Asthma can be worrisome, no matter if it’s a loved one or you that is affected by it. Know what asthma may do, what the condition is, and how to manage it properly. You need to know what can happen and how often it happens, and the following tips will lay that out for you.
What type of asthma do you suffer from? When you know in-depth information about your asthma, you can figure out how to fight against it. For example, if you have exercise-induced asthma, you will want to always make sure you have an inhaler in your gym bag. By knowing the pattern to your symptoms it will be a big help to you avoiding crises.
If you’re suffering from asthma, it helps if you can avoid any harsh cleaning products out there. Many chemicals that are in these products can cause the triggering of asthma attacks. If you must do the cleaning in your home, opt for natural products with lower chemical content.
Never smoke around a child with asthma, or you could kill them! As far as triggers that cause asthma attacks or causes of the condition in general, secondhand cigarette smoke ranks right up there. Keep your child away from any area where people are smoking.
If you find yourself having a mild asthma attack, force the air from your lungs until they are empty. Exhale quickly and hard. You have to force the air out. Then take three quick breaths, next a deeper breath till your lungs fill with air, then repeat the forceful exhalation again. This establishes a regular pattern to your breathing routine, which means you have to pay attention to how you are breathing. It also pushes the air out of your lungs, so that more air can come in. You may cough or generate sputum, this is okay, your main goal is to get your breathing back on track again.
If asthma is something that you are afflicted with, then don’t smoke or immediately quit. Although smoking is terrible for everyone, it is even worse for an asthma sufferer due to less oxygen supply in the lungs and that can trigger an attack.
When suffering from asthma, there are vitamins that can help, including E and C. They help to increase the function of the lungs and control the overall symptoms of asthma. You can take these vitamins in pill form, or you can eat fresh fruits and vegetables and get the vitamins that way. These vitamins will also provide a boost to your immune system. This will prevent respiratory illnesses that can trigger your asthma attacks.
If you are suffering from asthma, stay away from any type of cigarette smoke. This cannot be emphasized enough: Stay away from cigarette smoke! Avoid breathing chemical fumes and vapors. This can trigger an asthma attack, which may be difficult to stop. If you see people smoking in your vicinity, you should get away from them as soon as possible.
Think about getting a home dehumidifier if you have asthma. A dehumidifier will reduce attacks by taking extra humidity and, by extension, dust mites and other debris out of your air. Dehumidifiers keep the air in your home dry by eliminating humidity.
If you’re someone who gets an asthma attack related to allergy like symptoms, there’s medication you can use to help. Omalizumab can effectively control allergy symptoms you may be experiencing and can be suggested by your local allergist if it fits your needs.
For those who have asthma, the safest choice is to stick with unscented products. Scented products, like air fresheners, incense and perfume, raise indoor pollution levels and can trigger asthma attacks. Freshly painted walls and brand-new carpet can also give off odors that cause irritation to airways. Keep the air inside your home clean and fresh, and free of any asthma triggers.
You may want to use a leukotriene inhibitor if your asthma is being particularly problematic. Leukotriene inhibitors block the effects of leukotrienes. Leukotriene, a chemical substance, can cause asthma attacks by causing inflammation. The prescription will help to decrease home much leukotriene is in your system and therefore, the number of asthma attacks you have.
To keep from triggering any bad symptoms of asthma or a full-blown attack, it’s important to keep the home clean and tidy, free of dust and other particulates. This is particularly important in a bedroom. Food should be eaten only in the kitchen or dining room, and cigarettes are best relegated to outdoor smoking areas. Let in plenty of fresh air if the weather permits, and avoid using harsh chemicals to bleach.
Asthma patients without health insurance can get help by asking a social worker and getting access to programs with the resources asthma patients need. You will need asthma medications, and if you are unable to afford them, a social worker can find a hospital or clinic that can offer you medication for free or for a little cost.
