Are you among the many people who have asthma? Read on for some simple ways to help you keep asthma symptoms under control.
Smoking is a horrible habit, even deadly, for an asthma sufferer. Smoking is unhealthy for anyone, regardless of their health; however, when you have asthma, smoking restricts the oxygen your lungs needs to breathe and function properly. If your lung function is affected, you run the risk of having more frequent attacks.
If you suffer with asthma, avoid cleaning products. Many of the harsh chemicals inside cleaning products might trigger symptoms or even a full blown asthma attack. If you clean the home, there are many natural products that are safe to use.
If you have asthma and have frequent attacks that are related to allergies, there are medicines that can be injected to provide you with long-term relief. An antibody medicine known as omalizumab is very effective at countering asthma attacks related to allergies. Ask your allergist about it.
Avoid those things that you know can trigger your asthma. This can vary from person to person, as small particles like dust can cause asthma attacks. While in other people, all it takes is physical activity and an attack can trigger. Try to determine your asthma triggers, so you can avoid them and prevent attacks.
Make proper use of your inhaler. Find a good place and follow all of the directions that have been provided by the maker of the product. The inhaler can only help you if the medication actually reaches the lungs. Spray the required dosage into your mouth while inhaling air. Hold your breath still for ten seconds at least in order to let the mist with medicine fill your lungs.
Allergy Symptoms
If you have asthma, it is imperative that you stay away from smokers. When you breathe in smoke, especially in small spaces, it diminishes breathing ability, which greatly increases the probability of an asthma attack.
If allergy symptoms cause you to have moderate to severe asthma attacks, there is a medication available that can help for extended periods of time. Omalizumab can effectively control allergy symptoms you may be experiencing and can be suggested by your local allergist if it fits your needs.
For asthma sufferers, the unscented option is always the best choice among different products. Products that contain fragrance, such as perfumes, colognes, or air fresheners, fill the air with irritants that can trigger an asthma attack. Put down some new carpeting and throw up a coat of paint to get rid of indoor odors. Try to maintain fresh air inside your home.
Know how to use your inhaler correctly. Find a spot that is peaceful, and then follow the instructions given by the manufacturer. The inhaler only helps if the medication reaches your lungs. While inhaling air, spray the proper amount of inhalant into your mouth. You should hold your breath 10 seconds so the medicated mist is able to fill up your lungs.
Stand ready for a boost to your asthma treatment should you suffer from illnesses like colds or hay fever. Many illnesses have side effects that could cause your asthma to flare up so badly that you need to have an increase in treatment. Your doctor may choose to also add an additional treatment until the illness gets better.
Make sure that everyone in your family, including you, gets annual flu shots. Asthma sufferers need to be careful and guard against any upper-resperatory illnesses. Precautions include washing your hands and staying current with vaccinations.
Figure out your asthma triggers. Once you know what they are, you can change your lifestyle to prevent asthma attacks. If you can’t avoid a trigger, you can pack your inhaler, take allergy pills or engage in other preventive measures so you don’t have an attack. Smoke, pollen, or pet dander are common triggers. Whenever possible, avoid those substances that trigger either symptoms or full-blown attacks.
Immune System
Think about signing up for a support group locally or online. Since severe asthma can be quite debilitating, it can have a huge impact on your everyday life. If you know other asthma sufferers, you can stay up to date on the latest medicines and treatment options.
If you suffer from asthma, make sure that you consume enough Vitamin C and Vitamin E. These vitamins help to control asthma symptoms and improve the function of your lungs. You can get both of these vitamins from eating certain foods, or by taking the vitamins in supplement form. Vitamins C and E are necessary for a healthy immune system. If your immune system isn’t healthy, it won’t be able to fight off illnesses that cause asthma attacks.
Understand how to properly use your own asthma medication, particularly the rescue medication. Most people treat their asthma with regular daily medication, and carry supplemental emergency medication in the form of a rescue inhaler. Asthma is a serious, chronic health condition, and it’s vital that you take medicine to manage the disease properly and use the rescue medications as directed.
If you use more than four cleaning products, you are increasing the risks of an asthma attack. A great way to prevent this is to purchase some organic, non-chemical cleaning products. These all-natural products are safe when inhaled.
Instead of sweeping your floors, clean them with a damp mop. Vacuuming or wet-mopping are better than sweeping because they don’t stir up dust and debris that might induce an asthma attack. Dusting with a damp cloth rather than a feather duster can be a considerable help in reducing the amount of dust and other things that might start an attack.
If you have asthma, it is imperative that you stay away from smokers. When tobacco smoke is inhaled, especially in closed-in areas, your lung function can be drastically decreased, which can increase your chances of suffering from an attack.
Smoke should always be avoided when you suffer from asthma. Inhaling smoke makes it harder for you to breathe and might result in an asthma attack. Stay away from cigarette smoke, fumes, and vapors as much as you can. These are all common triggers and can aggravate asthma symptoms. If you know someone who smokes, politely ask that they do not smoke in your presence.
