Asthma is a serious medical condition that can put huge restraints on your ability to live and enjoy life. However, you should be aware that many of the symptoms of asthma can be manageable if you use several methods of dealing with your disease, in addition to taking your prescribed medication. The following article will avail you to many of these solutions.
It is imperative that you do your best to avoid cleaning chemicals if you are asthmatic. A lot chemicals that are in these items can set off an asthma attack or aggravate other symptoms. If you must do the cleaning in your home, opt for natural products with lower chemical content.
If you are an asthma patient, do not expose yourself to vapors, fumes and cigarette smoke. Thus, you need to avoid cigarettes and cigars and be vigilant about steering clear of environmental or workplace exposure to smoke.
Always be very mindful of the type of medications you’re taking. Some meds out there might just trigger an asthma attack. Aspirin and other NSAIDs are known to be asthma triggers. There are some beta blockers that are given to those trying to control their heart disease or who have high blood pressure that may be harmful to an asthmatic, as well. If you’ve been diagnosed as asthmatic and are taking medications unrelated to your asthma, be sure your doctor is aware of them.
If asthma is something that you are afflicted with, then don’t smoke or immediately quit. While smoking is bad for everyone, it’s particularly hard on an asthma sufferer as it restricts oxygen getting to the lungs.
If allergy symptoms cause you to have moderate to severe asthma attacks, there is a medication available that can help for extended periods of time. An excellent antibody medication that works well to control asthma symptoms, brought on by allergic reactions is called Omalizumab, and can be administered by your allergist.
You want to make sure you can avoid situations that could trigger your asthma. This is different for everyone, but some people, things like dust or pollen can trigger an attack. It could also be some type of strenuous exercise. Try to determine your asthma triggers, so you can avoid them and prevent attacks.
Try a leukotriene inhibitor if you have asthma. A leukotriene inhibitor works by preventing leukotrienes. Leukotrienes has a hand in causing swelling and inflammation in your lungs, and may trigger a asthma attack. By blocking the effects of leukotrienes, a leukotriene inhibitor can reduce the frequency and severity of your asthma attacks.
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. There are some beta blockers that are given to those trying to control their heart disease or who have high blood pressure that may be harmful to an asthmatic, as well. If you suffer from these conditions and also have asthma, be sure to let your doctor know.
Make sure you are using your inhaler properly. Get to a place out of the way, and read the directions before starting. The inhaler will only reduce symptoms if the medication can get to your lungs. Spray the required dosage into your mouth while inhaling air. Allow the mist to fill up your lungs by holding your breath at least ten seconds.
The symptoms of asthma might not always be apparent, but for those that suffer from the disease, the condition never goes away entirely. Be certain that you are using the right maintenance medicines to control your asthma and that you also have a rescue or emergency medication when you have an acute asthma attack. Consult with your physician and allergist to find out what is best for you.
If you have asthma, get a dehumidifier for your home. 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. A dehumidifier works to dry the air by removing moisture.
Don’t turn on the fan if the dust in a room is aggravating your asthma. If you do, the dust will move around, and you can trigger your asthma. Open some windows if you want fresh air.
If you use more than four cleaning products, you are increasing the risks of an asthma attack. Choose organic products, and stick to as few products as possible.
Social Worker
People who have asthma should stick to using unscented products. Use of scented products, such as perfume, air fresheners and incense, increase the levels of indoor air pollution and can trigger an attack. Newly installed carpet or fresh paint in the home are both known to release chemical irritants. Keep the air inside as fresh as you can.
If you have asthma and lack the health insurance coverage to deal with asthma treatment, talk to 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.
When you travel, your rescue medication should be with you all the time. Being in odd environments can cause undue stress on your body, which makes you more prone to an asthma attack. You also have little control over your environment when traveling, which can make you more susceptible to an attack and symptoms of greater severity.
Get annual flu vaccinations for your entire family. Respiratory infections can seriously hurt those who suffer from asthma, so take measures to avoid contracting them. This includes taking standard precautions against illness, like hand washing, as well as getting vaccinations that can keep you from getting sick.
Protect yourself against breathing in cold air that aggravates your asthma by wearing a scarf that covers your nose and mouth. That way the air is warmed before it enters your lungs. Young children are especially at risk for an asthma attack if the air they breathe is too cold, but this problem can affect anybody with asthma.
When dealing with hay fever or a cold, you will notice an increase in your asthma symptoms. An increase in treatment is necessary sometimes because side effects of other sicknesses can cause your asthma symptoms to flare up. You might even get a new treatment added onto our existing program until the illness subsides.
It is important to know the proper way to use asthma medication, especially the medication that is used in an emergency. Asthma is generally treated with a rescue medication, usually an inhaler, in addition to a regularly-taken maintenance medication. Asthma is an illness that is chronic in nature, so it is imperative to take the management medicine as directed and only using the rescue inhaler when necessary.
Realize what triggers your attacks, and you can avoid or manage these situations. 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. Whenever you can, avoid the things that trigger your asthma.
While using an inhaler can potentially cause mouth or gum sores, it is still important to use it daily if you suffer from severe asthma. A good way to prevent these complications and side effects is to brush your teeth and gargle immediately after using your inhaler.
Asthma Support Group
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. You can greatly reduce this by using a wet sponge, damp rag, or moist cloth instead of your old-fashioned feather duster.
Try joining an in-person or virtual asthma support group. Asthma can be devastating and lead to lethargy and withdrawal from normal life – especially if it is quite severe. On top of that, an asthma support group will keep you apprised of the latest developments in asthma medication and other significant medical breakthroughs.
Contact with pets and other animals should be minimized for the asthma sufferer. Even people that do not have allergies are prone to suffer an asthma attack from the pollen and dust on animals.
If asthma is not treated and controlled, it can be a life-threatening condition. Make sure to stay prepared by keeping your medication with you and avoiding harmful triggers. These tips can free you from the fear of asthma and help you live a normal life.
Do not smoke! Most people know that smoking is dangerous, but if you have asthma there are more serious consequences. Smoke irritates the lungs of an asthma sufferer, so avoid the presence of people who smoke if you have asthma.