Your doctor has just informed you that you have asthma, and you feel very worried about what to do next. Asthma is a disease that is chronic, which means you cannot cure it. Life is not over though, just because of an asthma diagnosis. This article will explain some helpful tips that can aid you to manage your asthma diagnosis.
What triggers your asthma? Knowing as much as possible about your specific type of asthma will go an incredibly long way in helping you combat the day-to-day effects it has on you. If you have exercised-induced asthma, for example, you’ll want to bring your inhaler with you to the gym or other locations where you might be involved in physical activity. By knowing the pattern to your symptoms it will be a big help to you avoiding crises.
Suffer from asthma? It is vital that you not smoke tobacco; if you do, quit. Smoking is a bad habit for everyone, but patients that suffer from asthma are negatively affected by smoke as it cuts the oxygen supply off and induces an asthma attack.
If you suffer from asthma, stay away from the fumes of household cleaning products. Cleaning products contain a plethora of chemicals that are triggers to exacerbating symptoms related to asthma, as well as the attacks themselves. If you enjoy cleaning, or are the sole cleaner in the household, you are sure to be able to find one of the many natural cleaners that will be safe for your use.
There are some medications that may contribute to asthma symptoms. NSAIDs and aspirin are known for their ability to cause symptoms. Other medications that may have an effect on the respiratory system include beta blockers used to treat high blood pressure. If you have any of these conditions along with your asthma, make sure you tell your doctor.
You need to avoid all of the asthma triggers that you know. This is different for everyone, but some people, things like dust or pollen can trigger an attack. Some things, such as physical exertion, can cause an asthma attack. Know your asthma causes so you can avoid putting yourself in a situation where you may suffer from an attack.
If you’re in a dustier room, avoid turning on a fan. Dust blown around by fans can cause your asthma to rear up. Open some windows if you want fresh air.
There are some medications out there that you could be taking which will actually trigger your asthma symptoms. Some NSAIDs and aspirin might do this. Additionally, beta blockers, a type of medication used for heart disease and hypertension, may cause asthma symptoms. Talk to a doctor if you have any of these conditions along with asthma.
Social workers are there for your assistance if you live with asthma, yet can’t get approved for health insurance. 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.
If you are suffering from a moderate or mild attack, do your best to force as much air out of the lungs as possible. Exhale in a hard and fast manner. Get the air all out of the lungs. Then take three quick breaths, next a deeper breath till your lungs fill with air, then repeat the forceful exhalation again. This technique develops a breathing rhythm, allowing you to notice the breaths that you take in. It also allows you to take in more air by completely emptying your lungs. You may generate sputum, but the primary goal is to start breathing regularly again.
Get annual flu vaccinations for your entire family. If you suffer from asthma, it is best to avoid respiratory infections of any type as much as possible. The easiest way to start is by performing routine hand-washing, limiting your touching of surfaces while in public places, and getting vaccinations recommended by your doctor.
If your health insurance situation cannot help you with your asthma, talk to a social worker. It’s vital that you stay on medication, so there may be programs available to help you get them at a discount.
If you are dealing with asthma, you would benefit from buying a dehumidifier. A dehumidifier will reduce attacks by taking extra humidity and, by extension, dust mites and other debris out of your air. Air is kept dry by dehumidifiers by sucking the humidity out of it.
Everyone in your family, including you, should get the flu vaccination every year. Do everything you can to avoid a respiratory infection if you have asthma. Take standard precautions against any kind of illness, and start washing those hands and getting vaccinations that will protect you from getting very sick.
If you deal with asthma in your life, always choose products that are free of scents. Scented products, like air fresheners, incense and perfume, raise indoor pollution levels and can trigger asthma attacks. Freshly painted walls and brand-new carpet can also give off odors that cause irritation to airways. Try keeping the air indoors as fresh as it can be.
