Asthma is a condition that will give you a lifelong struggle. It prevents you from doing simple tasks, such as walking outside. Even worse, the disease can not be cured and the symptoms can be hard to control. You can get some tips from this article on how you can prevent asthma symptoms from being too hard to deal with.
If asthma is something you suffer from, do not smoke or spend time around smokers, much less any source of vapors and fumes. This does mean avoiding all tobacco products as well as being mindful of sources of employment, with special attention to factories that might provide exposure to smoke and vapors.
People afflicted by asthma should make it a priority to always avoid exposure to smoke, vapors and fumes. This means you need to keep away from tobacco products and only seek out jobs where you aren’t exposed to any harmful chemicals, smoke or vapors.
There are certain medications that cause or exacerbate asthma symptoms. Not everyone knows this. Aspirin is a common medication that can affect asthma sufferers. There are some beta blockers that are given to those trying to control their heart disease or who have high blood pressure that may be harmful to an asthmatic, as well. It is important to talk openly with your doctor about your asthma so that you do not take any medications that could be harmful to you.
Asthma Attacks
Asthma is ongoing. Therefore, it also requires continual management of your health. Take the proper medications for controlling your asthma daily, and keep quick relief medication somewhere on you just in case you have a sudden attack. See your doctor or allergist to find out which treatment plan is best for your situation.
In order to prevent asthma attacks, keep away from triggers. Allergens such as dust and pollen can bring on an asthma attack at any time. While in other people, all it takes is physical activity and an attack can trigger. It is important to determine what triggers your asthma attacks so you can try to avoid those things.
Talk to a social worker if you’re not eligible for any health insurance and you’re an asthma sufferer. It is important that you are able to afford your asthma medications, so a social worker may be able to find you a clinic or hospital that offers your medication at little to no cost.
If you are having trouble dealing with asthma, a leukotriene inhibitor might be of good use. 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. The inhibitor prevents leukotrienes, and that can decrease the number of asthma attacks you deal with.
If you suffer from asthma, ensure you consume lots of Vitamins E and C. These vitamins help reduce asthma flare-ups by improving lung function. It is possible to acquire the necessary amounts by eating foods or by taking dietary supplements. The vitamins work to strengthen your immunities, thereby warding off sicknesses that tend to exacerbate asthma.
It is always a problem if you have asthma and don’t have health insurance, but talking to a social worker may help you resolve this issue. Social workers are trained to help people find resources for affording health care, particularly on debilitating conditions such as asthma.
Consider buying a dehumidifier for the home if you have asthma. With less humidity, there will be fewer dust mites, and that means that there is less of a chance that your asthma will flare up. Dehumidifiers work by taking the humidity out of the air.
Cleaning Products
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 might add additional medication until your sickness gets better.
It has been shown that if you use multiple varieties of cleaning products around your house, it will increase the chance of an asthma attack. Try using organic cleaning products which don’t contain irritating chemicals.
You must have regular asthma reviews, even if you are not having any problems. Flare-ups can occur at any time; plus, your doctor may have a new medication that he or she can offer you that will make your treatment safer and more effective.
It is best to use products that are unscented in the home with someone who is asthmatic. Simple everyday things such as air fresheners, incense and perfume can cause indoor air pollution levels to increase and trigger an attack. Fresh paint and new carpeting can also irritate the airway. As much as possible, try to keep your home filled with fresh, pure air.
Mold and mildew can grow in your home where there is humidity. This stuff can easily set off an asthma attack. It is best if you keep the air in your home as dry as possible. During the cold, winter months, a dehumidifier can help. In the summer, an air conditioner naturally takes out a lot of the humidity in the air.
Regular flu shots are important if you or one of your children suffer from asthma. You can ward off a great number of these infections by having annual vaccinations.
Protect yourself against breathing in cold air that aggravates your asthma by wearing a scarf that covers your nose and mouth. This will keep you from breathing cold air. Cold air can trigger severe attacks, especially for young children.
