For the many sufferers of asthma, just the slightest activity can result in a serious and sudden loss of their very ability to breathe. You can live your life to the fullest by understanding the different treatment options available to you. The advice below will provide helpful information that can help you manage this respiratory condition.
When you suffer from asthma, avoiding cleaning products is really important to do. Cleaning products contain a plethora of chemicals that are triggers to exacerbating symptoms related to asthma, as well as the attacks themselves. If you’re the one who regularly cleans the house, look for natural cleaning products which are much safer to use.
If you suffer from asthma, avoid smoke, fumes and vapors. You should not smoke and consider which jobs are appropriate for you, especially if you are thinking about working in a factory.
Learn what triggers your asthma so that you can avoid it. This can vary from person to person, as small particles like dust can cause asthma attacks. Others experience an attack from physical activities. Keep a journal of your attacks so that you can start to learn what your triggers are so that you can prevent flareups before they begin.
There are medications that can unknowingly cause asthma-like symptoms. A couple of common culprits that do this are aspirin and NSAIDs. Many medications for heart disease and hypertension can also cause asthma symptoms. If you have asthma and these other conditions, let your physician know.
As a chronic disease, asthma must be managed continuously. It is crucial that you have the proper medications for controlling asthma, as well as medication, such as a rescue inhaler to treat sudden attacks. Consult with your physician and allergist to find out what is best for you.
If you have asthma, avoid cigarette smoke of all kinds. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, stop. Inhaling the chemical-laden fumes and even the vapors from cigarettes can be extremely harmful. This can cause your asthma to flare up, causing an attack that may be uncontrollable. The minute you spot people smoking, immediately remove yourself from the area.
Consider getting injections of medications to treat your asthma if you are prone to attacks induced by allergy symptoms. An antibody medicine under the name Omalizumab can be used to reduce these symptoms caused by allergies and might be prescribed by your allergist.
Social Worker
Consider a leokotriene inhibitor if your asthma is not controlled by other methods. These work by preventing the formation of leukotrienes. Leukotriene is a type of chemical substance which may cause inflammation and could cause an attack. Taking an inhibitor will reduce the amount of this substance your body produces, which should decrease the number of attacks you experience.
If you have asthma that is not covered by health insurance, contact someone in a government agency, like a social worker. It is crucial that you be able to pay for your asthma medications, and a social worker might be able to locate a hospital or clinic for you that offers medications at a much cheaper price.
Learn how to properly use your inhaler. Find a quiet spot and follow the instructions the manufacturer has given. The inhaler can only help you if the medication actually reaches the lungs. Inhale deeply and spray the correct dose into your mouth. Hold your breath at least ten seconds, so that the medicated mist can fill your lungs.
Using more than four different types of cleaning products in your home has been shown to increase the risk of an asthma attack. Try to use organic based cleaning products that are not harmful to asthma sufferers.
There are certain types of household cleaning products that can trigger asthma attacks, and using multiple products is particularly dangerous. Organic cleaners are also a safer choice since they contain fewer chemical irritants.
Asthma Treatment
If you suffer from asthma, don’t expose yourself to secondhand smoke. When you breathe in smoke, especially in small spaces, it diminishes breathing ability, which greatly increases the probability of an asthma attack.
Be prepared for your asthma treatment to be increased if you have a cold or hay fever. A lot of illnesses can cause your asthma to flare up very badly, resulting in the necessity to increase asthma treatment. Your physician might also add more treatments to your regimen until your asthma is under control again.
For those who have asthma, the safest choice is to stick with unscented products. Products that contain fragrance, such as perfumes, colognes, or air fresheners, fill the air with irritants that can trigger an asthma attack. Irritating odors are also given off by new carpeting and paints. As much as possible, try to keep your home filled with fresh, pure air.
If you’ve been diagnosed with asthma, be sure to get flu shots every year. This is doubly important for asthmatic children. Keep yourself safe from these outbreaks by getting a yearly shot.
Asthma treatment dosages will need to be increased if you are sick with a cold or are dealing with hay fever. Make sure your doctor prescribes a fast acting inhaler for emergency situations. You might even get a new treatment added onto our existing program until the illness subsides.
Asthmatic patients should avoid using feather pillows. Feathers can trigger asthma symptoms and reduce lung function. This also goes for bedding; use sheets, comforters and blankets that are crafted from hypoallergenic materials.
Take your rescue inhaler and keep it handy when you travel. It’s easy to get thrown off your regular eating and sleeping routine while traveling, which strains your body and increases your vulnerability to asthma attack triggers. It’s hard to have much control over your environment when you travel, which makes it more likely you will have some sort of symptoms or an asthma attack.
When you are traveling, make sure you have a rescue inhaler with you. Traveling tends to put extra stain on the body, and you’re more susceptible to your asthma triggers under these conditions. Controlling your environment is harder when traveling, so this makes it much more probable that you experience worsening symptoms or an attack.
