If you have asthma and you need help finding ways to manage it and cope with it, then this article has some good information for you. We have organized a collection of the best valid advice concerning asthma to aid you in finding strategies to live a life that is healthier and less burdensome.
You should not smoke or be anywhere near smoke if you suffer from asthma. You should avoid jobs where you might be exposed to fumes and chemicals, such as factories.
Stay away from smoking, or being around any smoke, vapors or fumes. This means avoiding tobacco products, and making sure that you do not choose any kind of job that could expose you to harmful vapors or smoke, such as factory work.
If you suffer from asthma, strong cleaning products should be avoided. Cleaning products may contain chemicals which can trigger an asthmatic episode, such as ammonia. If you must do the cleaning in your home, opt for natural products with lower chemical content.
If you find that you are in a dusty room, do not put on any type of fan. If you do, the dust will move around, and you can trigger your asthma. Encourage air to flow throughout the room by just opening a nearby window or door.
Keep away from any and everything that you know triggers your asthma attacks. For many, allergens like dust and pollen, can trigger their attacks. For others, certain physical activities may be the trigger. Try to see what cause your asthma so that you can avoid it.
If you’re someone who gets an asthma attack related to allergy like symptoms, there’s medication you can use to help. It is called omalizumab, and it is an antibody medicine used to control allergic reaction symptoms. You will need to speak to your allergist to find out if this would be helpful to you.
Asthma is ongoing. Therefore, it also requires continual management of your health. Be sure to take the correct medicines to keep your daily asthma symptoms under control, and always have emergency medication available in case an attack occurs. Find out from your allergist and your doctor what is best for you.
Leukotriene inhibitors may be helpful to you if you suffer from asthma. A leukotriene inhibitor is for the prevention of leukotrienes. Leukotriene, a chemical substance, can cause asthma attacks by causing inflammation. The inhibitor can prevent them and decrease your asthma attacks.
Never use a fan in a dirty, dust-filled room. Dust blown around by fans can cause your asthma to rear up. 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.
Know how to use your inhaler properly! A lot of people use inhalers improperly, so be sure that you’re adhering to the manufacturer’s suggested instructions. The only way the inhaler can help is if the medication can reach your lungs. Inhale the air and spray the right amount down your throat. Allow the mist to fill up your lungs by holding your breath at least ten seconds.
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.
Social Worker
To lower the chances of an asthma attack, keep your house as clean as can be, especially the bedroom. Food should only be eaten in the kitchen area, and whatever you do, please don’t smoke. After you clean, let the house air out completely, and stay away from using any harsh chemicals (especially bleach) inside.
Contact a social worker if you have asthma but do not meet the eligibility requirements for health insurance. It is essential that you can buy your asthma medicine, and a social worker might help you find a hospital or clinic that can provide your medicine at reduced cost, or free.
Stand ready for a boost to your asthma treatment should you suffer from illnesses like colds or hay fever. Adjusting your medication may be necessary to manage the symptoms of these and other illnesses. The doctor may choose to pursue additional treatment options during your illness as well.
It’s been proven that you should use no more than four cleaning products in the home. If you do it can increase the risk of asthma attacks. Opt for organic cleaning products that do not contain irritating chemicals.
If you have asthma or you live with an asthma sufferer, you should ensure you receive an annual flu shot. Keep yourself safe from these outbreaks by getting a yearly shot.
To minimize the chances of triggering a bout of asthma, keep your house extra clean, particularly rooms where asthma patients sleep. Food should be restricted to the kitchen, and smoking inside the home should never be permitted. Once you have cleaned your house, air it out; you should also eliminate utilizing any toxic chemicals inside.
Keep all your doctors appointments even if your asthma symptoms aren’t bothering you. A flare up can come at any time and your doctor can always look into safer medications for your particular symptoms.
When dealing with hay fever or a cold, you will notice an increase in your asthma symptoms. Some illnesses create issues that make it necessary to increase medication temporarily. Your doctor may need to add new treatments to your typical asthma regimen until you are well.
