Do you suffer with asthma but don’t know a lot about the subject? You’re not the only one. Although many people are interested in learning about asthma, they are not sure where to get it from. The information and knowledge you are going to learn in the following paragraphs regarding asthma might just catch you off guard.
If you are an asthmatic, it is vital that you never smoke, and if you already do, you should quit as soon as possible. Smoking is bad in general for everyone, but it is particularly worse for asthma suffers because it decreases the amount of oxygen in the lungs, putting you at higher risk for asthma attacks.
If you are afficted with asthma, it is critical to quit smoking and avoid the use of any other tobacco products. Smoking isn’t good for anyone, but it’s worse for those with asthma. It cuts off the oxygen supply that your lungs need to function properly to keep away the asthma attacks.
It is important that you try to stay clear of cleaning products if you have asthma. Asthma sufferers are often sensitive to chemical cleaners; using these products can sometimes trigger asthma attacks. 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.
Cleaning products can trigger an asthma attack, so try to keep your exposure to them to a minimum. A lot of agents in cleaners tend to trigger asthma attacks and symptoms. If you clean the home, there are many natural products that are safe to use.
Avoid exposing yourself to any of your known asthma triggers. Perhaps you have allergies or are sensitive to dust and pollen. Some people get attacks after being physically active. Know your asthma causes so you can avoid putting yourself in a situation where you may suffer from an attack.
If you have asthma, you need to avoid any kind of tobacco smoke. Asthma creates breathing problems by constricting airways, and cigarette smoking only exacerbates the problem. Avoid breathing chemical fumes and vapors. This can cause an asthma attack, and you may be unable to bring it under control. You should give up on the smokes if you have asthma and also make sure to avoid other people who are smoking.
During an attack that isn’t severe, force all air from your lungs. Force air out of your lungs with quick, powerful exhalations. It can’t be said too strongly: you must force the air out! Follow this by breathing in three times quickly, and a fourth time deeply to ensure your lungs are filled to capacity, then exhale again as forcefully as possible. Using this strategy provides your breathing with a rhythm that forces you to focus on it. It will also help to get the air to come out of the lungs so more can come in. It may cause you to cough or even generate sputum, but that’s fine, you goal is for your breathing to get back to normal.
If you find yourself in a room that is dusty, don’t turn on any kind of fan. This will move all the dust around, and can easily trigger an asthma attack. On smog-free, low pollen days, open your windows to improve airflow in the house.
Make certain that you and your loved ones receive annual flu shots. If you are afflicted with asthma, avoid getting any infections if possible. This means you should also be sure to wash your hands frequently and get vaccinated.
If your asthma attacks are severe, you may want to speak with your doctor about a long lasting injection of medication to control your symptoms. Omalizumab is an antibody medication that is used to control these allergic reaction symptoms and may be recommended by your allergist.
Keep your home free of dust and other triggers, especially where the person who suffers from asthma sleeps. Also, you should keep food confined to the kitchen, and opt to smoke outdoors only. Harsh chemicals, like bleach and ammonia, can trigger asthma.
Make sure that you and your loved ones get a flu vaccination yearly. Try to avoid getting any respiratory infections if you have asthma. Precautions include washing your hands and staying current with vaccinations.
When you travel, your rescue medication should be with you all the time. Traveling tends to put extra stain on the body, and you’re more susceptible to your asthma triggers under these conditions. You also have little control over your surroundings as you travel, and this may result in an increase in symptoms or frequency of attacks.
You might want to purchase a dehumidifier to use at home if you have asthma. Lowering humidity will reduce the amount of dust mites in your home, and help your asthma improve. Try running a dehumidifier to dry up the air in your home.
Mold and mildew thrive in homes with high humidity levels. These substances are prime triggers for asthma attacks. Keeping a home dry and mold-free is important. When you are using a heater in winter time, you can run a dehumidifier for help controlling humidity. In the summer, running your air conditioner will allow you to keep your humidity down.
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 illnesses have side effects that could cause your asthma to flare up so badly that you need to have an increase in treatment. Your physician might also work an additional treatment into your therapy until such time as you are healthier.
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 usually treated with an everyday medication that is sometimes supplemented with an emergency treatment, like an inhaler. Asthma is an illness that is chronic in nature, so it is imperative to take the management medicine as directed and only using the rescue inhaler when necessary.
If you suffer from asthma, it’s best to avoid pillows full of feathers. Feathers can aggravate symptoms of asthma and lower lung function. The same reasoning applies to all bedding – only purchase bed sheets and comforters that are manufactured from hypoallergenic materials.
If you are traveling by plane and taking along your asthma medications, make sure to have with you any written doctors prescriptions, especially when carrying some large asthma equipment like a nebulizer. Without a written prescription stating that the item is medically necessary, you may experience frustration and delays at security checkpoints.
Regardless of whether your asthma has been flaring up, don’t neglect routine checkups. It is important to make sure your condition isn’t worsening, and your doctor may want to prescribe a different medication.
If you have asthma, clean your floors with a wet mop, instead of sweeping with a traditional broom. When you sweep, you are stirring up asthma triggers that can cause you to have an asthma attack. A damp rag should be used when dusting because a feather duster can cause dust to kick up and lead to an asthma attack.
It is important to know the proper way to use asthma medication, especially the medication that is used in an emergency. Asthma typically is treated so that the sufferer has a regular maintenance medication, but is also prescribed a rescue medication, like an inhaler. Asthma is a serious, chronic health condition, and it’s vital that you take medicine to manage the disease properly and use the rescue medications as directed.
Bed linens often trap allergens, dust, pollen and other things that can aggravate asthma. You can avoid this by making sure to wash your bed linens in hot water at least once a week. If there are always fresh linens on your bed, you are much more likely to sleep restfully without unexpected asthma attacks.
Consult with more than one physician. It’s true your primary doctor should be your main source for all your asthma help, but it may be wise to see one or two asthma specialists. You’ll want to visit an asthma center, or consult with a pulmonologist to get additional help improving your lung function. In addition, you should get tested for allergies so that you can avoid allergic reactions that trigger asthma attacks.
Consult with multiple doctors. It’s true your primary doctor should be your main source for all your asthma help, but it may be wise to see one or two asthma specialists. Allergists, asthma centers, pulmonologists, and even nutritionists can work with you to make sure you are taking advantage of all avenues of treatment.
If you are suffering from an asthma attack, try to remain calm and do not panic. Locate your inhaler, inhale deeply with the spray, and allow 30 seconds to pass before you reuse it. If the attack gets worse doesn’t get better, then get help immediately. Go to the emergency room, or call an ambulance if it’s extreme. Breathe into a paper bag, which will reduce your breathing rate during the trip.
Don’t use a humidifier unless it’s been cleaned thoroughly if you suffer from asthma or allergies. The moist environment of a humidifier can become a breeding ground for bacteria, which can irritate allergies or trigger an asthma attack.
Being curious about your asthma is key in becoming a part of your treatment team. What you’ve learned here can be applied in your life, helping to control your disease and keep stress at a minimum. Put the points from the preceding paragraphs into play, and you are sure to find that living with asthma is quite tolerable and manageable.
If you experience an asthma attack, stay calm. Use your inhaler, wait 30 seconds and use it again. If your attack continues to worsen, seek help. Have someone drive you directly to the hospital or call an ambulance for you. Breathe into a paper bag for assistance in slowing your breathing during the trip to the hospital.