to be safe.
You need to know how to properly use asthma medications that are prescribed to you, especially your rescue medication, so that you are prepared if you need to use it during an emergency. Asthma is generally managed through regular medicine which is supplemented with rescue medications like inhalers. Managing your medicine properly is important because asthma is a chronic health problem.
Unscented products are best for asthma sufferers. Using products with scents, like perfume, incense and air fresheners, boosts the amount of air pollution indoors and can bring on an attack. Many things in the home release chemicals that irritate the lungs, such as newly installed carpet or fresh paint. As much as possible, try to keep your home filled with fresh, pure air.
Avoiding smoke is one of the best asthma-prevention tips out there. Inhaling smoke makes it harder for you to breathe and might result in an asthma attack. So do whatever you can to stay away from vapors, chemical fumes and smoke from cigarettes. They can easily increase your asthma symptoms. If you live with or near a smoker, find a way to politely ask that they not smoke around you or your living spaces.
In order to minimize the chance of an asthma attack, be sure to keep your living area very clean, most definitely the bedroom area. Only eat in the kitchen, and never let anyone smoke inside the house. Don’t use strong cleaners or bleach and air out the house immediately following cleaning.
If you are using a vaporizer or humidifier, you should thoroughly clean it prior to use. Bacteria can breed inside of the machine due to the moisture, which can exaggerate your allergies or asthma.
Your asthma medication may need to be adjusted if you become ill. The effects of an illness can cause the severity of your asthma to temporarily increase, which necessitates a change in treatment. Your doctor may choose to also add an additional treatment until the illness gets better.
If you are having an asthma attack, it is crucial that you remain calm. Use the inhaler, pause for 30 seconds then use it again. If your attack continues to worsen, seek help. Gesture to someone to call 911 if you can’t speak, or have them drive you to the nearest hospital. Try to breathe into a paper bag so that you can calm your breathing when you’re on the way.
If you are asthmatic, it may be a good idea to use a pillow that is not filled with feathers. Pillow feathers force the lungs to work harder and can exacerbate asthma problems. The same rule holds true for bedding. Choose sheets and a comforter that are constructed from materials known for being hypoallergenic.
Ensure that you set up regular appointments with your physician every several months in order to be updated on your condition. Your doctor can check to see if your condition has changed, and if it has, update your treatment plan. It is important that you keep these appointments so that your doctor is able to keep you healthy.
You should know how to live with asthma if you suffer from it. As you learn more about asthma and how to handle it, it will lessen the burden it places on your life. Fortunately, medical science has discovered much regarding asthma, and the information here can get you started towards better management and clearer understanding of this affliction.
If you are going to be painting in your house, wear a mask, as it will protect you from harmful fumes. Not surprisingly, paint fumes are a known irritant for asthma. Specially designed masks can filter out these fumes. Refrain from using any substance or chemical that aggravate your asthma.