Asthma can be a challenging condition. It can keep you from accomplishing even simplest tasks, such as going for a nice walk outdoors. In addition, there is no cure for asthma, and its symptoms are very difficult to manage. This article offers tips on how you can stop your symptoms from getting too severe.
Smoking is extremely harmful if you suffer from asthma. If you are not already a smoker, don’t start, and if you are, quit as soon as possible. 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.
Cleaning Products
It is important that you try to stay clear of cleaning products if you have asthma. Many of the harsh chemicals inside cleaning products might trigger symptoms or even a full blown asthma attack. If you have the job of cleaning your house, you should safer, natural products.
When you have asthma, it is vital that you avoid cleaning products. Many of the harsh chemicals inside cleaning products might trigger symptoms or even a full blown asthma attack. If you’re the one that cleans your home, try organic or natural cleaning solutions that are much less risky to your health.
Stay away from anything that you are aware of that may trigger your asthma. Perhaps you have allergies or are sensitive to dust and pollen. For others, attacks can be caused by physical activities. Try to see what cause your asthma so that you can avoid it.
Avoid anything that can trigger your asthma. Certain outdoor areas may be off-limits because they cause allergies to flare up. For other people it may physical activities that will set them off. Try to determine your asthma triggers, so you can avoid them and prevent attacks.
Some medications that you may take unknowingly can cause you to have asthma symptoms. Some anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, can flare up asthma symptoms. Beta blockers that are used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease can develop asthma like symptoms. It is important to talk openly with your doctor about your asthma so that you do not take any medications that could be harmful to you.
There are some medications out there that you could be taking which will actually trigger your asthma symptoms. Some anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, can flare up asthma symptoms. Common medications used for controlling high blood pressure often times contain beta blockers, which asthmatics may be more sensitive to. It is important to talk openly with your doctor about your asthma so that you do not take any medications that could be harmful to you.
Though it should go without saying, do not turn on any fans or circulation systems when in a room containing visible dust that has yet to be cleaned. All this does is circulate the dust, which is an invitation to triggering an otherwise avoidable asthma attack. A fan will just blow around dust without providing fresh air, so opening a window is a better option as it brings in fresh air and ventilation.
Asthma is not a curable disease and will require life-long health management. Make sure you are taking the right medications to control your everyday asthma symptoms, and have a quick relief medication on hand if you have an attack. Find out from your allergist and your doctor what is best for you.
If you are having trouble dealing with asthma, a leukotriene inhibitor might be of good use. Leukotriene inhibitors are used to prevent things called leukotrienes. A leukotriene will cause inflammation in the respiratory system, causing an asthma attack. When used properly, an inhibitor can help reduce symptoms and prevent attacks.
If you have mild to moderate asthma attack, breathe out forcefully to get every bit of air out from your lungs. Exhale quickly and with power. You want to force all of the air from your lungs. Take three breaths in succession. These breaths don’t have to be deep, just breathe a little. Then take a deep breath, pulling as much air as possible into your lungs. When your lungs are as full as you can stand, force the air out. This technique develops a breathing rhythm, allowing you to notice the breaths that you take in. It also pushes the air out of your lungs, so that more air can come in. Do not be alarmed if you cough or generate excess mucous; this is perfectly normal. Your only concern is to return your breathing to normal.
Make sure that you and your loved ones get a flu vaccination yearly. When you are afflicted with asthma, steer as clear as you can of all types of respiratory infections. It is important to do things like hand washing and receiving proper vaccinations.
Make sure you use the inhaler in the proper, prescribed method. Go to a quiet place, and be sure to follow all instructions from the manufacturer. Remember that using an inhaler is only going to help you if the medication contained within makes its way to the lungs. Spray the stated dose of medicine into your mouth as you inhale. Then hold it and try not to breathe for a minimum of 10 seconds. This will give enough time for the medication to properly fill out your lungs.
Vitamins C and E can greatly assist you in fighting asthma attacks. You can buy these vitamins to help you get better function from your lungs and control your asthma symptoms. It doesn’t matter if you get the vitamins for food or a supplement; just get them. 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.