If you are dealing with asthma, you would benefit from buying a dehumidifier. If you lessen your humidity in the house, you will stave off dust mites that may make your asthma flare. Dehumidifiers remove the humidity by drying out the air that flows through your house.
Know that your asthma treatment or medication may have to be increased a bit if you are suffering from allergies, hay fever or a cold. The effects of an illness can cause the severity of your asthma to temporarily increase, which necessitates a change in treatment. Your doctor might add additional medication until your sickness gets better.
If you suffer from asthma, avoid smokers, even if you do not smoke yourself. When you breathe in smoke, particularly in an enclosed area, your lungs cannot function as well, and it increases your risk of having an asthma attack.
If you have asthma or you live with an asthma sufferer, you should ensure you receive an annual flu shot. Therefore, it is very important to avoid as many infections to the lungs as possible by getting a vaccine each year.
You may have to take more asthma medicine if you suffer from seasonal hay fever or catch a cold. Illnesses like this can often worsen your asthma symptoms, which may require that you up your dosage of certain medications. It is possible your doctor will want to add additional therapies to your treatment program until you are back on your feet.
If you are an asthma patient, you may want to sleep with a pillow that does not contain feathers. The feathers contained in the pillow could trigger the symptoms related to asthma and it could prevent your lungs from functioning efficiently. This extends to the rest of your bedding, as well. There are hypoallergenic comforters and sheets you can use to limit asthma symptoms.
If you are asthmatic, it may be a good idea to use a pillow that is not filled with feathers. Feathers can decrease lung function and cause asthma symptoms. This applies to bedding, as well, so it’s best to make sure that everything on your bed is hypoallergenic.
When you are traveling, be sure to carry your rescue inhaler with you at all times. When you travel, you sometimes strain your body a little more than you think, which can make you a bit more susceptible to having asthma attacks. You also have little control over your surroundings as you travel, and this may result in an increase in symptoms or frequency of attacks.
Some of the main triggers of asthma attacks happen right inside the home. These generally include dust, mold and spores. To keep healthy, lower your risk of an asthma attack by getting rid of these triggers from your home. Also, cleaning your house can help with this buildup.
Even if your asthma seems like it is under control, always keep your asthma appointments with the doctor. A flare-up can occur at any time, and your physician may have learned of a prescription medication that can treat your symptoms more safely and effectively.
Asthma is a medical condition that tends to slowly develop over time, and the symptoms are not always that obvious. There are many cases where people have died from their first asthma attack, without even being aware that they were at risk. Therefore, if you have trouble breathing or a constant cough, you may want to seek a medical professional to determine if you have asthma. Your physician can also determine whether you need medication for either asthma prevention or asthma treatment.
Asthma is a disease that effects the respiratory system, and can take many years to develop, often times going undetected. There have even been cases where people die from the first asthma attack they had, without knowing they had the condition. Therefore, if you find yourself having difficulties breathing or with a chronic cough, it is essential that you see a doctor and get tested for asthma. The sooner you get the needed treatment and medication, the better.
If you have asthma consider staying away from pets or 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.
Try using a inhaler that prevents asthma every day, but you should know that one of the side effects is mouth infections of teeth and gums. To prevent these issues, brush and use mouthwash immediately after inhaler usage.
Bed linens tend to collect asthma triggers like pollen, dust and other allergens. If you put your pillowcases and sheets in hot water weekly, these inducers will be reduced or completely eliminated. Fresh bed linens, laundered on a regular basis, will keep you breathing clearly and easily at night while you slumber.
As the above article has demonstrated, it’s vital that you’re as prepared as possible in regards to managing asthma. A good knowledge of how to prevent asthma attacks and how to manage your symptoms will make living with asthma easier. Reading this article has been the first important step in getting control of this disease.
Stay away from smoking. A lot of people know that smoking is bad for you, but if you have asthma it is far worse. Smoke is extremely irritating to the already sensitive asthmatic lungs, so care should be taken to not only smoke, but also avoid being in the presence of other people who are smoking.