Healthy lungs are vital to a healthy body. For asthma sufferers, however, it can be very difficult to maintain good lung health. However, asthma doesn’t mean the end of fun and happy health; there are many ways to manage the disease and remain safe and healthy. In the following paragraphs, you’ll find suggestions on how to deal with your asthma.
Are you informed about what type of asthma you suffer from? Being aware of your particular asthma condition can help you to effectively treat it on a daily basis. For instance, people with exercise-induced asthma would do well to carry an inhaler in their gym bag! Treating asthma is less difficult if you and your physician are aware of the triggers that bring on an attack.
If you suffer from asthma, you should not smoke or expose yourself to any type of vapors or fumes. Thus, you need to avoid cigarettes and cigars and be vigilant about steering clear of environmental or workplace exposure to smoke.
Second hand smoke can cause asthma to develop in children, and can trigger an asthma attack if they already suffer from asthma. It has been medically proven that smoking can cause asthma or make existing symptoms worse. You also need to be sure that your child isn’t around those that choose to smoke.
If you are someone who suffers from asthma, stay away from all types of cigarette smoke. You should not smoke! Don’t breathe vapor or chemical fumes. This may cause an asthma attack you can’t stop. If others are smoking and you are nearby, get away from them immediately.
Avoid anything that could trigger your asthma. Many asthma suffers find that dust or pollen can trigger an attack. Some people get attacks after being physically active. Look for the trigger points in your life, so you can work around them.
If you’re in a dustier room, avoid turning on a fan. Dust blown around by fans can cause your asthma to rear up. Open some windows if you want fresh air.
Always be very mindful of the type of medications you’re taking. Some meds out there might just trigger an asthma attack. Some NSAIDs and aspirins will do this for you. Some medications for blood pressure and heart disease – those referred to as beta blockers – can also exacerbate asthma problems. If you have asthma and these other conditions, let your physician know.
Asthma Attacks
When you are suffering from an asthma attack, exhale all of the oxygen from your lungs. Exhale as quickly as possible, expelling air forcefully out of your lungs. Push that air from your lungs with all that you’ve got! Take three short breaths, then one last deep breath to ensure your lungs have enough air, then forcefully breath out. Paying attention this way will help you stabilize your breathing and make it rhythmic. It also keeps air flowing out of the lung,s so that you can refill them. You may cough or generate sputum, this is okay, your main goal is to get your breathing back on track again.
Consider a leokotriene inhibitor if your asthma is not controlled by other methods. A leukotriene inhibitor works by preventing leukotrienes. Leukotrienes are molecules that cause the tracheal muscles to contract; having too many leukotrienes makes asthma attacks more likely. The inhibitor will prevent leukotrienes, which can decrease the amount of asthma attacks that you have.
If you find yourself in a room that is dusty, don’t turn on any kind of fan. Otherwise, the dust will fly into the air and could give you an 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.
If you suffer from asthma and you are not eligible for health insurance, speak with a social worker. A social worker can possibly help you with finding treatment and low-cost medications.
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. The inhaler will only work if the medicine reaches your lungs. The dosage that is required should be sprayed into the mouth while you inhale air. You should keep your breath held for 10 seconds at a minimum to let the medicated mist fill up your lungs.
Make certain that all members of your family get their annual flu shot. If you have asthma, it’s important to prevent all respiratory infections, if at all possible. Making sure to consistently wash your hands, and getting the proper vaccinations are two standard precautions.
If you suffer from asthma, ensure you consume lots of Vitamins E and C. They are believed to aid respiratory function and to be instrumental in keeping your asthma in check. Get these nutrients through supplements or food. The vitamins will help improve the immune system, which will help you fight off illnesses that cause asthma.
If you have asthma, try to avoid smokers, even if you do not smoke. When you inhale tobacco smoke, particularly in closeted areas, the functioning of your lungs can decrease, and you may suffer an attack.
When dealing with hay fever or a cold, you will notice an increase in your asthma symptoms. These kinds of illness can inflame you asthma to a degree that a treatment increase is necessary. Your family doctor may recommend adding another treatment or medication to your current regimen until you recover from your illness.
You can help to prevent asthma attacks by maintaining a clean home, particularly the asthmatic’s bedroom. Only allow food in the kitchen, and never smoke indoors. Thoroughly air out your house after every cleaning, and stay away from bleach and similar harsh chemicals while cleaning indoors.
If you’ve been diagnosed with asthma, be sure to get flu shots every year. This is doubly important for asthmatic children. Avoid a lot of these infections by getting vaccinated each year.
Make sure to examine what it is that causes your asthma attacks in order to best avoid having to deal with them. Smoke, pollen, or pet dander are common triggers. When possible, stay away from triggers of asthma symptoms in an effort to prevent a severe attack.
Take notes of what can trigger your asthma attacks so that you can be prepared for a future attack or learn how to avoid them all together. Those who experience asthma are susceptible to some common things like pet dander, smoke, or pollen. When possible, stay away from triggers of asthma symptoms in an effort to prevent a severe attack.
Even if you are feeling great, don’t skip your asthma check-ups. 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.
Don’t miss your appointment for an asthma checkup simply because you aren’t currently having any problems with your condition. Your doctor may be able to prescribe more effective treatments and you may be suffering symptoms you’re not aware are related to your asthma.
Your home might harbor several of the major triggers of asthma attacks. These include mold, dust and spores. To keep yourself healthy and avoid asthma attacks, you may need to hire an inspector to come out once a year to test your home and remove any irritants. Conscientious house-cleaning can help prevent buildup of substances in your home that might trigger an asthma attack.
Your home is where most asthma triggers are located. These include dust, mold and spores. If you want to prevent and manage these sources of asthma attacks, have regular home inspections by a professional, and get identified harming agents cleaned out. Clean up your house regularly so these substances do not accumulate.
Your home’s humidity can cause mold and mildew growth within it. These fungi are both common triggers for asthma attacks. A dry home will help you out a lot more. In the winter months, use a dehumidifier in order to get rid of moisture. Your air conditioner will keep it dry in the summer.
If the air in your home is humid, it provides an ideal incubator for mold or mildew. These substances can easily trigger asthma attacks. Keeping a home dry and mold-free is important. One way to control the humidity in the house is to employ a dehumidifier to pull out the excess moisture.
When it’s colder, wear a shawl, scarf or muffler that will cover your mouth and nose to avoid asthma attacks. This will warm the air up before you breathe it into your lungs. Studies have consistently shown that cold air can cause your throat and lungs to constrict, triggering asthma attacks. Children are especially susceptible to cold-induced asthma.
Asthma is a condition that typically will develop over a long period of time, with symptoms that are not very obvious. There are lots of cases where people die of an asthma attack without knowing they had asthma. So, if you are having trouble coughing and breathing, talk to a doctor to see if you need treatment. You might receive a prescription to treat or prevent asthma.
Living with asthma is a challenge but you can manage this condition by following good advice. New techniques and medicines are always in development, and eventually asthma will be handled with ease.
If traveling by plane with your asthma equipment or medications, always carry your written prescription with you to avoid problems. Having proof that it belongs to you and is medically necessary will make the security check easier.