It can be hard to live with asthma. It can keep you from accomplishing even simplest tasks, such as going for a nice walk outdoors. Even worse, asthma can’t be cured, and it’s extremely difficult to control the symptoms. Read the tips in this article to learn how to handle your asthma.
You should not smoke or be anywhere near smoke if you suffer from asthma. This means you should stay away from all tobacco products and carefully consider the jobs you apply to, especially in factories, as you may be exposed to harmful smoke or vapors.
If you suffer from asthma, it is critical that you not smoke. 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.
Learn how to use an inhaler in the correct manner if you do not already know. Find a relaxing spot, and be sure that you follow the directions that the manufacturer provided. The inhaler is only beneficial if the medicine gets to your lungs. You need to inhale air while spraying the requisite dosage in your mouth. After inhaling, it’s important that you hold the medication in by holding your breath for 10 seconds at the least.
If you suffer from asthma and allergies that result in attacks, you can get injections of long-lasting medication for relief. An antibody medicine known as omalizumab is very effective at countering asthma attacks related to allergies. Ask your allergist about it.
Both Vitamin C and Vitamin E are important if you suffer from asthma. These vitamins aid in improving the function of the lungs and controlling the symptoms of asthma. Vitamin C is available in multiple forms. You can find it in citrus fruits, supplements, and in many other places. The vitamins will help improve the immune system, which will help you fight off illnesses that cause asthma.
Properly use the inhaler every time you must use it. Find a spot that is peaceful, and then follow the instructions given by the manufacturer. Your inhaler will only help if you breathe very deeply. You need to inhale air while spraying the requisite dosage in your mouth. Then, don’t breathe for around 10 seconds so that the medication permeates your lungs.
Asthma attacks have been found to be more likely in homes where four or more different cleaning products are in use. Organic cleaners are also a safer choice since they contain fewer chemical irritants.
Be sure to take plenty of Vitamins C and E if you have asthma. These vitamins make lungs function better and keep symptoms of asthma under control. You are able to get these vitamins either from food or a supplement. These vitamins will also provide a boost to your immune system. This will prevent respiratory illnesses that can trigger your asthma attacks.
Keep your home meticulously clean to reduce attack potential if there is an asthma sufferer living there, especially the bedroom. Food should only be eaten in the kitchen area, and whatever you do, please don’t smoke. Thoroughly air out your house after every cleaning, and stay away from bleach and similar harsh chemicals while cleaning indoors.
Increase Asthma
If you or your child suffer from asthma, it is important that you receive a flu shot every year. You can ward off a great number of these infections by having annual vaccinations.
You should be ready to increase asthma treatments if you suffer from hay fever or a cold. A lot of illnesses can cause your asthma to flare up very badly, resulting in the necessity to increase asthma treatment. Your doctor may also add another treatment to your regimen until your illness gets better.
Mildew and mold grow best in a home with high humidity. Mold and mildew can have a hand in making you suffer a asthma attack! Keeping a home dry and mold-free is important. Whenever you use a heater, you should use a dehumidifier, and air conditioning will help in the summer.
Be knowledgeable about the factors that cause asthma attacks in order to avoid the triggers or develop a plan for managing the symptoms of asthma. The majority of individuals afflicted with asthma know there are common irritants like pollen, pet dander and smoke. Whenever possible, avoid those substances that trigger either symptoms or full-blown attacks.
Asthma usually takes an extended interval of time to fully develop, and the warning signs are rarely obvious. There have been a few cases where a person dies from their first attack, because they didn’t know they suffered from the condition. Therefore, if you find yourself having difficulties breathing or with a chronic cough, it is essential that you see a doctor and get tested for asthma. The sooner you get the needed treatment and medication, the better.
Avoid pillows stuffed with goosedown or other feathers if you have an asthma problem. The feathers can make it harder to breathe right and trigger an attack. It is also advisable to use hypoallergenic sheets and comforters for the same reason.
If you are going to be flying and are bringing your asthma medicine with you, take written prescriptions from your physician with you, especially if you will be taking large equipment like a nebulizer. You’ll speed up the process of going through security if you have written proof that shows that the items are necessary.
