Asthma is a very serious, potentially life-threatening disease. It is important to do everything you can to keep this disease under control. Use these simple ideas to manage your asthma symptoms and regain your life.
Know situations and conditions that cause asthma attacks for you, and stay away from them in the future as much as possible. Allergens such as dust and pollen can bring on an asthma attack at any time. Others experience an attack from physical activities. Knowing exactly what sets off your asthma is thus, very important.
Smoking is extremely harmful if you suffer from asthma. If you are not already a smoker, don’t start, and if you are, quit as soon as possible. Smoking is unhealthy for everyone, however it is especially bad for asthmatics. Your lungs are already compromised from the asthma and adding smoke to that will cut off the vital oxygen supply your lungs need to breathe.
There are some medications out there that you could be taking which will actually trigger your asthma symptoms. Some over the counter medications can irritate your asthma. Some medications can cause your asthma to be worse such as beta blockers for high blood pressure or heart disease. It is important to let your doctor know if you suffer from asthma together with any of these conditions.
Some medications that you may take unknowingly can cause you to have asthma symptoms. Aspirin is an example of a widely used medicine that can cause asthma problems. Some medications can cause your asthma to be worse such as beta blockers for high blood pressure or heart disease. Tell your doctor if you are an asthmatic and you are using these medications.
Be certain to properly use your inhaler. Find a peaceful spot, and make sure to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer. The inhaler is only beneficial if the medicine gets to your lungs. Inhale the air and spray the right amount down your throat. Holding your breath for a minimum of 10 seconds gives the medicinal mist from the inhaler time to spread itself throughout your lungs.
If you have mild to moderate asthma attack, breathe out forcefully to get every bit of air out from your lungs. Exhale quickly and forcefully. Push that air from your lungs with all that you’ve got! Breathe in by taking three quick breaths, followed by one very deep breath. Doing this will fill your lungs completely, and allow you to expel the air forcefully again. The breathing rhythm that you create by doing this will cause you to be aware of every breath you take. It also voids your lungs of old air so that new air can enter. This breathing technique may cause some coughing or sputum, but it can help regulate your breathing and reduce the attack.
An annual flu vaccination is recommended for you as well as other members of your family. If you have asthma, it’s important to prevent all respiratory infections, if at all possible. This includes preventive measures against sickness, such as practicing good hygiene and getting all recommended vaccinations.
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 inhaler will only reduce symptoms if the medication can get to your lungs. You need to inhale air while spraying the requisite dosage in your mouth. Don’t exhale for ten seconds so that the medicine can go through your lungs.
Scented products could cause averse reactions to asthma sufferers. It is safest to use unscented products when possible. Products with fragrance, such as perfumes, colognes, and air fresheners, introduce irritants into the air around you and can cause asthma attacks. Certain things around the home, such as newly installed carpet or fresh paint, can also release chemical irritants. Aim to make the air inside your home allergen free, and as fresh and clean as possible.
An annual flu vaccination is highly recommended for yourself and your family. Make sure you do your best in avoiding respiratory infections at all costs if you have asthma. This includes taking standard precautions against illness, like hand washing, as well as getting vaccinations that can keep you from getting sick.
Stand ready for a boost to your asthma treatment should you suffer from illnesses like colds or hay fever. These kinds of illness can inflame you asthma to a degree that a treatment increase is necessary. Your doctor could add another treatment into your regimen until the illness is better.
If you have asthma, a dehumidifier is something you should consider purchasing for you home. Dust mites are a major source of asthma attacks, and dehumidifiers are great at getting rid of the little buggers. Dehumidifiers eliminate your home’s humidity, leaving dry air.
Travel with your rescue medication on your person at all times. You may find that the stress of traveling makes an asthma attack more likely. You also have little control over your environment when traveling, which can make you more susceptible to an attack and symptoms of greater severity.
Cleaning Products
The more humid your home is, the easier it is for mildew and mold to grow. These fungi are both common triggers for asthma attacks. You should do your best to maintain a dry home. When you are using a heater in winter time, you can run a dehumidifier for help controlling humidity. In the summer, running your air conditioner will allow you to keep your humidity down.
Using over four kinds of cleaning products in the home can trigger asthma attacks. Consider purchasing and using organic cleaning products since they are void of irritating chemicals.
Use your inhaler when you need to, but be aware that this product can cause infections near your gums and teeth. You can prevent any of these mouth issues by brushing your teeth and gargling mouthwash as soon as you use the inhaler.
If you’ve been diagnosed with asthma, be sure to get flu shots every year. This is doubly important for asthmatic children. Therefore, it is very important to avoid as many infections to the lungs as possible by getting a vaccine each year.
Using a wet mop is superior to using a broom to clean your floors. Sweeping can trigger an asthma attack due to the copious clouds of minute asthma-triggering particles it kicks up. Dust will adhere to a wet towel instead of being loose in the air like feather dusters do where it can aggravate your asthma.
Wear scarves, shawls and mufflers to cover your noise and mouth during colder weather. This will warm the air before it gets in your lungs. Breathing cold air can trigger severe asthma attacks. This is especially true for young children with asthma.
Anyone with asthma should limit their exposure to household pets and other types of animals. Even people that do not have allergies are prone to suffer an asthma attack from the pollen and dust on animals.
Understanding how to properly administer your asthma medications is important, particularly in regard to rescue medications. Asthma is a condition traditionally treated with a combination of a regular medicine and an emergency medicinal inhaler. Asthma is a lifelong condition; you should correctly take your regular medication and use your rescue medication only as needed.
Smoking is particularly bad for people with asthma. The dangers surrounding smoking are well documented, but for asthma sufferers the issues can be much more serious. Smoke is an irritant to sensitive lungs, ans asthmatics should neither smoke nor be around people who’re smoking.
Many people underestimate asthma, or at least think that they can’t do anything about it since it is an incurable disease. However, you’ll be amazed at how much difference you can make simply by following these simple steps to try and relieve symptoms and reduce the sources of asthma attacks.
It is important to remain calm during an asthma attack. Calmly use the inhaler. Use it again after 30 seconds has elapsed. If you do this and you notice that your attack is worsening then you need to get help. Have someone call emergency services or drive you to the nearest hospital. Breathing into a paper bag on the way can sometimes help by slowing your breathing rate.