Respiration is one of the most important of the body’s functions. If you have a condition that affects your breathing and lungs, such as asthma, the complications to your life and health can be extreme. You can still live a normal and manageable life in a safe way, so do not believe your asthma is the end of the world when it comes to having fun and being in good health. Read the good advice in this article, and learn how to make life with asthma doable.
If you suffer from asthma, don’t smoke, and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke. You should avoid all tobacco products. You also need to consider where you see employment. If you have asthma, you should not work in areas where you will be exposed to smoke or vapors as they could cause you to have an asthma attack.
Don’t smoke around your child if they have asthma; this could worsen their situation. Secondhand smoke is a leading cause of asthma. Always ensure your child is in a smoke-free area.
Can you identify the exact type of asthma you’re dealing with? 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. People suffering from asthma that is exercise-induced, for example, had best be prepared for asthma attacks at the gym! Learn what activities trigger your symptoms, and prepare accordingly so that you’re never caught without your inhaler during an asthma attack.
The symptoms of asthma might not always be apparent, but for those that suffer from the disease, the condition never goes away entirely. Make certain you are doing the most you can each day to keep your symptoms under control. Take the proper medications needed for everyday symptoms, and always have quick relief medication by you at all times in the event an attack occurs. To find which treatment options are the best for you and your condition, make sure you speak with a doctor and allergist.
If you have any children who suffer from asthma, avoid smoking around them at all costs. As far as triggers that cause asthma attacks or causes of the condition in general, secondhand cigarette smoke ranks right up there. Make sure you keep your child away from other people who are smoking, too.
A dehumidifier is an excellent investment for asthma sufferers. Reducing the amount of humidity in your home reduces the number of dust mites, which in turn reduces the chances of your asthma flaring up. Dehumidifiers cause the air in your home to become dry, which means less humidity.
Asthmatics should not smoke. If you smoke – quit immediately. Although smoking causes health problems for everyone, it is even more dangerous to asthma sufferers because the smoke causes airway swelling that cuts off oxygen to your lungs, and can trigger an attack.
Scented products could cause averse reactions to asthma sufferers. It is safest to use unscented products when possible. Products that contain strong scents, like incense, perfume, or air freshener can trigger an asthma attack just by lingering in the air. You should also avoid fresh paints or new carpets, as they give off fumes that can irritate the airway. Aim to make the air inside your home allergen free, and as fresh and clean as possible.
Asthma is not a curable disease and will require life-long health management. Be certain that you are prescribed or using the appropriate medicine to manage your daily symptoms, and that you have an emergency medicine readily available in the event of an attack. Consult with your physician and allergist to find out what is best for you.
Keep dust and dirt to a minimum in any bedroom where an asthma sufferer sleeps. Food should only be eaten in the kitchen area, and whatever you do, please don’t smoke. Don’t use bleach or harsh chemicals inside, and air out the house as much as possible after cleaning.
Don’t turn on the fan if the dust in a room is aggravating your asthma. Dust blown around by fans can cause your asthma to rear up. Open some windows if you want fresh air.
Asthma Flare
If you have asthma that is not covered by health insurance, contact someone in a government agency, like a social worker. It is critical that every asthma sufferer have access to the proper medicines to keep the condition under control, and a social worker could help you locate a hospital or clinic that will provide you the necessary medication on a low or no-fee basis.
Understand what things make your asthma flare and avoid these things or manage the symptoms. The majority of asthma sufferers suffer attacks when exposed to some common trigger, including allergens or cigarette smoke. Try to avoid the things that make your asthma flare up.
If you use more than four cleaning products, you are increasing the risks of an asthma attack. Try using organic cleaning products which don’t contain irritating chemicals.
Try joining an in-person or virtual asthma support group. Asthma, especially if it is severe, can be quite debilitating and can keep you from being an active participant in life. Also, other asthma sufferers can help keep you aware of new medications or other medical treatments.
If you have asthma, it is imperative that you stay away from smokers. Inhaled smoke from tobacco can drastically reduce lung function, increasing your chances of an asthma attack. This is especially true in closed-in areas.
During cold, winter months, asthma sufferers should wear a shawl, muffler, or scarf that will cover both their nose and mouth. You can help warm the air with these things before they bring any harm to your lungs. Breathing cold air triggers your asthma attacks, particularly in young kids with bad asthma.
If you suffer from asthma, it’s best to avoid pillows full of feathers. Feathers in a pillow can bring on the symptoms of asthma and decrease lung function. This applies to bedding, as well. Purchase sheets and comforters that are made of hypoallergenic materials.
If you are flying with your asthma medications, especially a large piece of equipment such as a nebulizer, be sure to bring along a written prescription from your doctor. Written proof of needing your equipment can help you with any issues you might have in the security line.
Try joining an in-person or virtual asthma support group. Extremely severe asthma can be debilitating and prevent one from living a full life. A support group will help you have a good time and forget about your condition once in a while, as well as as keep you informed about the latest innovations.
If you have asthma, don’t stop using your inhaler unless your doctor tells you to. However, watch for infections in your gums or other mouth discomfort after using your inhaler. You can prevent these side effects with proper tooth brushing and gargling after you use your inhaler.
Protect yourself against breathing in cold air that aggravates your asthma by wearing a scarf that covers your nose and mouth. This will warm the air up before you breathe it into your lungs. Breathing cold air can set off an asthma attack, particularly in small children who have have somewhat severe asthma.
For asthma sufferers having contact with pets or other animals need to be minimized. Though dander allergies are often seen in conjunction with asthma, even asthmatics who are not allergic may have attacks that are triggered by the ancillary irritants transported by animals, including pollen and dust.
Asthma typically develops over a long time, and sometimes the symptoms aren’t very obvious. There are known cases where someone has actually died from a single asthma attack, because they were unaware that they had the disease. It is advised that you seek out a medical professional if you ever have shortness of breath or experience constant coughing; this may be a sign that you suffer from asthma and need proper medication to prevent an asthma attack and keep your condition under control.
Battling asthma can take your whole lifetime, but it gets easier day by day if you stick with reliable advice, like what you can get from your doctor or from this article. Already you can deal very effectively with most asthma problems. The medical state-of-the-art advances every day, and someday, asthma may be even easier to treat.
If you’re flying with asthma medications, be sure you get a prescription from your physician. When you can prove that an item is medically necessary, it can save a lot of time and hassle while working through airport security.