You should treat asthma as a serious condition that can impact your life negatively. You have to take the right steps in battling it so that it won’t become severe as prevention is much easier than having to react to a major attack. This article will provide you with the advice you need to manage asthma symptoms.
An important part of symptom management is knowing what type of asthma you have. Particular cases of asthma can respond differently to the same treatment, so you need to know all that you can about your case to treat it most effectively. People who suffer from exercise-induced asthma will need to make sure that they have an inhaler with them inside of their gym bag. You can actually start preventing asthma attacks if you are aware and mindful of any patterns that your symptoms present.
If you are an asthma patient, do not expose yourself to vapors, fumes and cigarette smoke. Stay far away from any tobacco products. You should also consider where you work, as factories may expose you to harmful vapors or smoke.
A great idea to help your child with asthmatic problems is to avoid smoking in any areas they frequent. Secondhand smoke is a leading cause of asthma. Also, do not let your child around others who smoke.
Common Medications
Smoking is a horrible habit, even deadly, for an asthma sufferer. Smoking is not recommended for anyone, but it creates worse complications for asthma patients by cutting off part of the oxygen supply needed to breathe properly.
There are some common medications that you could be using that will cause asthma symptoms. Aspirin and other NSAIDs are known to be asthma triggers. Common medications used for controlling high blood pressure often times contain beta blockers, which asthmatics may be more sensitive to. If you have asthma and these other conditions, let your physician know.
Avoid being around any known asthma triggers. Some people have allergies that cause asthma, and allergens such as dust and pollen can cause an attack. It could also be some type of strenuous exercise. It is important to determine what triggers your asthma attacks so you can try to avoid those things.
If you have mild to moderate asthma attack, breathe out forcefully to get every bit of air out from your lungs. Breathe out aggressively, as hard as you can. It can’t be said too strongly: you must force the air out! Take three short breaths, and then take a fourth, deeper breath to fill your lungs comfortably; then, breathe out with force again. Breathing in this rhythmic manner helps you to concentrate on the breaths you’re taking. It also pushes the air out of your lungs, so that more air can come in. You may generate sputum or cough but that is alright, since your main objective is getting you to breathe normally again.
Asthma is a chronic disease that requires ongoing, consistent management and care. You need to always take your medications for your everyday symptoms, and keep your quick relief medication with you in case you do have an attack. Speak to your allergist and doctor to see what they recommend for you.
You might want to purchase a dehumidifier to use at home if you have asthma. Though you may not be aware of it, high levels of humidity in indoor spaces can increase dust mites, which then can affect asthma. A dehumidifier makes the air in your home dry by keeping humidity to a minimum.
If you are dealing with asthma, keep far away from cigarette smoke. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, stop. Inhaling the chemical-laden fumes and even the vapors from cigarettes can be extremely harmful. This can cause your asthma to flare up, causing an attack that may be uncontrollable. If people are smoking around you, remove yourself from that area quickly.
Hay fever and colds can worsen asthma symptoms so prepare to need increased treatments. Adjusting your medication may be necessary to manage the symptoms of these and other illnesses. Your doctor may also add another treatment to your regimen until your illness gets better.
Make sure you are using your inhaler properly. Try to locate a calming location, and be certain to adhere to any directions given by the inhaler’s maker. The inhaler can only help you if the medication actually reaches the lungs. Inhale deeply as you dispense the correct amount into your mouth. Hold in your breath for 10 seconds so the medicine works properly.
If you suffer with asthma, get a flu shot each year. Avoid these infections by making sure your and your child’s vaccines are up to date.
Consider supplementing your diet with Vitamins E and C when you suffer from asthma. It is thought that these vitamins will help increase lung function and will help control asthma symptoms. Many foods have these vitamins in abundance, but you can also use a supplemental pill. Getting enough vitamins is also a good way to prevent asthma attacks by boosting your immune system.
When traveling, make sure to have your rescue medication handy at all times. Traveling adds strain on the body and increases your susceptibility 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.
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.
Even if your asthma seems like it is under control, always keep your asthma appointments with the doctor. You don’t know when another flare-up will happen, or when your physician can offer you safer or superior medicine for your symptoms.
Your asthma treatments will likely increase when you suffer from hay fever or a cold. Treatment may be increased in these cases as many illnesses have side effects that can cause flare ups in your asthma. Your regular medication may also need to be combined with other treatments your doctor may recommend.
Find a good support group in the Internet or in your area. Asthma is a terrible condition that can prevent you from engaging in simple daily activities. Also, other asthma sufferers can help keep you aware of new medications or other medical treatments.
If you have asthma, or if your children have asthma, it is vital that you receive the flu shot yearly. Avoid these infections by making sure your and your child’s vaccines are up to date.
Most of the triggers for attacks, and causes of asthma, are found inside the home. Dander, dust and mold are all commonly found in many homes. Have an inspector come visit your house to remove any harmful agents that you have so that you can stay healthy and lower your risk for an asthma attack. Clean up your house regularly so these substances do not accumulate.
Sleep with a feather-less pillow if you have asthma. Feathers in a pillow can bring on the symptoms of asthma and decrease lung function. Patients should also buy hypoallergenic bedding.
Mildew and mold grow best in a home with high humidity. These can very easily cause an attack. Therefore, it is important to maintain a dry home. Use a dehumidifier during the winter time so that you can keep humidity in control when you use a heater. You can use the air conditioning in your household during summer time to get the same affect.
Some of the main triggers of asthma attacks happen right inside the home. These generally include dust, mold and spores. An annual visit by a professional inspector can help keep your home free from these agents, and reduce the likelihood of an attack. You can help keep your house safe from these harmful substances by regularly cleaning and dusting your home.
During the months that are colder, wear a shawl, muffler or scarf that will cover your nose and mouth to help you avoid asthma attacks. This allows you to warm air 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.
During colder months, wear a shawl, scarf or muffler to avoid asthma. This will warm the air up before you breathe it into your lungs. In multiple studies, breathing cold air is linked to increased asthma attacks. This link is especially pronounced in younger children.
Understand how to properly use your own asthma medication, particularly the rescue medication. A treatment made up of a daily medication plus a rescue inhaler can help to keep asthma under control. Because asthma can be a lifelong issue, it is vital to take both regular and rescue medications according to the instructions.
Use your inhaler when you need to, but be aware that this product can cause infections near your gums and teeth. Brushing or gargling immediately after use can help reduce the risk of infection and other problems.
The development of asthma symptoms can occur over time and they can be difficult to pinpoint and diagnose. Sometimes, a person can die from their first asthma attack without actually knowing they had the disease to begin with! Discuss with your doctor if you are having problems trying to catch your breath or have had a persistent cough for a while. There is the possibility that you have developed asthma, and if so, your doctor can tell you what the best method to treat it would be.
It is important to track how often you use your fast-acting inhaler each week. Using it more often than twice weekly means that you should have your asthma assessed by a doctor. The frequency of your inhaler usage should remind you to monitor the environmental conditions around you and other issues relating to the way you manage your asthma.
Make an appointment with your primary doctor if you believe that your symptoms are starting to get worse. Also, follow this advice to control your symptoms so you can live a healthy life.
Avoiding smoke is one of the best asthma-prevention tips out there. Smoke is one of the primary triggers of asthma. Avoid any kind of chemical fumes, vapors, and tobacco smoke as much as you can. All of these air-borne pollutants can greatly increase your asthma symptoms. If there are smokers around you, you may want to ask them if they will smoke in another area.