The need for fast and reliable relief from asthma symptoms is, unfortunately, rising. This demand has led to the development of some very effective treatments becoming available, both over the counter and by prescription. Certainly, there is a remedy that you will find helpful in controlling your asthma symptoms. Keep reading; this article is packed with tips and tricks that will make you more knowledgeable about your condition.
You should avoid smoking at all costs and being exposed to vapors and perfumes if you suffer from asthma. You should avoid jobs where you might be exposed to fumes and chemicals, such as factories.
If you have received a diagnosis of asthma, you are not to smoke or be near vapors or other types of fumes. Thus, you need to avoid cigarettes and cigars and be vigilant about steering clear of environmental or workplace exposure to smoke.
Cleaning products can trigger an asthma attack, so try to keep your exposure to them to a minimum. The complex list of ingredients on many cleaning products makes it difficult know which ones have the chemical compounds that might aggravate asthma symptoms or even initiate an attack. It is advisable to consider using products that have an organic base when cleaning.
Do you know the type of asthma that you suffer with? When you know in-depth information about your asthma, you can figure out how to fight against it. For instance, people with exercise-induced asthma would do well to carry an inhaler in their gym bag! Knowing the patterns of your symptoms will help you avoid crises.
Some medications that you may take unknowingly can cause you to have asthma symptoms. Believe it or not, something as seemingly innocuous as aspirin can actually trigger symptoms. Common medications used for controlling high blood pressure often times contain beta blockers, which asthmatics may be more sensitive to. It is important for your doctor to know your complete medical history, including any medications you are currently taking, so they can best treat your asthma.
Know situations and conditions that cause asthma attacks for you, and stay away from them in the future as much as possible. Some people have allergies that cause asthma, and allergens such as dust and pollen can cause an attack. Others experience an attack from physical activities. Pay attention to what causes your attacks so you can prevent them from happening.
Cigarette smoke will make your asthma worse. This cannot be emphasized enough: Stay away from cigarette smoke! Avoid exposure to chemical fumes or vapors. This can set off an Asthma attack that you might not be able to stop. If you see people smoking in your vicinity, you should get away from them as soon as possible.
If you have mild to moderate asthma attack, breathe out forcefully to get every bit of air out from your lungs. Breath out as hard and fast as you can. You want to force all of the air from your lungs. Take three short breaths, then one last deep breath to ensure your lungs have enough air, then forcefully breath out. This creates a rhythm to your breathing, making you pay attention to the breaths you take. It also will push all of your air out of the lungs so that you can get more air in. You may generate sputum, but the primary goal is to start breathing regularly again.
If you suffer from asthma and you are not eligible for health insurance, speak with a social worker. Asthma medications are a necessity, and a social worker can help you find an affordable way to keep your prescriptions current.
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. Smoking is off limits. Avoid breathing chemical fumes and vapors. This can trigger an unstoppable asthma attack. If you find yourself in a situation where you are around smokers, remove yourself as quickly as possible.
Allergens, the common cold and influenza can increase your asthma symptoms. The effects of some illnesses can exacerbate the effects of your asthma, causing the need for more treatments. Your family doctor may recommend adding another treatment or medication to your current regimen until you recover from your illness.
Never use a fan in a dirty, dust-filled room. The fan will cause the dust to circulate through the air, which can cause you to suffer an asthma attack. The better way would be to open a window to increase the airflow in the room.
Make sure you know what triggers asthma attacks so you can either avoid those triggers or be prepared to manage your asthma symptoms. If you have asthma, it’s most likely triggered by things such as being around animals or pollen. Most asthmatics also can’t tolerate smoke. Avoid your asthma triggers as much as you can to prevent attacks.
If someone in your home has asthma, make sure to keep a clean house, especially their bedroom so that the risk of an attack is reduced. Food should not be eaten outside of the kitchen, and there should be no indoor smoking. Bypass chemicals when cleaning your home if at all possible, and be sure to open doors and windows afterwards.
Consider joining a support group, either on or offline. Asthma is a disease that can affect your everyday life and prove debilitating in so many ways. Also, other asthma sufferers can help keep you aware of new medications or other medical treatments.
