There is nothing like suffering an asthma attack to remind you how much it interferes with your daily life activities. However, if you know how to deal with the asthma, you can improve your quality of life drastically. Read further to gain some insightful tips on ways to handle asthma.
It is vital that neither you, nor anyone else, smoke around a child with asthma. Secondhand smoke is a huge health risk and directly plays a role in why people develop asthma. Never allow anyone to smoke around your child, and teach them not to smoke as an adult themselves.
Be aware of certain medications that can lead to asthma problems. Believe it or not, something as seemingly innocuous as aspirin can actually trigger symptoms. Beta blockers, such as those used to control high blood pressure or heart disease may also have this effect. Let your doctor know about your asthma and what prescriptions you’re taking.
Smoking is a horrible habit, even deadly, for an asthma sufferer. Smoking is bad for everyone, but it’s particularly dangerous for an asthma sufferer, as it cuts off vital oxygen to the lungs.
Asthma Attack
It is imperative that you do your best to avoid cleaning chemicals if you are asthmatic. Cleaning products may contain chemicals which can trigger an asthmatic episode, such as ammonia. There are many all-natural organic cleaning products available that may help eliminate asthmatic problems.
Any type of smoke can bring on a serious asthma attack. This cannot be emphasized enough: Stay away from cigarette smoke! Air pollution and fumes from harsh chemicals also increase asthma symptoms. This can cause an asthma attack, and you may be unable to bring it under control. If you are around people who smoke, leave the area very fast.
If allergens are causing you to suffer from frequent asthma attacks that are moderate to severe, there is an injectable medication that can provide you with long-term relief. An antibody medicine known as omalizumab is very effective at countering asthma attacks related to allergies. Ask your allergist about it.
When struggling with asthma, consider using a leukotriene inhibitor. These work by preventing the formation of leukotrienes. Leukotrienes are molecules that cause the tracheal muscles to contract; having too many leukotrienes makes asthma attacks more likely. Get the inhibitor to prevent the leukotrienes, and your asthma attacks may drop in number.
It’s been proven that you should use no more than four cleaning products in the home. If you do it can increase the risk of asthma attacks. Try using organic cleaning products that are not comprised of irritating chemicals.
If you have asthma that is not covered by health insurance, contact someone in a government agency, like a social worker. Having the financial ability to purchase your asthma medications is essential, and a social worker can help you locate a hospital or clinic that can provide you with these medications for free or at a significantly reduced rate.
Hay fever and colds can worsen asthma symptoms so prepare to need increased treatments. Adjusting your medication may be necessary to manage the symptoms of these and other illnesses. It is possible that your doctor will decide to modify your treatment, or even add additional treatments, until you are back on your feet.
Keep your home dust-free and get rid of any carpet in your house to help prevent asthma attacks, especially in a bedroom. Food should only be eaten in the kitchen area, and whatever you do, please don’t smoke. Don’t use strong cleaners or bleach and air out the house immediately following cleaning.
If you are dealing with asthma, a good idea is to use a pillow without feathers. Pillow feathers are known to worsen asthma and affect the lungs. It is also advisable to use hypoallergenic sheets and comforters for the same reason.
Be aware that your asthma medication may need to be adjusted if you are suffering from a cold, flu or hay fever. Many illnesses have side effects which can cause your asthma to get much worse, leading your doctor to increase treatment. The doctor may choose to pursue additional treatment options during your illness as well.
Join a support group, online or in “real life”, to find help from your peers. Asthma can be quite debilitating, especially if the asthma is severe, and this condition can interfere with daily life. A support group also makes it easier to keep up to date on advancements in asthma science or new medications that come on the market.
If you suffer from asthma, consider using a feather-free pillow to sleep. Pillow feathers force the lungs to work harder and can exacerbate asthma problems. This applies to bedding, as well, so it’s best to make sure that everything on your bed is hypoallergenic.
It is essential that you learn the proper ways to use all of your asthma medications, especially those used in rescue situations. Asthma typically is treated so that the sufferer has a regular maintenance medication, but is also prescribed a rescue medication, like an inhaler. Asthma doesn’t go away, so it’s important to be vigilant about taking your daily medication and using your rescue inhaler when an attack occurs.
Don’t miss your appointment for an asthma checkup simply because you aren’t currently having any problems with your condition. You cannot be certain when you will next have an issue with your asthma, or when there may be a better medication available to utilize for your condition.
Asthma is a medical condition that tends to slowly develop over time, and the symptoms are not always that obvious. There are many cases where people have died from their first asthma attack, without even being aware that they were at risk. If you find yourself with a constant cough or have trouble breathing, consult your doctor, so he can tell you if you have asthma and if you need medication. He might even have suggestions on how to prevent it from worsening.
If you need to travel with your asthma medication, particularly if you plan on bringing a nebulizer or other large equipment, it can be helpful to obtain a letter from your doctor explaining their use. If you’ve got written proof, it’ll save you a lot of hassle when you’re at a security check.
If you are taking an airplane and you need to travel with your asthma apparatus or medications, bring your written prescription with you. Having written proof that the item in question is in fact medically necessary can cut down on hassles at the security check.
During the week, you should take note each time your rescue inhaler is used. Using it two times or may may mean that your asthma is not as controlled as you may think it is. It could also mean that something else is bringing on these frequent attacks. Focusing on how often you need your inhaler makes you aware of when you need to make changes to your plan for keeping asthma under control.
Inhalers are important to use every day, but be aware that inhalers have been known to cause infections near the teeth and gums. To avoid those complications, be sure to brush teeth, gargle, and rinse mouth completely right after you have used the inhaler.
Being around animals should be avoided. While asthma can be triggered from an animal hair allergy, those free of these allergies can have an attack by the pollen and dust that the animals carry.
Anytime you clean your house or apartment, wet mopping is superior to sweeping. The action of sweeping can swirl up a whole cloud of asthma-triggering particles. A damp rag should be used when dusting because a feather duster can cause dust to kick up and lead to an asthma attack.
Get a second opinion. 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. Some specialists to consider visiting are those who deal directly with allergies or nutrition. This is a great way to attack asthma from all angles.
Asthma sufferers should minimize their contact with animals and pets. Having an allergy to dander or animal hair could be possible asthma complications, even sufferers free of these kinds of allergies could still have an asthma attack that is caused by pollen and dust animals seem to carry around with them.
Do not smoke. If you have asthma, you could have serious health complications from smoking. Smoke is very irritating to sensitive lungs, so take care not to smoke or be around others who are.
Dust and other allergens often accumulate in bed sheets. The easiest way to get rid of these triggering agents is by washing all of your bedding using your washer’s hot setting every Sunday. These fresh, regularly washed linens can help you breathe easier when sleeping.
If you find it necessary to use an inhaler more than two times a week, you should talk to your doctor about changing your medication. Frequent use may be a signal that the medication is not effective. Also, if you have to refill your inhaler more than twice in one year, then a visit to the doctor for a medication change is also in order.
See a specialist. You want to see your primary doctor for asthma help, though you should also see some specialists. Asthma doctors, allergists, and pulmiologists are the people who you want to consult with to help with asthma.
All asthma sufferers must be able to handle it. When you learn more about asthma, it is much easier to deal with. Thankfully, we have learned much about asthma, and the advice given in this article is sure to help improve your quality of life.
Remain calm if you do happen to come under an asthma attack. Wait half a minute and try the inhaler one more time. If you feel your ashtma attack worsening, get immediate help. Get someone to call an ambulance or get you to a hospital. To calm yourself on the drive, bring a paper bag and breathe into it, as this will slow your breathing.