Asthma strikes by making it difficult or impossible to breathe properly. It is no wonder the condition is a frightening one. Since asthma attacks can occur without warning and can be fatal if not immediately treated, it’s easy to live in fear of asthma, rather than participating in daily activities. This article is here to help you prevent asthma attacks and manage your condition efficiently to live a normal life.
If you are suffering from asthma, it is essential that you quit smoking cigarettes. Smoking is not recommended for anyone, but it creates worse complications for asthma patients by cutting off part of the oxygen supply needed to breathe properly.
Do not smoke around your children if they have asthma. Secondhand smoke is a trigger for asthma attacks, not to mention the myriad of other diseases it can cause. Ensure that your child is not around other people that smoke, either.
Cigarette smoke and asthma do not mix. Do not smoke! Avoid vapors and chemical fumes from cigarettes. Inhaling these substances may trigger an unstoppable asthma attack. If others are smoking and you are nearby, get away from them immediately.
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.
If the room you are in appears to be dusty, refrain from turning on any fans. Turning on a fan is going to cause the dust to leave its surface and begin filling the air of your environment. Open a window to bring clean, cool air inside instead.
Be careful of chemical cleaners if you are asthmatic. Many chemicals that are in these products can cause the triggering of asthma attacks. If you are responsible for cleaning your residence, think about purchasing natural products, which are less likely to set off your asthma.
Ask everyone in your family to get a flu shot every year. If you have asthma, it’s important to prevent all respiratory infections, if at all possible. This means that you should take all standard precautions to avoid illness, such as washing your hands, getting vaccinated and avoiding those who are sick.
Asthma is a chronic condition that is ongoing over time, and as such, will require a continual treatment and management regimen. Be sure you are practicing proper self-care, and make sure you have your inhaler ready to go in case you suffer a full-blown attack. Consult with your physician and allergist to find out what is best for you.
Vitamins C and E can greatly assist you in fighting asthma attacks. These vitamins have been known to improve the function of the lungs and reduce some asthma symptoms. Many foods have these vitamins in abundance, but you can also use a supplemental pill. You can help out your immune system that can help stave off asthma triggers!
If you find that you are in a dusty room, do not put on any type of fan. An asthma attack can be easily triggered by the moving dust. If you wish to have a breeze, open a window instead of running a fan.
If you have asthma, it might be helpful for you to buy a dehumidifier. Decreasing the humidity in the house decreases dust mites, which decreases asthma flare ups. Dehumidifiers eliminate your home’s humidity, leaving dry air.
Social Worker
Have your rescue inhaler with you at all times, especially when on vacation. Traveling adds strain on the body and increases your susceptibility to asthma triggers. You also have less control of your surroundings while you are away from home, so it is difficult to avoid potential triggers and to maintain control over your attack.
Consider consulting a social worker if your asthma medication is not covered by an insurance policy. It is critical that every asthma sufferer have access to the proper medicines to keep the condition under control, and a social worker could help you locate a hospital or clinic that will provide you the necessary medication on a low or no-fee basis.
Find a good support group in the Internet or in your area. Suffering from asthma can mean many days are spent at home with your condition stopping you from participating in a full and fulfilling lifestyle. The individuals in this group could also provide you with new insights about medications that are out there, as well as other advice in dealing with asthma.
Make sure that everyone in your family, including you, gets annual flu shots. Asthma patients should try their best to avoid getting respiratory infections. Precautions include washing your hands and staying current with vaccinations.
For many people, their homes can be triggering their asthma, or even causing their asthma in the first place. These include dust, mold and spores. Having your house inspected yearly is a good way to reduce the presence of these asthma triggers. You can help keep your house safe from these harmful substances by regularly cleaning and dusting your home.
Keep your home dust-free and get rid of any carpet in your house to help prevent asthma attacks, especially in a bedroom. Do not allow smoking in your house, and keep food in your kitchen. Make sure that the home is properly ventilated and aired out, especially after cleaning with harsh products, like bleach or ammonia.
Asthma is a condition that typically will develop over a long period of time, with symptoms that are not very 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.
While traveling, always keep emergency asthma medication on hand and close by. Traveling tends to put extra stain on the body, and you’re more susceptible to your asthma triggers under these conditions. You also have little control over your environment when traveling, which can make you more susceptible to an attack and symptoms of greater severity.
