Life as an asthmatic can be frustrating, but once you find methods to manage asthma you can live an active, healthy life. Advice is plentiful; you just have to use it in your own life to reap the rewards. This article will show you how to live the life you want by keeping your asthma under control.
When you suffer from asthma, avoiding cleaning products is really important to do. Many of the chemicals in cleaning products can trigger asthma symptoms or attacks. If you clean the home, there are many natural products that are safe to use.
Do you know the type of asthma that you suffer with? One of the best ways to combat asthma and its limiting effects on your life is to know and understand as much as you can about your specific condition. People who suffer from exercise-induced asthma will need to make sure that they have an inhaler with them inside of their gym bag. If you are familiar with your symptoms and their patterns, you will be better able to avoid emergencies.
Stay away from anything that you are aware of that may trigger your asthma. Perhaps you have allergies or are sensitive to dust and pollen. Some things, such as physical exertion, can cause an asthma attack. Try to determine your asthma triggers, so you can avoid them and prevent attacks.
Cleaning products should be avoided when you have asthma. Many of the harsh chemicals inside cleaning products might trigger symptoms or even a full blown asthma attack. When you are tidying your home consider using natural products that are effective for cleaning rather than traditional cleansers.
Make sure if you have an inhaler that you are using it the right way. Move to a quiet area, and then simply follow manufacturer’s instructions. The inhaler only can help if it’s medicine reaches the lungs. Spray the required dosage into your mouth while inhaling air. Be sure to hold the mist in your lungs for about ten seconds.
There are medications that can unknowingly cause asthma-like symptoms. Believe it or not, something as seemingly innocuous as aspirin can actually trigger symptoms. The medication you take for high blood pressure can also cause asthma symptoms. If you suffer from asthma, be sure that your medical professional is aware of this.
If you suffer from asthma, make sure that you consume enough Vitamin C and Vitamin E. These vitamins have been known to improve the function of the lungs and reduce some asthma symptoms. Either find a good vitamin supplement to take, or change your diet to include more foods rich in Vitamins E and C. Vitamins C and E are necessary for a healthy immune system. If your immune system isn’t healthy, it won’t be able to fight off illnesses that cause asthma attacks.
When suffering a mild or even moderate asthma attack, attempt to push all air from your lungs. Make your exhalations quick and forceful. It can’t be said too strongly: you must force the air out! Follow this by breathing in three times quickly, and a fourth time deeply to ensure your lungs are filled to capacity, then exhale again as forcefully as possible. Pay attention to what you are doing and follow a regular rhythm. It also expels air from your lungs so more can enter. This breathing technique may cause some coughing or sputum, but it can help regulate your breathing and reduce the attack.
A dehumidifier can significantly reduce the asthma attacks experienced by you or other afflicted members of your household. A dehumidifier will reduce attacks by taking extra humidity and, by extension, dust mites and other debris out of your air. Dehumidifiers eliminate your home’s humidity, leaving dry air.
If you have asthma and have frequent attacks that are related to allergies, there are medicines that can be injected to provide you with long-term relief. Your allergist might recommend Omalizumab, which is an antibody type medicine that can regulate your symptoms of allergic reactions.
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. Refrain from smoking inside the home, and keep edibles inside your kitchen. Try not to use bleach or other irritants inside, and always thoroughly change the air in your house after cleaning.
Asthma Attacks
If you have hay fever or a cold, chances are your asthma treatment will be increased. Many of these illnesses will worsen your asthma symptoms bad enough to require more treatments than you typically need. It is possible that your doctor will decide to modify your treatment, or even add additional treatments, until you are back on your feet.
Having a fast acting inhaler is vital to save asthmatics from experiencing severe symptoms. Talk to your physician and find out if a leukotriene inhibitor would be right for you. These work by preventing the formation of leukotrienes. A leukotrienes is a type of chemical that causes inflammation, which leads to asthma attacks. The prescription will help to decrease home much leukotriene is in your system and therefore, the number of asthma attacks you have.
When traveling, make sure to have your rescue medication handy at all times. Traveling can put additional strain on your body, making you more susceptible to asthma triggers. It is often hard to maintain the right kind of environment when you are traveling, and this may heighten the risk of an asthma attack or worsening symptoms.
Know how to use your inhaler properly! Find a peaceful spot, and make sure to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer. The inhaler only can help if it’s medicine reaches the lungs. You need to inhale air while spraying the requisite dosage in your mouth. Don’t exhale for ten seconds so that the medicine can go through your lungs.
You must have regular asthma reviews, even if you are not having any problems. Your health care provider may have new prescriptions that could benefit you in case the need arises.
