If not left in check, asthma can spiral out of control. Asthma attacks may be harsh and in some cases, even fatal. You need to consult medical experts for advice, but when it is not enough, you must take the necessary steps yourself. The following tips will help you manage your asthma symptoms and live an active lifestyle.
Consider a leokotriene inhibitor if your asthma is not controlled by other methods. As its name suggests, this inhibitor works by preventing the release and build-up of leukotriene. Leukotriene is a substance that may cause inflammation. This can make a person have an asthma attack. If you get a leukotriene inhibitor, it can get rid of them in the air and help you with asthma symptoms.
If you are an asthma sufferer, you need to avoid smoking and exposure to fumes or vapors of any kind. You should avoid jobs where you might be exposed to fumes and chemicals, such as factories.
If you are an asthma sufferer and are denied health insurance, talk to a social worker. Asthma medications are a necessity, and a social worker can help you find an affordable way to keep your prescriptions current.
An important part of symptom management is knowing what type of asthma you have. Knowing as much as possible about your specific type of asthma will go an incredibly long way in helping you combat the day-to-day effects it has on you. A perfect example is that if you have asthma caused by exercise you should put a inhaler in your locker or gym bag. By knowing the pattern to your symptoms it will be a big help to you avoiding crises.
Make sure you are taking plenty of Vitamins E and C if you suffer from asthma. There is some evidence that these two vitamins can improve breathing and lower the frequency of asthma attacks. Get these nutrients through supplements or food. These vitamins can improve your immune system to prevent asthma triggers.
If you have asthma, it is crucial that you do not smoke, or quit if you do. Smoking is a bad habit for everyone, but patients that suffer from asthma are negatively affected by smoke as it cuts the oxygen supply off and induces an asthma attack.
If you have asthma, a dehumidifier is something you should consider purchasing for you home. A dehumidifier will reduce attacks by taking extra humidity and, by extension, dust mites and other debris out of your air. Dehumidifiers cause the air in your home to become dry, which means less humidity.
There are medications that can unknowingly cause asthma-like symptoms. Some over the counter medications can irritate your asthma. Many medications for heart disease and hypertension can also cause asthma symptoms. If you have any of these conditions along with your asthma, make sure you tell your doctor.
People who have asthma should stick to using unscented products. Using products in your home such as incense, perfume or air fresheners can increase the amount of microscopic pollutants indoors and trigger asthma attacks. You should also avoid fresh paints or new carpets, as they give off fumes that can irritate the airway. Try to maintain fresh air inside your home.
Unfortunately, asthma sufferers must realize that their condition is chronic which requires ongoing treatment. You need to always take your medications for your everyday symptoms, and keep your quick relief medication with you in case you do have an attack. Consult with your physician and allergist to find out what is best for you.
You should know what triggers your asthma attacks; this will allow you to either avoid them or be ready to manage the symptoms. Smoke, pollen, or pet dander are common triggers. Make a special effort to avoid agents that bring on even minor asthma symptoms, much less a major attack.
If you are prone to asthma attacks, avoid any cigarette or other tobacco smoke. This cannot be emphasized enough: Stay away from cigarette smoke! Do not breathe in the vapors or any other chemical fumes. This may cause an asthma attack you can’t stop. The minute you spot people smoking, immediately remove yourself from the area.
If you suffer from asthma, it’s best to avoid pillows full of feathers. The feathers from a pillow can cause asthma symptoms and decrease your lung function. Same thing with bedding – purchase sheets and a comforter that are constructed from hypoallergenic materials.
Everyone in your family, including you, should get the flu vaccination every year. Keep yourself healthy, and without respiratory infections as best you can. It is important to do things like hand washing and receiving proper vaccinations.
Keep all your doctors appointments even if your asthma symptoms aren’t bothering you. 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, you may wish to consider installing a dehumidifier in your home. 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.
Consider joining a support group, either on or offline. Asthma can be an extremely debilitating health issue and can stop you from participating in life the way you want to. Others who suffer from asthma can give you immeasurable amounts of support and advice, and help you keep up with new medical developments.
If you or someone in your family has asthma, all family members need to get flu shots every year. Prevent these infections from occurring by going to get vaccinated each year.
Some of the major causes of asthma, and triggers for asthma attacks, can exist right in the home. These include mold, dust and spores. Have an inspector come visit your house to remove any harmful agents that you have so that you can stay healthy and lower your risk for an asthma attack. In addition, regularly cleaning the home can stop these things from building up.
You can join an online or offline support group. Asthma can be severe enough to keep you away from social activiites. Also, other asthma sufferers can help keep you aware of new medications or other medical treatments.
Humidity in your home causes an environment where mildew and mold are more likely to grow. Protect yourself against allergens, dust mites and fungus to avoid exacerbating your asthma symptoms. Thus, keep the air in your home as moisture-free as possible to avoid asthma-related problems. One way to control the humidity in the house is to employ a dehumidifier to pull out the excess moisture.
During cold, winter months, asthma sufferers should wear a shawl, muffler, or scarf that will cover both their nose and mouth. This allows you to warm air before it enters your lungs. In multiple studies, breathing cold air is linked to increased asthma attacks. This link is especially pronounced in younger children.
Know exactly how any asthma medication you take or may take works. Asthma typically is treated so that the sufferer has a regular maintenance medication, but is also prescribed a rescue medication, like an inhaler. Because you will have asthma for the rest of your life, it is important that you take your maintenance medication properly, and that you use your emergency medication correctly.
A preventative inhaler should be used every day, but you should know that this can cause infections near the teeth and gums in your mouth. To avoid those complications, be sure to brush teeth, gargle, and rinse mouth completely right after you have used the inhaler.
Asthma is a disease that effects the respiratory system, and can take many years to develop, often times going undetected. There are some cases reported that were so severe that a person died from one asthma attack when they didn’t even know they were considered at risk. Always consult with a doctor to see if a persistent cough or difficulty breathing is a sign that you require treatment for asthma. There may even be things you can do to prevent it from getting worse.
Stay Indoors
Keep an asthma diary and record how often, each week, you must use a rescue inhaler. If you use it very often, you may not have it under control. If you notice an increased use in your inhaler, reexamine your management plan and check for any changes in your surroundings that may be triggering the asthma.
Sufferers from asthma should stay indoors when the pollen count rises. While asthma isn’t a type of allergy, those with asthma are frequently bothered by the same kinds of irritants that cause problems for allergy sufferers. Many areas provide air quality information publicly, allowing you to stay indoors when the air outside is poor.
Avoid smoke if you want to prevent asthma. Smoke can cause you to have an asthma attack. Avoid any kind of chemical fumes, vapors, and tobacco smoke as much as you can. Any inhalant, which is irritating, can trigger an asthma attack! If a person is smoking around you, politely ask him to smoke at times when you are somewhere else.
Asthma is an uncurable disease, but that doesn’t mean that the symptoms are permanent and can’t go away. However, just like most things in life, overcoming your asthma symptoms takes time and effort. If you follow these easy tips, you’ll find that your symptoms will get better over time and you’ll be able to enjoy a healthier, more active lifestyle.
For people with serious asthma, exposure to household pets should be limited. Even people that do not have allergies are prone to suffer an asthma attack from the pollen and dust on animals.