Are you a part of millions of asthma sufferers that struggle with the symptoms? Read this article to learn more about asthma symptoms and how you can control them.
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 detrimental to anyone’s health, but those with asthma suffer especially because cigarettes lessen the oxygen supply that is crucial for the lungs to function properly and prevent an asthma attack.
Are you informed about what type of asthma you suffer from? Being fully informed about the specific type of asthma you have is very important. For example, if your asthma is often triggered by workouts, your inhaler should always be on hand when you exercise. When you know what triggers your asthma, you will be more prepared to stop attacks before they begin.
When you have asthma, you need to be careful around chemical cleaning products. The chemicals in many cleaning products will trigger asthma attacks or symptoms. If you’re the one that cleans your home, try organic or natural cleaning solutions that are much less risky to your health.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma and you are a smoker, it is time to quit. Smoking is unhealthy for everyone, however it is especially bad for asthmatics. Your lungs are already compromised from the asthma and adding smoke to that will cut off the vital oxygen supply your lungs need to breathe.
If you’re suffering from an asthma attack that’s moderate or mild, then work to force all the air you can from your lungs. Exhale hard and fast. You want to force all of the air from your lungs. 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. Not only will you breathe in rhythm, but you’ll focus more intently on how you are breathing and become aware of breathing problems. It also allows you to take in more air by completely emptying your lungs. It is okay that you cough up some sputum, you really want to breathe right again.
Heart Disease
Asthma sufferers should avoid smoking cigarettes and any place that has cigarette smoke. Avoid smoking altogether. Air pollution and fumes from harsh chemicals also increase asthma symptoms. This could trigger a serious asthma attack, and you may have trouble preventing it from happening. Avoid secondhand smoke by leaving physical distance between yourself and the smoker.
Never take medications without getting your doctor’s approval so you don’t wind up taking one that has a side effect of exacerbating asthma.. Some of these include aspirin and NSAIDs. Many medications for heart disease and hypertension can also cause asthma symptoms. If you have asthma paired with heart disease or high blood pressure, tell your doctor.
A dehumidifier is an excellent investment for asthma sufferers. A dehumidifier will reduce attacks by taking extra humidity and, by extension, dust mites and other debris out of your air. Use a dehumidifier, and the air you breath will be much less likely to cause your asthma to flare up.
If you find yourself in a room that is dusty, don’t turn on any kind of fan. All this does is circulate the dust, which is an invitation to triggering an otherwise avoidable asthma attack. It’s better to open the window if you’re in need of fresh air.
Using over four kinds of cleaning products in the home can trigger asthma attacks. Organic cleaners are also a safer choice since they contain fewer chemical irritants.
Make sure you use the inhaler in the proper, prescribed method. Get to a place out of the way, and read the directions before starting. The inhaler is only useful if the medication within it actually gets to your lungs. The dosage that is required should be sprayed into the mouth while you inhale air. After inhaling, it’s important that you hold the medication in by holding your breath for 10 seconds at the least.
Products with no scent are the safest and best option for an asthma sufferer. Products with a strong smell such as air fresheners, incense or perfume can trigger asthma attacks. In addition, paint that is fresh or carpet that is new release odors that can cause breathing irritations that lead to an asthma attack. Because the dangers these things represent, it is important to always keep indoor air fresh to the best of your ability.
Immune System
Be prepared for your asthma treatment to be increased if you have a cold or hay fever. Treatment may be increased in these cases as many illnesses have side effects that can cause flare ups in your asthma. It is possible your doctor will want to add additional therapies to your treatment program until you are back on your feet.
If you suffer from asthma, ensure you consume lots of Vitamins E and C. These vitamins are thought to help improve lung function and control asthma symptoms. 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.
Avoid pillows with feathers if you have asthma. The pillow feathers can cause asthma to flare up and minimize your lung function. The same goes for bedding – try to buy a comforter and sheets that are made from hypoallergenic materials.
Asthma attacks have been found to be more likely in homes where four or more different cleaning products are in use. Organic cleaning products should be selected due to their lack of irritating chemicals.
If the air in your home is humid, it provides an ideal incubator for mold or mildew. These can very easily cause an attack. A dry home will help you out a lot more. When you use the heater in the winter, be sure to have a dehumidifier control the humidity in your home. During the summer time, be sure to use the air conditioner to maintain a dry home.
If you are dealing with asthma, a good idea is to use a pillow without feathers. Feathers can trigger asthma symptoms and reduce lung function. This applies to bedding, as well. Purchase sheets and comforters that are made of hypoallergenic materials.
For a deeper and more thorough cleaning, mop your floors instead of simply sweeping them. The action of sweeping can swirl up a whole cloud of asthma-triggering particles. You can greatly reduce this by using a wet sponge, damp rag, or moist cloth instead of your old-fashioned feather duster.
Take your rescue inhaler and keep it handy when you travel. 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 also have less control of your surroundings while you are away from home, so it is difficult to avoid potential triggers and to maintain control over your attack.
Stay away from smoking. Most people are aware of the dangers of smoking, but for someone with asthma, the consequences are even more serious. Your lungs could become very irritated if you smoke, and you should avoid being around others that are smoking.
Even if you seem to be fine, see your doctor regularly for your asthma checkups. A flare-up can occur at any time, and your physician may have learned of a prescription medication that can treat your symptoms more safely and effectively.
Asthma sufferers should stay indoors as much as possible when pollen counts rise. While asthma is different than allergies, often the same types of things that bother those with allergies trigger irritation in asthmatics as well. Information about local air quality is available in many areas so that those with asthma can reduce their outdoor exposure if irritants are within the air.
Control Asthma
If you have allergies and asthma, you need to avoid using a humidifier or a vaporizer unless it has been thoroughly cleaned. The insides of these machines get really moist and provide great breeding grounds for bacteria, which means the machines would actually be filling the air in your home with the very allergens you are seeking to avoid.
This article laid out many ways to control asthma symptoms. However, what is most important is your own persistence when you apply them. Make sure to always be on top of your asthma because if you aren’t, it can quickly return. The above article outlined ways in which you can protect yourself and control asthma symptoms.
You need to be educated in properly using your inhaler if you suffer from asthma. You cannot just spray it in your mouth and lightly inhale. Every time you spray the inhaler, be sure to breathe the mist in deeply and hold it for a a few moments. Proper use of your inhaler is key when you have asthma.