Asthma is a problem that all ages are constantly dealing with. Look for things that could make your condition worse, and always keep your appointments to see your doctor. The following paragraphs will give you the information you need to deal with asthma attacks, and more importantly, reduce the frequency of future attacks.
If you suffer from asthma, strong cleaning products should be avoided. Many of the harsh chemicals inside cleaning products might trigger symptoms or even a full blown asthma attack. There are many natural alternatives you can use to clean your home, instead of using harsh chemicals.
Do not smoke around a child with asthma. Secondhand smoke is one of the leading culprits that causes asthma. You should never put your children in a situation where they are exposed to people who are smoking.
Make sure you are taking plenty of Vitamins E and C if you suffer from asthma. Both vitamins improve lung function, helping you to better resist asthma attacks and other negative symptoms. You can choose to ingest this vitamins by eating foods that are rich in the vitamins or through a supplement. Your immune system gets a boost with these vitamins, and this helps protect your body against illnesses and asthma.
If you’re suffering from asthma, it helps if you can avoid any harsh cleaning products out there. Cleaning products contain a plethora of chemicals that are triggers to exacerbating symptoms related to asthma, as well as the attacks themselves. If you must do the cleaning in your home, opt for natural products with lower chemical content.
If you suffer from asthma, you should refrain from sleeping on a pillow that contains feathers. The feathers contained in the pillow could trigger the symptoms related to asthma and it could prevent your lungs from functioning efficiently. The same it true for bedding, try purchasing sheets and comforters that are created from hypoallergenic materials.
Chemical Fumes
Don’t miss your appointment for an asthma checkup simply because you aren’t currently having any problems with your condition. It is important to make sure your condition isn’t worsening, and your doctor may want to prescribe a different medication.
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! Avoid vapors and chemical fumes from cigarettes. This may cause an asthma attack you can’t stop. Do everything you can to avoid cigarette smoke, air pollution, allergens and harsh chemical fumes to keep your asthma symptoms under control.
Some common catalysts of asthma attacks regularly occur in the home. Typical asthma triggers in the home are dust and mold spores. If you want to prevent and manage these sources of asthma attacks, have regular home inspections by a professional, and get identified harming agents cleaned out. Keep your house clean to keep these asthma triggers out of your home.
Contact a social worker if you have asthma but do not meet the eligibility requirements for health insurance. You must have the ability to afford your medication, so a social worker might be able to locate a hospital or clinic that can offer them at little cost or free.
If you need to travel with your asthma medication, particularly if you plan on bringing a nebulizer or other large equipment, it can be helpful to obtain a letter from your doctor explaining their use. You’ll speed up the process of going through security if you have written proof that shows that the items are necessary.
Make sure that everyone in your family gets their flu shot. Keep yourself healthy, and without respiratory infections as best you can. The preventative measures you can take against such sickness range from simple habits of hand washing to getting your annual flu shot.
It is important to use your maintenance inhaler daily as prescribed. However, understand that most types of inhalers contain ingredients which may make your mouth more susceptible to infections. To prevent these issues, brush and use mouthwash immediately after inhaler usage.
Make regular asthma checkups with your doctor, even if you are not having any issues come up. A new flare-up may be just around the corner, or your doctor may have news of a more effective new medication you can try.
Avoiding smoke is one of the best asthma-prevention tips out there. Smoke can seriously affect the lungs and is a common asthma trigger. Vapors, cigarette smoke, and chemical fumes should be avoided. These things will aggravate your asthma and worsen the symptoms. If someone starts smoking near you, politely inquire whether they can smoke in your absence.
During cold, winter months, asthma sufferers should wear a shawl, muffler, or scarf that will cover both their nose and mouth. This will warm the air before it gets in your lungs. Inhalation of cold air is proven to initiate asthma attacks, and younger kids afflicted with asthma of moderate or severe proportions are especially at risk.