If you are asthmatic, it may be a good idea to use a pillow that is not filled with feathers. The feathers contained in the pillow could trigger the symptoms related to asthma and it could prevent your lungs from functioning efficiently. This also goes for bedding; use sheets, comforters and blankets that are crafted from hypoallergenic materials.
Allergens, dust, pollen and other things that can aggravate your asthma tend to collect inside bed linens. 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.
Bundle up during winter weather if you have asthma. Covering your nose and mouth with a scarf or muffler helps prevent asthma attacks. You can help warm the air with these things before they bring any harm to your lungs. By breathing in cold air, it has been proven that it could trigger an asthma attack more so in children that are younger and suffer from severe to moderate asthma.
Stop smoking. The dangers surrounding smoking are well documented, but for asthma sufferers the issues can be much more serious. The lungs of someone with asthma are irritated by smoking, whether by that person or someone nearby.
Rescue Medication
During spring or other high-pollen times, don’t go outside unless you have to so that you can avoid a pollen-triggered asthma attack. Asthma’s not an allergy, but many things that irritate allergies also irritate asthma. Now that you have information on local air quality in most areas, people who suffer from asthma will be able to decrease outdoor activities if there is potential irritants in the air.
Make sure you understand the correct way to use your asthma medication, especially any rescue medication. A treatment made up of a daily medication plus a rescue inhaler can help to keep asthma under control. Asthma is not curable, so it is very important that you take your medication properly and only use your rescue medication if you need it.
Remain calm if you do happen to come under an asthma attack. Calmly use the inhaler. Use it again after 30 seconds has elapsed. If the inhaler does not provide immediate help, get medical help right away. Go to the emergency room, or call an ambulance if it’s extreme. You can slow your breathing by placing a paper bag over your mouth and nose to slow your breathing until you get medical attention.
Asthma generally takes a long time to develop, and the symptoms may be vague at first, making it difficult to diagnose the problem. In some serious cases, people have dropped dead due to an asthma attack without ever knowing they had asthma in the first place. It is advised that you seek out a medical professional if you ever have shortness of breath or experience constant coughing; this may be a sign that you suffer from asthma and need proper medication to prevent an asthma attack and keep your condition under control.
If you suffer from asthma, it is imperative that you know how to correctly use your inhaler. When you spray the inhaler into your mouth, you cannot just lightly inhale. You must breathe deeply in conjunction with the spray. Proper use of your inhaler is key when you have asthma.
Make sure you count how many times, within a week, you have to use your inhaler. If you use it more than two times, your asthma might not be well-controlled or you may have unusual occurrences causing those frequent attacks. How often an inhaler is used can help to monitor the environment.
If you need to use your inhaler more often than twice each week, this means your asthma isn’t adequately controlled and a medication change is required. If that’s the case, the medication in the inhaler isn’t working right. This same advice also goes for those who must refill their inhalers more frequently than every six months.
Anyone with asthma should stay far away from smoke. Smoke can seriously affect the lungs and is a common asthma trigger. Stay away from chemical fumes, vapors, and cigarette smoke at all times. Any inhalant, which is irritating, can trigger an asthma attack! If you in the company of someone who smokes, politely ask him to refrain when you are near.
If you have asthma, schedule checkups ever few months with your doctor to stay on top of your condition. Your doctor should make changes to your treatment if they feel your condition has changed. Taking on the responsibility of scheduling these regular appointments will help your doctor help you to stay healthy.
As we mentioned here, asthma is a severe condition that you should not take lightly. Take the appropriate steps needed to prevent and reduce any symptoms, and if your symptoms are uncontrollable seek professional help. See to it that you use these tips to prevent and improve the symptoms related to asthma so that you will have better control of your life.
Eat more foods rich in vitamin B6. In many studies, it has been shown that vitamin B6 (which is also called pyridoxine) decreases the intensity and frequency of asthma attacks. Pyridoxine can produce specific molecules which can relax your bronchial tissue. Bananas are a great-tasting source of vitamin B6.