Asthma can be very frightening to deal with no matter who has it! Know all that you can about your asthma so that you know what to expect in all situations. Learn about when and what to expect, and be sure to use these tips too.
Do you know what type of asthma you have? Gaining as much knowledge as you can about the type of asthma you have can make your day-to-day activities a little easier. People who suffer from exercise-induced asthma should consider carrying an emergency inhaler in their bag. If you know and understand your asthma triggers, you can better avoid and handle attacks.
Some asthmas are specific to certain triggers, so identify what kind you have. Before you can develop a self-care plan for your asthma symptoms, you need to know the specific cause of your symptoms. If people who have asthma suffer attacks triggered by exercise, they should bring an inhaler with them when they work out. You can actually start preventing asthma attacks if you are aware and mindful of any patterns that your symptoms present.
Never smoke around a child with asthma, or you could kill them! Secondhand smoke is almost as dangerous to asthmatics as actually smoking a cigarette. Keep your child away from cigarette smoke and any other kind of fumes.
If your child has asthma, do not smoke cigarettes near them. One of the biggest reasons people have asthma is secondhand smoke. Any place where smoking is allowed should be avoided if you have a child with asthma.
Avoid the things that trigger your asthma. Asthma triggers will vary greatly between individuals. If you have allergy related asthma, you will want to avoid pollen and dust. For others, attacks can be caused by physical activities. Try and figure out what gets your asthma started so you know what to avoid.
If allergies lead to constant attacks from your asthma, there has been a recent solution that is administered via injection that provides long term care! There are antibody medications used to control allergic reactions that come recommended by allergists.
Asthma is ongoing. Therefore, it also requires continual management of your health. Your doctor may prescribe medications that must be taken daily. In addition, you will likely have medication to take in the event of an attack. Speak to an allergist and doctor to see what’s best for you.
Know how to use your inhaler correctly. Get to a place out of the way, and read the directions before starting. The inhaler can only help you if the medication actually reaches the lungs. Spray the dosage into the mouth while you inhale air. Hold your breath at least ten seconds, so that the medicated mist can fill your lungs.
When you suffer a medium-intensity attack, try and forcefully exhale all air from your lungs. Make your exhalations quick and forceful. Push that air from your lungs with all that you’ve got! Inhale in a series of three, or three shallow breaths and one deep breath. After your lungs are filled with air, forcefully exhale again. This method forces you to pay close attention to your breathing and create a steady rhythm. It will also help to get the air to come out of the lungs so more can come in. This may cause you to cough or it may cause phlegm, but your breathing will be back to normal again.
Talk to a social worker if you do not have health insurance and need medication for your asthma. Affording asthma medication is important for handling the illness, and social workers can find places the offer the medicine at low costs.
To stay out in front of your asthma, make sure that you see the doctor to receive regular checkups. You cannot be certain when you will next have an issue with your asthma, or when there may be a better medication available to utilize for your condition.
Get annual flu vaccinations for your entire family. You do not want to have a respiratory infection if you have asthma. This includes preventive measures against sickness, such as practicing good hygiene and getting all recommended vaccinations.
Some of the most notorious causes of asthma attacks exist in normal households. Such irritants include mold spores, dust, smoke and chemical fumes. To keep these triggers out of your home, have a professional inspector come to your home each year to remove these nasties from your home. In addition, cleaning the house regularly can greatly contribute to keeping these substances from building up.
Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke because it is as dangerous to asthmatics as smoking a cigarette. When tobacco smoke is inhaled, especially in closed-in areas, your lung function can be drastically decreased, which can increase your chances of suffering from an attack.
A humid home environment is a healthy environment for mildew and mold to develop. These fungi are both common triggers for asthma attacks. So, it makes sense to keep dry air in your home. During the winter, you can use a dehumidifier to control humidity when using a heater, and an air conditioner during the summer will help keep your home dry.
Keep dust and dirt to a minimum in any bedroom where an asthma sufferer sleeps. Only eat in the kitchen, and never let anyone smoke inside the house. When cleaning your home, try not to use products that contain harsh chemicals, such as bleach. You should also allow fresh air to thoroughly circulate throughout your home after you’re done cleaning it.
Asthma usually takes an extended interval of time to fully develop, and the warning signs are rarely obvious. A few people have even died from an asthma attack without knowing they even had this dangerous condition. It is advised that you seek out a medical professional if you ever have shortness of breath or experience constant coughing; this may be a sign that you suffer from asthma and need proper medication to prevent an asthma attack and keep your condition under control.
