Asthma can be very scary, whether you have it or someone you care about does. If you want to properly manage your situation well, educate yourself as to what asthma is, does, and entails. Learn about when and what to expect, and be sure to use these tips too.
Smoking is a horrible habit, even deadly, for an asthma sufferer. Although smoking causes health problems for everyone, it is even more dangerous to asthma sufferers because the smoke causes airway swelling that cuts off oxygen to your lungs, and can trigger an attack.
Do you know which type of asthma you suffer from? If you know as much as you can about the kind of asthma that you have, you can find out how to battle it day-by-day. For example, if your asthma is often triggered by workouts, your inhaler should always be on hand when you exercise. Learn what activities trigger your symptoms, and prepare accordingly so that you’re never caught without your inhaler during an asthma attack.
If you suffer from asthma, stay away from the fumes of household cleaning products. A lot of the cleaning products have certain chemicals in them which can trigger asthma attacks. If you’re the one that cleans your home, try organic or natural cleaning solutions that are much less risky to your health.
Asthma is a continuous disease that needs ongoing management. Ensure you’re taking the proper medications to manage common symptoms of asthma. In case of an attack, you need to have in your possession a medication that will provide almost instant relief. Speak with an allergist or your doctor to determine the best care for you.
If you find yourself in a room that is dusty, don’t turn on any kind of 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.
If you have asthma or you live with an asthma sufferer, you should ensure you receive an annual flu shot. Regular vaccinations will help you and your children to avoid lung infections.
A leukotriene inhibitor can be helpful if you have asthma. It works to prevent leukotrienes. Leukotrienes are molecules that cause the tracheal muscles to contract; having too many leukotrienes makes asthma attacks more likely. The inhibitor can prevent them and decrease your asthma attacks.
Have your rescue inhaler with you at all times, especially when on vacation. Traveling is hard on your body, and you might have an asthma attack easier because your body is more likely to respond to triggers. While on the road, it is also hard to control the environment you are in, which also makes an attack more likely.
Consider consulting a social worker if your asthma medication is not covered by an insurance policy. 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.
Maintenance Medication
If you suffer from asthma, ensure you consume lots of Vitamins E and C. These vitamins aid in improving the function of the lungs and controlling the symptoms of asthma. You can find the vitamins you need in food or supplements. These vitamins can also boost the immune system and help prevent asthma attacks.
It is crucial that you know how to properly use your asthma treatments, particularly rescue inhalers. Asthma typically is treated so that the sufferer has a regular maintenance medication, but is also prescribed a rescue medication, like an inhaler. 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.
Products with no scent are the safest and best option for an asthma sufferer. Scented products, like air fresheners, incense and perfume, raise indoor pollution levels and can trigger asthma attacks. Certain things in the home, such as newly installed carpet or fresh paint, can also release chemical irritants. Try to maintain the air in your house as free from possible asthma triggers as possible.
Pay attention to how often you reach for your asthma inhaler each week. Your medication may need to be adjusted or an alternative treatment considered if you find that you need to use it 3 or more times per week. This number can help you monitor your environment for asthma triggers and let you determine if your treatment plan is working properly.
If you or a loved one suffers from asthma, a support group may help. You can find support groups online or in your community. Asthma, especially severe asthma, can be a debilitating condition and prevent you from participating fully in daily life. Also, other asthma sufferers can alert you to scientific breakthroughs and changes, such as new medications.
When you are cleaning your home, it is always better to use a wet mop rather than sweeping your floors. Sweeping the floor kicks up dust and other debris that can set off an attack of your asthma. When you need to dust, do so with a damp rag instead of a feather duster so that you reduce spreading around anything that will trigger your asthma.
Many of the most common asthma triggers are found in the home. These generally include dust, mold and spores. Stay on top of your health and reduce the likelihood of attacks. You can do this by having it inspected every year to get rid of triggers. In addition, cleaning the house regularly can greatly contribute to keeping these substances from building up.
Asthma Sufferers
Bundle up during winter weather if you have asthma. Covering your nose and mouth with a scarf or muffler helps prevent asthma attacks. This will warm the air up before you breathe it into your lungs. Cool air has been known to trigger an asthma attack, particularly in very young children who have severe or moderate asthma.
For asthma sufferers having contact with pets or other animals need to be minimized. 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.
Monitor how often, each week, you need your rescue inhaler. It is possible that your asthma may be out of control or that there are extenuating circumstances that are exacerbating your condition. If you notice an increased use in your inhaler, reexamine your management plan and check for any changes in your surroundings that may be triggering the asthma.
Make sure you are going to different doctors. While your asthma treatment should start with your primary care doctor, visiting one or two asthma specialists can make a real difference in how well you understand and manage your condition. Asthma centers, allergists, pulmonologists, and nutritionists can all help ensure you are attacking your asthma on all fronts.
See multiple doctors to keep asthma under control. Your family doctor or primary care physician can be the person you go to regularly for asthma symptoms, but also talk to a few specialists. Asthma centers, pulmonologists, nutritionists and allergists can all work with you, making sure you are getting all the treatment you need.
Learn all you can learn about your condition. The more you know about the condition, the better you can help yourself. In order to ensure that you are always getting the best possible care, stay abreast of new developments and up-to-date treatments. You can do this only if you learn all about your condition plus the treatment options available to you.
If you find it necessary to use an inhaler more than two times a week, you should talk to your doctor about changing your medication. This level of frequency can mean your medication is ineffective for your needs. This is also true if your inhaler needs refilling more than two times annually.
Attending a support group of asthma sufferers, or just sharing with people who have this condition, can really benefit you. They can help you with advice on what you can do in some situations, and they can also help you with information on how to to fight your asthma. As with anything else, having the right support system can make a difference in how asthma affects your life.
Attending a support group of asthma sufferers, or just sharing with people who have this condition, can really benefit you. Your support group can give you some suggestions on how deal with certain situations, and help you to fight your asthma. Being with supportive people will give you the motivation to take control.
You should learn as much as you can about asthma. The advice in the article above is just a starting point to help yourself or a loved one to reduce the symptoms and cope with asthma. With their help, you can make asthma something you manage, rather than something that rules your life.
Make sure you consume more foods with vitamin B6. Pyridoxine or vitamin B6 has been demonstrated to reduce the number of asthma attacks in various studies. Pyridoxine is crucial in making molecules, which can relax bronchial tissue. One excellent source of vitamin B6 is bananas.