When you’re having an asthma attack, you may have a lot of trouble breathing. This can terrify you even if you’ve had an attack before and know what’s going on. It can happen at any time and in some cases can even be fatal. This article can help you to understand why asthma attacks happen and point you toward ways to handle it and reduce the limits that it puts on you.
People afflicted by asthma should make it a priority to always avoid exposure to smoke, vapors and fumes. 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.
Do you know what type of asthma you have? Knowing as much as possible about your specific type of asthma will go an incredibly long way in helping you combat the day-to-day effects it has on you. If you have exercised-induced asthma, for example, you’ll want to bring your inhaler with you to the gym or other locations where you might be involved in physical activity. By knowing the pattern to your symptoms it will be a big help to you avoiding crises.
Avoid anything that could trigger your asthma. For some people, this can be pollen or other allergy triggers. Or, you may need to avoid certain activities that overexert your body. Look for the trigger points in your life, so you can work around them.
If you suffer from asthma, you should avoid cleaning products that have strong odors. Many chemicals contained in common cleaning products can aggravate your asthma, triggering an attack. There are many natural alternatives you can use to clean your home, instead of using harsh chemicals.
Asthma is a disease that is ongoing and must be attended to every day. Take the proper medications for controlling your asthma daily, and keep quick relief medication somewhere on you just in case you have a sudden attack. Discuss treatment strategies with both your primary care physician and your allergist.
Avoid being around any known asthma triggers. Many asthma suffers find that dust or pollen can trigger an attack. While in other people, all it takes is physical activity and an attack can trigger. You should know what causes asthma, so you can stay away from these things.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma, you must avoid cigarette smoke at all costs. Refrain from smoking! Don’t breathe vapor or chemical fumes. These irritants can be a trigger for a severe asthma attack. Leave a room if people smoke, or ask them to stop.
There are some medications out there that you could be taking which will actually trigger your asthma symptoms. Aspirin and some other NSAIDs may do this. Beta blockers, such as those used to control high blood pressure or heart disease may also have this effect. It is important for your doctor to know your complete medical history, including any medications you are currently taking, so they can best treat your asthma.
Talk to your doctor about getting a leukotriene inhibitor if you have asthma. Leukotriene inhibitors block the effects of leukotrienes. Inhibiting this chemical can lead to a decrease in asthma symptoms. The inhibitor can prevent them and decrease your asthma attacks.
Asthma is a chronic disease that requires ongoing, consistent management and care. Take the proper medications for controlling your asthma daily, and keep quick relief medication somewhere on you just in case you have a sudden attack. Consult with your physician and allergist to find out what is best for you.
It has been shown that if you use multiple varieties of cleaning products around your house, it will increase the chance of an asthma attack. Opt for organic cleaning products that do not contain irritating chemicals.
If you find yourself in a room that is dusty, don’t turn on any kind of fan. All this does is circulate the dust, which is an invitation to triggering an otherwise avoidable asthma attack. If possible, open a window to increase the flow of air into the room.
To cut the risk of an asthma attack, keep your house as clean as you can, particularly the bedroom of the person with asthma. Keep food consumption to the kitchen and the dining room, and never allow anyone to smoke in the house. After cleaning around the house, open windows and allow fresh air into the house. This can reduce the smell and pervasiveness of household cleaners like bleach.
Use your inhaler as directed. Go to a quiet place, and be sure to follow all instructions from the manufacturer. The inhaler is only useful if the medication within it actually gets to your lungs. Spray the stated dose of medicine into your mouth as you inhale. Be sure to hold the mist in your lungs for about ten seconds.
Avoid pillows with feathers if you have asthma. Feathers can trigger asthma symptoms and reduce lung function. This extends to the rest of your bedding, as well. There are hypoallergenic comforters and sheets you can use to limit asthma symptoms.
To lower the chances of an asthma attack, keep your house as clean as can be, especially the bedroom. Refrain from smoking inside the home, and keep edibles inside your kitchen. Bypass chemicals when cleaning your home if at all possible, and be sure to open doors and windows afterwards.
Whenever you travel, always keep your rescue inhaler or other fast-acting medication by your side at all times. Traveling to places can strain your body, and it is more vulnerable to asthma triggers when it is under strain. You also have little control over your environment when traveling, which can make you more susceptible to an attack and symptoms of greater severity.
Avoid using a feather or down pillow if you have asthma. Feathers may trigger asthma symptoms by irritating your lungs. Same thing with bedding – purchase sheets and a comforter that are constructed from hypoallergenic materials.
Join an online or offline support group. Asthma, particularly if it is severe, can incapacitate you and keep you from going about your daily activities. Also, communicating with other people with asthma will keep you in the know about changes in how the condition is understood and treated.
Even if you have not had any recent breathing problems, you should nonetheless schedule regular checkups. A flare up can come at any time and your doctor can always look into safer medications for your particular symptoms.
Mold and mildew will often grow in a humid home. Mold and mildew can have a hand in making you suffer a asthma attack! So try your best to make your home as dry as possible. In the winter months, use a dehumidifier in order to get rid of moisture. Your air conditioner will keep it dry in the summer.
See how many times a week you typically use the rescue inhaler. If you have to use your inhaler more than twice, then our asthma is not being controlled effectively, and you may need to see your doctor for a way to get it under control again. Remembering the times you use the inhaler provides a good way to keep checking your environment, as well as other things in your plan to manage your asthma.
Using a preventative inhaler is important, but you need to know the side effects it can cause such as mouth infections. You can prevent this by brushing your teeth and gargling immediately following the use of your inhaler.
If you have asthma attacks, remember to stay calm. Grab your inhaler and use it, then wait to see if it helps. If not, then use it again in thirty seconds. If this does not lessen the attack, get help quickly. Go to the emergency room, or call an ambulance if it’s extreme. Try putting a paper bag up to your mouth and breathing into it to help slow your breaths.
Asthma sufferers should minimize their contact with animals and pets. Animals are a danger to asthma sufferers who are already allergic to them, but pets also carry a wide array of dust particles and pollen, so avoiding them is a good move for anyone dealing with asthma.
Be sure you know exactly how to properly use your inhaler if you do have asthma. It isn’t as simple as spraying your mouth with it and lightly inhaling air. Every time you spray the inhaler, deeply inhale for a couple seconds. Follow the instructions on your inhaler exactly to get the most benefit.
Bed linens often collect asthma aggravators, such as pollen, dust and allergens. 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. You will find that having fresh linens will make your breathing while sleeping much easier.
If you need to use your inhaler more often than twice each week, this means your asthma isn’t adequately controlled and a medication change is required. Using your inhaler this frequently means your prescription is not effectively treating your asthma. Additionally, if your inhaler needs refills more often than about every six months, you are in the same situation and should see your physician.
If you are having an asthma attack, it is crucial that you remain calm. You should use your inhaler immediately upon the first signs of an attack. Once you have used it, use it again 30 seconds later. If this does not lessen the attack, get help quickly. Have someone phone an ambulance or drive you to a hospital. Breathing in and out of a paper bag on the way will help slow down your breathing.
It can also be fatal if not treated and controlled. Asthma in no way has to be a death sentence, however. In fact, it is a condition that is easily treatable. If you can implement the advice you have learned throughout in the article above, you can begin to control your asthma symptoms.
If you use your rescue inhaler more than two times a week, see a doctor to have your medication adjusted. Using your inhaler this frequently means your prescription is not effectively treating your asthma. Having to restock your inhaler more frequently than once every six months is also a concern.