Find a good support group in the Internet or in your area. If you have asthma, it can stop you from participating in basic activities like sports, especially if the condition is severe. By joining a support group, you will be able to discuss new scientific breakthroughs or treatment alternatives with those who are interested.
Some of the most notorious causes of asthma attacks exist in normal households. Dander, dust and mold are all commonly found in many homes. Having your house inspected yearly is a good way to reduce the presence of these asthma triggers. Cleaning your house on a regular basis is one way to keep these substances from accumulating.
Asthma develops over an extended time period, and its symptoms aren’t always obvious. Many individuals died from their very first asthma attack because they weren’t aware they had the risk factors for an attack. Therefore, if you have trouble breathing or a constant cough, you may want to seek a medical professional to determine if you have asthma. Your physician can also determine whether you need medication for either asthma prevention or asthma treatment.
It is essential that you learn the proper ways to use all of your asthma medications, especially those used in rescue situations. A typical asthma treatment plan is daily medication backed up with an emergency inhaler. It’s important to use both forms of medication properly to treat your chronic condition.
You should use your inhaler everyday regularly; however, be forewarned that the medicine can potentially lead to mouth infections, especially around your gums and teeth. To avoid those complications, be sure to brush teeth, gargle, and rinse mouth completely right after you have used the inhaler.
Asthma develops gradually, and its symptoms may not be very noticeable. Many individuals died from their very first asthma attack because they weren’t aware they had the risk factors for an attack. So, if you are having trouble coughing and breathing, talk to a doctor to see if you need treatment. You might receive a prescription to treat or prevent asthma.
During the week, you should take note each time your rescue inhaler is used. 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. If you notice an increased use in your inhaler, reexamine your management plan and check for any changes in your surroundings that may be triggering the asthma.
Make note of how often, on a weekly basis, you use your inhaler. If you find that you are relying on it more than two times a week, your asthma is possibly not being well-controlled. You are able to judge how the environment around you effects your body by how many times you need to use your inhaler.
When preventing asthma, stay away from smoke. Smoke and chemicals have been known to trigger asthma attacks. Stay away from cigarette smoke, fumes, and vapors as much as you can. Exposure to these substances can worsen your asthma considerably. Politely request that smokers abstain from smoking in your presence.
If you are cleaning, you should use a mop that is damp instead of a dry broom. Those particles that can trigger asthma attacks are stirred up when you sweep. In the same vein, choose a damp rag as opposed to a feather duster when dusting, as this prevents dust from flying about.
Do not use a vaporizer or humidifier unless you are sure it’s been thoroughly cleaned. The moist environment of a humidifier can become a breeding ground for bacteria, which can irritate allergies or trigger an asthma attack.
Do not smoke cigarettes. People know that smoking is dangerous, but it is even more dangerous to those with asthma. Sensitive asthmatic lungs are easily irritated by smoke, so they need to avoid smoking and to avoid situations where there are people who smoke.
If you need to use your inhaler more often than twice each week, this means your asthma isn’t adequately controlled and a medication change is required. Frequent use may be a signal that the medication is not effective. Also, if you have to refill your inhaler more than twice in one year, then a visit to the doctor for a medication change is also in order.
Rescue Inhaler
Consume more foods which contain vitamin B6. Recent research has shown that vitamin B6 , widely known as pyridoxine, is effective at reducing the occurrence of asthma attacks. Vitamin B6 is essential for producing chemicals that cause lung tissue to relax. Bananas are a wonderful source of Vitamin B6.
If you find yourself relying on your rescue inhaler more often than twice weekly, it may be necessary to speak with your doctor about changing medication. If you need to use your inhaler that often, the medicine in it isn’t working as well as it should. This is also true if you are refilling your rescue inhaler prescription more than twice a year.
Keep track of allergy attacks; if you have more than two a week, see a doctor about changing your medicine. The medical community holds two opinions about asthma attacks occurring more than twice a week: first, they are dangerous, and secondly, they are preventable.
Make sure you schedule regular checkups with your doctor every few months to keep a heads up on your asthmatic condition. Frequent check-ups help your doctor evaluate the effectiveness of your current treatment plan and revise the plan as needed. You have to take it upon yourself to make and keep these crucial appointments so that your doctor can assist you in managing your condition as effectively as possible.
Over time you should work to strengthen your body and increase the capacity of your lungs. The last thing you should do is a frenetic workout. You will surely trigger an attack. Start slow and build your stamina.
Now that you know the basic treatment options for asthma, you can either ask your doctor about them yourself or support a loved one in his or her search for effective treatment. Whether this advice will be applied to you or to someone you care for, take comfort in the fact that despite being diagnosed with asthma there are many treatments available to help lead a normal and fulfilling life.
Parents of asthmatic children need to pay close attention to their child’s asthma attack symptoms. This is especially true if your child is 5 or younger, as prompt professional medical care may be necessary. Some symptoms are gasping to breathe, difficulty speaking due to lacking air, etc. If you see any of these symptoms, your child should get medical help immediately.