Some tasks that seem unremarkable to ordinary people can be terribly challenging to those people, young and old, who have an asthma condition to deal with. Thankfully, there are a wide array of ways to treat asthma so you do not have to fear living every day life. These specially selected tips can help you become more aware of your condition, and help you stay informed.
Keep clear of anything that you know to be a trigger for your asthma. For some, allergens such as dust and pollen can trigger an attack. Or, you may need to avoid certain activities that overexert your body. Determine what sets your asthma off so you can stay away from these things.
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 unhealthy for anyone, regardless of their health; however, when you have asthma, smoking restricts the oxygen your lungs needs to breathe and function properly. If your lung function is affected, you run the risk of having more frequent attacks.
Because asthma is a continuing condition, you have to continually manage your health. 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. Consult with your physician and allergist to find out what is best for you.
Asthma is not a curable disease and will require life-long health management. Your doctor may prescribe medications that must be taken daily. In addition, you will likely have medication to take in the event of an attack. Talk to your doctor and allergist to see what is the best idea for you.
Cigarette smoke and asthma do not mix. Refrain from smoking! Avoid all fumes of chemical products or breathing harmful vapors. Inhaling these substances may trigger an unstoppable asthma attack. Never visit a home or establishment where people will be smoking, and if people start to smoke, walk out.
Cigarette Smoke
Avoid using a fan in any room that has excessive dust. Otherwise, the dust will fly into the air and could give you an attack. Open a window to bring clean, cool air inside instead.
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. You should not smoke yourself! Avoid breathing in vapors from smoke or other chemical-type fumes. Doing so can cause an asthma attack you might not have the ability to stop. Do everything you can to avoid cigarette smoke, air pollution, allergens and harsh chemical fumes to keep your asthma symptoms under control.
When you are dealing with asthma, try getting a lekotriene inhibitor. A leukotriene inhibitor prevents the formation of leukotrienes. The chemical leukotriene is a common cause of inflammation in the lungs which in turn, can trigger asthma attacks. Leukotriene is an oral therapy for the treatment of asthma, but it is not as effective as inhaled corticosteroids.
If you find yourself in a room that is dusty, don’t turn on any kind of fan. Otherwise, the dust will fly into the air and could give you an attack. Open a window instead to get the air flowing.
Make proper use of your inhaler. Find a comfy spot, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The inhaler can only help you if the medication actually reaches the lungs. Spray the required dosage into your mouth while inhaling air. Holding your breath for a minimum of 10 seconds gives the medicinal mist from the inhaler time to spread itself throughout your lungs.
Utilize the inhaler correctly. Move to a quiet area, and then simply follow manufacturer’s instructions. You can inhale all you want, but it’s useless if the medication doesn’t make it to your lungs. Spray the required dosage into your mouth while inhaling air. Hold your breath for at least 10 seconds to allow the medicated mist to fill your lungs.
Be sure you and your family members get a yearly flu vaccination. If you have asthma, it’s important to prevent all respiratory infections, if at all possible. Take standard precautions against any kind of illness, and start washing those hands and getting vaccinations that will protect you from getting very sick.
Make sure that everyone in your family gets their flu shot. Respiratory infections can seriously hurt those who suffer from asthma, so take measures to avoid contracting them. Take standard precautions against any kind of illness, and start washing those hands and getting vaccinations that will protect you from getting very sick.
You will need to keep your residence really clean, especially the bedroom where the asthma sufferer sleeps in order to help lessen the chances of an attack. Food should be eaten only in the kitchen or dining room, and cigarettes are best relegated to outdoor smoking areas. Let in plenty of fresh air if the weather permits, and avoid using harsh chemicals to bleach.
If you have asthma, avoid people who smoke. When you breathe in smoke, especially in small spaces, it diminishes breathing ability, which greatly increases the probability of an asthma attack.
If you have hay fever or a cold, you will probably need increased treatment of your asthma. Treatment may be increased in these cases as many illnesses have side effects that can cause flare ups in your asthma. Your doctor may also add another treatment to your regimen until your illness gets better.
