Asthma can be terrifying, whether it’s a loved one or it’s you that is affected. You should have an understanding of what asthma does to people and how the condition operates, so you can handle asthma accordingly. A better understanding of asthma combined with the following asthma management advice can dramatically reduce the instance of asthma attacks.
Do you know what sub-type of asthma you’re plagued with? When you’re informed about your asthma, you’ll be able to do more to cope with the illness and prevent it from having a negative effect on your life. Asthma caused by exercise can be treated easily if you carry an inhaler when you go to the gym. You can avoid a crisis by knowing your symptoms’ patterns.
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that requires constant 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.
Smoking is extremely harmful if you suffer from asthma. If you are not already a smoker, don’t start, and if you are, quit as soon as possible. Although smoking is bad for all people, it is especially worse for asthma patients because it cuts off the oxygen supply that you need in order for your lungs to function and keep away asthma attacks.
Use the inhaler the right way. An inhaler is most effective if used in a relaxed location and according to the maker’s instructions. You can inhale all you want, but it’s useless if the medication doesn’t make it to your lungs. Inhale air while spraying the necessary amount of medication into your mouth. Make sure you hold your breath for 10 seconds or more to get the medications into your lungs.
Be careful of chemical cleaners if you are asthmatic. The complex list of ingredients on many cleaning products makes it difficult know which ones have the chemical compounds that might aggravate asthma symptoms or even initiate an attack. If you are responsible for cleaning your residence, think about purchasing natural products, which are less likely to set off your asthma.
If you suffer from asthma, don’t expose yourself to secondhand smoke. As soon as you inhale any smoke from tobacco, your lungs become sensitive, which increases your risk of an attack. Just avoid any type of smoke, especially in small areas, and keep your lungs healthy to be safe.
Asthma is an ongoing disease and requires ongoing health 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. Discuss treatment strategies with both your primary care physician and your allergist.
People who have asthma should avoid using scented household products. Products that contain fragrance, such as perfumes, colognes, or air fresheners, fill the air with irritants that can trigger an asthma attack. Fresh paint and new carpeting also give off odors that may aggravate the airways. Keep your indoor air as clean as you can.
Contact a social worker if you have asthma but do not meet the eligibility requirements for health insurance. Having the financial ability to purchase your asthma medications is essential, and a social worker can help you locate a hospital or clinic that can provide you with these medications for free or at a significantly reduced rate.
Keep dust and dirt to a minimum in any bedroom where an asthma sufferer sleeps. Food should only be eaten in the kitchen area, and whatever you do, please don’t smoke. If you clean with any harsh chemicals or bleach, make sure to ventilate thoroughly afterwards.
You might want to purchase a dehumidifier to use at home if you have asthma. Not only will a dehumidifier decrease humidity, but it will also be helpful in controlling the dust mite population. Both are causative factors in asthma attacks. Air is kept dry by dehumidifiers by sucking the humidity out of it.
If you have hay fever or a cold, chances are your asthma treatment will be increased. The effects of some illnesses can exacerbate the effects of your asthma, causing the need for more treatments. Your family doctor may recommend adding another treatment or medication to your current regimen until you recover from your illness.
The use of multiple (more than four) household cleansers can cause an increase in asthma attacks. Choose instead organic products that are not filled with harmful chemicals.
Avoid feather pillows if you suffer from asthma. Feathers in a pillow can bring on the symptoms of asthma and decrease lung function. The same it true for bedding, try purchasing sheets and comforters that are created from hypoallergenic materials.
If you have asthma, avoid people who are smoking. When you inhale smoke, especially in close quarters, lung functioning is decreased, and it can trigger an attack.
A humid home will cause mold or mildew to appear. These can very easily cause an attack. Thus, keep the air in your home as moisture-free as possible to avoid asthma-related problems. When you are using a heater in winter time, you can run a dehumidifier for help controlling humidity. In the summer, running your air conditioner will allow you to keep your humidity down.
If you plan to take a trip, you must always keep your rescue medication with you at all times. It’s easy to get thrown off your regular eating and sleeping routine while traveling, which strains your body and increases your vulnerability to asthma attack triggers. While on the road, it is also hard to control the environment you are in, which also makes an attack more likely.
