The millions of people who are dealing with asthma may have a hard time doing the most simple things. Luckily, there are many ways to treat asthma today that can make this fear a thing of the past. This selection of tips for managing asthma is sure to leave you more informed and aware of this respiratory condition.
If you’re suffering from an asthma attack that’s moderate or mild, then work to force all the air you can from your lungs. Blow your breath out as hard and fast as you can. It can’t be said too strongly: you must force the air out! Inhale for three quick breaths, and then take one deep breath so that you can allow your lungs to fill with air, and then force the air out again. This establishes a regular pattern to your breathing routine, which means you have to pay attention to how you are breathing. This is a good way to empty your lungs and let more air 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.
There are some medications out there that you could be taking which will actually trigger your asthma symptoms. Aspirin and other NSAIDs are known to be asthma triggers. Beta blockers can also have this affect, as well as other medications for controlling high blood pressure and heart disease. If you have any of these conditions along with your asthma, make sure you tell your doctor.
Anyone suffering from asthma or asthma-like symptoms needs to stay clear of cigarette smoke, whether you smoke yourself, or even if you’re breathing secondhand smoke. Refrain from smoking! Inhaling the chemical-laden fumes and even the vapors from cigarettes can be extremely harmful. These can trigger a severe asthma attack that can be difficult to get under control. The minute you spot people smoking, immediately remove yourself from the area.
Though it should go without saying, do not turn on any fans or circulation systems when in a room containing visible dust that has yet to be cleaned. This could trigger an asthma attack because this will move the dust around. It would be better to just open a window if you are needing to get some airflow.
If you have asthma and cannot afford health insurance or have no eligibility, bring up your situation with a social worker. Asthma patients need their medications, and a social worker might be able to hook you up with programs to help you such as clinics and programs through pharmaceutical companies.
Make sure you are using your inhaler properly. Locate a quiet place, and follow the label to a tee. Proper use delivers the medication to your lungs. While inhaling air, spray the proper amount of inhalant into your mouth. Holding your breath for a minimum of 10 seconds gives the medicinal mist from the inhaler time to spread itself throughout your lungs.
Asthmatics should have a flu shot every year to prevent contracting a serious respiratory infection. If you are afflicted with asthma, avoid getting any infections if possible. This includes preventive measures against sickness, such as practicing good hygiene and getting all recommended vaccinations.
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. Organic products are preferable to more chemically loaded, commercially produced cleaning products.
If you use more than four cleaning products, you are increasing the risks of an asthma attack. Opt for organic cleaning products that do not contain irritating chemicals.
Asthma treatment dosages will need to be increased if you are sick with a cold or are dealing with hay fever. The side effects of many illnesses can flare up your asthma so bad that you have to have an increase in treatment. Your physician may even recommend that you take additional medication until you recover.
If you have asthma, avoid people who smoke. 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.
Make sure you get a flu shot each year if you have asthma or if your child does. Avoid a lot of these infections by getting vaccinated each year.
If you suffer from asthma, it is best to buy unscented products. Simple everyday things such as air fresheners, incense and perfume can cause indoor air pollution levels to increase and trigger an attack. An asthma sufferer’s airways can feel irritated by odors such as fresh paint or new carpeting. Keep the air inside as fresh as you can.
Those who have asthma should avoid down pillows. The feathers can make asthma worse and take away from your ability to breathe. The same reasoning applies to all bedding – only purchase bed sheets and comforters that are manufactured from hypoallergenic materials.
If you suffer from asthma, you should refrain from sleeping on a pillow that contains feathers. Feathers can aggravate symptoms of asthma and lower lung function. You should also look into hypoallergenic materials when buying sheets and a comforter.
Some of the major causes of asthma, and triggers for asthma attacks, can exist right in the home. These include dust, mold and spores. In order to remain healthy and lessen any chances of having an asthma attack, it is recommended you have your home inspected yearly to have these harmful triggers removed. Furthermore, thorough and frequent cleaning will ensure that allergens and other possible triggers do not accumulate in your home.
Protect yourself against breathing in cold air that aggravates your asthma by wearing a scarf that covers your nose and mouth. This way, the air will be warm before entering 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.
