Asthma can turn a normal life into a nightmare after that fateful first attack. That said, the good news is that most asthma symptoms can be brought under control so long as you take the right medication and make the proper lifestyle changes. Do some research and talk to your doctor about effective strategies for controlling asthma.
Second hand smoke can cause asthma to develop in children, and can trigger an asthma attack if they already suffer from asthma. It has been medically proven that smoking can cause asthma or make existing symptoms worse. Also, do not let your child around others who smoke.
People afflicted by asthma should make it a priority to always avoid exposure to smoke, vapors and fumes. This means avoiding tobacco products, and making sure that you do not choose any kind of job that could expose you to harmful vapors or smoke, such as factory work.
Avoid harsh cleaning chemicals if you are an asthma sufferer. The complex list of ingredients on many cleaning products makes it difficult know which ones have the chemical compounds that might aggravate asthma symptoms or even initiate an attack. While anyone responsible for cleaning their home can’t avoid cleaning products altogether, it’s best to only use natural products.
Do you know what sub-type of asthma you’re plagued with? Being fully informed about the specific type of asthma you have is very important. If you have exercised-induced asthma, for example, you’ll want to bring your inhaler with you to the gym or other locations where you might be involved in physical activity. Knowing when an asthma attack is likely to strike can help you avert disaster.
If you are having an attack that is not severe, push as much air out of the lungs as possible. Exhale quickly and hard. Forcefully push the air out from your lungs. Take three short breaths, then one last deep breath to ensure your lungs have enough air, then forcefully breath out. This technique develops a breathing rhythm, allowing you to notice the breaths that you take in. This is a good way to empty your lungs and let more air come in. You might cough or produce sputum, but that is fine; you are trying to get breathing under control again.
It is very important that an asthma sufferer refrain from smoking, if you do then it is advisable you quit now. Smoking isn’t good for anyone, but it’s worse for those with asthma. It cuts off the oxygen supply that your lungs need to function properly to keep away the asthma attacks.
If you are having trouble preventing asthma attacks, you may find success with a leukotriene inhibitor. A leukotriene inhibitor stops the release of a chemical that causes the inflammation that is responsible for some asthma attacks. Leukotriene is a chemical substance that can lead to inflammation that can cause an asthma attack. This inhibitor can prevent leukotrienes, which makes you less likely to have an asthma attack.
Social Workers
Know how to use your inhaler correctly. Find a quiet spot and follow the instructions the manufacturer has given. The only way the inhaler can help is if the medication can reach your lungs. Spray the stated dose of medicine into your mouth as you inhale. You should keep your breath held for 10 seconds at a minimum to let the medicated mist fill up your lungs.
Social workers are there for your assistance if you live with asthma, yet can’t get approved for health insurance. Affording asthma medication is important for handling the illness, and social workers can find places the offer the medicine at low costs.
If your health insurance situation cannot help you with your asthma, talk to a social worker. You must have the ability to afford your medication, so a social worker might be able to locate a hospital or clinic that can offer them at little cost or free.
Buy products that are unscented if you suffer from asthma. Scented products, like air fresheners, incense and perfume, raise indoor pollution levels and can trigger asthma attacks. You should also avoid fresh paints or new carpets, as they give off fumes that can irritate the airway. Keep your indoor air as clean as you can.
Get annual flu vaccinations for your entire family. Respiratory infections can seriously hurt those who suffer from asthma, so take measures to avoid contracting them. This includes preventive measures against sickness, such as practicing good hygiene and getting all recommended vaccinations.
If you are dealing with asthma, a good idea is to use a pillow without feathers. The feathers can make asthma worse and take away from your ability to breathe. Same thing with bedding – purchase sheets and a comforter that are constructed from hypoallergenic materials.
Studies show that using a variety of cleaning products in the home can actually increase the odds of triggering an asthma attack. Choose natural and organic products which don’t have chemicals that will irritate your disease.
If you are on the road, be certain to travel with your inhaler at all hours. You may find that the stress of traveling makes an asthma attack more likely. You also have little control over your environment when traveling, which can make you more susceptible to an attack and symptoms of greater severity.
If you suffer from asthma, avoid smokers, even if you do not smoke yourself. The functionality of your lungs can be dramatically impaired if you inhale tobacco smoke, especially in areas with little ventilation, and you run a greater risk of attack.
You can join an online or offline support group. Asthma is a disease that can affect your everyday life and prove debilitating in so many ways. In addition, a community of other asthma sufferers will let you know about changes in medications or other relevant scientific discoveries.
