Asthma is a lung disorder that can make breathing difficult and create problems when oxygen is not delivered to cells efficiently. Asthma is not mutually exclusive with an enjoyable, healthy life, though, as long as you learn how to manage the condition safely and sensibly. This article will show you how you can live a happier life even with asthma.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma and you are a smoker, it is time to quit. Although smoking is terrible for everyone, it is even worse for an asthma sufferer due to less oxygen supply in the lungs and that can trigger an attack.
Do all you can to learn not just about asthma, but your particular asthma. Knowing as much as possible about your specific type of asthma will go an incredibly long way in helping you combat the day-to-day effects it has on you. For example, if you have exercise-induced asthma, you will want to always make sure you have an inhaler in your gym bag. Knowing your symptoms’ patterns can help you avoid big problems.
Some medications that you may take unknowingly can cause you to have asthma symptoms. NSAIDs and aspirin are known for their ability to cause symptoms. Some medications can cause your asthma to be worse such as beta blockers for high blood pressure or heart disease. It is important to let your doctor know if you suffer from asthma together with any of these conditions.
Asthma is ongoing. Therefore, it also requires continual management of your health. Your doctor may prescribe medications that must be taken daily. In addition, you will likely have medication to take in the event of an attack. See your doctor or allergist to find out which treatment plan is best for your situation.
Leukotriene inhibitors may be helpful to you if you suffer from asthma. There are modern medicines that are highly effective at blocking leukotrienes. Inhibiting this chemical can lead to a decrease in asthma symptoms. By blocking the effects of leukotrienes, a leukotriene inhibitor can reduce the frequency and severity of your asthma attacks.
Leukotriene Inhibitor
People who have asthma should avoid using scented household products. Products with a strong smell such as air fresheners, incense or perfume can trigger asthma attacks. Fresh paint and new carpeting also produce smells that can cause irritation to the airways. Try to make it your goal to keep the indoor air as fresh and allergen free as possible.
Having a fast acting inhaler is vital to save asthmatics from experiencing severe symptoms. Talk to your physician and find out if a leukotriene inhibitor would be right for you. There are modern medicines that are highly effective at blocking leukotrienes. Leukotrienes are inflammation-causing chemicals that can bring on asthma attacks. If you get a leukotriene inhibitor, it can get rid of them in the air and help you with asthma symptoms.
To cut the risk of an asthma attack, keep your house as clean as you can, particularly the bedroom of the person with asthma. Also, you should keep food confined to the kitchen, and opt to smoke outdoors only. Harsh chemicals, like bleach and ammonia, can trigger asthma.
Receiving a regular flu shot is a great tip to implement if you or someone you love suffers from asthma. Avoid these infections by making sure your and your child’s vaccines are up to date.
Make sure you get a flu shot once a year if you suffer from asthma. This annual flu shot will prevent infectious damage to your lungs.
Realize what triggers your attacks, and you can avoid or manage these situations. Common triggers among asthma sufferers are smoke, pollen, or pet dander. Avoid these things when you can to breathe easier.
Pay attention to your symptom triggers. The more aware of your triggers you become, the easier it will be to avoid them and reduce the number of attacks you suffer. Generally, it is found that items such as smoke and pollen can trigger attacks in those that suffer with asthma. When possible, stay away from triggers of asthma symptoms in an effort to prevent a severe attack.
Avoid pillows stuffed with goosedown or other feathers if you have an asthma problem. The feathers can make it harder to breathe right and trigger an attack. The same rule holds true for bedding. Choose sheets and a comforter that are constructed from materials known for being hypoallergenic.
If you suffer from asthma, you should refrain from sleeping on a pillow that contains feathers. Pillow feathers are known to worsen asthma and affect the lungs. Same thing with bedding – purchase sheets and a comforter that are constructed from hypoallergenic materials.
Rescue Medication
When you are traveling, make sure you have a rescue inhaler with you. Traveling is hard on your body, and you might have an asthma attack easier because your body is more likely to respond to triggers. You can’t control the weather or the environment when you travel, so keep in mind you are more vulnerable to symptoms and attacks when you go to a new area.
Take the time to understand the proper usage of your asthma medication, particularly any that is labelled as rescue medication. Typically, asthma is treated using normal medications along with rescue medication, like an inhaler, for emergency situations. Because asthma can be a lifelong issue, it is vital to take both regular and rescue medications according to the instructions.
Making mouth and nose coverings such as mufflers, shawls or scarves a routine part of your winter wardrobe can help you ward off asthma attacks. This allows you to warm air before it enters your lungs. Inhalation of cold air is proven to initiate asthma attacks, and younger kids afflicted with asthma of moderate or severe proportions are especially at risk.
Asthma is a condition that typically will develop over a long period of time, with symptoms that are not very obvious. There have been a few cases where a person dies from their first attack, because they didn’t know they suffered from the condition. 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.
Asthma usually takes an extended interval of time to fully develop, and the warning signs are rarely obvious. In fact, some people who didn’t even realize they had asthma died as a result of their initial attack. Discuss with your doctor if you are having problems trying to catch your breath or have had a persistent cough for a while. There is the possibility that you have developed asthma, and if so, your doctor can tell you what the best method to treat it would be.
If you are going to be flying and are bringing your asthma medicine with you, take written prescriptions from your physician with you, especially if you will be taking large equipment like a nebulizer. Having proof in writing from a doctor that states the item is a medical necessity can eliminate security hassles.
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. Having written documentation supporting this medically necessary item will eliminate any hassles when going through the security check point.
Monitor how many times, on a weekly basis, you are using your rescue inhaler. Using it more often than twice weekly means that you should have your asthma assessed by a doctor. This number can help you monitor your environment for asthma triggers and let you determine if your treatment plan is working properly.
Pay attention to how often you reach for your asthma inhaler each week. Using it two times or may may mean that your asthma is not as controlled as you may think it is. It could also mean that something else is bringing on these frequent attacks. Counting how many times you reach for your inhaler can be a good aid to remind you of what environments you need to control and what else you may need to manage.
When you are making an effort to control asthma, do not smoke. Smoking can trigger a person who has asthma to have an attack. Make sure to stay away from chemical fumes and cigarette smoke whenever possible. These are all common triggers and can aggravate asthma symptoms. If someone is smoking near you, either ask them to stop or remove yourself from the situation.
Stay away from smoke if you have asthma. Smoke can cause asthma attacks. Do what you can to avoid chemical fumes, cigarette smoke and other vapors. Your asthma symptoms will be exacerbated by these things. If you live with or near a smoker, find a way to politely ask that they not smoke around you or your living spaces.
Those with asthma should minimize time with pets and animals. Many people with asthma also suffer from allergies to animal dander. Even without a specific allergy, asthma attacks can be triggered by the dust and dander in the air caused by the presence of an animal.
Contact with pets and other animals should be minimized for the asthma sufferer. Animals carry pollen and dust with them and can trigger serious asthma attacks.
While asthma is condition that lasts a lifetime, it can be made easier to manage by following the advice from your doctor and articles such as this one. There are new medications and treatments being developed all the time. Soon, asthma will be more easy to deal with than ever.
If you suffer from asthma, it is imperative that you know how to correctly use your inhaler. It isn’t as simple as spraying your mouth with it and lightly inhaling air. You must breathe deeply for at least a few seconds when using your inhaler. The medicine will not be able to do its job if you aren’t taking the time to take it the right way.