Mold and mildew will often grow in a humid home. These substances can easily trigger asthma attacks. So, it makes sense to keep dry air in your home. When it’s cold, a dehumidifier can keep moisture to a minimum; in hot months, your A/C unit will do the same thing.
Make sure you know what triggers asthma attacks so you can either avoid those triggers or be prepared to manage your asthma symptoms. If you have asthma, it’s most likely triggered by things such as being around animals or pollen. Most asthmatics also can’t tolerate smoke. Avoid these things when you can to breathe easier.
A lot of times asthma will develop over time, and has symptoms that aren’t always obvious. In some serious cases, people have dropped dead due to an asthma attack without ever knowing they had asthma in the first place. So, if you have difficulty breathing or a cough that doesn’t go away, see a doctor to figure out whether you suffer from asthma and to determine whether you will be needing medication to prevent or treat the condition.
Asthma Triggers
Do not smoke cigarettes. A lot of people know smoking is bad, but with asthma, it can be even worse. Smoking is very bad for people who suffer from asthma, be sure not to smoke, but not to be around people that smoke.
Most homes are full of common asthma triggers. Typical asthma triggers in the home are dust and mold spores. In order to remain healthy and lessen any chances of having an asthma attack, it is recommended you have your home inspected yearly to have these harmful triggers removed. Clean up your house regularly so these substances do not accumulate.
If you experience an asthma attack, stay calm. Immediately use your inhaler, then wait a half a minute and do so again. If the attack gets worse doesn’t get better, then get help immediately. Go to the hospital. If the attack is particularly bad, have a friend take you or call 911. To calm yourself on the drive, bring a paper bag and breathe into it, as this will slow your breathing.
During the months that are colder, wear a shawl, muffler or scarf that will cover your nose and mouth to help you avoid asthma attacks. Bundling up puts heat between the air and your lungs, which can help lessen your risk of an asthma attack. Young children are especially at risk for an asthma attack if the air they breathe is too cold, but this problem can affect anybody with asthma.
Be sure you know exactly how to properly use your inhaler if you do have asthma. You can’t just spray into your mouth and softly inhale. You must breathe deeply for at least a few seconds when using your inhaler. Proper use of your inhaler is key when you have asthma.
You may want to consider having numerous doctors treat your asthma. It’s true your primary doctor should be your main source for all your asthma help, but it may be wise to see one or two asthma specialists. A pulmonologist, allergist, nutritionist and the staff at asthma centers can discuss a variety of treatments with you, to help you be sure you are following up on every possible good treatment available.
Try to gain as much information about affliction as possible. The more you know, the more proactive you’ll be in your own treatment. Keep current with treatments and ensure you have the greatest possible care that you can have. You can do this by educating yourself on your condition and the treatment options that are available to you.
When pollen counts are high, people who have asthma should stay inside. Asthma is not considered an allergy, but elements that cause allergies usually trigger asthma attacks too. Now that you have information on local air quality in most areas, people who suffer from asthma will be able to decrease outdoor activities if there is potential irritants in the air.
Identify your asthma triggers to help yourself prevent asthma attacks. A good way to do this is to keep a small journal or notebook. Record each asthma attack and what was happening when it occurred. Discuss this information with your doctor, and he will help you to identify triggers. Once you know your triggers, you can avoid and eliminate them as much as possible.
If you use your rescue inhaler more than two times a week, see a doctor to have your medication adjusted. Using your inhaler this frequently means your prescription is not effectively treating your asthma. This same advice also goes for those who must refill their inhalers more frequently than every six months.
Genetics and/or environmental factors can cause asthma. If asthma has occurred in your family, be aware of any symptoms of asthma you or your children may exhibit. Irritants in the environment, including smoke, pollution, dust and mold, can also contribute to asthma development, so you should minimize your family’s exposure to these substances.
The information here will surely help to guide you through your asthma, as well as gain more control over it. Now that you learned some insightful information you can now try your best to change your life around and become more active so you don’t miss out on anything.
If you get at least two attacks a week, it might be time to try a different medication. Doctors and nurses alike are in agreement that if you suffer from two or more attacks per week, you are at unnecessary risk.