If you struggle with asthma like many, this information can help you. The next few paragraphs are chock full of tips that will help you get the most out of your life with asthma.
Keep clear of anything that you know to be a trigger for your asthma. For many, allergens like dust and pollen, can trigger their attacks. For others, attacks can be caused by physical activities. Determine what sets your asthma off so you can stay away from these things.
Never smoke around a child with asthma, or you could kill them! Secondhand smoke is a leading cause of asthma, and it can also trigger an asthma attack. While making sure to never light up around your children, it is also vital that you make sure your kids are not around others who do not show the same courtesy.
Unfortunately, asthma sufferers must realize that their condition is chronic which requires ongoing treatment. Make sure to take the right medication for controlling everyday asthma symptoms, but also have quick relief medication with you in case of an attack. Your physician and allergist are the ones to approach with any questions you have about this disease and its treatment.
Cleaning Products
If you are a person with asthma and have persistent attacks related to allergy symptoms, a medication that can be used for a long term effect is one that can be injected. It is called omalizumab, and it is an antibody medicine used to control allergic reaction symptoms. You will need to speak to your allergist to find out if this would be helpful to you.
If you suffer from asthma, you should avoid cleaning products that have strong odors. It is very possible that one might bring on an asthma attack with some chemicals used for cleaning. If you’re the one who regularly cleans the house, look for natural cleaning products which are much safer to use.
Talk to a social worker if you do not have health insurance and need medication for your asthma. Social workers are trained to help people find resources for affording health care, particularly on debilitating conditions such as asthma.
Some medications are known to cause asthma symptoms. Examples of medications that may contribute to asthma are aspirin and other NSAIDs. Common medications used for controlling high blood pressure often times contain beta blockers, which asthmatics may be more sensitive to. If you have any of these conditions along with your asthma, make sure you tell your doctor.
If you’ve got asthma, don’t smoke or be near smokers. When you inhale tobacco smoke, particularly in closeted areas, the functioning of your lungs can decrease, and you may suffer an attack.
Asthma is a chronic condition that is ongoing over time, and as such, will require a continual treatment and management regimen. Make sure to take the right medication for controlling everyday asthma symptoms, but also have quick relief medication with you in case of an attack. Work with your allergist and doctor to find the right treatment program that makes you feel good and allows you to still do the things you want to do.
Be aware that your asthma medication may need to be adjusted if you are suffering from a cold, flu or hay fever. The effects of some illnesses can exacerbate the effects of your asthma, causing the need for more treatments. Your doctor may choose to also add an additional treatment until the illness gets better.
If you are prone to asthma attacks, avoid any cigarette or other tobacco smoke. Asthmatics should also never smoke. Stay away from vapors and all chemical fumes so you are not able to breathe them in. Any of these things can trigger an asthma attack. When you see people smoking in your area avoid them and move away.
Pay attention to your symptom triggers. The more aware of your triggers you become, the easier it will be to avoid them and reduce the number of attacks you suffer. Common triggers among asthma sufferers are smoke, pollen, or pet dander. Whenever you can, stay away from these agents that can trigger symptoms or cause full-blown asthma attacks.
Consider getting allergy shots if you have asthma that is caused by allergies that aren’t under control. Known as Omalizumab, this antibody medicine can control the body’s allergic senses and lower the symptoms or reactions that asthma patients suffer.
Think about signing up for a support group locally or online. Asthma, especially if it is severe, can be quite debilitating and can keep you from being an active participant in 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.
A dehumidifier can significantly reduce the asthma attacks experienced by you or other afflicted members of your household. If you lessen your humidity in the house, you will stave off dust mites that may make your asthma flare. Dehumidifiers reduce humidity and keep the air in your home dry.
Avoid cold-induced asthma attacks by protecting your mouth and nose with a scarf. Filtering and warming air before you inhale it can help prevent asthma attacks. Breathing cold air triggers your asthma attacks, particularly in young kids with bad asthma.
