Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with the condition known as asthma? Read on for some simple ways to help you keep asthma symptoms under control.
What triggers your asthma? Being aware of your specific condition will help you combat the effects it has over your body day in and day out. An example would be to bring in your gym bag an inhaler if you happen to have exercise-induced asthma. When you know what triggers your asthma, you will be more prepared to stop attacks before they begin.
If you have asthma, you should definitely avoid smoking or being exposed to any kind of fumes or vapors. You must abstain from using any tobacco products. Also, when job hunting, you need to take into consideration whether or not you will be exposed to anything detrimental to your condition while on the job.
If you are afflicted with asthma, it is critical that you don’t smoke. Smoking is unhealthy for anyone, but it is especially dangerous for someone with asthma. This is because your lungs and airway are already compromised by your condition.
Cleaning Products
You may be unaware that certain medications you might be on could cause asthma symptoms. Some NSAIDs and aspirins will do this for you. You can also use beta blockers, which will help you manage blood pressure. Tell your doctor if you are an asthmatic and you are using these medications.
If you suffer from asthma, strong cleaning products should be avoided. Many chemicals contained in common cleaning products can aggravate your asthma, triggering an attack. There are many all-natural organic cleaning products available that may help eliminate asthmatic problems.
If you are prone to asthma attacks, avoid any cigarette or other tobacco smoke. Smoking is especially dangerous for asthmatics. It is also a good idea to stay away from the fumes or vapors from harsh chemicals, such as those used in cleaning. Inhaling these substances may trigger an unstoppable asthma attack. If people smoke around you, you should get away form that area.
Never take medications without getting your doctor’s approval so you don’t wind up taking one that has a side effect of exacerbating asthma.. Aspirin along with other NSAIDs can have this effect. Beta blockers that are used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease can develop asthma like symptoms. If you suffer from any of these conditions along with your asthma, make sure you tell your doctor.
If you have asthma that is not covered by health insurance, contact someone in a government agency, like a social worker. 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 allergens are causing you to suffer from frequent asthma attacks that are moderate to severe, there is an injectable medication that can provide you with long-term relief. 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 and do not smoke, make sure to avoid people who do smoke. Inhaled smoke from tobacco can drastically reduce lung function, increasing your chances of an asthma attack. This is especially true in closed-in areas.
Properly use the inhaler every time you must use it. Find a peaceful spot, and make sure to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer. The only way the inhaler can help is if the medication can reach your lungs. While inhaling, spray the dosage in your mouth. Don’t exhale for ten seconds so that the medicine can go through your lungs.
Regular flu shots are important if you or one of your children suffer from asthma. This annual flu shot will prevent infectious damage to your lungs.
If you suffer from asthma and you are not eligible for health insurance, speak with a social worker. Affording asthma medication is important for handling the illness, and social workers can find places the offer the medicine at low costs.
You should know what triggers your asthma attacks; this will allow you to either avoid them or be ready to manage the symptoms. Most with asthma share common triggers, like pet dander, pollen or smoke. Whenever you can, stay away from these agents that can trigger symptoms or cause full-blown asthma attacks.
Respiratory Infection
If you are asthmatic, it may be a good idea to use a pillow that is not filled with feathers. Feathers may trigger asthma symptoms by irritating your lungs. This extends to the rest of your bedding, as well. There are hypoallergenic comforters and sheets you can use to limit asthma symptoms.
Asthmatics should have a flu shot every year to prevent contracting a serious respiratory infection. You do not want to have a respiratory infection if you have asthma. Take the right steps to stop yourself from getting sick, wash your hands and get the right vaccines.
Some of asthma’s major triggers can be right in your home. Some of these irritants include dust, mold and spores. To lessen the risk of an asthma attack and to stay healthy, have your house inspected every year by an inspector, and remove those agents when they have been identified. Conscientious house-cleaning can help prevent buildup of substances in your home that might trigger an asthma attack.
Think about buying a dehumidifier if your asthma symptoms are bad. Though you may not be aware of it, high levels of humidity in indoor spaces can increase dust mites, which then can affect asthma. Dehumidifiers keep your home dry by keeping the humidity out.
The more humid your home is, the easier it is for mildew and mold to grow. These substances are prime triggers for asthma attacks. So, it makes sense to keep dry air in your home. 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.
Asthma Symptoms
You need to know how to properly use asthma medications that are prescribed to you, especially your rescue medication, so that you are prepared if you need to use it during an emergency. For most asthma cases, an emergency treatment option, such as an inhaler, is used to supplement day-to-day management medication. Because you will have asthma for the rest of your life, it is important that you take your maintenance medication properly, and that you use your emergency medication correctly.
You can find many helpful suggestions in dealing with asthma symptoms from this article. But of course, the advice is only useful if applied with diligence and regularity. Asthma symptoms can quickly come back when you neglect warning signs and factors for even a short time. Be persistent in the way you follow these asthma tips and you’ll be able to improve your both your health and your quality of life.
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. If you often have difficulty breathing or a persistent cough, it would be wise to make an appointment with your physician, so he or she can confirm whether you have asthma. If you do, your doctor can then prescribe medications to manage or treat it.