Are you dealing with asthma and wish you had more information on this subject? You are not the only one. A lot of people want to learn more about asthma, but aren’t sure where to find that kind of information. What you will read in this article about the disease might surprise you.
Because asthma is a continuing condition, you have to continually manage your health. 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. Discuss treatment strategies with both your primary care physician and your allergist.
Quit smoking or avoid smoke if you suffer from asthma. 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.
If you’re in a room that has a lot of dust in it, don’t turn on a fan. A fan will spread dust and debris all over. This can very easily aggravate your asthma, and cause serious symptoms. It could be better to open the window if you need to get airflow.
Avoid exposing yourself to any of your known asthma triggers. Allergens such as dust and pollen can bring on an asthma attack at any time. Others experience an attack from physical activities. Knowing exactly what sets off your asthma is thus, very important.
Try a leukotriene inhibitor if you have asthma. As its name suggests, this inhibitor works by preventing the release and build-up of leukotriene. Inhibiting this chemical can lead to a decrease in asthma symptoms. The inhibitor prevents leukotrienes, and that can decrease the number of asthma attacks you deal with.
When you are suffering from an asthma attack, exhale all of the oxygen from your lungs. Breathe out hard and fast. Expel the air in your lungs with great force! After that, take in three shallow breaths and one deep breath. Once your lungs are full again, do another forceful exhale. This gives your breathing a rhythm, which makes you aware of how many breaths you take. It will also help to get the air to come out of the lungs so more can come in. It may cause you to cough or even generate sputum, but that’s fine, you goal is for your breathing to get back to normal.
Allergens, the common cold and influenza can increase your asthma symptoms. Many illnesses have side effects that could cause your asthma to flare up so badly that you need to have an increase in treatment. Your doctor may also add another treatment to your regimen until your illness gets better.
Never use a fan in a dirty, dust-filled room. All this does is circulate the dust, which is an invitation to triggering an otherwise avoidable asthma attack. Instead, you should consider opening a window to get some fresh clean air going through your lungs.
Be certain you are aware of all your asthma attack triggers so you know both how to steer clear of them and also be ready to take care of your symptoms. The majority of asthma sufferers suffer attacks when exposed to some common trigger, including allergens or cigarette smoke. Try to avoid the things that make your asthma flare up.
Make sure if you have an inhaler that you are using it the right way. A lot of people use inhalers improperly, so be sure that you’re adhering to the manufacturer’s suggested instructions. The inhaler can only help you if the medication actually reaches the lungs. Inhale deeply and spray the correct dose into your mouth. Continue holding your breath for approximately 10 seconds. This way, the medication will soak into the cells of your lungs.
Asthma generally takes a long time to develop, and the symptoms may be vague at first, making it difficult to diagnose the problem. Sometimes, a person can die from their first asthma attack without actually knowing they had the disease to begin with! That is why it is important to check regularly with your doctor and always point out if you are having any kind of breathing problems or related symptoms. With the proper medical attention, you can prevent attacks and keep asthma under control.
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When you need to take your asthma supplies on an airplane, it is a good idea to bring your doctor’s prescription with you. Without a written prescription stating that the item is medically necessary, you may experience frustration and delays at security checkpoints.
If your health insurance situation cannot help you with your asthma, talk to a social worker. 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.
Instead of sweeping your floors, clean them with a damp mop. If you choose to sweep, you’re swirling up a tornado of dust and allergens, both of which are common triggers for asthma symptoms. A moist rag chosen over a feather duster is the best choice for an asthmatic.
If you’re having asthma problems, a dehumidifier is a beneficial purchase. Cutting down the humidity in the house will lower the amount dust mites in the air, and that will mean fewer asthma flare-ups. Dehumidifiers work by taking the humidity out of the air.
Avoiding smoke is one of the best asthma-prevention tips out there. Smoke can trigger an asthma attack. Do what you can to avoid chemical fumes, cigarette smoke and other vapors. Things like this can make your asthma worse. Ask any smokers not to smoke in your presence.
If you use more than four cleaning products, you are increasing the risks of an asthma attack. Try organic cleaners that are free of irritating chemicals.
Allergens, pollen and other irritants can collect in your linens and aggravate your asthma. If you put your pillowcases and sheets in hot water weekly, these inducers will be reduced or completely eliminated. Clean bed linens that are washed frequently will help you breathe easier every time your head hits the pillow.
If you have hay fever or a cold, chances are your asthma treatment will be increased. An increase in treatment is necessary sometimes because side effects of other sicknesses can cause your asthma symptoms to flare up. It is also possible that your physician will add an additional treatment to your routine until you recover from your illness.