Talk to a social worker if you do not have health insurance and need medication for your asthma. A social worker can possibly help you with finding treatment and low-cost medications.
Join a support group, online or in “real life”, to find help from your peers. Asthma, especially severe asthma, can be a debilitating condition and prevent you from participating fully in daily life. Being a part of a support group can help provide you with honest information about products and helpful hints, as well as medical news.
Make certain that all members of your family get their annual flu shot. If you have asthma, it’s important to prevent all respiratory infections, if at all possible. Precautions include washing your hands and staying current with vaccinations.
Humidity is a problem in the home, because it creates conditions that are perfect for mildew and mold growth. These substances can easily trigger asthma attacks. Therefore, it can benefit you to ensure your home stays 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.
Consider buying a dehumidifier for the home if you have asthma. When your home has less humidity, there are less dust mites, and that minimizes the chances of an asthma flare-up. Dehumidifiers reduce attacks in your home by making the air cleaner and drier.
If you are going on a trip on a plane and need to take your asthma medicine, take your prescription with you! Having proof that it belongs to you and is medically necessary will make the security check easier.
Asthma Treatment
When you clean house, it is recommended that you clean your floor with a wet mop instead of sweeping it. If you choose to sweep, you’re swirling up a tornado of dust and allergens, both of which are common triggers for asthma symptoms. When you dust, try dampening a rag, instead of a feather duster, to avoid spreading things that can trigger your asthma.
Stand ready for a boost to your asthma treatment should you suffer from illnesses like colds or hay fever. Side effects that are associated with most illnesses can serve as triggers for asthma and may cause an increase in your asthma treatment. Your doctor could add another treatment into your regimen until the illness is better.
Allergens, pollen and other irritants can collect in your linens and aggravate your asthma. 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.
Look into becoming a part of a support group. There are many to choose from both online and offline. Asthma, especially if it is severe, can be quite debilitating and can keep you from being an active participant in life. In addition, a community of other asthma sufferers will let you know about changes in medications or other relevant scientific discoveries.
You may want to consider having numerous doctors treat your asthma. Even though your primary care doctor can assist you in the basic care for your asthma, consider visiting a specialist also. Allergists, asthma centers, pulmonologists, and even nutritionists can work with you to make sure you are taking advantage of all avenues of treatment.
Your home might harbor several of the major triggers of asthma attacks. These include dust, mold and spores. Have an inspector who focuses on allergens and irritants come into your home once a year to help you detect what you have and learn how to remove it. In addition, cleaning the house regularly can greatly contribute to keeping these substances from building up.
People who suffer from asthma should stay inside as much as they can when the pollen count is up. Even though asthma is not technically an allergy, those who suffer from allergies often find their condition is exacerbated by the same irritants and triggers that those afflicted with asthma are affected by as well. 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.
If the air in your home is humid, it provides an ideal incubator for mold or mildew. This stuff can easily set off an asthma attack. Thus, keep the air in your home as moisture-free as possible to avoid asthma-related problems. Whenever you use a heater, you should use a dehumidifier, and air conditioning will help in the summer.
You shouldn’t have to take inhaled medication on a frequent basis. Talk to your doctor about changing medicines if you have asthma attacks two or more times per week. Using your inhaler this frequently means your prescription is not effectively treating your asthma. Also, if you have to refill your inhaler more than twice in one year, then a visit to the doctor for a medication change is also in order.
When you fly, make sure to take along prescriptions or doctors’ notes for all of your asthma equipment and medications, especially if they are unusual. When you can prove that an item is medically necessary, it can save a lot of time and hassle while working through airport security.
Finding out as much as you can about asthma is a good way to help you manage your asthma. The more you know about asthma, the more proactive a treatment you can devise for yourself. Keep up with the latest asthma news and see to it that you’re getting the best possible care. There is no other way to get the best care possible than educating yourself on asthma, and staying informed about your treatment options.
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. Immediately brush your teeth followed by a quick gargle after using your inhaler. This is a great way to prevent any kind of complications in your mouth.
Follow up with your doctor three or four times a year to manage your asthma. Your doctor can check to see if your condition has changed, and if it has, update your treatment plan. The responsibility of scheduling these appointments falls on you. Make sure you attend each and every one so that your doctor can stay updated on how your treatment plan is working in order to help you remain healthy.
As you have seen in the above article, there are various solutions you can use to control or even stop asthma’s interference in your life. Having asthma does not mean that your life has ended; if you develop a strategy on how to cope with it, you will live a much more satisfying life.
Closely monitor the frequency of your asthma attacks. If you have more than two asthma attacks in a week, it may be time to change medications. Two asthma attacks a week or more is very avoidable danger to your overall health.