Asthma is a little scary to deal with because it creates trouble with the way you breathe. It can happen without warning, limiting your freedom in life and putting your life in jeopardy. This article provides a wealth of information about why asthma attacks occur, and it gives you some tips for coping with it and lessening the limits it might put on you.
Figure out what type of asthma you are suffering with. When you know in-depth information about your asthma, you can figure out how to fight against it. People suffering from asthma that is exercise-induced, for example, had best be prepared for asthma attacks at the gym! If you know and understand your asthma triggers, you can better avoid and handle attacks.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma and you are a smoker, it is time to quit. Although smoking is terrible for everyone, it is even worse for an asthma sufferer due to less oxygen supply in the lungs and that can trigger an attack.
If you suffer from asthma, it is vital that you avoid smoking; if you do, you should 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.
Consider a leokotriene inhibitor if your asthma is not controlled by other methods. These inhibitors can prevent leukotrienes. Leukotriene, a chemical substance, can cause asthma attacks by causing inflammation. When used properly, an inhibitor can help reduce symptoms and prevent attacks.
It is crucial that you stay away from all types of cigarette smoke if you suffer from asthma. Do not smoke yourself, either! Avoid vapors and chemical fumes from cigarettes. Any of these things can trigger an asthma attack. The minute you spot people smoking, immediately remove yourself from the area.
Use your inhaler as directed. Find a peaceful spot, and make sure to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer. The inhaler is only beneficial if the medicine gets to your lungs. As you are inhaling air, spray the correct dosage in your mouth. Hold your breath still for ten seconds at least in order to let the mist with medicine fill your lungs.
Make sure if you have an inhaler that you are using it the right way. Try to locate a calming location, and be certain to adhere to any directions given by the inhaler’s maker. The only way the inhaler can help is if the medication can reach your lungs. Inhale air while spraying the necessary amount of medication into your mouth. Continue holding your breath for approximately 10 seconds. This way, the medication will soak into the cells of your lungs.
If you’ve got asthma, don’t smoke or be near 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.
If you have asthma and cannot afford health insurance or have no eligibility, bring up your situation with a social worker. Social workers are trained to help people find resources for affording health care, particularly on debilitating conditions such as asthma.
If you deal with asthma in your life, always choose products that are free of scents. Products with fragrance, such as perfumes, colognes, and air fresheners, introduce irritants into the air around you and can cause asthma attacks. Newly installed carpet or fresh paint in the home are both known to release chemical irritants. Try keeping the air indoors as fresh as it can be.
You should ensure that every family member in your household gets a flu vaccine yearly. Do everything you can to avoid a respiratory infection if you have asthma. This means that you should take all standard precautions to avoid illness, such as washing your hands, getting vaccinated and avoiding those who are sick.
Keep your home meticulously clean to reduce attack potential if there is an asthma sufferer living there, especially the bedroom. Food should be restricted to the kitchen, and smoking inside the home should never be permitted. When cleaning your home, try not to use products that contain harsh chemicals, such as bleach. You should also allow fresh air to thoroughly circulate throughout your home after you’re done cleaning it.
Pay attention to your symptom triggers. The more aware of your triggers you become, the easier it will be to avoid them and reduce the number of attacks you suffer. 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. When possible, stay away from triggers of asthma symptoms in an effort to prevent a severe attack.
You may have to take more asthma medicine if you suffer from seasonal hay fever or catch a cold. These illnesses have side effects that can cause asthma to flare up and make an increase in medication necessary. It is also possible that your physician will add an additional treatment to your routine until you recover from your illness.
Some common catalysts of asthma attacks regularly occur in the home. Such irritants include mold spores, dust, smoke and chemical fumes. In order to remain healthy and lessen any chances of having an asthma attack, it is recommended you have your home inspected yearly to have these harmful triggers removed. Keep your house clean to keep these asthma triggers out of your home.
Make sure you get a flu shot each year if you have asthma or if your child does. Avoid a lot of these infections by getting vaccinated each year.
When it’s colder, wear a shawl, scarf or muffler that will cover your mouth and nose to avoid asthma attacks. This lets the air warm slightly before you breathe it in. Studies have indicated that asthma attacks are sometimes triggered when cold air is inhaled. This is especially true for young children who have asthma that is moderate to severe.
Be certain you are aware of what triggers an asthma attack so you can avoid it, or at least be prepared to handle the symptoms. Generally, it is found that items such as smoke and pollen can trigger attacks in those that suffer with asthma. Try to avoid the things that make your asthma flare up.
See how many times a week you typically use the rescue inhaler. Your medication may need to be adjusted or an alternative treatment considered if you find that you need to use it 3 or more times per week. The frequency of your inhaler use is a good way to remember to check out your environmental surroundings and be mindful of all factors relating to your asthma regimen.
Asthma takes a long time to develop and doesn’t yield obvious symptoms. Sometimes, a person can die from their first asthma attack without actually knowing they had the disease to begin with! That is why it is important to check regularly with your doctor and always point out if you are having any kind of breathing problems or related symptoms. With the proper medical attention, you can prevent attacks and keep asthma under control.
Smoke should always be avoided when you suffer from asthma. Smoking can actually trigger an asthma attack. Keep away from chemical fumes, chemical vapor, and tobacco smoke as much as you can. These environmental conditions can exacerbate your asthma symptoms. If you in the company of someone who smokes, politely ask him to refrain when you are near.
If you are going on a trip on a plane and need to take your asthma medicine, take your prescription with you! Having written documentation supporting this medically necessary item will eliminate any hassles when going through the security check point.
Those with asthma should minimize time with pets and animals. An allergy to an animal will worsen asthma symptoms, and an animal can carry enough dust or pollen to trigger an attack.
When you clean house, it is recommended that you clean your floor with a wet mop instead of sweeping it. Sweeping stirs up irritants that can trigger an asthma attack. When dusting, try to use a damp rag rather than a feather duster to cut down on the spread of the triggers.
Bed linens attract things that cause asthma attacks. You can eliminate or reduce these inducers by washing your pillowcases and sheets weekly in hot water. These fresh bed linens will let you breathe easier when sleeping.
Avoid smoke to prevent asthma and asthma attacks. Smoke can induce an asthma attack. Keep away from chemical fumes, chemical vapor, and tobacco smoke as much as you can. Your asthma symptoms will be exacerbated by these things. If you in the company of someone who smokes, politely ask him to refrain when you are near.
You should have a team of medical professionals to help you craft your asthma treatment. Your primary physician should always be your first stop when dealing with asthma, but you may find it helpful to add a specialist’s knowledge. Asthma centers, allergists, pulmonologists, and nutritionists can all help ensure you are attacking your asthma on all fronts.
Bed linens are a magnet for nasty allergens and asthma triggers, including dust and pollen. A weekly wash cycle using hot water can eliminate these potential triggers for asthma attacks. Fresh linens, washed regularly, can ensure you breathe better as you sleep.
Keep yourself as calm as possible when having an asthma attack. Take your first dose of your inhaler and then wait thirty seconds. You can use your inhaler again after that. If the attack you are experiencing starts getting worse, seek assistance. Have some one call for an ambulance or take you to the hospital. While heading to the hospital, breathe into a paper bag; it will slow your breathing rate and help reduce the attack.
If left untreated, it can be deadly. If you heed the advice that this article shared with you, not only will your asthma be better managed, you will also have a greater breath capacity and a more active lifestyle.
Speaking with people in an asthmatic support group, or chatting with friends who also have asthma, can be helpful. Other sufferers can help you learn how to manage and live with your asthma, by offering tips and advice. Gaining support from the people you love and those who care is vital to the process.