Do you suffer from asthma and wish you were more knowledgeable about this condition? You are not the only one. There are a lot of people who want to expand their knowledge when it comes to asthma, yet they aren’t sure where they can obtain this kind of information. The advice you learn about asthma in this article may come as a surprise.
If you are an asthma sufferer, you need to avoid smoking and exposure to fumes or vapors of any kind. Because of this, you should avoid any kind of tobacco smoke and take any job that you want to apply for into consideration; factories could expose you to a variety of smoke, vapors and dust.
It is very important that an asthma sufferer refrain from smoking, if you do then it is advisable you quit now. Smoking is unhealthy for anyone, but it is especially dangerous for someone with asthma. This is because your lungs and airway are already compromised by your condition.
Asthma is a chronic condition, requiring constant health management. 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. See your doctor or allergist to find out which treatment plan is best for your situation.
Asthma Symptoms
Any type of smoke can bring on a serious asthma attack. This cannot be emphasized enough: Stay away from cigarette smoke! Avoid all fumes of chemical products or breathing harmful vapors. This can trigger an unstoppable asthma attack. If you see people smoking in your vicinity, you should get away from them as soon as possible.
There are certain medications that cause or exacerbate asthma symptoms. Not everyone knows this. Aspirin is an example of a widely used medicine that can cause asthma problems. Additionally, beta blockers, a type of medication used for heart disease and hypertension, may cause asthma symptoms. Tell your doctor if you are an asthmatic and you are using these medications.
If you’re in a room that has a lot of dust in it, don’t turn on a fan. The fan will cause the dust to circulate through the air, which can cause you to suffer an asthma attack. Open a window to bring clean, cool air inside instead.
When suffering a mild or even moderate asthma attack, attempt to push all air from your lungs. Exhale as quickly as possible, expelling air forcefully out of your lungs. You want to force all of the air from your lungs. Inhale in three short breaths and one fourth deeper breath so that your lungs are comfortably full of air, then exhale forcefully again. Doing this means breathing in a conscious rhythm that makes you mindful of your breathing. By repeatedly forcing air out, you make room for new air so that your breathing can get back on track. You might cough or produce sputum, but that is fine; you are trying to get breathing under control again.
If you are an asthma sufferer and are denied health insurance, talk to a social worker. You will need asthma medications, and if you are unable to afford them, a social worker can find a hospital or clinic that can offer you medication for free or for a little cost.
Anyone suffering from asthma or asthma-like symptoms needs to stay clear of cigarette smoke, whether you smoke yourself, or even if you’re breathing secondhand smoke. Do not smoke yourself, either! Don’t breathe vapor or chemical fumes. A severe asthma attack can be life threatening. Never visit a home or establishment where people will be smoking, and if people start to smoke, walk out.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma then you should avoid cigarettes and smokers like the plague. Inhaling smoke from tobacco products can compromise your lung function, which then makes you more susceptible to an attack. The risk of an attack from cigarette smoke is increased as the space you are in decreases.
Consider getting allergy shots if you have asthma that is caused by allergies that aren’t under control. One antibody medication available is called Omalizumab and can be prescribed by your doctor or allergist.
Try to keep your home as clean as possible, especially the bedroom of the asthma sufferer, to reduce the risk of an asthma attack. Food should not be eaten outside of the kitchen, and there should be no indoor smoking. Bypass chemicals when cleaning your home if at all possible, and be sure to open doors and windows afterwards.
Asthma Patients
Allergens, the common cold and influenza can increase your asthma symptoms. These kinds of illness can inflame you asthma to a degree that a treatment increase is necessary. It is possible that your doctor will decide to modify your treatment, or even add additional treatments, until you are back on your feet.
Asthma patients without health insurance can get help by asking a social worker and getting access to programs with the resources asthma patients need. Social workers are often able to locate a hospital or clinic that can offer free or low cost options to make sure you can fill your medication prescriptions.