To minimize the chances of triggering a bout of asthma, keep your house extra clean, particularly rooms where asthma patients sleep. Never allow anyone to smoke in the home of an asthmatic, and consider using plastic to cover your mattress and pillows. Don’t use bleach or harsh chemicals inside, and air out the house as much as possible after cleaning.
Regular flu shots are important if you or one of your children suffer from asthma. Avoid a lot of these infections by getting vaccinated each year.
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. The effects of an illness can cause the severity of your asthma to temporarily increase, which necessitates a change in treatment. It is possible that your doctor will decide to modify your treatment, or even add additional treatments, until you are back on your feet.
Even if your asthma seems like it is under control, always keep your asthma appointments with the doctor. Your doctor may be able to prescribe more effective treatments and you may be suffering symptoms you’re not aware are related to your asthma.
You must have regular asthma reviews, even if you are not having any problems. Your doctor may be able to prescribe more effective treatments and you may be suffering symptoms you’re not aware are related to your asthma.
A lot of the main causes, and triggers, of asthma may exist right in your home. Some triggers include spores, dust and mold. If you want to prevent and manage these sources of asthma attacks, have regular home inspections by a professional, and get identified harming agents cleaned out. Conscientious house-cleaning can help prevent buildup of substances in your home that might trigger an asthma attack.
Mold and mildew thrive in homes with high humidity levels. These substances are prime triggers for asthma attacks. Therefore, try and keep the home dry. One way to control the humidity in the house is to employ a dehumidifier to pull out the excess moisture.
If your home is damp, it can encourage the growth of mildew and mold. These substances are prime triggers for asthma attacks. It is best if you keep the air in your home as dry as possible. When you use the heater in the winter, be sure to have a dehumidifier control the humidity in your home. During the summer time, be sure to use the air conditioner to maintain a dry home.
Find out how you are supposed to use your asthma medication and rescue treatments. Asthma is typically treated with a regular medication supplemented by rescue medicine, such as 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.
Making mouth and nose coverings such as mufflers, shawls or scarves a routine part of your winter wardrobe can help you ward off asthma attacks. This lets the air warm slightly before you breathe it in. Breathing cold air triggers your asthma attacks, particularly in young kids with bad asthma.
Asthma is a disease that can develop slowly over time, making it sometimes difficult to spot the symptoms. There are some cases reported that were so severe that a person died from one asthma attack when they didn’t even know they were considered at risk. Therefore, if you have trouble breathing or a constant cough, you may want to seek a medical professional to determine if you have asthma. Your physician can also determine whether you need medication for either asthma prevention or asthma treatment.
Make sure you understand the correct way to use your asthma medication, especially any rescue medication. Typical asthma treatment includes regular medicine supplemented by a rescue inhaler. Because you will have asthma for the rest of your life, it is important that you take your maintenance medication properly, and that you use your emergency medication correctly.
Using a preventative inhaler is important, but you need to know the side effects it can cause such as mouth infections. You can prevent these side effects with proper tooth brushing and gargling after you use your inhaler.
When you clean your floors, do so with a wet mop instead of a broom. Sweeping can stir up some asthmatic triggers that will exacerbate your symptoms. In the same vein, choose a damp rag as opposed to a feather duster when dusting, as this prevents dust from flying about.
Pay attention to how often you reach for your asthma inhaler each week. If you have to use your inhaler more than twice, then our asthma is not being controlled effectively, and you may need to see your doctor for a way to get it under control again. Remembering the times you use the inhaler provides a good way to keep checking your environment, as well as other things in your plan to manage your asthma.
For those struggling with their asthma, avoiding regular contact with pets is important to control symptoms. While allergies to dander or animal hair can possibly complicate your asthma, even those with no such allergies can have asthma attacks by inhaling the pollen and dust animals usually carry about with them.
Understanding asthma and how it effects the respiratory system can really help you to identify the signs of an attack quickly. No matter who uses the information you learned, you should know that it’s not too bad if you have been diagnosed with asthma.
When dealing with an asthma attack, it is important to stay calm. Wait half a minute and try the inhaler one more time. If the attack gets worse doesn’t get better, then get help immediately. Go to the hospital. If the attack is particularly bad, have a friend take you or call 911. Breathe into a paper bag, which will reduce your breathing rate during the trip.