Asthma is a difficult and serious condition to deal with and can keep you from living life to its fullest potential. However, most symptoms related to asthma can be manageable if you know effective coping strategies and take your medications This article lists such methods that will help you.
What type of asthma do you suffer from? Particular cases of asthma can respond differently to the same treatment, so you need to know all that you can about your case to treat it most effectively. People who suffer from exercise-induced asthma should consider carrying an emergency inhaler in their bag. By knowing the pattern to your symptoms it will be a big help to you avoiding crises.
Cleaning products should be avoided when you have asthma. The chemicals in these products make you more prone to an asthma attack. If you are the person in your house who does the cleaning, there natural product solutions which are safe for you to use.
If you have asthma, avoid people who are smoking. When you inhale tobacco smoke, particularly in closeted areas, the functioning of your lungs can decrease, and you may suffer an attack.
If you find that you are in a dusty room, do not put on any type of fan. If you do, the dust will move around, and you can trigger your asthma. The better way would be to open a window to increase the airflow in the room.
You will need to keep your residence really clean, especially the bedroom where the asthma sufferer sleeps in order to help lessen the chances of an attack. Food should be restricted to the kitchen, and smoking inside the home should never be permitted. Don’t use bleach or harsh chemicals inside, and air out the house as much as possible after cleaning.
Be certain to properly use your inhaler. Find a quiet secluded area so that you can calmly take the inhaler as directed by the instructions from the manufacturer. Proper use delivers the medication to your lungs. Make sure that you spray the required dosage directly into your mouth, inhaling the medication into your lungs. Holding your breath for a minimum of 10 seconds gives the medicinal mist from the inhaler time to spread itself throughout your lungs.
Make sure to examine what it is that causes your asthma attacks in order to best avoid having to deal with them. Most asthma sufferers have a few common triggers such as smoke, pet dander or pollen. Whenever you can, just steer clear of these triggers when you know what they would result in.
When suffering from asthma, there are vitamins that can help, including E and C. It is widely believed that these vitamins can help control asthma symptoms by improving lung function. These vitamins can be easily obtained, either through your diet or a supplement. These vitamins can also boost the immune system and help prevent asthma attacks.
While traveling, always keep emergency asthma medication on hand and close by. 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 little control over your environment when traveling, which can make you more susceptible to an attack and symptoms of greater severity.
If you are dealing with asthma, you would benefit from buying a dehumidifier. With less humidity, there will be fewer dust mites, and that means that there is less of a chance that your asthma will flare up. Try running a dehumidifier to dry up the air in your home.
There are support groups available to you, both in person or on the Internet. Asthma is a terrible condition that can prevent you from engaging in simple daily activities. Being a part of a support group can help provide you with honest information about products and helpful hints, as well as medical news.
Asthma Attack
A lot of the main causes, and triggers, of asthma may exist right in your home. These include dust, mold and spores. Have an inspector who focuses on allergens and irritants come into your home once a year to help you detect what you have and learn how to remove it. If you clean your house regularly, you can minimize the risk of these substances accumulating in your dwelling.
For those who have asthma, the safest choice is to stick with unscented products. Scented products such as air fresheners and perfumes can trigger an asthma attack. In addition, paint that is fresh or carpet that is new release odors that can cause breathing irritations that lead to an asthma attack. Strive to maintain an indoor environment that is free from these pollutants, keeping the air fresh.
During the colder months, avoid asthma attacks by wearing a scarf, shawl or muffler that covers the mouth and nose. This will keep you from breathing cold air. Cold air can be a nuisance and breathing it has actually proven to trigger asthma attacks. This is especially true for younger children who have severe or moderate asthma.
If you or your child suffer from asthma, it is important that you receive a flu shot every year. Get yearly vaccinations to keep these potential infections at bay.
Make sure you count how many times, within a week, you have to use your inhaler. If you use it more than two times, your asthma might not be well-controlled or you may have unusual occurrences causing those frequent attacks. You are able to judge how the environment around you effects your body by how many times you need to use your inhaler.
If you suffer from asthma, you might want to use a pillow that doesn’t contain feathers. The feathers contained in the pillow could trigger the symptoms related to asthma and it could prevent your lungs from functioning efficiently. This also goes for bedding; use sheets, comforters and blankets that are crafted from hypoallergenic materials.
Clean your home with a wet mop instead of a broom. Sweeping can trigger an asthma attack due to the copious clouds of minute asthma-triggering particles it kicks up. Using a damp rag instead of a feather duster when you dust will lessen the spread of these triggers.
There is good reason to make sure you have your rescue medicine for asthma in a convenient, easy to reach place. 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. 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.
Avoiding smoke is one of the best asthma-prevention tips out there. Inhaling smoke makes it harder for you to breathe and might result in an asthma attack. Avoid exposure to chemical fumes and vapors, and any type of wood or cigarette smoke. Things like this can make your asthma worse. If there is someone who always smokes around you, you should politely ask this person to smoke when you aren’t present.
Think about the benefits of joining an online or in-person support group. Many people who suffer from asthma are unable to live a full life. Also, other asthma sufferers can alert you to scientific breakthroughs and changes, such as new medications.
Don’t use a humidifier unless it’s been cleaned thoroughly if you suffer from asthma or allergies. Bacteria could breed in this moist environment and get into the air once you turn the humidifier on.
Consult with more than one physician. Although your primary doctor can treat your asthma, a specialist may be able to provide further help. Asthma centers, pulmonologists, allergists or even nutritionists will be able to work with you, make certain that you check out all outlets offering treatment.
If you have asthma attacks, remember to stay calm. Immediately use your inhaler, then wait a half a minute and do so again. If your attack continues to worsen, seek help. Have someone call emergency services or drive you to the nearest hospital. While heading to the hospital, breathe into a paper bag; it will slow your breathing rate and help reduce the attack.
Like this article has said, if you don’t keep up with your symptoms, asthma can become life threatening. Never leave home without your inhaler. If there’s pollen or other allergens in the air, stay indoors as much as possible, and consider moving to an area of the country where the air is cleaner if pollution is a problem where you live. Put these tips to use, and free yourself from the constant fear of having an asthma attack.
If you find yourself relying on your rescue inhaler more often than twice weekly, it may be necessary to speak with your doctor about changing medication. This frequency of inhaler use means that your inhaler medication is not functioning effectively. Having to restock your inhaler more frequently than once every six months is also a concern.