A lot of times asthma will develop over time, and has symptoms that aren’t always obvious. There are many cases where people have died from their first asthma attack, without even being aware that they were at risk. So, if you are having trouble coughing and breathing, talk to a doctor to see if you need treatment. You might receive a prescription to treat or prevent asthma.
Most of the triggers for attacks, and causes of asthma, are found inside the home. Dander, dust and mold are all commonly found in many homes. Have an inspector come visit your house to remove any harmful agents that you have so that you can stay healthy and lower your risk for an asthma attack. Regularly cleaning your house can also contribute to preventing buildup of these substances.
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.
Mildew and mold grow best in a home with high humidity. Asthma attacks are easily triggered by these substances. You should do your best to maintain a dry home. In the winter, use a dehumidifier along with your heater, and in the summer months, you can use your air conditioner to help control the amount of water in the air within your home.
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. A good way to prevent these complications and side effects is to brush your teeth and gargle immediately after using your inhaler.
Protect yourself against breathing in cold air that aggravates your asthma by wearing a scarf that covers your nose and mouth. This will warm the air before it gets in your lungs. Breathing cold air triggers your asthma attacks, particularly in young kids with bad asthma.
When you are making an effort to control asthma, do not smoke. Inhaling smoke can trigger an asthma attack. So do whatever you can to stay away from vapors, chemical fumes and smoke from cigarettes. These are all common triggers and can aggravate asthma symptoms. If someone smokes around you, ask them politely if they could smoke when you are not around.
If you are taking your prescriptions with you on a flight, make sure to take your prescription. When you have written proof that these items are necessary it can help speed along the security procedures.
Don’t use humidifiers or vaporizers in your home until they have been rigorously cleaned, if you suffer from either asthma, allergies or both. Bacteria breeds in moist environments and can build up in dirty machines, pumping allergens into the air.
The only way that you should use a vaporizer or humidifier when you have asthma or allergies is if it has been cleaned thoroughly. Bacteria can breed inside of the machine due to the moisture, which can exaggerate your allergies or asthma.
Treatment Plan
If you have asthma, schedule checkups ever few months with your doctor to stay on top of your condition. Frequent check-ups help your doctor evaluate the effectiveness of your current treatment plan and revise the plan as needed. Your doctor is busy, so it’s on you to set and keep your appointments.
Schedule regular visits with your doctor to check up on your asthma. Ideally these should occur every few months. Your physician needs to have the opportunity to see what is happening with you, and alter your treatment plan if necessary. It is up to you to work with your doctor at regular appointments to keep your treatment plan working.
When planning on painting an interior area of your home, make sure that you purchase a mask to protect your respiratory tract from the paint’s fumes. Paint could irritate asthma greatly, but using a mask will act as a protective shield needed to fight this issue. Avoid substances and chemicals which can worsen your asthma.
Eat a lot of foods that have vitamin B6. B6, another name for pyridoxine, has been proven to lessen the frequency and severity of attacks related to asthma. How does this work? Pyridoxine is a chemical that reduces constriction in the bronchial tubes. This constriction is what brings on asthma attacks. Bananas contain B6, as do many other delicious foods.
Don’t skimp on vitamin B6. Studies have found that vitamin B6, which is sometimes referred to as pyridoxine, can make asthma attacks less frequent and less intense. This substance helps your body produce the molecules needed to relax the tissues of the bronchial tubes. Bananas are a great source of Vitamin B6.
One of the most important things that you can do to prevent asthma attacks is to identify your triggers. You may even want to keep an asthma trigger journal so you can discuss this with your doctor. Many people have success controlling their asthma by eliminating known asthma triggers.
Try to take your time as you build your strength, this will also allow you to gradually increase the capacity of your lungs as well. If you think the physical exertion will be too much for your asthma, it likely is.
There is much to learn about asthma. Our article contains just some of the many helpful ideas available for coping with asthma for yourself, or one you love. Working in tandem, it is possible for you to greatly ameliorate the effects of asthma on your daily existence.
Get those flu shots. Even if you never get sick, or the flu doesn’t affect you, a vaccination is still preferred. If you have asthma attacks, you have a greater chance of seriously suffering from sinus and respiratory infections of the flu.