Having asthma can completely change your life. At its worst, this condition can be life-threatening. And, even having mild asthma can greatly restrict the things you love to do in life. It is important to do everything you can to keep this disease under control. Apply treatments and take medication properly to improve you asthma symptoms.
Talk to your doctor about getting a leukotriene inhibitor if you have asthma. A leukotriene inhibitor is for the prevention of leukotrienes. Leukotriene are chemicals that may cause your lungs to get inflamed which can lead to an asthma attack. If you use an inhibitor, you may find that the your asthma attacks significantly decrease.
A good tip that can help your child cope with asthma is to make sure you never smoke around them. Secondhand smoke is a trigger for asthma attacks, not to mention the myriad of other diseases it can cause. Ensure that your child is not around other people that smoke, either.
If you have asthma, it might be helpful for you to buy a dehumidifier. A dehumidifier will reduce attacks by taking extra humidity and, by extension, dust mites and other debris out of your air. Dehumidifiers reduce attacks in your home by making the air cleaner and drier.
Stay away from anything that you are aware of that may trigger your asthma. Allergens such as dust and pollen can bring on an asthma attack at any time. Others may need to avoid certain physical activities to keep from suffering an attack. Try and figure out what gets your asthma started so you know what to avoid.
Hay fever and colds can worsen asthma symptoms so prepare to need increased treatments. Illnesses like this can often worsen your asthma symptoms, which may require that you up your dosage of certain medications. Your doctor might add additional medication until your sickness gets better.
Prescriptions and over-the-counter medications can actually trigger an asthma attack. Some NSAIDs and aspirin might do this. Common medications used for controlling high blood pressure often times contain beta blockers, which asthmatics may be more sensitive to. It is important to talk openly with your doctor about your asthma so that you do not take any medications that could be harmful to you.
If you are asthmatic, it may be a good idea to use a pillow that is not filled with feathers. The feathers from a pillow can cause asthma symptoms and decrease your lung function. The same goes for bedding – try to buy a comforter and sheets that are made from hypoallergenic materials.
Asthma is a continuous disease that needs ongoing management. Be certain that you are using the right maintenance medicines to control your asthma and that you also have a rescue or emergency medication when you have an acute asthma attack. Speak with an allergist or your doctor to determine the best care for you.
The more humid your home is, the easier it is for mildew and mold to grow. These substances are prime triggers for asthma attacks. A dry home will help you out a lot more. During the cold, winter months, a dehumidifier can help. In the summer, an air conditioner naturally takes out a lot of the humidity in the air.
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.
You should definitely use your preventative inhaler on a daily basis. However, you should be warned that the drug can also cause infections in your mouth, particularly near your teeth and gums. You can prevent this by brushing your teeth and gargling immediately following the use of your inhaler.
Unscented products are the safest option for those who suffer from asthma. Products with a strong smell such as air fresheners, incense or perfume can trigger asthma attacks. Many things in the home release chemicals that irritate the lungs, such as newly installed carpet or fresh paint. Try to maintain the air in your house as free from possible asthma triggers as possible.
Anytime you clean your house or apartment, wet mopping is superior to sweeping. Sweeping your floor can kick allergens into the air, triggering an asthma attack. A damp rag should be used when dusting because a feather duster can cause dust to kick up and lead to an asthma attack.
If your child or yourself are asthma sufferers it is very important that you get the flu shot every single year. A yearly vaccination will help minimize the number of infections your children have to deal with.
When you are making an effort to control asthma, do not smoke. The inhalation of smoke can easily trigger an asthma attack. So do whatever you can to stay away from vapors, chemical fumes and smoke from cigarettes. Exposure to these substances can worsen your asthma considerably. If someone is smoking around you, you have every right to nicely ask them to not to.
Don’t miss your appointment for an asthma checkup simply because you aren’t currently having any problems with your condition. You don’t know when you could have another flare-up, or if there are better or safer medications available.
Avoid aggravating your asthma condition while sleeping by covering your mattress and pillows with plastic before putting clean linens on. It is important to wash your bed linens at least once per week in very hot water if you want to reduce or eliminate the potential aggravators. These fresh bed linens will let you breathe easier when sleeping.
Asthma Attacks
Avoid smoking. The dangers surrounding smoking are well documented, but for asthma sufferers the issues can be much more serious. Smoke greatly irritates the sensitive lungs of the person with asthma, so in addition to not smoking, someone with asthma should avoid people that are smoking.
Some of the main triggers of asthma attacks happen right inside the home. Three triggers comprise the asthma triad of doom: spores, dust and mold. To keep your body healthy and to cut down the frequency of asthma attacks, it is important to have your house professionally inspected and cleaned to remove these harmful substances. Keep your house clean to keep these asthma triggers out of your home.
If you suffer from asthma, it is imperative that you know how to correctly use your inhaler. It is not as simple as spraying it into your mouth and breathing in. Each time you spray your inhaler, breath in deeply for a few seconds. Properly using your asthma inhaler is one of the most important ways you, as a person with asthma, can protect your health.
Do not allow mold or mildew to grow in your home, because they can be extremely dangerous for asthma sufferers. Both mold and mildew are associated with asthma attacks. So, it makes sense to keep dry air in your home. One way to control the humidity in the house is to employ a dehumidifier to pull out the excess moisture.
Learn everything you can about your condition. The greater your knowledge base regarding asthma, the more involved you can be in determining treatment plans. Stay as current as you can to ensure you get the best possible care. You can do this by educating yourself on your condition and the treatment options that are available to you.
Asthma Attack
If you have asthma, visit your doctor every three or four months so that they can help you monitor your health. Your doctor should be recording your current state as a benchmark, and making necessary changes to improve your situation if needed. You need to stay on top of scheduling doctor visits. Otherwise, your condition might deteriorate suddenly.
The development of asthma symptoms can occur over time and they can be difficult to pinpoint and diagnose. In some serious cases, people have dropped dead due to an asthma attack without ever knowing they had asthma in the first place. It is advised that you seek out a medical professional if you ever have shortness of breath or experience constant coughing; this may be a sign that you suffer from asthma and need proper medication to prevent an asthma attack and keep your condition under control.
When painting, you should buy a protective mask if you suffer from asthma. Paint can aggravate asthma, but a mask can combat the irritation because it forms a shield between your nose and the environment. Avoid specific chemicals and substances that could worsen your asthma.
You should track how often, in a week’s time, you require the use of a rescue inhaler. If you use it three or more times each week, your treatment plan may not be working effectively or else an atypical situation may be triggering an increased number of attacks. You can use your frequency of inhaler use to gauge the effectiveness of your asthma treatment plan and make modifications when necessary.
Asthma can be caused by genetics, environmental factors, or a little bit of both. If you have a family member with asthma, keep a close watch on your children and yourself for any asthma related symptoms. Things in the environment like smoke, mold, dust and pollution can aggravate asthma. It is important to keep your family and self away from these things.
Many people underestimate asthma, or at least think that they can’t do anything about it since it is an incurable disease. However, you’ll be amazed at how much difference you can make simply by following these simple steps to try and relieve symptoms and reduce the sources of asthma attacks.
There are certain symptoms that you should look for to help you understand whether your child is having an asthma attack and needs to be transported to the hospital. If they’re having a serious attack, look for increased medication use that has little or absolutely no effect and blue or grayish lips and fingernails. Also, your child could have difficulty talking.