Stand ready for a boost to your asthma treatment should you suffer from illnesses like colds or hay fever. Many illnesses have side effects which can cause your asthma to get much worse, leading your doctor to increase treatment. Your doctor may need to add new treatments to your typical asthma regimen until you are well.
If you are flying with your asthma medications, especially a large piece of equipment such as a nebulizer, be sure to bring along a written prescription from your doctor. Without a written prescription stating that the item is medically necessary, you may experience frustration and delays at security checkpoints.
When you travel, your rescue medication should be with you all the time. Traveling can be somewhat stressful and put added strain your body, which might make you more likely to respond to asthma triggers by having an attack. You won’t be able to control factors in your environment, such as air quality, while are away from home. This also adds to the likelihood of an attack or more symptoms than you are used to at home.
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. Sweeping stirs up irritants that can trigger 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.
Make regular asthma checkups with your doctor, even if you are not having any issues come up. Your doctor may be able to prescribe more effective treatments and you may be suffering symptoms you’re not aware are related to your asthma.
If the pollen count is rising, stay indoors when possible. While asthma isn’t a type of allergy, those with asthma are frequently bothered by the same kinds of irritants that cause problems for allergy sufferers. Check the local air quality report online to determine whether to stay indoors and keep irritant exposure to a minimum.
Most of the triggers for attacks, and causes of asthma, are found inside the home. Typical asthma triggers in the home are dust and mold spores. An annual visit by a professional inspector can help keep your home free from these agents, and reduce the likelihood of an attack. Furthermore, thorough and frequent cleaning will ensure that allergens and other possible triggers do not accumulate in your home.
To improve your asthmatic condition, use a clean humidifier or vaporizer while you sleep. The moist environment of a humidifier can become a breeding ground for bacteria, which can irritate allergies or trigger an asthma attack.
Asthma sufferers should avoid coming into contact with both domestic and farm animals. Asthmatics can be affected by the dander or pollen that comes from the animals, even if they have no allergies to them. This can be a very risky situation to put yourself in and should be avoided.
If you are having an asthma attack, it is crucial that you remain calm. Use your inhaler, wait 30 seconds and use it again. If the inhaler does not provide immediate help, get medical help right away. Have someone take you to a hospital, or if necessary call an ambulance. Inhaling and exhaling into a paper bag can slow your breathing while en route.
If you are suffering from an asthma attack, try to remain calm and do not panic. You should immediately use your inhaler and use the inhaler again 30 seconds later. If this does not lessen the attack, get help quickly. Ask a family member or friend to call for ambulatory help or to drive you to the emergency room. Try putting a paper bag up to your mouth and breathing into it to help slow your breaths.
You need to be educated in properly using your inhaler if you suffer from asthma. In order for the inhaler to work, you must carefully follow the directions. Every time you spray the inhaler, breathe deeply inward for about three seconds. When your doctor prescribes your inhaler, ask him for detailed instructions in using it correctly.
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. This will allow your doctor to stay updated on your condition as it improves or weakens, and make the necessary changes to your treatments. You are in charge of scheduling your visits with your physician in order for him or her to properly take care of you.
If you are utilizing the inhaler more than two times a week, ask your doctor to change your medicine. This frequency of inhaler use means that your inhaler medication is not functioning effectively. If you must refill your inhaler over two times a year, then it’s time to inquire with your doctor about a medication switch as well.
If you are going to paint your home, purchase a mask beforehand so that you will not breath the fumes. Paint fumes are especially dangerous for asthmatic people, but a mask will prevent asthma attacks efficiently. Take similar steps to avoid any chemical or other substance that tends to trigger your asthma attacks.
Learn all that you can learn about the condition you have. Knowledge is power, and enlightened proactive steps yield immeasurable dividends in your treatment and management regimen. Keep current with recent developments in asthma treatment and research so that you can maintain cutting edge care in your personal case. The only way to know this is to learn about your condition and your treatment options.
As was earlier stated, there is plenty of information you have to know about asthma. This article contains only a sampling of advice if you or a loved one is suffering from asthma. By taking all of this advice together, you are sure to help limit the toll that asthma has taken on your life.
You should visit your doctor regularly throughout the year, so they can keep you apprised on the status of your asthma. Your doctor needs to be able to evaluate your current situation and make any necessary changes. Your doctor is busy, so it’s on you to set and keep your appointments.