Receiving a regular flu shot is a great tip to implement if you or someone you love suffers from asthma. Make sure your child’s vaccinations are up-to-date to avoid as many infections as possible.
The more humid your home is, the easier it is for mildew and mold to grow. Mold and mildew can have a hand in making you suffer a asthma attack! Keeping a home dry and mold-free is important. A dehumidifier can be used in the winter, and in the summer, many air conditioner models also help strip moisture from the air.
Maintenance Medication
Wear scarves, shawls and mufflers to cover your noise and mouth during colder weather. This lets the air warm slightly before you breathe it in. Cool air has been known to trigger an asthma attack, particularly in very young children who have severe or moderate asthma.
Know exactly how any asthma medication you take or may take works. When you have asthma, you should be on a maintenance medication and have an emergency medicine for asthma attacks. Usually this is in the form of an inhaler. Because asthma has no cure, you must treat it carefully by taking your maintenance medication every day and using your emergency medication responsibly.
Know the right way to use any asthma medication you are taking, in particular your rescue medication. A treatment made up of a daily medication plus a rescue inhaler can help to keep asthma under control. Asthma is a serious, chronic health condition, and it’s vital that you take medicine to manage the disease properly and use the rescue medications as directed.
Asthma often takes time to develop, the symptoms appearing slowly. There have been a few cases where a person dies from their first attack, because they didn’t know they suffered from the condition. Because of this, persistent respiratory problems need to be checked out by a doctor, who may prescribe medication to treat existing symptoms or prevent new ones from appearing.
If you are taking an airplane and you need to travel with your asthma apparatus or medications, bring your written prescription with you. If you’ve got written proof, it’ll save you a lot of hassle when you’re at a security check.
If you’re flying and bringing along your asthma medications, bring a doctor’s written prescription with you. Having written proof that the item in question is in fact medically necessary can cut down on hassles at the security check.
Smoke should always be avoided when you suffer from asthma. Smoke can cause asthma attacks. Make sure to stay away from chemical fumes and cigarette smoke whenever possible. These environmental conditions can exacerbate your asthma symptoms. If you are being exposed to things that may irritate your asthma, remove yourself from the situation as quickly as possible.
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. You can prevent these side effects with proper tooth brushing and gargling after you use your inhaler.
Get a second opinion. Your PCP can be the person you go to for help with asthma, but it’s also a good idea to talk to a specialist. Nutritionists, allergists, and pulmonologists are just some of the advisers who can change your life for the better.
Avoid aggravating your asthma condition while sleeping by covering your mattress and pillows with plastic before putting clean linens on. It is important to wash your bed linens at least once per week in very hot water if you want to reduce or eliminate the potential aggravators. You will find that having fresh linens will make your breathing while sleeping much easier.
Asthma sufferers need to stay inside as much as they can when the air’s pollen content is high. While asthma isn’t an allergy, many allergy irritants can affect it. Asthma suffers can now minimize exposure to outdoor pollutants and irritants by checking online for current air quality in their areas.
Smoking is particularly bad for people with asthma. People know that smoking is dangerous, but it is even more dangerous to those with asthma. Asthmatic lungs are extremely sensitive, and should not be exposed to smoke. Someone who has asthma should not only avoid smoking, but should also try to avoid being exposed to people smoking in their vicinity.
Remain calm in the event of an asthma attack. You should immediately use your inhaler and use the inhaler again 30 seconds later. If you do this and you notice that your attack is worsening then you need to get help. Have someone drive you directly to the hospital or call an ambulance for you. Try breathing in a paper bag to slow your breathing on the way there.
Clearly, people with asthma today have many more choices than those who suffered from asthma in the past. You need to find the treatment that works for you. There is an abundance of resources that can tell you what benefits these treatments can provide. Use the tips above to breathe easier.
Ensure that you set up regular appointments with your physician every several months in order to be updated on your condition. Your doctor should be recording your current state as a benchmark, and making necessary changes to improve your situation if needed. It is up to you to be proactive about your health and set up regular appointments with your asthma doctor to allow him or her to work with you to keep you healthy and feeling well.