If you have asthma, you should learn everything you can about your condition. Asthma is a fairly common lung disorder that causes inflammation of airways, coughing and wheezing. A lot of people want to learn more about asthma, but aren’t sure where to find that kind of information. You may find some of the facts delineated below surprising, but they can be extremely helpful in allowing you to control this condition.
You should avoid smoking at all costs and being exposed to vapors and perfumes if you suffer from asthma. This means avoidance of all tobacco products, as well as taking into consideration any smoke or vapors you might be exposed to in a prospective workplace.
It is crucial for asthma sufferers not to smoke. Smoking is, of course, unhealthy for anyone. The habit is even more dangerous for asthma patients, however, because anything that reduces the amount of oxygen reaching the lungs can trigger an attack.
Certain prescription medications have the potential to cause asthma symptoms. Various NSAIDs and aspirin have been reported to do this. Some medications for blood pressure and heart disease – those referred to as beta blockers – can also exacerbate asthma problems. If you suffer from these conditions and also have asthma, be sure to let your doctor know.
Avoid harsh cleaning chemicals if you are an asthma sufferer. Many chemicals that are in these products can cause the triggering of asthma attacks. If you have the job of cleaning your house, you should safer, natural products.
Asthma is a disease that is continuous. As such, it requires long-term health management. Make certain you are doing the most you can each day to keep your symptoms under control. Take the proper medications needed for everyday symptoms, and always have quick relief medication by you at all times in the event an attack occurs. Speak to your allergist and doctor to see what they recommend for you.
Asthma Attacks
When suffering a mild or even moderate asthma attack, attempt to push all air from your lungs. Exhale quickly and hard. You want to force all of the air from your lungs. Take three short breaths, then one last deep breath to ensure your lungs have enough air, then forcefully breath out. 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 will push all of your air out of the lungs so that you can get more air in. You may generate sputum or cough but that is alright, since your main objective is getting you to breathe normally again.
Keep away from any and everything that you know triggers your asthma attacks. Allergens such as dust and pollen can bring on an asthma attack at any time. Others may have attacks that are triggered by physical activity. It is important to determine what triggers your asthma attacks so you can try to avoid those things.
If you are an asthma sufferer and are denied health insurance, talk to a social worker. It is important that you are able to afford your asthma medications, so a social worker may be able to find you a clinic or hospital that offers your medication at little to no cost.
If you have mild to moderate asthma attack, breathe out forcefully to get every bit of air out from your lungs. Exhale as fast and hard as you can. Try to force the air out of your lungs! Do your inhalations in triple bursts of short breaths, and then follow with final deep inhalation so that you fill your lungs comfortably, before exhaling with vehemence once more. Not only will you breathe in rhythm, but you’ll focus more intently on how you are breathing and become aware of breathing problems. This is a good way to empty your lungs and let more air come in. If you cough or produce sputum, don’t worry. Just remain focused on your objective, which is to regain a normal rate of breathing.
Always choose unscented products for your home if you have asthma. Products that contain fragrance, such as perfumes, colognes, or air fresheners, fill the air with irritants that can trigger an asthma attack. Fresh paint and new carpeting can also irritate the airway. Try to maintain the air in your house as free from possible asthma triggers as possible.
Asthma sufferers should avoid smoking cigarettes and any place that has cigarette smoke. Asthma creates breathing problems by constricting airways, and cigarette smoking only exacerbates the problem. Stay away from vapors and chemical fumes, too. This can cause an asthma attack, and you may be unable to bring it under control. If you are around others who are smoking, remove yourself.
Make regular asthma checkups with your doctor, even if you are not having any issues come up. Medical science is constantly evolving, so the doctor might know about a new treatment for you. Besides, you can never be sure when another attack might come on, so it’s better to be checked out.
Utilize the inhaler correctly. Try to locate a calming location, and be certain to adhere to any directions given by the inhaler’s maker. The inhaler can only help you if the medication actually reaches the lungs. While inhaling air, spray the proper amount of inhalant into your mouth. You should hold your breath 10 seconds so the medicated mist is able to fill up your lungs.
Join a support group, online or in “real life”, to find help from your peers. Asthma can be devastating and lead to lethargy and withdrawal from normal life – especially if it is quite severe. As science marches on, new medications and treatments for asthma become available, and you can keep abreast of this progress through a good support group.
If you suffer from asthma, make sure that you consume enough Vitamin C and Vitamin E. These vitamins help to control asthma symptoms and improve the function of your lungs. You can find the vitamins you need in food or supplements. These vitamins can boost immune systems, which helps you to avoid illnesses that can be a trigger for your asthma.
Mold and mildew can thrive in a humid home environment. Both mold and mildew are associated with asthma attacks. So, it makes sense to keep dry air in your home. In the winter, use a dehumidifier along with your heater, and in the summer months, you can use your air conditioner to help control the amount of water in the air within your home.
If you have asthma, get a dehumidifier for your home. Decreasing the humidity in the house decreases dust mites, which decreases asthma flare ups. Dehumidifiers reduce attacks in your home by making the air cleaner and drier.
