Asthma is a condition that will give you a lifelong struggle. It diminishes your capacity for normal activities, like taking a simple walk. Asthma is incurable and symptoms can be difficult to control. Follow the tips below to prevent asthma attacks and manage your symptoms.
Do you know what type of asthma you have? Gaining as much knowledge as you can about the type of asthma you have can make your day-to-day activities a little easier. A perfect example is that if you have asthma caused by exercise you should put a inhaler in your locker or gym bag. If you are familiar with your symptoms and their patterns, you will be better able to avoid emergencies.
What triggers your asthma? Before you can develop a self-care plan for your asthma symptoms, you need to know the specific cause of your symptoms. Those whose asthma is exacerbated by exercise will know to always have an inhaler on hand. Knowing the patterns of your symptoms will help you avoid crises.
Don’t smoke around your child if they have asthma; this could worsen their situation. Secondhand smoke is a leading cause of asthma, and it can also trigger an asthma attack. While making sure to never light up around your children, it is also vital that you make sure your kids are not around others who do not show the same courtesy.
If asthma is something that you are afflicted with, then don’t smoke or immediately 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 find that you are in a dusty room, do not put on any type of fan. This will cause the dust to move around, which could cause an asthma attack. If you wish to have a breeze, open a window instead of running a fan.
Asthma is a chronic condition that is ongoing over time, and as such, will require a continual treatment and management regimen. Your doctor may prescribe medications that must be taken daily. In addition, you will likely have medication to take in the event of an attack. Consult with your physician and allergist to find out what is best for you.
If you suffer from asthma and allergies that result in attacks, you can get injections of long-lasting medication for relief. Ask your allergist about omalizumab, an antibody drug that can reduce the severity of asthma symptoms and the frequency of attacks.
If you are experiencing a moderately severe attack, try to first exhale completely. Exhale quickly and hard. Force all the air out of the lungs! Inhale three times with short breaths, and then on the fourth one take a deeper breath so your lungs are full of air but still comfortable. Then breath out as hard as you can again. Using this strategy provides your breathing with a rhythm that forces you to focus on it. It will also empty your lungs of air, so that they’re ready to take in new, fresh air. If you cough up mucus, don’t worry – just get the breathing back to normal.
If you have asthma and cannot get health insurance, see a social worker. A social worker can possibly help you with finding treatment and low-cost medications.
Should you wind up inside a really dusty room, don’t activate any fans. While it may seem smart to get the air circulating, in reality this will only stir up the dust, making it easier to inhale and trigger an attack. A fan will just blow around dust without providing fresh air, so opening a window is a better option as it brings in fresh air and ventilation.
For asthma sufferers, the unscented option is always the best choice among different products. If you are using scented products like perfume, incense, or air fresheners you should up the level of air pollution in your home. Fresh paint and new carpeting can also irritate the airway. Try to see that the air inside your home remains as fresh as possible.
Everyone in your family, including you, should get the flu vaccination every year. Try to avoid getting any respiratory infections if you have asthma. This includes taking standard precautions against illness, like hand washing, as well as getting vaccinations that can keep you from getting sick.
If you’re suffering from a cold or allergies, you should talk to your doctor about taking additional asthma medication. The effects of an illness can cause the severity of your asthma to temporarily increase, which necessitates a change in treatment. Your doctor may prescribe a new medicine or change the dose of your existing medication until the hay fever or cold passes.
Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke because it is as dangerous to asthmatics as smoking a cigarette. When you inhale tobacco smoke, particularly in closeted areas, the functioning of your lungs can decrease, and you may suffer an attack.
If you or a loved one suffers from asthma, a support group may help. You can find support groups online or in your community. Suffering from asthma can mean many days are spent at home with your condition stopping you from participating in a full and fulfilling lifestyle. By joining a support group, you will be able to discuss new scientific breakthroughs or treatment alternatives with those who are interested.
Try to keep your home as clean as possible, especially the bedroom of the asthma sufferer, to reduce the risk of an asthma attack. Only eat in the kitchen, and never let anyone smoke inside the house. Make sure that the home is properly ventilated and aired out, especially after cleaning with harsh products, like bleach or ammonia.
Your home might harbor several of the major triggers of asthma attacks. These causes are sources, such as, but not limited to dust, mold and spores. Having your house inspected yearly is a good way to reduce the presence of these asthma triggers. Regularly cleaning your house can also contribute to preventing buildup of these substances.
