Living through a bout of asthma is quite unsettling, as is the knowledge that the disease will never entirely go away. If you take the proper steps, however, the impact of asthma on your life can be greatly reduced. Read on to find out some solid ways to deal with asthma.
If you are an asthma patient, do not expose yourself to vapors, fumes and cigarette smoke. 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.
Unfortunately, asthma sufferers must realize that their condition is chronic which requires ongoing treatment. Make sure that your daily routine includes taking appropriate medication to keep you free of asthma symptoms, along with additional medication to treat you for any sudden asthma attacks. Speak to an allergist and doctor to see what’s best for you.
Be aware of certain medications that can lead to asthma problems. Among these medications are aspirin and other NSAIDs. The medication you take for high blood pressure can also cause asthma symptoms. Talk to a doctor if you have any of these conditions along with asthma.
Cigarette Smoke
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that requires constant management. Make sure you are taking the right medications to control your everyday asthma symptoms, and have a quick relief medication on hand if you have an attack. See your doctor or allergist to find out which treatment plan is best for your situation.
Cigarette smoke will make your asthma worse. This cannot be emphasized enough: Stay away from cigarette smoke! Stay away from vapors and chemical fumes, too. Inhaling these substances may trigger an unstoppable asthma attack. If people are smoking around you, remove yourself from that area quickly.
An annual flu vaccination is recommended for you as well as other members of your family. People who have been diagnosed with asthma should exercise extreme diligence in avoiding other respiratory conditions. Making sure to consistently wash your hands, and getting the proper vaccinations are two standard precautions.
If you’re in a room that has a lot of dust in it, don’t turn on a fan. This will cause the dust to move around, which could cause an asthma 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, be sure your diet includes lots of Vitamins C and E. They are believed to aid respiratory function and to be instrumental in keeping your asthma in check. You can find the vitamins you need in food or supplements. These vitamins can improve your immune system to prevent asthma triggers.
Proper knowledge of how to use your inhaler is necessary if you have asthma. Go to a quiet place, and be sure to follow all instructions from the manufacturer. Remember that the medication must reach your lungs if the inhaler is to work properly. The dosage that is required should be sprayed into the mouth while you inhale air. Make sure you hold your breath for 10 seconds or more to get the medications into your lungs.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma, you should avoid smoking or even being in the presence of smokers. 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.
A dehumidifier can significantly reduce the asthma attacks experienced by you or other afflicted members of your household. When your home has less humidity, there are less dust mites, and that minimizes the chances of an asthma flare-up. Dehumidifiers reduce humidity and keep the air in your home dry.
While traveling, always keep emergency asthma medication on hand and close by. Traveling is hard on your body, opening you up to an asthma attack. You also have little control over your surroundings as you travel, and this may result in an increase in symptoms or frequency of attacks.
Using four or more cleaners in your home can contribute to asthma attacks. A great way to prevent this is to purchase some organic, non-chemical cleaning products. These all-natural products are safe when inhaled.
You must have regular asthma reviews, even if you are not having any problems. A flare up can come at any time and your doctor can always look into safer medications for your particular symptoms.
If someone in your home has asthma, make sure to keep a clean house, especially their bedroom so that the risk of an attack is reduced. Only allow food in the kitchen, and never smoke indoors. Let in plenty of fresh air if the weather permits, and avoid using harsh chemicals to bleach.
Mold and mildew can thrive in a humid home environment. Both mold and mildew are associated with asthma attacks. Therefore, it is important to maintain a dry 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 hay fever or a cold, chances are your asthma treatment will be increased. Many illnesses have side effects which can cause your asthma to get much worse, leading your doctor to increase treatment. Your doctor might add additional medication until your sickness gets better.
When you are cleaning your home, it is always better to use a wet mop rather than sweeping your floors. Sweeping stirs up irritants that can trigger an asthma attack. 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 suffer with asthma, get a flu shot each year. Make sure your child’s vaccinations are up-to-date to avoid as many infections as possible.
Allergens, dust, pollen and other things that can aggravate your asthma tend to collect inside bed linens. You can eliminate or reduce these inducers by washing your pillowcases and sheets weekly in hot water. These fresh, regularly washed linens can help you breathe easier when sleeping.
Even if your asthma seems like it is under control, always keep your asthma appointments with the doctor. A flare-up can occur at any time, and your physician may have learned of a prescription medication that can treat your symptoms more safely and effectively.
If you tend to suffer from any allergies or asthmatic conditions, always clean vaporizers very thoroughly, as well humidifiers and any associated apparatus. If it is not clean you end up getting bacteria growth in the damp interior of the machine, and that ends up flooding the air you want to humidify with allergens.
Support Group
If you do have an asthma attack, make sure to stay calm. Immediately use your inhaler, then wait a half a minute and do so again. If this doesn’t start to control your attack, get assistance right away. Get somebody to phone for EMS or even transport you themselves to the nearest emergency medical facility. You can slow your breathing by placing a paper bag over your mouth and nose to slow your breathing until you get medical attention.
Join an online or offline support group. Asthma can be devastating and lead to lethargy and withdrawal from normal life – especially if it is quite severe. A support group will help you have a good time and forget about your condition once in a while, as well as as keep you informed about the latest innovations.
Always use an appropriately-designed mask when painting to guard against breathing paint fumes. Paint can irritate your asthma a lot, so this mask acts like a protective barrier to prevent this. Take similar steps to avoid any chemical or other substance that tends to trigger your asthma attacks.
You should know how to manage and live with asthma. The burden of asthma will grow lighter as you find out more about how to deal with it successfully. There is a lot of information on asthma, such as the advice in this article, and it will help you.
Talking to other asthma sufferers, or attending a formal support group, can be a very effective way to cope with asthma. They can offer you tips about handling different situations and help you manage your asthma. Gaining the support of those around you is crucial.