Bed linens tend to collect asthma triggers like pollen, dust and other allergens. Clean your linen and pillow case every week to prevent asthma attacks. Fresh linens, washed regularly, can ensure you breathe better as you sleep.
Cleaning Products
Talk with your physician if you find that you need your inhaler more often than a couple of times weekly. This means that the medication in your inhaler is not working well enough. Additionally, if your inhaler needs refills more often than about every six months, you are in the same situation and should see your physician.
Using more than four different types of cleaning products in your home has been shown to increase the risk of an asthma attack. Opt for organic cleaning products that do not contain irritating chemicals.
The mere act of discussing your asthma condition with other people can have a soothing and positive effect. They can give you pointers and tips on what to do in certain situations, and can help you in your fight against asthma. Support given by those around you who are also afflicted with asthma can really make all the difference.
Try to keep your home as clean as possible, especially the bedroom of the asthma sufferer, to reduce the risk of an asthma attack. Food should be eaten only in the kitchen or dining room, and cigarettes are best relegated to outdoor smoking areas. Don’t use bleach or harsh chemicals inside, and air out the house as much as possible after cleaning.
Increase the amount of vitamin B6 in your diet. Research has shown that by increasing the amount of vitamin B6, sometimes referred to as pyridoxine, individuals can reduce how often they suffer asthma attacks. At minimum, it can help lower the intensity of attacks. Through this research, it has been proven that pyridoxine helps produce molecules that aid in relaxing the bronchial tissue. Bananas are one of many good sources of vitamin B6.
If you have hay fever or a cold, you will probably need increased treatment of your asthma. Some illnesses create issues that make it necessary to increase medication temporarily. You might even get a new treatment added onto our existing program until the illness subsides.
If you are prone to asthma attacks, you need to find out what triggers them. A journal is a good way to identify what has triggered an attack and provides you with a simple way to keep your doctor informed. By identifying the causes of your asthma symptoms, you can then work to eliminate these triggers from your life completely.
If your kid or you suffer from asthma, you should get a yearly flu shot. Therefore, it is very important to avoid as many infections to the lungs as possible by getting a vaccine each year.
Asthma can be the result of genetics, environment or a combination of both. If anyone else in your family suffers from asthma, keep watch for any asthma symptoms in your children or yourself. Irritants in the environment, including smoke, pollution, dust and mold, can also contribute to asthma development, so you should minimize your family’s exposure to these substances.
You can wear warm things like a shawl, muffler or scarf, which can help cover your nose and mouth in the colder months. You can help warm the air with these things before they bring any harm to your lungs. Breathing cold air can set off an asthma attack, particularly in small children who have have somewhat severe asthma.
If you experience three or more allergy attacks in a week, it’s likely that the medication you’re taking isn’t proper. Most health professionals agree that having attacks more than twice a week is both dangerous and avoidable.
Know how to properly use asthma medicine, especially your rescue medication. Asthma is usually treated by using a regular medicine supplemented with a rescue medicine, like an inhaler. Managing your medicine properly is important because asthma is a chronic health problem.
Try to strengthen yourself, and increase your lung capacity gradually. The last thing you should do is a frenetic workout. You will surely trigger an attack. Start slow and build your stamina.
If you suffer from asthma attacks, familiarize yourself with how to properly use your inhaler. In order for the inhaler to work, you must carefully follow the directions. You must simultaneously inhale and spray the inhaler, then hold your breath for several seconds. Proper techniques with your inhaler will keep your symptoms from increasing out of control.
Hurry to the hospital if you see any symptoms of a dangerous asthma attack. Signs that an asthma attack is underway can include blue or gray tints to the lips and fingernails. It is also possible your child will not respond to heightened doses of medication during an attack. He may have difficulty saying anything, as well.
Paint Fumes
If you or anyone in your house suffers from asthma, you need to ban smoking from inside your home, car, or anywhere near the asthma sufferer. If you know someone who smokes, ask that they do so outdoors away from the asthmatic. People who smoke could cause an attack by simply having this smoke scent on their clothes.
If repainting a room is in your future, purchase a quality mask first to protect your lungs from paint fumes. A proper breathing mask will help to protect asthma sufferers from paint fumes. Learn what type of chemicals trigger your asthma and try to stay away from them.
Monitor your children closely for any indication of food allergies. If you happen to notice difficulty breathing, or skin rashes when your child eats a certain food, it would be wise for you to visit a doctor to have them tested for allergies. Food allergies are often a sign that a child may develop asthma.
It is nothing uncommon for anyone who suffers from asthma to be curious and ask questions about how it can affect them in their life. This article has provided essential information about asthma so that now, you can ease the stress of having this disease with knowledge. Put these tips to use and you could find that the asthma just fades into the background and becomes a normal part of your routine!
If you have asthma, avoid exercise in weather that is dry and cold. That is because bronchial airways then become dry and cool, which can trigger an asthma attack. Before participating in any forms of vigorous exercise, makes sure that is humid and a bit warm outside.