Asthma is a serious medical condition that can put huge restraints on your ability to live and enjoy life. If you use several different coping mechanisms and take the correct medication, you can usually manage most of your symptoms. The following article will avail you to many of these solutions.
Do you know what type of asthma you have? Being aware of your particular asthma condition can help you to effectively treat it on a daily basis. An example would be to bring in your gym bag an inhaler if you happen to have exercise-induced asthma. Treating asthma is less difficult if you and your physician are aware of the triggers that bring on an attack.
If you suffer from asthma, don’t smoke, and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke. Stay far away from any tobacco products. You should also consider where you work, as factories may expose you to harmful vapors or smoke.
If asthma is something that you are afflicted with, then don’t smoke or immediately quit. 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.
Always be very mindful of the type of medications you’re taking. Some meds out there might just trigger an asthma attack. Various NSAIDs and aspirin have been reported to do this. This can also be caused by beta blockers, like medications that are used in managing high blood pressure or heart problems. It is important to let your doctor know if you suffer from asthma together with any of these conditions.
It is imperative that you do your best to avoid cleaning chemicals if you are asthmatic. Many of the harsh chemicals inside cleaning products might trigger symptoms or even a full blown asthma attack. If you clean the home, there are many natural products that are safe to use.
Asthma is not a curable disease and will require life-long health management. Be sure to take the correct medicines to keep your daily asthma symptoms under control, and always have emergency medication available in case an attack occurs. See your doctor or allergist to find out which treatment plan is best for your situation.
Stay away from anything that you are aware of that may trigger your asthma. Asthma triggers will vary greatly between individuals. If you have allergy related asthma, you will want to avoid pollen and dust. Others find themselves suffering from attacks when they overexert themselves. Determine what your trigger is so you can easily avoid an attack.
When you are suffering from an asthma attack, exhale all of the oxygen from your lungs. Breathe out hard and fast. You want to force all of the air from your lungs. Inhale for three quick breaths, and then take one deep breath so that you can allow your lungs to fill with air, and then force the air out again. Paying attention this way will help you stabilize your breathing and make it rhythmic. It also expels air from your lungs so more can enter. Do not be alarmed if you cough or generate excess mucous; this is perfectly normal. Your only concern is to return your breathing to normal.
Don’t turn on the fan if the dust in a room is aggravating your asthma. This could trigger an asthma attack because this will move the dust around. It’s better to open the window if you’re in need of fresh air.
If you are a person with asthma and have persistent attacks related to allergy symptoms, a medication that can be used for a long term effect is one that can be injected. An antibody medicine known as omalizumab is very effective at countering asthma attacks related to allergies. Ask your allergist about it.
If allergens are causing you to suffer from frequent asthma attacks that are moderate to severe, there is an injectable medication that can provide you with long-term relief. One antibody medication available is called Omalizumab and can be prescribed by your doctor or allergist.
It has been shown that if you use multiple varieties of cleaning products around your house, it will increase the chance of an asthma attack. Use organic products as often as possible, as these contain fewer harsh chemicals.
Make certain that all members of your family get their annual flu shot. Asthma patients should try their best to avoid getting respiratory infections. This means you should also be sure to wash your hands frequently and get vaccinated.
If you’ve got asthma, don’t smoke or be near smokers. When you inhale tobacco smoke, the lung’s function can be decreased, and you will increase the chance you have an asthma attack. Smaller areas without proper ventilation make you even more susceptible to an attack.
Products with no scent are the safest and best option for an asthma sufferer. Scented products such as air fresheners, incense and perfume heighten the degree of indoor air impurities and may possibly contribute to an attack. You should also avoid fresh paints or new carpets, as they give off fumes that can irritate the airway. Strive to maintain an indoor environment that is free from these pollutants, keeping the air fresh.
If you are dealing with asthma, a good idea is to use a pillow without feathers. Feathers can trigger asthma symptoms and reduce lung function. This applies to bedding, as well, so it’s best to make sure that everything on your bed is hypoallergenic.
Hay fever and colds can worsen asthma symptoms so prepare to need increased treatments. Many illnesses have side effects which can cause your asthma to get much worse, leading your doctor to increase treatment. Your doctor may also add another treatment to your regimen until your illness gets better.
Maintenance Medication
If you are on the road, be certain to travel with your inhaler at all hours. Traveling to different places might expose you to unexpected triggers, as your body is put under more strain when you travel. You also have little control over your surroundings as you travel, and this may result in an increase in symptoms or frequency of attacks.
Know the right way to take your asthma medication, and above all any rescue medication. 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 you will have asthma for the rest of your life, it is important that you take your maintenance medication properly, and that you use your emergency medication correctly.
Join an online or offline support group. Many people who suffer from asthma are unable to live a full life. Also, other asthma sufferers can alert you to scientific breakthroughs and changes, such as new medications.
Asthma develops over an extended time period, and its symptoms aren’t always obvious. There have even been cases where people die from the first asthma attack they had, without knowing they had the condition. Because of this, if you notice that you have trouble breathing or are constantly coughing, you may want to visit your doctor. They can tell you if you have asthma and if there is a medication that you should be taking. Your doctor can also tell you if there is something you can do to prevent asthma from developing.
Know exactly how any asthma medication you take or may take works. Asthma is generally treated with a rescue medication, usually an inhaler, in addition to a regularly-taken maintenance medication. It’s important to use both forms of medication properly to treat your chronic condition.
Like this article has said, if you don’t keep up with your symptoms, asthma can become life threatening. Ensure that you are always protected: carry your rescue inhaler and avoid allergens and high levels of air pollution. Apply these tips to help you overcome your asthma symptoms, and prevent them from restricting your freedom.
Asthma develops over an extended time period, and its symptoms aren’t always obvious. There are many cases where people have died from their first asthma attack, without even being aware that they were at risk. Because of this, if you notice that you have trouble breathing or are constantly coughing, you may want to visit your doctor. They can tell you if you have asthma and if there is a medication that you should be taking. Your doctor can also tell you if there is something you can do to prevent asthma from developing.