Living with asthma has challenges, but if you learn how to manage it, you can lead a healthy life full of activities. With the right information, you can learn to avoid the asthma attacks that interfere with your daily routine. Tips on maximizing your life while having asthma are contained here.
Do you know what sub-type of asthma you’re plagued with? Being aware of your specific condition will help you combat the effects it has over your body day in and day out. People suffering from asthma that is exercise-induced, for example, had best be prepared for asthma attacks at the gym! Learn what activities trigger your symptoms, and prepare accordingly so that you’re never caught without your inhaler during an asthma attack.
You should not smoke or be anywhere near smoke if you suffer from asthma. This means avoiding tobacco products, and making sure that you do not choose any kind of job that could expose you to harmful vapors or smoke, such as factory work.
Smoking should never be done around children, especially a child who suffers from asthma. Second-hand cigarette smoke is a leading cause of asthma. While making sure to never light up around your children, it is also vital that you make sure your kids are not around others who do not show the same courtesy.
If you have an asthmatic child, do not allow anyone to smoke around him. Secondhand smoke is something that can lead to serious asthma. You should never put your children in a situation where they are exposed to people who are smoking.
Prescriptions and over-the-counter medications can actually trigger an asthma attack. Among these medications are aspirin and other NSAIDs. Some medications for blood pressure and heart disease – those referred to as beta blockers – can also exacerbate asthma problems. Make sure your physician is aware of all of your chronic conditions and any medications you are on so they can treat your asthma appropriately.
Avoid anything that can trigger your asthma. This can vary from person to person, as small particles like dust can cause asthma attacks. For others, certain physical activities may be the trigger. Do your best to understand and figure what exactly triggers your asthma so that you know what you need to avoid.
If you are someone who suffers from asthma, stay away from all types of cigarette smoke. Never smoke yourself! Avoid breathing in any of the vapors or other chemical fumes. This can trigger an asthma attack, which may be difficult to stop. If people smoke around you, you should get away form that area.
There are medications that can unknowingly cause asthma-like symptoms. Various NSAIDs and aspirin have been reported to do this. You can also use medications that can control high blood pressure and heart disease, things like beta blockers. If you have asthma and these other conditions, let your physician know.
A leukotriene inhibitor should be taken into consideration when asthma is a struggle. As its name suggests, this inhibitor works by preventing the release and build-up of leukotriene. A leukotriene will cause inflammation in the respiratory system, causing an asthma attack. Get the inhibitor to prevent the leukotrienes, and your asthma attacks may drop in number.
When you are dealing with asthma, try getting a lekotriene inhibitor. Leukotriene inhibitors block the effects of leukotrienes. Inhibiting this chemical can lead to a decrease in asthma symptoms. If you get a leukotriene inhibitor, it can get rid of them in the air and help you with asthma symptoms.
Keep your home meticulously clean to reduce attack potential if there is an asthma sufferer living there, especially the bedroom. Refrain from smoking inside the home, and keep edibles inside your kitchen. Try to avoid using any harsh chemicals or bleach in the home while cleaning; and, once the home is cleaned, air it out.
It is always a problem if you have asthma and don’t have health insurance, but talking to a social worker may help you resolve this issue. It’s vital that you stay on medication, so there may be programs available to help you get them at a discount.
Regular flu shots are important if you or one of your children suffer from asthma. Avoid a lot of these infections by getting vaccinated each year.
Annual Flu
When you travel, your rescue medication should be with you all the time. Being in odd environments can cause undue stress on your body, which makes you more prone to an asthma attack. You won’t be able to control factors in your environment, such as air quality, while are away from home. This also adds to the likelihood of an attack or more symptoms than you are used to at home.
Make certain that all members of your family get their annual flu shot. If you suffer from asthma, it is best to avoid respiratory infections of any type as much as possible. The preventative measures you can take against such sickness range from simple habits of hand washing to getting your annual flu shot.
Think about signing up for a support group locally or online. Extremely severe asthma can be debilitating and prevent one from living a full life. On top of that, an asthma support group will keep you apprised of the latest developments in asthma medication and other significant medical breakthroughs.
Think about buying a dehumidifier if your asthma symptoms are bad. Lowering the level of humidity present in your home can reduce the numbers of dust mites, a prime trigger of asthma. Dehumidifiers work by pulling the moisture out of the air of your home.