Annual Flu Shot
An annual flu vaccination is highly recommended for yourself and your family. If you have asthma, you can protect your health by taking all steps possible to avoid any type of cold, flu or other upper respiratory infection. This means taking every precaution possible, do things like getting vaccinated to prevent sickness to hand washing on a regular basis.
If you have asthma or you live with an asthma sufferer, you should ensure you receive an annual flu shot. This annual flu shot will prevent infectious damage to your lungs.
Think about buying a dehumidifier if your asthma symptoms are bad. Lowering humidity will reduce the amount of dust mites in your home, and help your asthma improve. Dehumidifiers cause the air in your home to become dry, which means less humidity.
Be knowledgeable about the factors that cause asthma attacks in order to avoid the triggers or develop a plan for managing the symptoms of asthma. Generally, it is found that items such as smoke and pollen can trigger attacks in those that suffer with asthma. If able, avoid anything that results in symptoms of asthma or an asthma attack.
If you have asthma, avoid people who smoke. As soon as you inhale any smoke from tobacco, your lungs become sensitive, which increases your risk of an attack. Just avoid any type of smoke, especially in small areas, and keep your lungs healthy to be safe.
Mildew and mold grow best in a home with high humidity. These substances can easily trigger asthma attacks. Keeping a home dry and mold-free is important. You can maintain a dry home by using a dehumidifier and heater in the colder months, and air conditioning when it is warm.
If you have hay fever or a cold, chances are your asthma treatment will be increased. Make sure your doctor prescribes a fast acting inhaler for emergency situations. Your doctor may need to add new treatments to your typical asthma regimen until you are well.
Protect yourself against breathing in cold air that aggravates your asthma by wearing a scarf that covers your nose and mouth. You can help warm the air with these things before they bring any harm to 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.
When you are traveling, be sure to carry your rescue inhaler with you at all times. Traveling is hard on your body, opening you up to an asthma attack. It is also hard to predict what will come up or to control your environment when you travel, which increases the chances of experiencing more severe symptoms or an attack.
Make sure you understand the correct way to use your asthma medication, especially 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.
Attend your regular asthma checkups, even if things seem to be going well. Flare-ups can occur at any time; plus, your doctor may have a new medication that he or she can offer you that will make your treatment safer and more effective.
You can use the preventative inhaler daily, but know that it can cause mouth infections near your gums and teeth. One effective way in preventing these side effects and problems is to brush and gargle right away after you use your inhaler.
Think about becoming a member of a support group, whether it is online or somewhere local. Left untreated, asthma can be very debilitating and prevent you from enjoying your normal activities. By joining a support group, you will be able to discuss new scientific breakthroughs or treatment alternatives with those who are interested.
Monitor how often, each week, you need your rescue inhaler. If you use it very often, you may not have it under control. You can use your frequency of inhaler use to gauge the effectiveness of your asthma treatment plan and make modifications when necessary.
Asthma is a disease that can develop slowly over time, making it sometimes difficult to spot the symptoms. There have even been cases where people die from the first asthma attack they had, without knowing they had the condition. If you have any trouble catching your breath or a cough that won’t go away, consider talking to your doctor to make sure that you aren’t afflicted with asthma. If you are, you’ll need to keep an inhaler with you at all times and possible take other medications.
Anytime you clean your house or apartment, wet mopping is superior to sweeping. If you are sweeping, you can trigger an asthma attack by stirring up a lot of allergens into the air. When dusting, use a damp cloth, as feather dusters just move dust around.
Do not smoke! A lot of people know smoking is bad, but with asthma, it can be even worse. Sensitive asthmatic lungs are easily irritated by smoke, so they need to avoid smoking and to avoid situations where there are people who smoke.
As the article mentioned previously, it is important to know as much about asthma as possible. The tips in this article are just a few that will help you to manage your asthma, or someone else who is suffering from it. Together, you can minimize the impact that asthma has in your life.
Talk with your physician if you find that you need your inhaler more often than a couple of times weekly. This can indicate that the inhaler you are using is not working for you. Also, if you have to refill your inhaler more than twice in one year, then a visit to the doctor for a medication change is also in order.