Your doctor has just informed you that you have asthma, and you feel very worried about what to do next. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for asthma. That doesn’t mean you need to curl up into a ball doing nothing, for fear that doing anything else would bring on an asthma attack. This article is like a virtual library full of information on asthma symptoms and treatments.
What type of asthma do you suffer from? Learning about your type of asthma will help you to deal with it. Asthma caused by exercise can be treated easily if you carry an inhaler when you go to the gym. Knowing when an asthma attack is likely to strike can help you avert disaster.
Do you know the type of asthma that you suffer with? Learning about your type of asthma will help you to deal with it. For example, if your asthma is induced by exercise, it might be wise to always have an inhaler in your gym bag. Knowing symptom patterns will help you prevent emergencies.
If you suffer from asthma, strong cleaning products should be avoided. Cleaning products contain a plethora of chemicals that are triggers to exacerbating symptoms related to asthma, as well as the attacks themselves. If you are responsible for cleaning your residence, think about purchasing natural products, which are less likely to set off your asthma.
Certain prescription medications have the potential to cause asthma symptoms. Aspirin is an example of a widely used medicine that can cause asthma problems. Additionally, beta blockers, a type of medication used for heart disease and hypertension, may cause asthma symptoms. If you’ve been diagnosed as asthmatic and are taking medications unrelated to your asthma, be sure your doctor is aware of them.
Anyone suffering from asthma or asthma-like symptoms needs to stay clear of cigarette smoke, whether you smoke yourself, or even if you’re breathing secondhand smoke. Don’t smoke! Avoid breathing in the vapors and any other types of chemical fumes. A severe asthma attack can be life threatening. Do everything you can to avoid cigarette smoke, air pollution, allergens and harsh chemical fumes to keep your asthma symptoms under control.
The symptoms of asthma might not always be apparent, but for those that suffer from the disease, the condition never goes away entirely. Ensure you’re taking the proper medications to manage common symptoms of asthma. In case of an attack, you need to have in your possession a medication that will provide almost instant relief. See your doctor or allergist to find out which treatment plan is best for your situation.
If you suffer from asthma, try seeing if a leukotriene inhibitor helps. As its name suggests, this inhibitor works by preventing the release and build-up of leukotriene. Leukotriene is a substance that can bring about inflammation, resulting in an asthma attack. When used properly, an inhibitor can help reduce symptoms and prevent attacks.
If you’re a sufferer of asthma, stay away from cigarette smoke. Asthma creates breathing problems by constricting airways, and cigarette smoking only exacerbates the problem. Air pollution and fumes from harsh chemicals also increase asthma symptoms. This can trigger an asthma attack, which may be difficult to stop. Avoid secondhand smoke by leaving physical distance between yourself and the smoker.
You should ensure that every family member in your household gets a flu vaccine yearly. Do everything you can to avoid 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.
If you are an asthmatic who also has allergies, injected allergy medication may be just the thing you need to get relief. There are antibody medications used to control allergic reactions that come recommended by allergists.
If you suffer from asthma, ensure you consume lots of Vitamins E and C. Since both of these have been attributed to better function of the lungs, they also help to control the symptoms of asthma. You are able to get these vitamins either from food or a supplement. Loading up on these vitamins will energize your immune system, aiding your body in preventing the illnesses that worsen or trigger asthma.
Proper knowledge of how to use your inhaler is necessary if you have asthma. Find a quiet spot and follow the instructions the manufacturer has given. Proper use delivers the medication to your lungs. Spray the stated dose of medicine into your mouth as you inhale. You should hold your breath 10 seconds so the medicated mist is able to fill up your lungs.
Studies show that using a variety of cleaning products in the home can actually increase the odds of triggering an asthma attack. Try to use organic based cleaning products that are not harmful to asthma sufferers.
Social Worker
If you are an asthma patient, be sure to stay away from people who smoke, even if you are not a smoker yourself. When you inhale tobacco smoke, particularly in small areas without much ventilation, lung function may be severely impacted, and you have a higher chance of having an attack.
If you have asthma and cannot afford health insurance or have no eligibility, bring up your situation with a social worker. Asthma patients need their medications, and a social worker might be able to hook you up with programs to help you such as clinics and programs through pharmaceutical companies.
Always choose unscented products for your home if you have asthma. Fragrances are present in hundreds of common consumer products, including cleaning supplies, perfumes, detergents and room sprays. Any of these items could easily increase the of triggering an attack. Be aware that fresh paint and new carpet also can emit harmful odors that irritate sensitive airways. Strive to maintain an indoor environment that is free from these pollutants, keeping the air fresh.
