Do your research to learn about asthma symptoms, treatments and the various medications used to treat this chronic disease. You are not isolated with your health issues. A lot of people want to learn more about asthma; however, they do not know how to go about it. The asthma information you’ll find in this article may be a surprise to you.
People afflicted by asthma should make it a priority to always avoid exposure to smoke, vapors and fumes. Stay away from jobs that would expose you to toxic or heavy vapors, and refrain from any tobacco use.
You should avoid smoking at all costs and being exposed to vapors and perfumes if you suffer from asthma. Because of this, you should avoid any kind of tobacco smoke and take any job that you want to apply for into consideration; factories could expose you to a variety of smoke, vapors and dust.
If you have an asthmatic child, do not allow anyone to smoke around him. Secondhand smoke is a trigger for asthma attacks, not to mention the myriad of other diseases it can cause. Ensure that your child is not around other people that smoke, either.
Cleaning Products
There are medications that can unknowingly cause asthma-like symptoms. Believe it or not, something as seemingly innocuous as aspirin can actually trigger symptoms. Common medications used for controlling high blood pressure often times contain beta blockers, which asthmatics may be more sensitive to. If you suffer from asthma, be sure that your medical professional is aware of this.
If you suffer from asthma, stay away from the fumes of household cleaning products. Many of the chemicals in cleaning products can trigger asthma symptoms or attacks. If you’re the one that cleans your home, try organic or natural cleaning solutions that are much less risky to your health.
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. Never smoke yourself! Never breathe in chemical fumes or vapors. This could trigger a serious asthma attack, and you may have trouble preventing it from happening. If others are smoking nearby, leave that area as quickly as you can.
Avoid exposing yourself to any of your known asthma triggers. This can vary from person to person, as small particles like dust can cause asthma attacks. Some people get attacks after being physically active. Try to see what cause your asthma so that you can avoid it.
If you suffer from asthma and you are not eligible for health insurance, speak with 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.
Never take medications without getting your doctor’s approval so you don’t wind up taking one that has a side effect of exacerbating asthma.. Some NSAIDs and aspirins will do this for you. Some medications for blood pressure and heart disease – those referred to as beta blockers – can also exacerbate asthma problems. It is important to let your doctor know if you suffer from asthma together with any of these conditions.
Get annual flu vaccinations for your entire family. If you suffer from asthma, it is best to avoid respiratory infections of any type as much as possible. Common method of avoiding illnesses can be very effective. Keep your vaccinations up to date and wash your hands frequently.
As a chronic disease, asthma must be managed continuously. Be sure you are practicing proper self-care, and make sure you have your inhaler ready to go in case you suffer a full-blown attack. To determine the best options for you personally, consult your physician and an allergist.
A dehumidifier can significantly reduce the asthma attacks experienced by you or other afflicted members of your household. A reduction in humidity will also lessen the amount of dust mites in your home. This lessens the chance of an asthma flare up. Dehumidifiers cause the air in your home to become dry, which means less humidity.
Exhale as hard as you can during an asthma attack. If you can’t breathe at all, go to the hospital; however, controlling your exhalation rate can sometimes help stop a less severe attack. Exhale hard and fast. Really force that air out of your lungs! Inhale in three short breaths and one fourth deeper breath so that your lungs are comfortably full of air, then exhale forcefully again. The breathing rhythm that you create by doing this will cause you to be aware of every breath you take. It also helps to push air out from your lungs so new air can come back in. This breathing technique may cause some coughing or sputum, but it can help regulate your breathing and reduce the attack.
If you have asthma, try to avoid smokers, even if you do not smoke. When you breathe in smoke, particularly in an enclosed area, your lungs cannot function as well, and it increases your risk of having an asthma attack.
Never use a fan in a dirty, dust-filled room. Otherwise, the dust will fly into the air and could give you an attack. If you feel you need airflow, open a window instead.
Lower the chances of asthma attacks by keeping a spotless home, particularly in the areas where you sleep. Do not allow smoking in your house, and keep food in your kitchen. Harsh chemicals, like bleach and ammonia, can trigger asthma.
Injections are available to people who suffer from asthma related to allergies, to help give them some long term relief. One antibody medication available is called Omalizumab and can be prescribed by your doctor or allergist.
Understand what things make your asthma flare and avoid these things or manage the symptoms. The majority of asthma sufferers suffer attacks when exposed to some common trigger, including allergens or cigarette smoke. When it is possible avoid substances that make you have symptoms or attacks.
Leukotriene Inhibitor
Mold and mildew can grow in your home where there is humidity. These can very easily cause an attack. Therefore, you should always strive to maintain a dry home. During winter, use a device to dehumidify in the winter, and air condition in the summer.
When struggling with asthma, consider using a leukotriene inhibitor. A leukotriene inhibitor helps to prevent leukotrienes. Leukotrienes are molecules that cause the tracheal muscles to contract; having too many leukotrienes makes asthma attacks more likely. Leukotriene is an oral therapy for the treatment of asthma, but it is not as effective as inhaled corticosteroids.
During cold, winter months, asthma sufferers should wear a shawl, muffler, or scarf that will cover both their nose and mouth. You can help warm the air with these things before they bring any harm to your lungs. Breathing in cold air tends to start asthma attacks, especially with younger children that have severe or moderate asthma.
Make sure you are using your inhaler properly. An inhaler is most effective if used in a relaxed location and according to the maker’s instructions. The inhaler only can help if it’s medicine reaches the lungs. Inhale deeply and spray the correct dose into your mouth. Hold your breath for at least 10 seconds to allow the medicated mist to fill your lungs.
Use a mop that’s wet to clean your floors instead of a broom. An asthma attack is one possible outcome of a sweeping session that fills the air around you with allergens and dust. Dust will adhere to a wet towel instead of being loose in the air like feather dusters do where it can aggravate your asthma.
As stated above, plenty of asthma sufferers want to learn more about their condition. Hopefully this article has provided you with some very useful advice that both explains, and advises on the intricacies of asthma. Put these tips to use and you could find that the asthma just fades into the background and becomes a normal part of your routine!
If you have asthma consider staying away from pets or animals. Some asthma sufferers are allergic to animal fur or dander on top of their asthma, but even those who don’t have such an allergy can bring on an attack if they breathe in too much of these irritants.