If you experience a sudden asthma attack, staying calm is extremely important. Immediately use your inhaler, then wait a half a minute and do so again. If your attack worsens, get help. Go to the hospital immediately or call 911. Slow your breathing by inhaling and exhaling into a paper bag while you are waiting for help.
Avoid using a feather or down pillow if you have asthma. Feathers may trigger asthma symptoms by irritating your lungs. You should also look into hypoallergenic materials when buying sheets and a comforter.
If you use your inhaler over two times a week, talk to your doctor about changing your medicine. This might mean that your inhaler isn’t working enough for you. Another sign is needing refills 3 or more times per year on your rescue inhaler prescription.
Mold and mildew can thrive in a humid home environment. They are a nuisance for people with asthma; the asthma attacks they trigger require you to eliminate them. Therefore, it is important to make sure your home is dry. When it’s cold, a dehumidifier can keep moisture to a minimum; in hot months, your A/C unit will do the same thing.
Make sure you schedule regular checkups with your doctor every few months to keep a heads up on your asthmatic condition. This will allow your doctor to stay updated on your condition as it improves or weakens, and make the necessary changes to your treatments. It is up to you to work with your doctor at regular appointments to keep your treatment plan working.
In the winter, prevent attacks by wearing shawls, mufflers and scarves that cover the nose and mouth. Bundling up puts heat between the air and your lungs, which can help lessen your risk of an asthma attack. Cold air can trigger severe attacks, especially for young children.
Asthmatics should always wear a mask when dealing with the harsh chemicals in fresh paint. Paint chemicals are a powerful irritant that can cause an asthma attack if inhaled without a mask. Don’t use certain chemicals and substances that could aggravate your asthma.
You can use the preventative inhaler daily, but know that it can cause mouth infections near your gums and teeth. To best method to prevent these side effects and complications is by brushing your teeth, then gargling directly after using the inhaler.
Attending a support group of asthma sufferers, or just sharing with people who have this condition, can really benefit you. They will provide tips on how to deal with asthma, or what to do in certain situations that may be new to you. Support from people around you is key.
You may want to consider having numerous doctors treat your asthma. You want to see your primary doctor for asthma help, though you should also see some specialists. Certain specialists, such as pulmonologists and allergists, can provide extra treatment options for your asthma.
Knowing what triggers your asthma is an extremely important thing to know in order to prevent your attacks. Think about maintaining a journal or diary that you can review for recurring situations that led to an attack. These situations can help you detect your triggers. You can then pass this information on to your doctor. After you identify substances that trigger your asthma symptoms, you can avoid those substances in your environment or ask your doctor whether there is a medication that will allow you to go into an environment with those triggers and remain free of asthma symptoms.
Stay away from smoking. A lot of people know that smoking is bad for you, but if you have asthma it is far worse. Smoke is extremely irritating to the already sensitive asthmatic lungs, so care should be taken to not only smoke, but also avoid being in the presence of other people who are smoking.
If a loved one or you has asthma, ban smoking in the car, home, or your direct vicinity. Smokers should smoke outside, far from the house and away from an asthma sufferer. Heavy smokers may trigger an asthma attack just by carrying the scent of smoke on their clothing.
Make sure your doctor shows you how to take your inhaled medication properly, and don’t leave his office until you are entirely comfortable using your inhaler. When you spray the inhaler into your mouth, you cannot just lightly inhale. With each spray, you have to take a deep breath so that the medication gets into your lungs. Failing to do so will mean that the medicine will not be able to help open up your breathing.
A home that is clean and dry will reduce the frequency of your asthma attacks. A dehumidifier can come in handy to keep moisture levels stable. By keeping these levels steady, the chance of seasonal attacks occurring will be reduced.
Go to your doctor a few times every year to check up on your asthma, and ensure that it is being managed effectively. Your doctor will evaluate your condition and make any changes as they see fit. You are the one who needs to make sure that these appointments happen to stay healthy.
If you are someone who suffers from asthma, you need to avoid doing exercise out in the dry, cold air. An asthma attack can occur because your bronchial airways end up being cool and dry. Before participating in any forms of vigorous exercise, makes sure that is humid and a bit warm outside.
In wrapping up, asthma sufferers often are interested in learning more about this medical condition that they deal with everyday. This article has provided essential information about asthma so that now, you can ease the stress of having this disease with knowledge. When properly managed, asthma is not nearly as imposing.
Consider changing asthma medications if your asthma gives you trouble on a regular basis. If you have to use your inhaler to get attacks under control more than twice in a seven-day period or frequently wake up because you can’t breathe, your asthma medication is not keeping your asthma under control. Consult with your doctor.