Are you a person who, among millions of others, suffers from asthma? This article contains helpful advice on how to take control of your asthma.
You should avoid smoking and any type of fumes if you suffer from asthma. You should avoid jobs where you might be exposed to fumes and chemicals, such as factories.
If you are an asthmatic, it is vital that you never smoke, and if you already do, you should quit as soon as possible. Smoking is not recommended for anyone, but it creates worse complications for asthma patients by cutting off part of the oxygen supply needed to breathe properly.
If you have an asthmatic child, do not allow anyone to smoke around him. Secondhand smoke is a huge health risk and directly plays a role in why people develop asthma. It’s best to also keep your child away from places in which others will be smoking.
If you are experiencing a moderately severe attack, try to first exhale completely. Make your exhalations quick and forceful. Force your lungs to expel as much air as possible. 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 gives your breathing a rhythm and makes you focus on your breathing. It will also empty your lungs of air, so that they’re ready to take in new, fresh air. You might cough or produce sputum, but that is fine; you are trying to get breathing under control again.
A lot of medications can trigger an asthma attack without you knowing. Some over the counter medications can irritate your asthma. This can also be caused by beta blockers, like medications that are used in managing high blood pressure or heart problems. Let your doctor know about your asthma and what prescriptions you’re taking.
Asthma Attack
If you suffer from asthma and do not smoke, make sure to avoid people who do smoke. When you breathe in smoke, particularly in an enclosed area, your lungs cannot function as well, and it increases your risk of having an asthma attack.
Any type of smoke can bring on a serious asthma attack. Refrain from smoking! Avoid vapors and chemical fumes from cigarettes. Inhaling these substances may trigger an unstoppable asthma attack. When you see people smoking in your area avoid them and move away.
Mold and mildew will often grow in a humid home. They are a nuisance for people with asthma; the asthma attacks they trigger require you to eliminate them. A dry home will help you out a lot more. During winter time, use a dehumidifier if necessary to control humidity while running your heater, and use your air conditioner during summer months to keep air dry.
Consider getting allergy shots if you have asthma that is caused by allergies that aren’t under control. For example, Omalizumab can be used to keep your allergic reactions to a minimum and your asthma under control.
Asthma generally takes a long time to develop, and the symptoms may be vague at first, making it difficult to diagnose the problem. There have been a few cases where a person dies from their first attack, because they didn’t know they suffered from the condition. Therefore, if you find yourself having difficulties breathing or with a chronic cough, it is essential that you see a doctor and get tested for asthma. The sooner you get the needed treatment and medication, the better.
A leukotriene inhibitor can be helpful if you have asthma. These medications prevent the production of leukotrienes. Leukotriene, a chemical substance, can cause asthma attacks by causing inflammation. Taking an inhibitor will reduce the amount of this substance your body produces, which should decrease the number of attacks you experience.
If you are flying with your asthma medications, especially a large piece of equipment such as a nebulizer, be sure to bring along a written prescription from your doctor. If you have the proof that this is a medical necessity, it can cause less hassles during the security check.
Though it is easy to postpone or avoid, get those annual flu vaccinations. If you have asthma, try to avoid getting respiratory infections if you can. This means that you should take all standard precautions to avoid illness, such as washing your hands, getting vaccinated and avoiding those who are sick.
It is important to use your maintenance inhaler daily as prescribed. However, understand that most types of inhalers contain ingredients which may make your mouth more susceptible to infections. Immediately brush your teeth followed by a quick gargle after using your inhaler. This is a great way to prevent any kind of complications in your mouth.
Be sure not to smoke as well as stay away from any smokers in general, this can be very harmful for you if you have asthma. When you breathe in smoke, especially in small spaces, it diminishes breathing ability, which greatly increases the probability of an asthma attack.
Asthma sufferers should avoid coming into contact with both domestic and farm animals. While asthma can be triggered from an animal hair allergy, those free of these allergies can have an attack by the pollen and dust that the animals carry.
Receiving a flu shot annually is very important if you or a loved one are asthmatic. Stave off these infections immediately by getting your vaccinations yearly.
You may want to consider having numerous doctors treat your asthma. 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. The allergists, pulmonologists and nutritionists in asthma centers can help you take full advantage of all treatments available.
Avoid feather pillows if you suffer from asthma. The feathers from a pillow can cause asthma symptoms and decrease your lung function. Also, make sure your other bedding is made with hypoallergenic materials.
You need to know how to properly use your inhaler if you have been diagnosed with asthma. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that it’s as easy as pumping lightly into your mouth. Every time you spray the inhaler, breathe deeply inward for about three seconds. Without proper breathing techniques with your inhaler, your symptoms will worsen.
Have your rescue inhaler with you at all times, especially when on vacation. Traveling tends to put extra stain on the body, and you’re more susceptible to your asthma triggers under these conditions. It’s also hard to control the environment you’re in when traveling, which is another reason you might experience more symptoms or have an attack.
Support groups or talking with others who have asthma, can help you learn to live with your asthma. They can give you pointers and tips on what to do in certain situations, and can help you in your fight against asthma. Support from those you are around is crucial.
This article has many useful tips for controlling asthma symptoms. However, the biggest factor will be how determined you are to apply them. Even if you only briefly ignore the signs that indicate an asthma attack may be on the horizon, your symptoms can quickly reemerge. Use what you have learned to guard against the symptoms of asthma.
Know what your triggers are to safeguard yourself against asthma. Write down potential asthma triggers in a journal and talk to your doctor about them. After you identify substances that trigger your asthma symptoms, you can avoid those substances in your environment or ask your doctor whether there is a medication that will allow you to go into an environment with those triggers and remain free of asthma symptoms.