Rescue Medication
It is important to know the proper way to use asthma medication, especially the medication that is used in an emergency. Typically, asthma is treated using normal medications along with rescue medication, like an inhaler, for emergency situations. Because asthma has no cure, you must treat it carefully by taking your maintenance medication every day and using your emergency medication responsibly.
Know how to properly use asthma medicine, especially your rescue medication. Typical asthma treatment includes regular medicine supplemented by a rescue inhaler. Because asthma is a chronic condition, it is important to take management medication properly and to use rescue medication appropriately.
Asthma isn’t often something that pops up over night, but instead takes time to develop and the symptoms are slowly noticeable. There are lots of cases where people die of an asthma attack without knowing they had asthma. So, if you are having trouble coughing and breathing, talk to a doctor to see if you need treatment. You might receive a prescription to treat or prevent asthma.
Try using a inhaler that prevents asthma every day, but you should know that one of the side effects is mouth infections of teeth and gums. Brushing or gargling immediately after use can help reduce the risk of infection and other problems.
Monitor how often, per week, you find it necessary to use your inhaler. 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. How frequently you need to use the inhaler can help you recognize any environmental changes you need to make.
If you have asthma, clean your floors with a wet mop, instead of sweeping with a traditional broom. Sweeping can cause the rise of dust and dander, which may trigger an asthma attack. Dust will adhere to a wet towel instead of being loose in the air like feather dusters do where it can aggravate your asthma.
Smoke should always be avoided when you suffer from asthma. Smoke and chemicals have been known to trigger asthma attacks. The fumes from chemicals, or smoke from cigarettes, should be avoided at all costs. Any one of these things can aggravate asthma symptoms and cause an episode. If a person is smoking around you, politely ask him to smoke at times when you are somewhere else.
Asthma aggravation, such as dust and pollen, can collect in your bed sheets and pillowcases. A weekly wash cycle using hot water can eliminate these potential triggers for asthma attacks. Fresh bed linens, laundered on a regular basis, will keep you breathing clearly and easily at night while you slumber.
See a specialist. The first place to consider visiting is your main doctor, but they might also be able to recommend a specialist. Pulmonologists, allergists, asthma centers and nutritionists can help you take advantage of the many treatments available to those with asthma.
Avoid Smoking
Knowing the correct way to use an inhaler is essential. It isn’t as simple as spraying your mouth with it and lightly inhaling air. Every time you spray the inhaler, deeply inhale for a couple seconds. Failing to do so will mean that the medicine will not be able to help open up your breathing.
Avoid smoking. People know that smoking is dangerous, but it is even more dangerous to those with asthma. Asthmatic lungs are extremely sensitive, and should not be exposed to smoke. Someone who has asthma should not only avoid smoking, but should also try to avoid being exposed to people smoking in their vicinity.
Learn everything you can about your condition. The more you know about asthma, the more proactive a treatment you can devise for yourself. Keep up with trends and new treatment methods, and ensure that the medical professionals on your team are working hard to help you. Make sure to explore new and different options to keep the symptoms of your condition under control.
Any time that pollen counts go up, anyone suffering from asthma would be wise to keep their outdoors time to a minimum. Although asthma is not an allergy, many of the same irritants that trouble allergy sufferers affect asthma sufferers too. Air quality levels for specific pollutants are now readily available and it is possible to use this information to limit exposure on high level days.
Asthmatics should always wear a mask when dealing with the harsh chemicals in fresh paint. The fumes from paint are very irritating to the lungs of asthma sufferers, but a mask goes a long way towards filtering out these irritants. Avoid substances and chemicals which can worsen your asthma.
Now that you are aware of some simple asthma facts, you should have an idea on how to manage the respiratory problems associated with asthma, and make you more confident to take care of this issue. Whether this advice will be applied to you or to someone you care for, take comfort in the fact that despite being diagnosed with asthma there are many treatments available to help lead a normal and fulfilling life.
Make sure you consume more foods with vitamin B6. Vitamin B6, aka pyridoxine, is found to reduce asthma attack frequency in a lot of studies. It seems to work by producing molecular elements that aid it relaxing the tissues of your bronchial system. Bananas are an easily accessible source of vitamin B6.