Asthma can be very frightening to deal with no matter who has it! The golden rule requires that you learn the details of how it effects you and manage your activities with those details in mind. Always know what could possibly happen, learn to spot the warning signs, and be prepared to react if you can’t prevent them.
It is very important that an asthma sufferer refrain from smoking, if you do then it is advisable you quit now. Smoking is unhealthy for everyone, however it is especially bad for asthmatics. Your lungs are already compromised from the asthma and adding smoke to that will cut off the vital oxygen supply your lungs need to breathe.
If you are an asthma patient, do not expose yourself to vapors, fumes and cigarette smoke. Stay away from jobs that would expose you to toxic or heavy vapors, and refrain from any tobacco use.
When you have asthma, you need to be careful around chemical cleaning products. A lot chemicals that are in these items can set off an asthma attack or aggravate other symptoms. When you are tidying your home consider using natural products that are effective for cleaning rather than traditional cleansers.
An important part of symptom management is knowing what type of asthma you have. When you’re informed about your asthma, you’ll be able to do more to cope with the illness and prevent it from having a negative effect on your life. People who suffer from exercise-induced asthma should consider carrying an emergency inhaler in their bag. You can actually start preventing asthma attacks if you are aware and mindful of any patterns that your symptoms present.
You may be unaware that certain medications you might be on could cause asthma symptoms. Aspirin is an example of a widely used medicine that can cause asthma problems. Many medications for heart disease and hypertension can also cause asthma symptoms. Tell your doctor if you are an asthmatic and you are using these medications.
Do not smoke around a child with asthma. Second-hand cigarette smoke is a leading cause of asthma. Always ensure your child is in a smoke-free area.
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. This will force the air from your lungs. Inhale three times with short breaths, and then on the fourth one take a deeper breath so your lungs are full of air but still comfortable. Then breath out as hard as you can again. This creates a rhythm to your breathing, making you pay attention to the breaths you take. It will also help to get the air to come out of the lungs so more can come in. You might start coughing, and some sputum may come up, but this is no problem and your focus is to get back into a relaxed, rythmic breathing pattern again.
If you have asthma, you need to avoid any kind of tobacco smoke. You should not smoke! Do not breathe in the vapors or any other chemical fumes. These irritants can be a trigger for a severe asthma attack. If people are smoking around you, remove yourself from that area quickly.
Use your inhaler as directed. Find a comfy spot, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Your inhaler will only help if you breathe very deeply. As you are inhaling air, spray the correct dosage in your mouth. Hold your breath still for ten seconds at least in order to let the mist with medicine fill your lungs.
Don’t turn on any fans if you see that your room is dusty. The fan will cause the dust to circulate through the air, which can cause you to suffer an asthma attack. Open some windows if you want fresh air.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma then you should avoid cigarettes and smokers like the plague. Tobacco smoke causes your lung function to decrease, increasing the risk of a very severe attack, especially in enclosed rooms without much air flow or ventilation.
Keep your home clean. By keeping a clean environment, especially in a bedroom, you can lower your risk of asthma attacks. Don’t smoke indoors, or allow any junk food in your home. Once you have cleaned your house, air it out; you should also eliminate utilizing any toxic chemicals inside.
If you are dealing with asthma, a good idea is to use a pillow without feathers. Feather can decrease lung function and trigger asthma symptoms. Also, make sure your other bedding is made with hypoallergenic materials.
Make sure you get a flu shot each year if you have asthma or if your child does. Regular vaccinations will help you and your children to avoid lung infections.
Mildew and mold grow best in a home with high humidity. These are harmful substances that can trigger asthma attacks. You should do your best to maintain a dry home. One way to control the humidity in the house is to employ a dehumidifier to pull out the excess moisture.
Avoid feather pillows if you suffer from asthma. Feathers can have a negative effect on the lungs and can worsen asthma symptoms. It is also advisable to use hypoallergenic sheets and comforters for the same reason.
In the winter, prevent attacks by wearing shawls, mufflers and scarves that cover the nose and mouth. That way the air is warmed before it enters 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.
Take your rescue inhaler and keep it handy when you travel. Traveling causes extra strain on your already stressed body, which makes your body more susceptible to bothersome asthma triggers. Controlling your environment is harder when traveling, so this makes it much more probable that you experience worsening symptoms or an attack.
If traveling by plane with your asthma equipment or medications, always carry your written prescription with you to avoid problems. If you’ve got written proof, it’ll save you a lot of hassle when you’re at a security check.
If your home is damp, it can encourage the growth of mildew and mold. Asthma attacks are easily triggered by these substances. To halt the growth of mold and mildew keep your home’s humidity low. When it’s cold, a dehumidifier can keep moisture to a minimum; in hot months, your A/C unit will do the same thing.
When you are removing dust or crumbs from your floor, you should use a vacuum or damp mop to avoid scattering dust in the air. When you sweep, you are stirring up asthma triggers that can cause you to have an asthma attack. You can greatly reduce this by using a wet sponge, damp rag, or moist cloth instead of your old-fashioned feather duster.
Wear a covering over your mouth and nose when you go outdoors in the colder weather. A shawl, scarf or muffler would work well. Proper winter wear can keep cold air from agitating 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.
Your bed linen could be filled with dust, pollen or other allergens. You can cut down on these irritants or eliminate them altogether by washing your bedding and pillow cases in very hot water once a week. You will find that having fresh linens will make your breathing while sleeping much easier.
Take the time to understand the proper usage of your asthma medication, particularly any that is labelled as rescue medication. A treatment made up of a daily medication plus a rescue inhaler can help to keep asthma under control. Asthma is considered a chronic condition. For this reason, you should take the management of it very seriously.
Do not make the decision to smoke. A lot of people know that smoking is bad for you, but if you have asthma it is far worse. The lungs of someone with asthma are irritated by smoking, whether by that person or someone nearby.
Asthma is a disease that can develop slowly over time, making it sometimes difficult to spot the symptoms. There are many cases where people have died from their first asthma attack, without even being aware that they were at risk. Given that fact, if you have any kind of consistent cough or respiratory ailments, consulting a physician for testing is a good idea, since you want to know if you are suffering from asthma and if so, what to do about it.
Remain calm if you do happen to come under an asthma attack. Use the inhaler, pause for 30 seconds then use it again. Don’t suffer in silence or wait it out if your breathing gets worse instead of better after using your inhaler. You need immediate medical attention if this happens. Have someone take you to a hospital, or if necessary call an ambulance. Try breathing in a paper bag to slow your breathing on the way there.
As stated earlier, there is a lot that you should know about asthma. This article has only some of the tips that you can use to manage your asthma, or help others cope with this condition. You can lessen the effect that asthma has on their life!
Proper use of an inhaler is crucial if you suffer from asthma. You cannot just spray it in your mouth and lightly inhale. You must breathe deeply in conjunction with the spray. Follow the instructions on your inhaler exactly to get the most benefit.