If you’ve just been given an asthma diagnosis, you may not know what to do. Asthma is known to be a chronic condition, which means there is no known cure. But there is no cause to believe that you need to surrender to asthma, or that it has to take over your life. This article is like a virtual library full of information on asthma symptoms and treatments.
If asthma is something that you are afflicted with, then don’t smoke or immediately quit. When smoke enters your lungs it cuts off your oxygen supply, and if you suffer from asthma it can make breathing extremely difficult, and result in an increased number of attacks.
If you suffer from asthma and you smoke, it’s crucial that you quit. Smoking is horrible for people, it is really bad if asthma becomes worse and blocks oxygen to your body, you need oxygen to work and stave off asthma.
Should you wind up inside a really dusty room, don’t activate any fans. If you do, the dust will move around, and you can trigger your asthma. It’s better to open the window if you’re in need of fresh air.
In order to prevent asthma attacks, keep away from triggers. For many people, allergens such as dust and pollen can induce an attack. Or, you may need to avoid certain activities that overexert your body. You need to determine what your triggers are so that you can avoid them.
If allergies lead to constant attacks from your asthma, there has been a recent solution that is administered via injection that provides long term care! An excellent antibody medication that works well to control asthma symptoms, brought on by allergic reactions is called Omalizumab, and can be administered by your allergist.
Prevent Leukotrienes
Take a lot of Vitamin E and C if you are suffering from asthma. It is widely believed that these vitamins can help control asthma symptoms by improving lung function. Many foods have these vitamins in abundance, but you can also use a supplemental pill. 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.
A leukotriene inhibitor can be helpful if you have asthma. Leukotriene inhibitors work to prevent leukotrienes. Leukotriene is a type of chemical substance which may cause inflammation and could cause an attack. This inhibitor can prevent leukotrienes, which makes you less likely to have an asthma attack.
Understand what things make your asthma flare and avoid these things or manage the symptoms. Most with asthma share common triggers, like pet dander, pollen or smoke. When possible, stay away from triggers of asthma symptoms in an effort to prevent a severe attack.
Be sure you and your family members get a yearly flu vaccination. Asthma sufferers need to be careful and guard against any upper-resperatory illnesses. Take standard precautions against any kind of illness, and start washing those hands and getting vaccinations that will protect you from getting very sick.
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.
If you are someone who suffers from asthma, you should consider buying a dehumidifier for your home. With less humidity, there will be fewer dust mites, and that means that there is less of a chance that your asthma will flare up. Dehumidifiers eliminate your home’s humidity, leaving dry air.
Look into becoming a part of a support group. There are many to choose from both online and offline. Asthma can be quite debilitating, especially if the asthma is severe, and this condition can interfere with daily life. If you know other asthma sufferers, you can stay up to date on the latest medicines and treatment options.
Unscented products are best for asthma sufferers. Scented products, like air fresheners, incense and perfume, raise indoor pollution levels and can trigger asthma attacks. Be aware that fresh paint and new carpet also can emit harmful odors that irritate sensitive airways. Try to maintain the air in your house as free from possible asthma triggers as possible.
A handful of primary initiators of asthma, and its attack triggers, lie right in your residence. These culprits include dust, spores and mold. Having your house inspected yearly is a good way to reduce the presence of these asthma triggers. Regularly cleaning your house can also contribute to preventing buildup of these substances.
To cut the risk of an asthma attack, keep your house as clean as you can, particularly the bedroom of the person with asthma. Food should not be eaten outside of the kitchen, and there should be no indoor smoking. After using chemical to clean, air out the house.
Know the right way to take your asthma medication, and above all any rescue medication. Asthma is usually treated on two fronts. One is a standard medication, taken daily, and the other is an inhaler, intended for use in an emergency. Asthma doesn’t go away, so it’s important to be vigilant about taking your daily medication and using your rescue inhaler when an attack occurs.
Don’t skip appointments for your checkups, even if you haven’t had any recent asthma attacks. You cannot be certain when you will next have an issue with your asthma, or when there may be a better medication available to utilize for your condition.
If you have asthma, don’t stop using your inhaler unless your doctor tells you to. However, watch for infections in your gums or other mouth discomfort after using your inhaler. Always clean your teeth and rinse your mouth after you use your inhaler.
Many of the biggest triggers for asthma can, and do, exist in your home. These culprits include dust, spores and mold. To reduce asthma attacks and stay healthy, have an inspector remove any harmful agents yearly. Furthermore, thorough and frequent cleaning will ensure that allergens and other possible triggers do not accumulate in your home.
If you have asthma, clean your floors with a wet mop, instead of sweeping with a traditional broom. Those particles that can trigger asthma attacks are stirred up when you sweep. 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.
A humid home environment is a healthy environment for mildew and mold to develop. These fungi are both common triggers for asthma attacks. Thus, keep the air in your home as moisture-free as possible to avoid asthma-related problems. During the winter, you can use a dehumidifier to control humidity when using a heater, and an air conditioner during the summer will help keep your home dry.
Allergens, pollen, dust and some other asthma aggravators can collect in your bed linens. You can cut down on these irritants or eliminate them altogether by washing your bedding and pillow cases in very hot water once a week. Clean bed linens that are washed frequently will help you breathe easier every time your head hits the pillow.
Be sure you understand how to use your asthma medication, especially emergency medication. Asthma is usually treated on two fronts. One is a standard medication, taken daily, and the other is an inhaler, intended for use in an emergency. Because asthma is a chronic condition, it is important to take management medication properly and to use rescue medication appropriately.
You should have a team of medical professionals to help you craft your asthma treatment. While your asthma treatment should start with your primary care doctor, visiting one or two asthma specialists can make a real difference in how well you understand and manage your condition. Asthma centers, pulmonologists, nutritionists and allergists can all work with you, making sure you are getting all the treatment you need.
Visit at least two different doctors. Even though your primary care doctor can assist you in the basic care for your asthma, consider visiting a specialist also. Certain specialists, such as pulmonologists and allergists, can provide extra treatment options for your asthma.
Refrain from smoking. Most people know how dangerous smoking is, but for someone afflicted with asthma, the dangers are ten times more serious. Your lungs could become very irritated if you smoke, and you should avoid being around others that are smoking.
During spring or other high-pollen times, don’t go outside unless you have to so that you can avoid a pollen-triggered asthma attack. The same pollens and other irritants that cause trouble for allergy sufferers are also concerns for asthma sufferers, even though the two are quite distinct conditions. The same air quality reports available in the local news for allergy problems can also help those with asthma issues stay indoors on particularly hazardous days.
If you suffer from asthma and allergies, make sure you clean your humidifier before using it. Bacteria will breed rapidly due to the moisture in the machine. If you continue to use one without cleaning it correctly, you will be pushing allergens around the home, instead of the soothing humidity that you are hoping for.
90% of dealing with asthma is about preparing for attacks. If you educate yourself about the type of asthma that is affecting you, and the measures you can take to work through an attack, you can learn to manage your illness on a daily basis. This article will help you build your knowledge so you can effectively combat asthma.
If you are utilizing the inhaler more than two times a week, ask your doctor to change your medicine. This means that the medication in your inhaler is not working well enough. Additionally, if you must have your inhaler refilled more than two times in a year, you should consult your doctor.