Asthma affects many different ages of people. Look for any warning signs that indicate a decline in your condition, and seek advice and options from your doctor earlier rather than later. The following paragraphs will give you the information you need to deal with asthma attacks, and more importantly, reduce the frequency of future attacks.
To keep your child healthy, make sure they are never around smoke. Secondhand smoke is something that can lead to serious asthma. You should take care to also make sure your child does not get exposed to other environments where people might be smoking.
People afflicted by asthma should make it a priority to always avoid exposure to smoke, vapors and fumes. You must abstain from using any tobacco products. Also, when job hunting, you need to take into consideration whether or not you will be exposed to anything detrimental to your condition while on the job.
Smoking is a horrible habit, even deadly, for an asthma sufferer. Although smoking causes health problems for everyone, it is even more dangerous to asthma sufferers because the smoke causes airway swelling that cuts off oxygen to your lungs, and can trigger an attack.
Never take medications without getting your doctor’s approval so you don’t wind up taking one that has a side effect of exacerbating asthma.. Some NSAIDs and aspirins will do this for you. This can also be caused by beta blockers, like medications that are used in managing high blood pressure or heart problems. Make sure your physician is aware of all of your chronic conditions and any medications you are on so they can treat your asthma appropriately.
Cleaning products can trigger an asthma attack, so try to keep your exposure to them to a minimum. The chemicals in many cleaning products will trigger asthma attacks or symptoms. Instead of relying on harsh cleaners, check out some organic solutions. They might cost a few dollars more, but the difference is well worth it.
If you have asthma, you should keep away from any smoke from cigarettes. Do not smoke yourself, either! Stay away from vapors and chemical fumes, too. This can aggravate your asthma and it might not stop. If you are around people who smoke, leave the area very fast.
Avoid anything that can trigger your asthma. This can vary from person to person, as small particles like dust can cause asthma attacks. Others may have attacks that are triggered by physical activity. Try to see what cause your asthma so that you can avoid it.
Never use a fan in a dirty, dust-filled room. Otherwise, the dust will fly into the air and could give you an attack. It could be better to open the window if you need to get airflow.
The symptoms of asthma might not always be apparent, but for those that suffer from the disease, the condition never goes away entirely. Your doctor may prescribe medications that must be taken daily. In addition, you will likely have medication to take in the event of an attack. Your physician and allergist are the ones to approach with any questions you have about this disease and its treatment.
Social Worker
If you are having an attack that is not severe, push as much air out of the lungs as possible. Exhale quickly and hard. This will force the air from your lungs. Take three short breaths, and then take a fourth, deeper breath to fill your lungs comfortably; then, breathe out with force again. Paying attention this way will help you stabilize your breathing and make it rhythmic. It also allows you to take in more air by completely emptying your lungs. If you cough or produce sputum, don’t worry. Just remain focused on your objective, which is to regain a normal rate of breathing.
Talk to a social worker if you do not have health insurance and need medication for your asthma. You must have the ability to afford your medication, so a social worker might be able to locate a hospital or clinic that can offer them at little cost or free.
Having a fast acting inhaler is vital to save asthmatics from experiencing severe symptoms. Talk to your physician and find out if a leukotriene inhibitor would be right for you. As its name suggests, this inhibitor works by preventing the release and build-up of leukotriene. Leukotrienes are molecules that cause the tracheal muscles to contract; having too many leukotrienes makes asthma attacks more likely. By blocking the effects of leukotrienes, a leukotriene inhibitor can reduce the frequency and severity of your asthma attacks.
If you suffer from asthma, avoid smokers, even if you do not smoke yourself. When you inhale tobacco smoke, the lung’s function can be decreased, and you will increase the chance you have an asthma attack. Smaller areas without proper ventilation make you even more susceptible to an attack.
Be sure to take plenty of Vitamins C and E if you have asthma. Since both of these have been attributed to better function of the lungs, they also help to control the symptoms of asthma. Get these nutrients through supplements or food. The vitamins can help to boost the immune system, which will help you to stay healthy and less ill, which means you will have less asthma attacks.
If you suffer from asthma, you might want to use a pillow that doesn’t contain feathers. Pillow feathers are known to worsen asthma and affect the lungs. The same reasoning applies to all bedding – only purchase bed sheets and comforters that are manufactured from hypoallergenic materials.
Sleep with a feather-less pillow if you have asthma. The feathers from a pillow can cause asthma symptoms and decrease your lung function. Same thing with bedding – purchase sheets and a comforter that are constructed from hypoallergenic materials.
Understanding how to properly administer your asthma medications is important, particularly in regard to rescue medications. Typically, asthma is treated using normal medications along with rescue medication, like an inhaler, for emergency situations. Asthma is a lifelong condition; you should correctly take your regular medication and use your rescue medication only as needed.
Keep all your doctors appointments even if your asthma symptoms aren’t bothering you. 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.
If you’re flying with asthma medications, be sure you get a prescription from your physician. Carrying written prescription information will help you to avoid security hassles, and you won’t have to worry about your medication being confiscated.
When the weather starts to turn colder, wear a scarf or shawl that covers your mouth and nose to help prevent asthma attacks. This warms the air before you bring it into your lungs. Cool air has been known to trigger an asthma attack, particularly in very young children who have severe or moderate asthma.
If you are cleaning, you should use a mop that is damp instead of a dry broom. The action of sweeping can swirl up a whole cloud of asthma-triggering particles. Dusting can actually just move the dust around, sending particles into the air, and into your lungs triggering an asthma attack, so try wiping things down with a damp cloth to minimize the amount of allergens you are exposed to.
If you are going on a trip on a plane and need to take your asthma medicine, take your prescription with you! Having proof that it belongs to you and is medically necessary will make the security check easier.
Asthma is no joke. Asthma attacks can be lethal, so you should take measures to reduce the chances of your asthma going out of control. For example, carry an emergency inhaler everywhere you go and reduce the allergens and airborne dust in your home. Apply these tips to gain control over your condition.
A preventative inhaler should be used every day, but you should know that this can cause infections near the teeth and gums in your mouth. Always clean your teeth and rinse your mouth after you use your inhaler.