If you have recently been handed a diagnosis of asthma, you may find yourself in a panic. Asthma is a disease that is chronic, which means you cannot cure it. However, this does not mean that life stops after a diagnosis of asthma. This article offers ways in which you can effectively and safely manage asthma.
Do you know what type of asthma you have? 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. One example of this is exercise-induced asthma. This type of asthmatic will need to carry his inhaler with him when he goes for a run. If you know and understand your asthma triggers, you can better avoid and handle attacks.
An important tip to help protect your asthma-afflicted children is to always refrain from smoking around them. Secondhand smoke is known to be a reason asthma happens. You also need to be sure that your child isn’t around those that choose to smoke.
You need to avoid all of the asthma triggers that you know. Certain asthma sufferers experience attacks when they around around allergy triggers, such as dust or pollen. Others may need to avoid certain physical activities to keep from suffering an attack. Figure out what sets off your asthma so you can avoid it.
When you suffer from asthma, avoiding cleaning products is really important to do. Cleaning products contain a plethora of chemicals that are triggers to exacerbating symptoms related to asthma, as well as the attacks themselves. If you’re the one who regularly cleans the house, look for natural cleaning products which are much safer to use.
Some medications that you may take unknowingly can cause you to have asthma symptoms. Some over the counter medications can irritate your asthma. You can also use medications that can control high blood pressure and heart disease, things like beta blockers. Talk to a doctor if you have any of these conditions along with asthma.
Asthma Symptoms
Think about getting a home dehumidifier if you have asthma. Dust mites are a major source of asthma attacks, and dehumidifiers are great at getting rid of the little buggers. A dehumidifier works to dry the air by removing moisture.
There are certain medications that cause or exacerbate asthma symptoms. Not everyone knows this. Among these medications are aspirin and other NSAIDs. 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.
Asthma attacks have been found to be more likely in homes where four or more different cleaning products are in use. Use organic cleaning products since they don’t have irritating chemicals.
It is always a problem if you have asthma and don’t have health insurance, but talking to a social worker may help you resolve this issue. A social worker can possibly help you with finding treatment and low-cost medications.
People suffering from asthma should stick to unscented products. Products with a strong smell such as air fresheners, incense or perfume can trigger asthma attacks. Newly installed carpet or fresh paint in the home are both known to release chemical irritants. Try to make it your goal to keep the indoor air as fresh and allergen free as possible.
If you have asthma, get a dehumidifier for your home. Dust mites are a major source of asthma attacks, and dehumidifiers are great at getting rid of the little buggers. Dehumidifiers reduce humidity and keep the air in your home dry.
Take your rescue inhaler and keep it handy when you travel. Travel adds stress on your physical body, and it might increase your chances of falling prey to asthma triggers. You can’t exert as much control over your environment when you travel, so you may have an asthma attack or exacerbation of symptoms under unfamiliar conditions.
An increased propensity for asthma attacks has been linked with the utilization of multiple cleaning products. The more you use, the greater the risk of an attack. Choose natural and organic products which don’t have chemicals that will irritate your disease.
Go to your regular medical check-ups, even if your condition seems under control. 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.
Try to keep your home as clean as possible, especially the bedroom of the asthma sufferer, to reduce the risk of an asthma attack. Only permit food in designated eating areas, such as the kitchen or dining room, and don’t allow smoking inside the house at all. After you clean, let the house air out completely, and stay away from using any harsh chemicals (especially bleach) inside.
Find a good support group in the Internet or in your area. Extremely severe asthma can be debilitating and prevent one from living a full life. Also, communicating with other people with asthma will keep you in the know about changes in how the condition is understood and treated.
If you have hay fever or a cold, chances are your asthma treatment will be increased. Adjusting your medication may be necessary to manage the symptoms of these and other illnesses. Your physician might also work an additional treatment into your therapy until such time as you are healthier.
Know exactly how any asthma medication you take or may take works. Asthma is usually treated on two fronts. One is a standard medication, taken daily, and the other is an inhaler, intended for use in an emergency. 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.
Think about becoming a member of a support group, whether it is online or somewhere local. Asthma, especially severe asthma, can be a debilitating condition and prevent you from participating fully in daily life. Your peers will be able to provide you with advice and tips that work for them, information about new treatment techniques, and even some home remedies you might not know about.
Stay away from smoke if you have asthma. Sometimes smoke can cause an asthma attack. Avoid any kind of chemical fumes, vapors, and tobacco smoke as much as you can. Your asthma symptoms will be exacerbated by these things. If you live with or near a smoker, find a way to politely ask that they not smoke around you or your living spaces.
Your home is where most asthma triggers are located. Some of these irritants include dust, mold and spores. To stay healthy and reduce the chance of asthma attacks, you should have an inspector visit your house yearly to remove these harmful agents. In addition, regularly cleaning the home can stop these things from building up.
Allergens, pollen, dust and some other asthma aggravators can collect in your bed linens. Clean your linen and pillow case every week to prevent asthma attacks. These fresh, regularly washed linens can help you breathe easier when sleeping.
Wear scarves, shawls and mufflers to cover your noise and mouth during colder weather. This will warm the air before it gets in your lungs. Inhalation of cold air is proven to initiate asthma attacks, and younger kids afflicted with asthma of moderate or severe proportions are especially at risk.
Have more than one medical professional look at your asthma problems. While your primary care physician should be your go-to source for asthma help, consider making an appointment with a specialist or two. Asthma centers, allergists, pulmonologists, and nutritionists can all help ensure you are attacking your asthma on all fronts.
Monitor how often, each week, you need your rescue inhaler. If you use it more than two times a week, your asthma may need to be better controlled, or you are going through an usual period that brings on more regular attacks. Counting how many times you reach for your inhaler can be a good aid to remind you of what environments you need to control and what else you may need to manage.
People that experience asthma must stay indoors as often as they can when pollen is abundant. Asthma is in no way an allergy, but a lot of the same burdens that bother allergy suffers also affect people who suffer from asthma. Since data on air quality is now widely published, those with asthma have the ability to avoid being outside when concentrations of irritants are high.
Anytime you clean your house or apartment, wet mopping is superior to sweeping. When you are sweeping with a broom, you stir up triggers like dirt and dust mites that can cause you to go into an asthma attack. When you need to dust, do so with a damp rag instead of a feather duster so that you reduce spreading around anything that will trigger your asthma.
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. If that’s the case, the medication in the inhaler isn’t working right. Additionally, if you must have your inhaler refilled more than two times in a year, you should consult your doctor.
Make sure you are going to different doctors. The first place to consider visiting is your main doctor, but they might also be able to recommend a specialist. Asthma centers, allergists, pulmonologists, and nutritionists can all help ensure you are attacking your asthma on all fronts.
Attending a support group of asthma sufferers, or just sharing with people who have this condition, can really benefit you. They can provide you with valuable tips and lessons on how to fight against asthma in many different situations. Surround yourself with people who understand asthma and support your fight against it.
As seen here, it is important that you are prepared in order to manage asthma. When you know everything you can about your specific asthma triggers, you can use that knowledge to avoid potential triggers. This article can help you build some knowledge to fight it.
Asthma is sometimes caused by genetics, and sometimes by environmental causes. If your family has a history of asthma, pay special attention to any respiratory symptoms that may indicate that you or a family member is developing asthma. Keep yourself and your family away from environmental hazards like smoke, pollution, excess dust and mold spores.