Asthma Attacks
People with asthma should not smoke. Pretty much everyone is aware that smoking is dangerous, but for people suffering with asthma, it can have devastating effects. Smoke is very irritating to sensitive lungs, so take care not to smoke or be around others who are.
During the months that are colder, wear a shawl, muffler or scarf that will cover your nose and mouth to help you avoid asthma attacks. This will warm the air before it enters your lungs. Studies have consistently shown that cold air can cause your throat and lungs to constrict, triggering asthma attacks. Children are especially susceptible to cold-induced asthma.
If you have asthma and you’re also an allergy sufferer, you must only use a vaporizer or humidifier that’s been cleaned thoroughly. 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.
When flying and bringing along asthma medications and equipment, be sure to pack your prescriptions. This is especially true for large items like a nebulizer. You’ll speed up the process of going through security if you have written proof that shows that the items are necessary.
When you have asthma, it is very important to have regular check-ups with your doctor. Only your doctor can fully evaluate your condition and recommend appropriate changes in treatment. You are in charge of scheduling your visits with your physician in order for him or her to properly take care of you.
A preventative inhaler should be used every day, but you should know that this can cause infections near the teeth and gums in your mouth. You can prevent any of these mouth issues by brushing your teeth and gargling mouthwash as soon as you use the inhaler.
Make sure you consume more foods with vitamin B6. This vitamin, with the chemical name pyridoxine, can be helpful in controlling asthma attacks. Studies have shown attacks are less intense and less frequent when pyridoxine is added to the diet. It seems to work by producing molecular elements that aid it relaxing the tissues of your bronchial system. Bananas are a wonderful source of Vitamin B6.
Instead of sweeping your floors with a broom, it is preferable to clean using a wet mop. Sweeping can cause the rise of dust and dander, which may trigger an asthma attack. Use damp rags instead of a dry feather duster so triggers won’t be filling the air.
Keep your home dusted and mopped. Also, wash sheets, pillows and blankets frequently. When you do this, you prevent the buildup of dusts and dust mites, both of which often trigger asthma attacks. When dust builds, the air becomes much more irritating to those with asthma and can raise the chances of an attack.
Consider using more than just one doctor. Your primary care doctor should be the first person you go to, but think about seeing a few specialists. There are a number of different approaches used to treat asthma. See what a pulmonololist, an allergist or a nutritionist has to say about your asthma problems.
Work on gradually training your lungs to be able to take more stress. Avoid attempting a strenuous workout if you know that it will likely trigger an asthma attack.
People who suffer from asthma should stay inside as much as they can when the pollen count is up. Asthma is in no way an allergy, but a lot of the same burdens that bother allergy suffers also affect people who suffer from asthma. 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.
Know what symptoms indicate a serious asthma attack that requires immediate medical intervention is occurring. These symptoms include a bluish tint to the lips or fingernails and unresponsiveness to medication. Your child may also experience trouble speaking.
If asthma does strike, don’t lose your cool. Use your inhaler, wait 30 seconds and use it again. If your attack worsens, call for help. Go to the hospital. If the attack is particularly bad, have a friend take you or call 911. Try to breathe into a paper bag so that you can calm your breathing when you’re on the way.
Make sure you ban any type of smoking inside your home, or any place that can harm someone in your household who suffers from asthma. People who desire to smoke should go outside or away from the individual with asthma. Heavy smokers can trigger asthma attacks because their clothing gives of a smoke-filled scent.
It’s important to know absolutely everything you possibly can about your disease. Education is a priceless tool in finding the proper treatment for your asthma. Do your research, and keep current on available treatment information so you can be sure you’re doing all you can to feel well. The best way to ensure this is to know as much as you can about asthma and your options for treatment.
Parents of asthmatic children need to pay close attention to their child’s asthma attack symptoms. This is especially true if your child is 5 or younger, as prompt professional medical care may be necessary. Such symptoms to watch out for include: trouble speaking from lack of air, excessive sucking-in of the abdomen and gasps for more air. Any of these signs will mean your child is in need of urgent medical care.
Go to your doctor a few times every year to check up on your asthma, and ensure that it is being managed effectively. At your doctor’s visit, the doctor will evaluate your asthma and make any changes to your treatment plan if they are required. You need to stay on top of scheduling doctor visits. Otherwise, your condition might deteriorate suddenly.
If you are an asthma sufferer, you need to warm-up before you begin any strenuous exercise and to properly cool-down when you are finished. By doing these things, you will help prevent suffering from a big attack in the middle of your workout or immediately afterwards.
This article has a ton of tips you could use to control your asthma symptoms. However, none of these tips will be effective if you do not apply them properly. If you ignore the signs of an asthma attack or stop doing the things that work to keep your asthma under control, you’ll most likely start having trouble with your asthma again. The above article outlined ways in which you can protect yourself and control asthma symptoms.
Fresh air in your home is essential if someone in the household has asthma. Open your windows and doors whenever possible to allow the air to pass through your home. Having proper insulation is good during the winter, but for asthma suffers, it might not be such a good thing, since well-insulated homes have twice the allergens of ventilated homes with less insulation. Ventilation is one of the best ways to clear the air in a home.