Unscented products are best for asthma sufferers. Products with a fragrance raise the air pollution indoors, and increase the risk of an attack being triggered. Some of these products include incense, scented body sprays and air fresheners. Be aware that fresh paint and new carpet also can emit harmful odors that irritate sensitive airways. Try to keep the indoor air as clean and fresh as possible.
You might want to purchase a dehumidifier to use at home if you have asthma. Lowering the level of humidity present in your home can reduce the numbers of dust mites, a prime trigger of asthma. Try running a dehumidifier to dry up the air in your home.
Your asthma medication may need to be adjusted if you become ill. Side effects that are associated with most illnesses can serve as triggers for asthma and may cause an increase in your asthma treatment. Your family doctor may recommend adding another treatment or medication to your current regimen until you recover from your illness.
Those with asthma should always opt for unscented items because they are safest. Products that contain fragrance, such as perfumes, colognes, or air fresheners, can pollute the air triggering your asthma. An asthma sufferer’s airways can feel irritated by odors such as fresh paint or new carpeting. Keep the air inside your house as fresh as you can.
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. There are some quite common triggers that can invoke an attack in asthma sufferers, for example cigarette smoke, pollen, or pet hair and dander. Whenever you can, stay away from these agents that can trigger symptoms or cause full-blown asthma attacks.
Your asthma medication may need to be adjusted if you become ill. A lot of illnesses can cause your asthma to flare up very badly, resulting in the necessity to increase asthma treatment. Your physician might also add more treatments to your regimen until your asthma is under control again.
Travel with your rescue medication on your person at all times. Traveling can make you more likely to suffer from attacks due to the extra strain and stress on your body. The change in environment can also have a negative impact, since it is impossible to control. This can lead to more frequent attacks or attacks with symptoms that are worse than normal.
Don’t miss your appointment for an asthma checkup simply because you aren’t currently having any problems with your condition. You never know when you might suffer another flare-up, or when your doctor might have a better or safer medication to prescribe for your symptoms.
Keep in mind that mopping your floors with a wet mop will cause less asthma problems than sweeping will. Sweeping can cause the rise of dust and dander, which may trigger an asthma attack. When you dust, use a damp cloth instead of a feather duster which can spread these triggers.
A handful of primary initiators of asthma, and its attack triggers, lie right in your residence. These triggers inside the home are usually spores, mold and dust. To keep your body healthy and to cut down the frequency of asthma attacks, it is important to have your house professionally inspected and cleaned to remove these harmful substances. Cleaning your house on a regular basis is one way to keep these substances from accumulating.
Dust and other allergens often accumulate in bed sheets. You can get rid of these by washing your sheets and other linens in very hot water each week. You’re less likely to have an asthma attack while asleep or upon first waking up if your bedding is fresh and clean.
The development of asthma symptoms can occur over time and they can be difficult to pinpoint and diagnose. There are many cases where people have died from their first asthma attack, without even being aware that they were at risk. 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.
Don’t smoke. Smoking is one of the worst things a person with asthma can do. Smoke can severely irritate an asthma sufferer’s lungs; so, if you do suffer from asthma, stay away from both smoking and being around smoke in general.
Pay attention to how often you reach for your asthma inhaler each week. If your records start to show you need the inhaler more than two times weekly, your environment might be causing you problems or your asthma is not being controlled as well as it could be. If you notice an increased use in your inhaler, reexamine your management plan and check for any changes in your surroundings that may be triggering the asthma.
Asthma is a serious diagnosis, and it should never be taken lightly or ignored. Use your self-care skills to minimize the chance of an attack, and get medical attention when you feel a bad attack coming on. You can make your daily life easier by applying these tips.
Using a wet mop is superior to using a broom to clean your floors. When you sweep, you are stirring up asthma triggers that can cause you to have an asthma attack. Use damp rags instead of a dry feather duster so triggers won’t be filling the air.