Avoid using a feather or down pillow if you have asthma. People are often allergic to these natural products that can affect breathing and bring on asthma symptoms. Also, make sure your other bedding is made with hypoallergenic materials.
Making mouth and nose coverings such as mufflers, shawls or scarves a routine part of your winter wardrobe can help you ward off asthma attacks. This will warm the air before it enters your lungs. Breathing in the cold air has been shown to trigger asthma attacks, especially in younger children with moderate to severe asthma.
Asthma Treatment
Understand how to properly use your own asthma medication, particularly the rescue medication. Asthma is usually treated by using a regular medicine supplemented with a rescue medicine, like an inhaler. 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.
Be sure you understand how to use your asthma medication, especially emergency medication. Asthma treatment is generally two-pronged: Daily asthma treatment and additional emergency medicine to relieve attacks as they happen. Asthma is considered a chronic condition. For this reason, you should take the management of it very seriously.
When you need to take your asthma supplies on an airplane, it is a good idea to bring your doctor’s 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.
If you are traveling by plane and must bring inhalers or nebulizers on board, you should bring a written prescription for the equipment. You’ll speed up the process of going through security if you have written proof that shows that the items are necessary.
Refrain from smoking. There is a general awareness that smoking is not good for your health. But for the asthmatic, smoking can quickly have serious consequences. Smoke is very irritating to sensitive lungs, so take care not to smoke or be around others who are.
Inhalers are important to use every day, but be aware that inhalers have been known to cause infections near the teeth and gums. Always clean your teeth and rinse your mouth after you use your inhaler.
If you suffer from asthma and have to use your inhaler in excess of two or three times per week, you should see a doctor and ask about changing your medication. This means that the medication in your inhaler is not working well enough. This is also true if you find yourself refilling the inhaler prescription more than twice in a calendar year.
Monitor your weekly inhaler use and tally how many times you need to use it to control an attack. If your records start to show you need the inhaler more than two times weekly, your environment might be causing you problems or your asthma is not being controlled as well as it could be. You can use your frequency of inhaler use to gauge the effectiveness of your asthma treatment plan and make modifications when necessary.
If you are prone to asthma attacks, you need to find out what triggers them. Keeping a journal will help you and your doctor develop a plan to combat some of the triggers. Take active steps to minimize coming into contact with elements that trigger your asthma, to help reduce your attacks.
Bed Linens
Asthma can be the result of genetics, environment or a combination of both. If you have a family member with asthma, keep a close watch on your children and yourself for any asthma related symptoms. Air pollutants like smoke and mold spores can trigger an asthma attack, so keep your home clean to avoid irritation.
Your bed linens are where pollen, dust and other allergens like to collect. You can eliminate or reduce these inducers by washing your pillowcases and sheets weekly in hot water. Clean bed linens will help you breathe better while you sleep.
If you get at least two attacks a week, it might be time to try a different medication. Medical professionals generally consider two or more allergy attacks weekly to be dangerous, but completely preventable.
You should have a team of medical professionals to help you craft your asthma treatment. Although your primary doctor can treat your asthma, a specialist may be able to provide further help. You’ll want to visit an asthma center, or consult with a pulmonologist to get additional help improving your lung function. In addition, you should get tested for allergies so that you can avoid allergic reactions that trigger asthma attacks.
It is important to know the warning signs of an impending asthma attack so you can get medical help for your child if one strikes. If your kid is having an attack, you’ll see discolored lips and fingernails and increased medication use. Also, the person suffering the attack may be having issues talking.
Asthmatics should avoid smoking tobacco products whenever possible. Pretty much everyone is aware that smoking is dangerous, but for people suffering with asthma, it can have devastating effects. Smoke can severely irritate an asthma sufferer’s lungs; so, if you do suffer from asthma, stay away from both smoking and being around smoke in general.
Make sure that smoking does not ever occur near an asthma sufferer. People can smoke outside or as far away from the person with asthma as possible. Just the smell of smoke on those who indulge heavily in smoking can set off an asthma attack.
Do not treat your asthma lightly. Find out what symptoms may be specific to you, and begin learning how you can manage it every step of the way. Use the information here, and you can prevent asthma from taking over your life.
You need to get a flu shot every year. You should get the vaccine regardless of whether you are or are not affected by the flu on a yearly basis. If you have asthma, getting the flu will cause further respiratory issues, for instance sinus infections.