So, you have just received an asthma diagnosis, and you feel stressed and panicky. Asthma is a disease that is chronic, which means you cannot cure it. Your life does not have to stop after you have been diagnosed with asthma. This article will outline some simple ways you can begin to manage asthma safely and effectively.
If your child has asthma, do not smoke cigarettes near them. Secondhand smoke is one of the leading culprits that causes asthma. You also need to be sure that your child isn’t around those that choose to smoke.
If you are an asthma sufferer, you should refrain from smoking or being around any vapors or fumes. Because of this, you should avoid any kind of tobacco smoke and take any job that you want to apply for into consideration; factories could expose you to a variety of smoke, vapors and dust.
A lot of medications can trigger an asthma attack without you knowing. Among these medications are aspirin and other NSAIDs. There are some beta blockers that are given to those trying to control their heart disease or who have high blood pressure that may be harmful to an asthmatic, as well. Talk to a doctor if you have any of these conditions along with asthma.
Be careful of chemical cleaners if you are asthmatic. The chemicals in many cleaning products will trigger asthma attacks or symptoms. It is advisable to consider using products that have an organic base when cleaning.
Though it should go without saying, do not turn on any fans or circulation systems when in a room containing visible dust that has yet to be cleaned. The fan will circulate the dust along with the air, which can cause it to get into your lungs and make your asthma worse. It is much better to open a window when you are in need of some air flow.
If you have mild to moderate asthma attack, breathe out forcefully to get every bit of air out from your lungs. Exhale in a hard and fast manner. Really force that air out of your lungs! Inhale for three quick breaths, and then take one deep breath so that you can allow your lungs to fill with air, and then force the air out again. Not only will you breathe in rhythm, but you’ll focus more intently on how you are breathing and become aware of breathing problems. It also pushes the air out of your lungs, so that more air can come in. Regardless of whether spetum is generated, it will aid in returning breathing back to a normal state.
If you suffer from asthma and allergies that result in attacks, you can get injections of long-lasting medication for relief. 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.
Should you wind up inside a really dusty room, don’t activate any fans. A fan will spread dust and debris all over. This can very easily aggravate your asthma, and cause serious symptoms. Open some windows if you want fresh air.
You may want to use a leukotriene inhibitor if your asthma is being particularly problematic. A leukotriene inhibitor prevents the formation of leukotrienes. Leukotriene is a chemical substance that can lead to inflammation that can cause an asthma attack. Taking an inhibitor blocks the receptors that leukotrienes normally interact with and leaves your throat less inflamed and attack-prone.
Asthma Attacks
Everyone in your family, including you, should get the flu vaccination every year. Respiratory infections can seriously hurt those who suffer from asthma, so take measures to avoid contracting them. The easiest way to start is by performing routine hand-washing, limiting your touching of surfaces while in public places, and getting vaccinations recommended by your doctor.
Try a leukotriene inhibitor if you have asthma. These work by preventing the formation of leukotrienes. Leukotrienes are molecules that cause the tracheal muscles to contract; having too many leukotrienes makes asthma attacks more likely. Get the inhibitor to prevent the leukotrienes, and your asthma attacks may drop in number.
When suffering from asthma, there are vitamins that can help, including E and C. These vitamins help to control asthma symptoms and improve the function of your lungs. You can take a supplement in order to get these vitamins if there is not enough of them in your food. Getting enough vitamins is also a good way to prevent asthma attacks by boosting your immune system.
An annual flu vaccination is highly recommended for yourself and your family. Asthma patients should try their best to avoid getting respiratory infections. This includes taking standard precautions against illness, like hand washing, as well as getting vaccinations that can keep you from getting sick.
In order to minimize the chance of an asthma attack, be sure to keep your living area very clean, most definitely the bedroom area. Never allow anyone to smoke in the home of an asthmatic, and consider using plastic to cover your mattress and pillows. Let in plenty of fresh air if the weather permits, and avoid using harsh chemicals to bleach.
A dehumidifier can significantly reduce the asthma attacks experienced by you or other afflicted members of your household. A reduction in humidity will also lessen the amount of dust mites in your home. This lessens the chance of an asthma flare up. A dehumidifier makes the air in your home dry by keeping humidity to a minimum.