Your bed linen could be filled with dust, pollen or other allergens. A weekly wash cycle using hot water can eliminate these potential triggers for asthma attacks. Having fresh bedding will let you breathe more easily and have a more restful night.
Asthma is a disease that effects the respiratory system, and can take many years to develop, often times going undetected. There are many cases where people have died from their first asthma attack, without even being aware that they were at risk. Therefore, if you find yourself having difficulties breathing or with a chronic cough, it is essential that you see a doctor and get tested for asthma. The sooner you get the needed treatment and medication, the better.
Asthma sufferers should stay indoors as much as possible when pollen counts rise. Even though asthma is not technically an allergy, those who suffer from allergies often find their condition is exacerbated by the same irritants and triggers that those afflicted with asthma are affected by as well. Check the local air quality report online to determine whether to stay indoors and keep irritant exposure to a minimum.
If you are taking an airplane and you need to travel with your asthma apparatus or medications, bring your written prescription with you. When you have written proof that these items are necessary it can help speed along the security procedures.
If you have asthma and allergies, don’t use a vaporizer or humidifier if it has not been completely cleaned. Bacteria can build up in the moisture of these machines, and get relayed into the very environment that you are attempting to make more conducive to your condition.
If you have asthma, don’t stop using your inhaler unless your doctor tells you to. However, watch for infections in your gums or other mouth discomfort after using your inhaler. To avoid those complications, be sure to brush teeth, gargle, and rinse mouth completely right after you have used the inhaler.
Make sure your doctor shows you how to take your inhaled medication properly, and don’t leave his office until you are entirely comfortable using your inhaler. You need to know that you can’t lightly inhale as you just spray it inside your mouth. Each time you spray your inhaler, breath in deeply for a few seconds. Neglecting to learn how to use your inhaler correctly will cause your symptoms to worsen significantly.
See how many times a week you typically use the rescue inhaler. If you use it very often, you may not have it under control. How frequently you need to use the inhaler can help you recognize any environmental changes you need to make.
If you are utilizing the inhaler more than two times a week, ask your doctor to change your medicine. Frequent need of an inhaler is an indication that the medication prescribed is not the right strength. This also goes for refills. If you find yourself refilling your inhaler in excess of twice a year, then you need to change medications.
If you are working to prevent asthma, it is best not to smoke. Smoke and chemicals have been known to trigger asthma attacks. Vapors, cigarette smoke, and chemical fumes should be avoided. Exposing yourself to these pollutants can have a significant effect on your asthma symptoms. If you are being exposed to things that may irritate your asthma, remove yourself from the situation as quickly as possible.
If you want to paint something, get a mask to protect yourself from the fumes. Paint can trigger asthma-related issues, but wearing a mask will provide a protective barrier to circumvent these issues. Don’t use certain chemicals and substances that could aggravate your asthma.
Asthma aggravation, such as dust and pollen, can collect in your bed sheets and pillowcases. The easiest way to get rid of these triggering agents is by washing all of your bedding using your washer’s hot setting every Sunday. Fresh bed linens, washed regularly, will ensure that you can breathe a little easier while you sleep.
Asthma can be the result of genetics, environment or a combination of both. Common allergens often trigger an asthma attack and create the wheezing breathing
that is characteristic of the disease. Keep an eye out if you have any other family members who have asthma. You should try to prevent yourself and your children from being exposed to potentially hazardous environmental elements that can trigger asthma attacks, such as smoke, pollution, dust and mold spores.
You should always realize that asthma is a serious condition. You could die from an asthma attack, so it is best to avoid the triggers that cause you to have them in the first place. Always have an emergency inhaler on you at all times, and try decreasing the number of allergens and airborne dust in your home. Hopefully, by using the tips in this article your symptoms will improve and you can have more control of your asthma.
Watch for signs of a serious asthma attack in order to know whether you should rush to the hospital with your child. Some symptoms of a dangerous asthma attack are bluish or gray coloring of the lips and/or fingertips and not getting relief from using the medication more often. Your child may also be unable to speak.