Living with asthma poses a unique set of challenges, many of which can be overcome with proper management techniques, leading to the resumption of a healthy and active lifestyle. You have many options for treating your asthma and not letting it hinder your life. The following tips will make it easier to manage your asthma.
Figure out what type of asthma you are suffering with. Being fully informed about the specific type of asthma you have is very important. For example, if your asthma is brought on by bronchitis, you should keep your rescue inhaler with you during times when you are sick. Learn what activities trigger your symptoms, and prepare accordingly so that you’re never caught without your inhaler during an asthma attack.
If you have an asthmatic child, do not allow anyone to smoke around him. Secondhand smoke is known to be a reason asthma happens. You should also make sure your child is never in an environment where other people are smoking.
Second hand smoke can cause asthma to develop in children, and can trigger an asthma attack if they already suffer from asthma. Secondhand smoke is one of the leading culprits that causes asthma. You also need to be sure that your child isn’t around those that choose to smoke.
Be careful of chemical cleaners if you are asthmatic. A lot chemicals that are in these items can set off an asthma attack or aggravate other symptoms. There are many natural alternatives you can use to clean your home, instead of using harsh chemicals.
Asthmatics should not smoke. If you smoke – quit immediately. 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.
Prescriptions and over-the-counter medications can actually trigger an asthma attack. Some NSAIDs and aspirin might do this. Beta blockers, such as those used to control high blood pressure or heart disease may also have this effect. If you suffer from any of these conditions along with your asthma, make sure you tell your doctor.
If you are experiencing a moderately severe attack, try to first exhale completely. Exhale quickly and with power. Forcefully push the air out from your lungs. Take three short breaths, then one last deep breath to ensure your lungs have enough air, then forcefully breath out. This will force you to pay careful attention to all of your breaths. This technique also forces the air from your lungs to enable more air to come in. It is okay to cough, even to generate sputum. Your ultimate goal is getting your breathing regulated.
Asthma is an ongoing disease and requires ongoing health management. Always be very sure that you’re taking the right type of medication for your condition if you hope to control it. It’s also important to have a quick-relief medication available. A variety of options are available for the treatment of asthmatic attacks. Consult your doctor and an allergist.
Avoid using a fan in any room that has excessive dust. The fan will circulate the dust along with the air, which can cause it to get into your lungs and make your asthma worse. On smog-free, low pollen days, open your windows to improve airflow in the house.
If you suffer from asthma and allergy attacks, ask your doctor for a long-lasting allergy injection. Ask your allergist about omalizumab, an antibody drug that can reduce the severity of asthma symptoms and the frequency of attacks.
An annual flu vaccination is highly recommended for yourself and your family. Asthma patients should try their best to avoid getting respiratory infections. This includes taking standard precautions against illness, like hand washing, as well as getting vaccinations that can keep you from getting sick.
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If you are an asthma sufferer, be sure to get the recommended daily dose of Vitamins C and E. These vitamins can help improve your lung function, ultimately controlling asthma. Many foods have these vitamins in abundance, but you can also use a supplemental pill. The vitamins can help to boost the immune system, which will help you to stay healthy and less ill, which means you will have less asthma attacks.
Talk to a social worker if you have asthma and no health insurance. Asthma medications are a necessity, and a social worker can help you find an affordable way to keep your prescriptions current.
IF you have asthma, you should consider buying a dehumidifier. Reducing the amount of humidity in your home reduces the number of dust mites, which in turn reduces the chances of your asthma flaring up. Air is kept dry by dehumidifiers by sucking the humidity out of it.
Asthma sufferers should take Vitamins E and C. They help to increase the function of the lungs and control the overall symptoms of asthma. These vitamins can be easily obtained, either through your diet or a supplement. The vitamins can help to boost the immune system, which will help you to stay healthy and less ill, which means you will have less asthma attacks.
Receiving a flu shot annually is very important if you or a loved one are asthmatic. This annual flu shot will prevent infectious damage to your lungs.
Be sure not to smoke as well as stay away from any smokers in general, this can be very harmful for you if you have asthma. When tobacco smoke is inhaled, especially in closed-in areas, your lung function can be drastically decreased, which can increase your chances of suffering from an attack.
Monitor how many times, on a weekly basis, you are using your rescue inhaler. Your medication may need to be adjusted or an alternative treatment considered if you find that you need to use it 3 or more times per week. Counting how many times you reach for your inhaler can be a good aid to remind you of what environments you need to control and what else you may need to manage.
Stand ready for a boost to your asthma treatment should you suffer from illnesses like colds or hay fever. Side effects that are associated with most illnesses can serve as triggers for asthma and may cause an increase in your asthma treatment. Your doctor might add additional medication until your sickness gets better.
Dust and other allergens often accumulate in bed sheets. Clean your linen and pillow case every week to prevent asthma attacks. Fresh linens, washed regularly, can ensure you breathe better as you sleep.
If you have asthma, you should get a flu shot once per year. Stave off these infections immediately by getting your vaccinations yearly.
When pollen counts are high, people who have asthma should stay inside. Even though asthma is not technically an allergy, those who suffer from allergies often find their condition is exacerbated by the same irritants and triggers that those afflicted with asthma are affected by as well. Now that local air quality information is available in most areas, asthma sufferers can minimize their outdoor exposure when potential irritants are in the air.
If you suffer from asthma, it’s best to avoid pillows full of feathers. The feathers from a pillow can cause asthma symptoms and decrease your lung function. The same rule holds true for bedding. Choose sheets and a comforter that are constructed from materials known for being hypoallergenic.
It is important to keep away from humidifiers that have not been sanitized if you suffer from asthma or allergies. Bacteria breeds in moist environments and can build up in dirty machines, pumping allergens into the air.
If you are traveling by plane and must bring inhalers or nebulizers on board, you should bring a written prescription for the equipment. Having proof in writing from a doctor that states the item is a medical necessity can eliminate security hassles.
If you frequently use your inhaler (more than two to three times per week), you should talk to your doctor about alternative methods of treatment or a different prescription. If that’s the case, the medication in the inhaler isn’t working right. This also applies to anyone who needs to refill their inhaler more than two times in a single year.
You can use the preventative inhaler daily, but know that it can cause mouth infections near your gums and teeth. You can prevent this by brushing your teeth and gargling immediately following the use of your inhaler.
Joining a support group, or finding friends with a similar condition, can help you. They can help you with advice on what you can do in some situations, and they can also help you with information on how to to fight your asthma. Having support from other people in the same situation as you are is an amazing help to your treatment and state of mind.
Now you know that there are many ways to treat and prevent asthma attacks and keep it from hindering your life. Asthma doesn’t mean the end of the world, so it you could create a plan in which you can live with asthma in a good way, you will experience a more fulfilling life.
Asthma may be caused by environmental factors, genetics, or possibly both. If anyone in your family suffers from asthma, beware of any symptoms that are suggestive of asthma in you or your children. 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.