Asthma is a serious condition that can affect people of any age or gender. Always be aware of warning signs and certain environments that may worsen your symptoms. By avoiding things and places that bother your system, and by seeing a professional about your asthma, you will be better able to prevent an attack. This article provides several easy tips on making your symptoms better and reducing the likelihood of asthma attacks.
Do you know what sub-type of asthma you’re plagued with? Being fully informed about the specific type of asthma you have is very important. For example, if your asthma is often triggered by workouts, your inhaler should always be on hand when you exercise. Knowing your symptoms’ patterns can help you avoid big problems.
There are medications that can unknowingly cause asthma-like symptoms. Some NSAIDs and aspirins will do this for you. Additionally, beta blockers, a type of medication used for heart disease and hypertension, may cause asthma symptoms. Make sure your physician is aware of all of your chronic conditions and any medications you are on so they can treat your asthma appropriately.
If you suffer from asthma, it is vital that you avoid smoking; if you do, you should quit. Smoking is terrible for everyone, but it lowers the oxygen supply in asthma patients who need as much oxygen as possible.
If you are having an attack that is not severe, push as much air out of the lungs as possible. Breathe out quick and forcefully. Get the air all out of the lungs. Take three breaths in succession. These breaths don’t have to be deep, just breathe a little. Then take a deep breath, pulling as much air as possible into your lungs. When your lungs are as full as you can stand, force the air out. This establishes a regular pattern to your breathing routine, which means you have to pay attention to how you are breathing. It also helps to push air out from your lungs so new air can come back in. You might cough hard or create mucus, but its just a sign your breathing is getting back to normal.
Be aware of certain medications that can lead to asthma problems. Aspirin is an example of a widely used medicine that can cause asthma problems. This can also be caused by beta blockers, like medications that are used in managing high blood pressure or heart problems. If you’ve been diagnosed as asthmatic and are taking medications unrelated to your asthma, be sure your doctor is aware of them.
If your asthma attacks are severe, you may want to speak with your doctor about a long lasting injection of medication to control your symptoms. Omalizumab is a mediation that is able to control allergic reaction symptoms.
Because asthma is a continuing condition, you have to continually manage your health. 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. Find out from your allergist and your doctor what is best for you.
When struggling with asthma, consider using a leukotriene inhibitor. These medications prevent the production of leukotrienes. Leukotrienes are inflammation-causing chemicals that can bring on asthma attacks. Leukotriene is an oral therapy for the treatment of asthma, but it is not as effective as inhaled corticosteroids.
If you have asthma, you should keep away from any smoke from cigarettes. Do not smoke yourself, either! Avoid all fumes of chemical products or breathing harmful vapors. These can trigger a severe asthma attack that can be difficult to get under control. If you see people smoking in your vicinity, you should get away from them as soon as possible.
Know how to use your inhaler correctly. Find a comfy spot, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Proper use delivers the medication to your lungs. While taking a deep breath, spray in the recommended dosage. Hold your breath still for ten seconds at least in order to let the mist with medicine fill your lungs.
Never turn on a fan when the room you are in is very dusty. All this does is circulate the dust, which is an invitation to triggering an otherwise avoidable asthma attack. Open some windows if you want fresh air.
Make sure that you and your loved ones get a flu vaccination yearly. If you are afflicted with asthma, avoid getting any infections if possible. The preventative measures you can take against such sickness range from simple habits of hand washing to getting your annual flu shot.
Contact a social worker if you have asthma but do not meet the eligibility requirements for health insurance. Social workers are trained to help people find resources for affording health care, particularly on debilitating conditions such as asthma.
Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke because it is as dangerous to asthmatics as smoking a cigarette. When you inhale tobacco smoke, particularly in small areas without much ventilation, lung function may be severely impacted, and you have a higher chance of having an attack.
A dehumidifier is an excellent investment for asthma sufferers. Though you may not be aware of it, high levels of humidity in indoor spaces can increase dust mites, which then can affect asthma. A dehumidifier makes the air in your home dry by keeping humidity to a minimum.
Your asthma should not ever be downplayed or taken lightly. Asthma attacks can sometimes be lethal, so make sure you are taking measures to decrease the possibility of your asthma getting out of control. For instance, always carry around an emergency inhaler, and try to reduce the amount of airborne dust and allergens in your house. With the tips you just learned, you should, hopefully, feel a little better about getting your asthma symptoms under control.
For those who have asthma, the safest choice is to stick with unscented products. Scented products, like air fresheners, incense and perfume, raise indoor pollution levels and can trigger asthma attacks. Many things in the home release chemicals that irritate the lungs, such as newly installed carpet or fresh paint. Try to maintain fresh air inside your home.