Are you stressed about asthma and how it’s ruining your life? You are like many others. There are lots of people who want the straight dope about asthma, but aren’t sure what information is authoritative. What you’re going to read in this article might surprise you.
If you suffer from asthma, avoid smoke, fumes and vapors. This means avoiding tobacco products, and making sure that you do not choose any kind of job that could expose you to harmful vapors or smoke, such as factory work.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma and you are a smoker, it is time to quit. Smoking is unhealthy for everyone, however it is especially bad for asthmatics. Your lungs are already compromised from the asthma and adding smoke to that will cut off the vital oxygen supply your lungs need to breathe.
If you are suffering from asthma, it is essential that you quit smoking cigarettes. Although smoking is terrible for everyone, it is even worse for an asthma sufferer due to less oxygen supply in the lungs and that can trigger an attack.
There are some common medications that you could be using that will cause asthma symptoms. Aspirin and some other NSAIDs may do this. You can also use beta blockers, which will help you manage blood pressure. If you suffer from any of these conditions along with your asthma, make sure you tell your doctor.
Some medications are known to cause asthma symptoms. Some of these include aspirin and NSAIDs. You should also pay attention to heart medications you may take, or ones that treat abnormal blood pressure. If you have asthma and these other conditions, let your physician know.
If you are suffering from a mild or moderate asthma attack, expel all the air from your lungs. Exhale as quickly as possible, expelling air forcefully out of your lungs. This will force the air from your lungs. Inhale three times with short breaths, and then on the fourth one take a deeper breath so your lungs are full of air but still comfortable. Then breath out as hard as you can again. This creates a rhythm to your breathing, making you pay attention to the breaths you take. It also pushes the air out of your lungs, so that more air can come in. This may cause you to cough or it may cause phlegm, but your breathing will be back to normal again.
Asthma is a chronic condition that is ongoing over time, and as such, will require a continual treatment and management regimen. 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. Speak to your physician and allergist to find out what medications are right for you.
Try to keep your home as clean as possible, especially the bedroom of the asthma sufferer, to reduce the risk of an asthma attack. Only allow food in the kitchen, and never smoke indoors. Try not to use bleach or other irritants inside, and always thoroughly change the air in your house after cleaning.
If you are dealing with asthma, keep far away from cigarette smoke. Smoking is off limits. Don’t breathe vapor or chemical fumes. These can trigger a severe asthma attack that can be difficult to get under control. If people are smoking around you, remove yourself from that area quickly.
An annual flu shot is crucial if you have asthma or have an asthmatic child. Avoid a lot of these infections by getting vaccinated each year.
Resist the urge to turn on a fan if you find yourself in a room filled with dust. This could trigger an asthma attack because this will move the dust around. Open some windows if you want fresh air.
Avoid pillows with feathers if you have asthma. Feathers can trigger asthma symptoms and reduce lung function. It is also advisable to use hypoallergenic sheets and comforters for the same reason.
Properly use the inhaler every time you must use it. 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 for at least 10 seconds to allow the medicated mist to fill your lungs.
There is good reason to make sure you have your rescue medicine for asthma in a convenient, easy to reach place. Travel adds stress on your physical body, and it might increase your chances of falling prey to asthma triggers. You won’t be able to control factors in your environment, such as air quality, while are away from home. This also adds to the likelihood of an attack or more symptoms than you are used to at home.
If your health insurance situation cannot help you with your asthma, talk to a social worker. If you cannot afford medicine for asthma, your social worker can help you locate someone that can help.
There are support groups available to you, both in person or on the Internet. Asthma, especially severe asthma, can be a debilitating condition and prevent you from participating fully in daily life. Being a part of a support group can help provide you with honest information about products and helpful hints, as well as medical news.
Using more than four different types of cleaning products in your home has been shown to increase the risk of an asthma attack. Choose instead organic products that are not filled with harmful chemicals.
A humid home environment is a healthy environment for mildew and mold to develop. These fungi are both common triggers for asthma attacks. Keeping a home dry and mold-free is important. During the winter, you can use a dehumidifier to control humidity when using a heater, and an air conditioner during the summer will help keep your home dry.
People who have asthma should stick to using unscented products. Products with a strong smell such as air fresheners, incense or perfume can trigger asthma attacks. Other asthma irritants include fresh paint fumes and new carpeting. Strive to maintain an indoor environment that is free from these pollutants, keeping the air fresh.
Maintenance Medication
Receiving a flu shot annually is very important if you or a loved one are asthmatic. Get vaccinated every flu season to avoid a high number of infections.
Be sure you understand how to use the medication you’re given for asthma properly, especially your rescue medication. Asthma is generally treated with a rescue medication, usually an inhaler, in addition to a regularly-taken maintenance medication. Because you will have asthma for the rest of your life, it is important that you take your maintenance medication properly, and that you use your emergency medication correctly.
If you suffer from asthma, you might want to use a pillow that doesn’t contain feathers. The feathers can make asthma worse and take away from your ability to breathe. The same it true for bedding, try purchasing sheets and comforters that are created from hypoallergenic materials.
Clean your home with a wet mop instead of a broom. If you choose to sweep, you’re swirling up a tornado of dust and allergens, both of which are common triggers for asthma symptoms. When you dust, try dampening a rag, instead of a feather duster, to avoid spreading things that can trigger your asthma.
Think about signing up for a support group locally or online. Many people who suffer from asthma are unable to live a full life. Also, other asthma sufferers can help keep you aware of new medications or other medical treatments.
Asthma sufferers need to know which types of animals and breeds won’t trigger their asthma attacks. A lot of times the hair or dander will cause an asthma attack, but even if you do not have an allergy to the pet itself they often carry pollen and dust with them.
Asthma often takes time to develop, the symptoms appearing slowly. In a lot of cases, people die from an asthma attack because they didn’t know they had the condition. Discuss with your doctor if you are having problems trying to catch your breath or have had a persistent cough for a while. There is the possibility that you have developed asthma, and if so, your doctor can tell you what the best method to treat it would be.
Asthma sufferers need to stay inside as much as they can when the air’s pollen content is high. Despite being different conditions, asthma and allergies can be triggered by the same kinds of irritants. Now that you have information on local air quality in most areas, people who suffer from asthma will be able to decrease outdoor activities if there is potential irritants in the air.
If you are going on a trip on a plane and need to take your asthma medicine, take your prescription with you! Written proof of needing your equipment can help you with any issues you might have in the security line.
Don’t use a humidifier unless it’s been cleaned thoroughly if you suffer from asthma or allergies. 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.
Keep track of the number of times per week you use your rescue inhaler. If you are utilizing your inhaler more than two times per day, you might not be controlling asthma as well as you think you are! Focusing on how often you need your inhaler makes you aware of when you need to make changes to your plan for keeping asthma under control.
Being curious about your asthma is key in becoming a part of your treatment team. The purpose of the article above, was to give you crucial asthma information that you can use, to help ease the stresses of having this condition. Make use of this information in your everyday life, and you will soon realize that asthma is not such a difficult thing to deal with after all.
Smoking is particularly bad for people with asthma. While smoking is a dangerous habit in general, it is far more damaging to those who have asthma. Smoke is an irritant to sensitive lungs, ans asthmatics should neither smoke nor be around people who’re smoking.