For asthma sufferers, the unscented option is always the best choice among different products. Using scented products, like air fresheners and perfume, will increase the level of air pollution and is likely to trigger an attack. Certain things in the home, such as newly installed carpet or fresh paint, can also release chemical irritants. Try to make it your goal to keep the indoor air as fresh and allergen free as possible.
Know the right way to take your asthma medication, and above all any rescue medication. Asthma is typically treated with a regular medication supplemented by rescue medicine, such as an inhaler. Because asthma does not get cured, those afflicted with it must continue to take their regular medication and use their rescue inhaler when needed.
Avoid pillows with feathers if you have asthma. Feathers can decrease lung function and cause asthma symptoms. This applies to bedding, as well, so it’s best to make sure that everything on your bed is hypoallergenic.
Asthma is a health condition that usually develops over a period of time, and has symptoms that may not be obvious. There have even been cases where people die from the first asthma attack they had, without knowing they had the condition. Because of this, if you notice that you have trouble breathing or are constantly coughing, you may want to visit your doctor. They can tell you if you have asthma and if there is a medication that you should be taking. Your doctor can also tell you if there is something you can do to prevent asthma from developing.
Travel with your rescue medication on your person at all times. Traveling adds strain on the body and increases your susceptibility to asthma triggers. It is also hard to predict what will come up or to control your environment when you travel, which increases the chances of experiencing more severe symptoms or an attack.
Although it is wise to use your inhaler as needed, be aware that the medication itself may cause problems with gums and teeth. You can prevent any of these mouth issues by brushing your teeth and gargling mouthwash as soon as you use the inhaler.
Consider joining a support group, either on or offline. Asthma, especially the more severe forms, cause many problems that interfere with the quality of life and present many challenges. Also, other asthma sufferers can alert you to scientific breakthroughs and changes, such as new medications.
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. Sleeping with fresh bed linens will ensure you can breathe easy when you sleep.
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. That way the air is warmed before it enters your lungs. Cool air has been known to trigger an asthma attack, particularly in very young children who have severe or moderate asthma.
The only way that you should use a vaporizer or humidifier when you have asthma or allergies is if it has been cleaned thoroughly. Bacteria can grow inside the machine because of the moist environment, and you will be releasing that right into the air if you are using it.
Rescue Medication
Don’t panic when you have an asthma attack. Use the inhaler, wait thirty seconds, and use once more. If this does not lessen the attack, get help quickly. Ask someone to drive you to the closest hospital or call an ambulance. Breathing in and out of a paper bag on the way will help slow down your breathing.
Know the right way to use any asthma medication you are taking, in particular your rescue medication. Asthma is usually treated with an everyday medication that is sometimes supplemented with an emergency treatment, like an inhaler. Because asthma is a chronic condition, it is important to take management medication properly and to use rescue medication appropriately.
If you find you need your inhaler too often, more than two times a week, talk to your doctor about changing your prescription. This means that the medication in your inhaler is not working well enough. Additionally, if your inhaler needs refills more often than about every six months, you are in the same situation and should see your physician.
Avoiding smoke is key in controlling asthma. Smoke can induce an asthma attack. Stay away from cigarette smoke, fumes, and vapors as much as you can. They can easily increase your asthma symptoms. If you live with or near a smoker, find a way to politely ask that they not smoke around you or your living spaces.
Consume more foods which contain vitamin B6. Research has shown that pyridoxine, commonly referred to as vitamin B6, can lower the number of asthma events and lessen their intensity. Vitamin B6 is essential for producing chemicals that cause lung tissue to relax. Bananas are also a wonderful source of vitamin B6.
The information in the article above will help you live a healthier life with asthma, as long as you heed it. You now know what you need to do for a healthier lifestyle and do what you want without letting your asthma get in the way.
The causative factors in asthma range from environmental factors to genetic factors. Most of the time, both environment and genetics play a role in determining whether you will be impacted by this disease. If you have a family member with asthma, keep a close watch on your children and yourself for any asthma related symptoms. Things in the environment like smoke, mold, dust and pollution can aggravate asthma. It is important to keep your family and self away from these things.