Look for a support group, such as an online community or a local group. Asthma, especially the more severe forms, cause many problems that interfere with the quality of life and present many challenges. If you know other asthma sufferers, you can stay up to date on the latest medicines and treatment options.
It is important to track how often you use your fast-acting inhaler each week. Your medication may need to be adjusted or an alternative treatment considered if you find that you need to use it 3 or more times per week. Remembering the times you use the inhaler provides a good way to keep checking your environment, as well as other things in your plan to manage your asthma.
Some of the main triggers of asthma attacks happen right inside the home. Some of these irritants include dust, mold and spores. To keep healthy, lower your risk of an asthma attack by getting rid of these triggers from your home. You can help keep your house safe from these harmful substances by regularly cleaning and dusting your home.
Clean your home with a wet mop instead of a broom. Sweeping sends dust and dander back into the air and could trigger an asthma attack. A moist rag chosen over a feather duster is the best choice for an asthmatic.
Find out how you are supposed to use your asthma medication and rescue treatments. Asthma is generally managed through regular medicine which is supplemented with rescue medications like inhalers. Because asthma does not get cured, those afflicted with it must continue to take their regular medication and use their rescue inhaler when needed.
Avoid smoking. While smoking is a dangerous habit in general, it is far more damaging to those who have asthma. Not only should smoking be avoided, you need to be careful to stay away from people who do smoke because it is extremely harmful and will irritate your sensitive asthmatic lungs.
Asthma is a medical condition that tends to slowly develop over time, and the symptoms are not always that obvious. There have even been cases where people die from the first asthma attack they had, without knowing they had the condition. If you find yourself with a constant cough or have trouble breathing, consult your doctor, so he can tell you if you have asthma and if you need medication. He might even have suggestions on how to prevent it from worsening.
If you experience an asthma attack, stay calm. Use your rescue inhaler, rest for a half to one minute, then use the inhaler again. Don’t suffer in silence or wait it out if your breathing gets worse instead of better after using your inhaler. You need immediate medical attention if this happens. Have someone drive you directly to the hospital or call an ambulance for you. While heading to the hospital, breathe into a paper bag; it will slow your breathing rate and help reduce the attack.
When you are cleaning your home, it is always better to use a wet mop rather than sweeping your floors. If you are sweeping, you can trigger an asthma attack by stirring up a lot of allergens into the air. When you need to dust, do so with a damp rag instead of a feather duster so that you reduce spreading around anything that will trigger your asthma.
If you are planning on painting a room in your house, buy a mask in advance to protect you from breathing in fumes. The fumes from the pain can irritate your asthma. By using a mask, you will keep yourself from inhaling the majority of these fumes. Take similar steps to avoid any chemical or other substance that tends to trigger your asthma attacks.
You should have limited contact with animals, as it can cause you to have an asthmatic reaction. A lot of times the hair or dander will cause an asthma attack, but even if you do not have an allergy to the pet itself they often carry pollen and dust with them.
Knowing what triggers your asthma is an extremely important thing to know in order to prevent your attacks. Start an attack journal to help identify these triggers, and share what you record with your doctor. By identifying the causes of your asthma symptoms, you can then work to eliminate these triggers from your life completely.
Stay Indoors
Asthma is caused by environmental factors, genetics, or sometimes both. If your family has a history of asthma, pay special attention to any respiratory symptoms that may indicate that you or a family member is developing asthma. Asthma sufferers need to be especially careful to avoid smoke, dust mites, extremely high air pollution levels and allergens.
If the pollen count is rising, stay indoors when possible. Asthma’s not an allergy, but many things that irritate allergies also irritate asthma. Check the local air quality report online to determine whether to stay indoors and keep irritant exposure to a minimum.
Avoid allergens and consult your doctor if your current medication fails to limit your asthma attacks to less than three each week. Doctors agree that suffering from more than two asthma attacks every week is not only dangerous, but avoidable.
Asthma should not be taken lightly. Do what you can to prevent symptoms, and get professional help if you think it may be beyond your control. Let the above advice help you to minimize the effects of asthma on your day-to-day life.
Become stronger and increase the amount of air your lungs can hold over time. Don’t start an intense workout that you know you can’t get through due to your asthma.