When housecleaning, it is better to clean your floors with a damp mop than sweeping them with a broom. Sweeping stirs up irritants that can trigger an asthma attack. 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.
There are support groups available to you, both in person or on the Internet. Asthma, especially the more severe forms, cause many problems that interfere with the quality of life and present many challenges. Others who suffer from asthma can give you immeasurable amounts of support and advice, and help you keep up with new medical developments.
Avoiding smoke is one of the best asthma-prevention tips out there. Smoking can trigger a person who has asthma to have an attack. Do what you can to avoid chemical fumes, cigarette smoke and other vapors. All of these will increase your asthma symptoms. If there is someone who always smokes around you, you should politely ask this person to smoke when you aren’t present.
Some of asthma’s major triggers can be right in your home. Some triggers include spores, dust and mold. To keep these triggers out of your home, have a professional inspector come to your home each year to remove these nasties from your home. If you clean your house regularly, you can minimize the risk of these substances accumulating in your dwelling.
Asthma sufferers need to know which types of animals and breeds won’t trigger their asthma attacks. Though dander allergies are often seen in conjunction with asthma, even asthmatics who are not allergic may have attacks that are triggered by the ancillary irritants transported by animals, including pollen and dust.
Asthma Attacks
See more than one doctor. Your primary care doctor should be the first person you go to, but think about seeing a few specialists. Asthma doctors, allergists, and pulmiologists are the people who you want to consult with to help with asthma.
Avoid cold-induced asthma attacks by protecting your mouth and nose with a scarf. You can inhale warmer air into your body with these. Breathing in the cold air has been shown to trigger asthma attacks, especially in younger children with moderate to severe asthma.
If you have asthma and allergies, don’t use a vaporizer or humidifier if it has not been completely cleaned. If the machine stays wet, it can breed bacteria and you’ll end up pumping harmful allergens out into the air.
Using a wet mop is superior to using a broom to clean your floors. Sweeping stirs up dust and other things that can trigger your asthma. When you dust, use a damp cloth instead of a feather duster which can spread these triggers.
When you suffer from an asthma attack, be sure to remain calm. Use the inhaler, pause for 30 seconds then use it again. If your attack worsens, call for help. Ask someone to drive you to the closest hospital or call an ambulance. Breathing in and out of a paper bag on the way will help slow down your breathing.
Stay away from smoke if you have asthma. Smoke can induce an asthma attack. Avoid any kind of chemical fumes, vapors, and tobacco smoke as much as you can. These can aggravate your asthma symptoms. If there are smokers around you, you may want to ask them if they will smoke in another area.
If repainting a room is in your future, purchase a quality mask first to protect your lungs from paint fumes. Wearing the mask will keep the irritants away from your lungs and esophagus, keeping your asthma under control. Avoid specific chemicals and substances that could worsen your asthma.
The mere act of discussing your asthma condition with other people can have a soothing and positive effect. They can provide you with valuable tips and lessons on how to fight against asthma in many different situations. Surround yourself with people who understand asthma and support your fight against it.
You could gain some comfort from attending a support group geared toward asthmatics or even by just communicating with people with the same issues. Other sufferers can help you learn how to manage and live with your asthma, by offering tips and advice. Support from other people is so important.
Vitamin B6
Be mindful of any allergy attacks that you suffer. If you experience these attacks more than twice each week, you need to switch medications. Medical professionals generally consider two or more allergy attacks weekly to be dangerous, but completely preventable.
Eat a lot of foods that have vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 — also called pyridoxine– can reduce the intensity and frequency of asthma attacks. Pyridoxine improves the flow of blood and oxygen to your bronchial tubes. You can find a good supply of vitamin B6 in natural foods such as bananas.
The idea should be to gradually condition your body in order to increase lung capacity. The last thing you should do is a frenetic workout. You will surely trigger an attack. Start slow and build your stamina.
If left untreated, it can be deadly. If you heed the advice that this article shared with you, not only will your asthma be better managed, you will also have a greater breath capacity and a more active lifestyle.
Keep an eye out for any symptoms or signs of a severe asthma attack setting in so you can decide appropriately if you need to get your kid to the ER. These symptoms include a bluish tint to the lips or fingernails and unresponsiveness to medication. In addition, your kid may have a tough time talking.