Ask everyone in your family to get a flu shot every year. If you have asthma, try to avoid getting respiratory infections if you can. Precautions include washing your hands and staying current with vaccinations.
While everyone appreciates the look and feel of a clean house, asthma sufferers in particular benefit from a healthy environment as it can decrease the risk of asthma attacks, especially in a sleeping area. Food should only be eaten in the kitchen area, and whatever you do, please don’t smoke. Bypass chemicals when cleaning your home if at all possible, and be sure to open doors and windows afterwards.
For those who have asthma, the safest choice is to stick with unscented products. Using products with scents, like perfume, incense and air fresheners, boosts the amount of air pollution indoors and can bring on an attack. Fresh paint and new carpeting give off odors that can irritate sensitive airways. Try to maintain the air in your house as free from possible asthma triggers as possible.
If you have asthma, or if your children have asthma, it is vital that you receive the flu shot yearly. This annual flu shot will prevent infectious damage to your lungs.
To keep from triggering any bad symptoms of asthma or a full-blown attack, it’s important to keep the home clean and tidy, free of dust and other particulates. This is particularly important in a bedroom. Only eat in the kitchen, and never let anyone smoke inside the house. Air the house out thoroughly after cleaning and avoid the use of bleach and other harsh chemicals indoors.
Have your rescue inhaler with you at all times, especially when on vacation. Traveling is hard on your body, and you might have an asthma attack easier because your body is more likely to respond to triggers. You also have little control over your surroundings as you travel, and this may result in an increase in symptoms or frequency of attacks.
It is important to track how often you use your fast-acting inhaler each week. If you use it more than two times, your asthma might not be well-controlled or you may have unusual occurrences causing those frequent attacks. The frequency of your inhaler use is a good way to remember to check out your environmental surroundings and be mindful of all factors relating to your asthma regimen.
A handful of primary initiators of asthma, and its attack triggers, lie right in your residence. Three triggers comprise the asthma triad of doom: spores, dust and mold. 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.
For a deeper and more thorough cleaning, mop your floors instead of simply sweeping them. Sweeping stirs up dust and other things that can trigger your asthma. Use a dampened rag when dusting, instead of a feather duster, so as to prevent stirring up loose dust particles and other asthma triggers.
Using your preventative inhaler should be done daily. It’s important to know, though, that it can cause sores and infections near your gums and teeth. Always clean your teeth and rinse your mouth after you use your inhaler.
For people with serious asthma, exposure to household pets should be limited. Having an allergy to dander or animal hair could be possible asthma complications, even sufferers free of these kinds of allergies could still have an asthma attack that is caused by pollen and dust animals seem to carry around with them.
Monitor your weekly inhaler use and tally how many times you need to use it to control an attack. If you use it more than two times, your asthma might not be well-controlled or you may have unusual occurrences causing those frequent attacks. You are able to judge how the environment around you effects your body by how many times you need to use your inhaler.
Do not make the decision to smoke. Most people know how dangerous smoking is, but for someone afflicted with asthma, the dangers are ten times more serious. An asthmatic’s lungs are more vulnerable than those of a healthy individual, which makes it especially important to abstain from smoking and avoid secondhand smoke.
Avoid smoke if you want to prevent asthma. Sometimes smoke can cause an asthma attack. Stay away from all types of fumes as well as cigarette smoke. These things can cause your asthma symptoms to greatly increase. If a person is smoking around you, politely ask him to smoke at times when you are somewhere else.
Educate Yourself
Asthma sufferers need to know which types of animals and breeds won’t trigger their asthma attacks. Even if they are not allergic to the animals, the pollen and dust that animals attract can trigger an asthma attack.
Educate yourself to the maximum regarding asthma. The more educated you are about your asthma, the more proactive you can be about your treatment. Stay current with treatment technology and get yourself the best care that you can. The best thing you can do is educate yourself about asthma and its treatment.
Asthma sufferers need to stay inside as much as they can when the air’s pollen content is high. While asthma and allergies are separate illnesses, you’ll find that the triggers for one tend to be mirrored in the other. These days, information about the quality of local air is readily available, so people with asthma can avoid spending time outside when the air is full of things that irritate their lungs.
Being prepared make living with asthma much easier. Knowing the kind of asthma you have and the different methods on how you can deal with it daily is necessary in order to avoid crises. This guide is your initial step in building your knowledge on how to combat asthma effectively.
If you are having an asthma attack, it is crucial that you remain calm. You should immediately use your inhaler and use the inhaler again 30 seconds later. If your attack continues to worsen, seek help. Have someone call emergency services or drive you to the nearest hospital. Try breathing in a paper bag to slow your breathing on the way there.