A preventative inhaler should be used every day, but you should know that this can cause infections near the teeth and gums in your mouth. One way to reduce the probability of such infections is to immediately brush and gargle after inhaling the medicine.
If you suffer from asthma, you might want to use a pillow that doesn’t contain feathers. Feathers can have a negative effect on the lungs and can worsen asthma symptoms. This applies to bedding, as well, so it’s best to make sure that everything on your bed is hypoallergenic.
Make sure you count how many times, within a week, you have to use your inhaler. If you use it very often, you may not have it under control. The amount you utilize your inhaler can remind you to always monitor your environment as a means of effectively managing your asthma.
Keep your medication with you, especially when you are traveling. Traveling can be somewhat stressful and put added strain your body, which might make you more likely to respond to asthma triggers by having an attack. While on the road, it is also hard to control the environment you are in, which also makes an attack more likely.
Stay away from smoke if you have asthma. Breathing in smoke can trigger 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. Politely request that smokers abstain from smoking in your presence.
Some common catalysts of asthma attacks regularly occur in the home. These culprits include dust, spores and mold. In order to remain healthy and lessen any chances of having an asthma attack, it is recommended you have your home inspected yearly to have these harmful triggers removed. Also, cleaning your house can help with this buildup.
If you suffer from asthma and allergies, make sure you clean your humidifier before using it. Bacteria breeds in moist environments and can build up in dirty machines, pumping allergens into the air.
Find out how you are supposed to use your asthma medication and rescue treatments. Asthma is a condition traditionally treated with a combination of a regular medicine and an emergency medicinal inhaler. Because asthma is a chronic condition, it is important to take management medication properly and to use rescue medication appropriately.
If you are having an asthma attack, it is crucial that you remain calm. Immediately use your asthma inhaler, rest for 30 seconds, then use it once more. If this does not help and your attack gets worse, you need to get immediate medical assistance. Gesture to someone to call 911 if you can’t speak, or have them drive you to the nearest hospital. Grab a paper bag and breathe inside it, as that can help to slow down your breathing.
Contact with pets and other animals should be minimized for the asthma sufferer. While allergies to dander or animal hair can possibly complicate your asthma, even those with no such allergies can have asthma attacks by inhaling the pollen and dust animals usually carry about with them.
Try to gain as much information about affliction as possible. When you’re knowledgeable about your condition, you’ll be able to advocate for yourself and seek out the best possible treatment. Stay as current as you can to ensure you get the best possible care. You can only properly treat the condition once you gain knowledge about it and the treatments that are available.
Bed linens often collect asthma aggravators, such as pollen, dust and allergens. The easiest way to get rid of these triggering agents is by washing all of your bedding using your washer’s hot setting every Sunday. You will find that having fresh linens will make your breathing while sleeping much easier.
You will get a lot of support for your asthma if you join a group or just by talking with other people who have asthma. Other asthma sufferers often have the best tricks for dealing with dangerous situations, and fighting the battle against asthma. Gaining the support of those around you is crucial.
Visit at least two different doctors. Your family doctor will be in charge of your asthma treatment, but seeing a specialist can provide you with invaluable help. Asthma centers, allergists, pulmonologists, and nutritionists can all help ensure you are attacking your asthma on all fronts.
The best way to avoid having an asthma attack is to know what your trigger are. Write down anything that triggers an asthma attack, then share what you’ve written with your asthma specialist. By identifying the causes of your asthma symptoms, you can then work to eliminate these triggers from your life completely.
If you have asthma and allergies, do not use a vaporizer or humidifier unless you make sure that it has been cleaned thoroughly. Bacteria will breed rapidly due to the moisture in the machine. If you continue to use one without cleaning it correctly, you will be pushing allergens around the home, instead of the soothing humidity that you are hoping for.
Ease yourself into more difficult regiments by regulating your breathing. Make sure you are able to breathe in and out, and receive enough air to take on your current task. Do not try to start with a hard workout that you will not be able to finish because your asthma will get in the way.
In conclusion, there are a number of methods you can try to prevent asthma from controlling your life. A diagnosis of asthma is not terminal, so get down to work crafting your treatment and return to a fulfilling life!
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 your child is experiencing a serious asthma attack, you will see: increased use of medication with little or no effect, gray or bluish fingernails and/or lips. Your child might also find it difficult to speak.