For asthma sufferers, the unscented option is always the best choice among different products. Using products with scents, like perfume, incense and air fresheners, boosts the amount of air pollution indoors and can bring on an attack. Newly installed carpet or fresh paint in the home are both known to release chemical irritants. As much as possible, try to keep your home filled with fresh, pure air.
Protect yourself against breathing in cold air that aggravates your asthma by wearing a scarf that covers your nose and mouth. This will warm the air before it gets in your lungs. In multiple studies, breathing cold air is linked to increased asthma attacks. This link is especially pronounced in younger children.
There is good reason to make sure you have your rescue medicine for asthma in a convenient, easy to reach place. Traveling is hard on your body, opening you up to an asthma attack. You also have less control of your surroundings while you are away from home, so it is difficult to avoid potential triggers and to maintain control over your attack.
Inhalers are important to use every day, but be aware that inhalers have been known to cause infections near the teeth and gums. Prevent these unnecessary side effects by gargling and brushing your teeth right after you use the inhaler.
A lot of the main causes, and triggers, of asthma may exist right in your home. Such irritants include mold spores, dust, smoke and chemical fumes. To keep your body healthy and to cut down the frequency of asthma attacks, it is important to have your house professionally inspected and cleaned to remove these harmful substances. Additionally, cleaning your home on a regular schedule prevents these unwanted visitors from taking residence en masse.
Visit at least two different doctors. Your usual doctor will be able to help you, but you should also consider seeing a specialist. Allergists, asthma centers, pulmonologists, and even nutritionists can work with you to make sure you are taking advantage of all avenues of treatment.
When the weather starts to turn colder, wear a scarf or shawl that covers your mouth and nose to help prevent asthma attacks. This will warm the air that you breathe before it enters your lungs. Breathing in the cold air has been shown to trigger asthma attacks, especially in younger children with moderate to severe asthma.
Smoking is particularly bad for people with asthma. Most people know how dangerous smoking is, but for someone afflicted with asthma, the dangers are ten times more serious. Smoking is very bad for people who suffer from asthma, be sure not to smoke, but not to be around people that smoke.
You should use your inhaler everyday regularly; however, be forewarned that the medicine can potentially lead to mouth infections, especially around your gums and teeth. To prevent these issues, brush and use mouthwash immediately after inhaler usage.
Always try your best to remain calm if you begin having an asthma attack. First thing first, use your inhaler, then wait 30 seconds and begin to use it again. If your attack worsens, call for help. Get someone to call an ambulance or get you to a hospital. Try breathing in a paper bag to slow your breathing on the way there.
Make note of how often, on a weekly basis, you use your inhaler. Your medication may need to be adjusted or an alternative treatment considered if you find that you need to use it 3 or more times per week. This number can help you monitor your environment for asthma triggers and let you determine if your treatment plan is working properly.
If you end up using your inhaler more than twice a week, then you need to consult a physician and change your medication. It means the medication used to calm acute attacks is either ineffective or not effective enough. In addition, if you must change the cartridge in the inhaler more than two times in a year, you may need to see your doctor regarding a medication switch.
You want to make certain you visit more than just one doctor. Your family doctor or primary care physician can be the person you go to regularly for asthma symptoms, but also talk to a few specialists. Allergists, asthma centers, pulmonologists, and even nutritionists can work with you to make sure you are taking advantage of all avenues of treatment.
Learn all you can learn about your condition. If you educate yourself properly, you will be able to find a good treatment. Stay current with treatment technology and get yourself the best care that you can. Make sure to explore new and different options to keep the symptoms of your condition under control.
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. You are responsible to schedule these appointments so you can stay healthy.
Make sure your doctor sees you every two or three months for a check up to see how you are managing with your asthma condition. Your doctor can check to see if your condition has changed, and if it has, update your treatment plan. You are in charge of scheduling your visits with your physician in order for him or her to properly take care of you.
A key way to manage your asthma is working to identify all of the things that trigger your attacks. Write down anything that triggers an asthma attack, then share what you’ve written with your asthma specialist. Once identified, do everything you can to avoid triggers and eliminate them from your environment whenever possible.
As previously noted, the dangers of asthma loom heavy over anyone who suffers from this condition and cannot get it under control. Always follow your asthma treatment plan, whether inhaler or allergen avoidance, to keep your symptoms under control. Apply these tips to help you overcome your asthma symptoms, and prevent them from restricting your freedom.
Over time you should work to strengthen your body and increase the capacity of your lungs. Don’t push yourself to the point that you trigger an asthma attack.