Keep all your doctors appointments even if your asthma symptoms aren’t bothering you. Medical science is constantly evolving, so the doctor might know about a new treatment for you. Besides, you can never be sure when another attack might come on, so it’s better to be checked out.
Stay away from cigarette smoke, even if it’s secondhand. When you breathe in smoke, particularly in an enclosed area, your lungs cannot function as well, and it increases your risk of having an asthma attack.
Your home’s humidity can cause mold and mildew growth within it. Asthma attacks are easily triggered by these substances. Therefore, it is important to make sure your home is dry. Using a dehumidifier during cold weather and turning on your air conditioner when the weather gets hot again can help keep humidity out of your home to ensure your asthma is under control.
Unscented products are the safest option for those who suffer from asthma. Products that contain fragrance, such as perfumes, colognes, or air fresheners, fill the air with irritants that can trigger an asthma attack. Fresh paint and new carpeting give off odors that can irritate sensitive airways. As much as possible, try to keep your home filled with fresh, pure air.
If traveling by plane with your asthma equipment or medications, always carry your written prescription with you to avoid problems. Having written proof that the item in question is in fact medically necessary can cut down on hassles at the security check.
If you have asthma, use a pillow that doesn’t have feathers in it. Feathers in a pillow can bring on the symptoms of asthma and decrease lung function. This applies to bedding, as well. Purchase sheets and comforters that are made of hypoallergenic materials.
Clean your home with a wet mop instead of a broom. 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.
Think about becoming a member of a support group, whether it is online or somewhere local. Asthma can be quite debilitating, especially if the asthma is severe, and this condition can interfere with daily life. The individuals in this group could also provide you with new insights about medications that are out there, as well as other advice in dealing with asthma.
If you’d like to avoid asthma attacks, avoid cigarette smoke as much as possible. Smoke can cause you to have an asthma attack. Stay away from cigarette smoke, fumes, and vapors as much as you can. The more you are exposed to fumes, vapors and smoke, the more likely you are to have an asthma attack. If someone is smoking around you, you have every right to nicely ask them to not to.
Be sure you understand how to use your asthma medication, especially emergency medication. Asthma is generally managed through regular medicine which is supplemented with rescue medications like inhalers. Managing your medicine properly is important because asthma is a chronic health problem.
Don’t panic when you have an asthma attack. Wait half a minute and try the inhaler one more time. If your attack worsens, call for help. Get somebody to phone for EMS or even transport you themselves to the nearest emergency medical facility. Try putting a paper bag up to your mouth and breathing into it to help slow your breaths.
Asthma is a health condition that usually develops over a period of time, and has symptoms that may not be obvious. Sometimes, a person can die from their first asthma attack without actually knowing they had the disease to begin with! Because of this, persistent respiratory problems need to be checked out by a doctor, who may prescribe medication to treat existing symptoms or prevent new ones from appearing.
Always wear a face mask, if you are going to do any painting, in order to protect your airways from the fumes. Not surprisingly, paint fumes are a known irritant for asthma. Specially designed masks can filter out these fumes. Don’t use certain chemicals and substances that could aggravate 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. Always clean your teeth and rinse your mouth after you use your inhaler.
Aim to maintain a clean home. Keeping your bedding clean and washed regularly can really make a difference when trying to control your asthma. Washing your bedding regularly keeps dust mites away; dust mites are a trigger of attacks for many asthmatics. When there is a lot of dust in your house, the air will be irritating to any asthma sufferer, and they will be at a higher risk for having an attack.
As stated above, plenty of asthma sufferers want to learn more about their condition. This article has provided essential information about asthma so that now, you can ease the stress of having this disease with knowledge. Use this advice to improve the situation that asthma is creating for your life so you can get back to the business of living!
Try to take your time as you build your strength, this will also allow you to gradually increase the capacity of your lungs as well. Avoid attempting a strenuous workout if you know that it will likely trigger an asthma attack.