Your asthma medication may need to be adjusted if you become ill. Side effects that are associated with most illnesses can serve as triggers for asthma and may cause an increase in your asthma treatment. Your physician might also add more treatments to your regimen until your asthma is under control again.
You can help to prevent asthma attacks by maintaining a clean home, particularly the asthmatic’s bedroom. Food should only be eaten in the kitchen area, and whatever you do, please don’t smoke. Don’t use strong cleaners or bleach and air out the house immediately following cleaning.
An annual flu shot is crucial if you have asthma or have an asthmatic child. Keep yourself safe from these outbreaks by getting a yearly shot.
An annual flu shot is crucial if you have asthma or have an asthmatic child. Avoid these infections by making sure your and your child’s vaccines are up to date.
If you are asthmatic, it may be a good idea to use a pillow that is not filled with feathers. Feathers in a pillow can bring on the symptoms of asthma and decrease lung function. Your other bedding, such as sheets, blankets and comforters, should be hypoallergenic, too.
Some common catalysts of asthma attacks regularly occur in the home. These can include dust, mold and spores. To stay healthy and reduce the chance of asthma attacks, you should have an inspector visit your house yearly to remove these harmful agents. Furthermore, thorough and frequent cleaning will ensure that allergens and other possible triggers do not accumulate in your home.
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.
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. This way, the air will be warm before entering your lungs. Breathing in cold air tends to start asthma attacks, especially with younger children that have severe or moderate asthma.
Mold and mildew will often grow in a humid home. Both of these allergens can be contributing factors in asthma attacks. You should therefore try to keep your home dry. During winter, use a device to dehumidify in the winter, and air condition in the summer.
Rescue Medication
Wear scarves, shawls and mufflers to cover your noise and mouth during colder weather. Filtering and warming air before you inhale it can help prevent asthma attacks. Cold air can trigger severe attacks, especially for young children.
You need to know how to properly use asthma medications that are prescribed to you, especially your rescue medication, so that you are prepared if you need to use it during an emergency. Asthma typically is treated so that the sufferer has a regular maintenance medication, but is also prescribed a rescue medication, like an inhaler. Asthma lasts a lifetime, so you must manage your treatment and lifestyle to ensure you’re taking the best care of yourself.
When flying and bringing along asthma medications and equipment, be sure to pack your prescriptions. This is especially true for large items like a nebulizer. Having proof that it belongs to you and is medically necessary will make the security check easier.
If you need to travel with your asthma medication, particularly if you plan on bringing a nebulizer or other large equipment, it can be helpful to obtain a letter from your doctor explaining their use. Carrying your prescriptions along with written proof that they are medically necessary, will cut down on potential problems at the airport checkpoints.
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. One effective way in preventing these side effects and problems is to brush and gargle right away after you use your inhaler.
Make sure you count how many times, within a week, you have to use your inhaler. Using it two times or may may mean that your asthma is not as controlled as you may think it is. It could also mean that something else is bringing on these frequent attacks. The frequency of use of your inhaler can give you an idea about your surroundings and the need to watch them.
If you have asthma, clean your floors with a wet mop, instead of sweeping with a traditional broom. Sweeping stirs up dust and other things that can trigger your asthma. When you dust, try dampening a rag, instead of a feather duster, to avoid spreading things that can trigger your asthma.
If you have asthma and you’re also an allergy sufferer, you must only use a vaporizer or humidifier that’s been cleaned thoroughly. Bacteria can grow inside the machine because of the moist environment, and you will be releasing that right into the air if you are using it.
Stay away from smoke if you have asthma. Smoke can induce an asthma attack. Keep away from chemical fumes, chemical vapor, and tobacco smoke as much as you can. All of these will increase your asthma symptoms. Ask your family to smoke outside, and consider moving if they refuse.
As you can read, the trick of managing asthma is preparing well. By understanding this disease and how to manage it, you can keep it from escalating into a crisis situation. By reading this article, you have taken an important step in gaining the understanding you need to keep your asthma in check.
If you’re finding that you need to use your inhaler 3 or more times a week, it’s best to talk to your doctor about switching medications. This might mean that your inhaler isn’t working enough for you. This also goes for refills. If you find yourself refilling your inhaler in excess of twice a year, then you need to change medications.