You’ve just gotten the asthma diagnosis and are panicking. There is not a cure for asthma; it is a lifelong condition. An asthma diagnosis is definitely not the end of the world, though. Keep reading to gain insight as to what you can do to keep this serious disease under control.
If you are an asthma sufferer, you should refrain from smoking or being around any vapors or fumes. That means you have to avoid all tobacco, and seriously consider think about what jobs you take; for example, factories are probably not a healthy place for you because of all the vapors and smoke.
It is very important that an asthma sufferer refrain from smoking, if you do then it is advisable you quit now. Smoking isn’t good for anyone, but it’s worse for those with asthma. It cuts off the oxygen supply that your lungs need to function properly to keep away the asthma attacks.
What type of asthma do you suffer from? Understanding the specifics of your asthma will help you to avoid attack triggers in your day-to-day life. One example of this is exercise-induced asthma. This type of asthmatic will need to carry his inhaler with him when he goes for a run. You can avoid a crisis by knowing your symptoms’ patterns.
If your asthma attacks are severe, you may want to speak with your doctor about a long lasting injection of medication to control your symptoms. Known as Omalizumab, this antibody medicine can control the body’s allergic senses and lower the symptoms or reactions that asthma patients suffer.
When you have asthma, it is vital that you avoid cleaning products. Many chemicals that are in these products can cause the triggering of asthma attacks. While anyone responsible for cleaning their home can’t avoid cleaning products altogether, it’s best to only use natural products.
Leukotriene Inhibitor
During a mild to moderate attack, force all of the air out of your lungs. When you breathe out, exhale the air quickly and as hard as you can. You have to force the air out. Inhale three times with short breaths, and then on the fourth one take a deeper breath so your lungs are full of air but still comfortable. Then breath out as hard as you can again. This creates a rhythm to your breathing, making you pay attention to the breaths you take. It also voids your lungs of old air so that new air can enter. If you cough up mucus, don’t worry – just get the breathing back to normal.
You may want to use a leukotriene inhibitor if your asthma is being particularly problematic. A leukotriene inhibitor helps to prevent leukotrienes. Inhibiting this chemical can lead to a decrease in asthma symptoms. Taking an inhibitor blocks the receptors that leukotrienes normally interact with and leaves your throat less inflamed and attack-prone.
Any type of smoke can bring on a serious asthma attack. Smoking is especially dangerous for asthmatics. Inhaling the chemical-laden fumes and even the vapors from cigarettes can be extremely harmful. This can cause an asthma attack, and you may be unable to bring it under control. If people smoke around you, you should get away form that area.
Use the inhaler the right way. Try to locate a calming location, and be certain to adhere to any directions given by the inhaler’s maker. Your inhaler will only help if you breathe very deeply. As you are inhaling air, spray the correct dosage in your mouth. Allow the mist to fill up your lungs by holding your breath at least ten seconds.
Using more than four different types of cleaning products in your home has been shown to increase the risk of an asthma attack. Choose organic products, and stick to as few products as possible.
Contact a social worker if you have asthma but do not meet the eligibility requirements for health insurance. Social workers are trained to help people find resources for affording health care, particularly on debilitating conditions such as asthma.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma then you should avoid cigarettes and smokers like the plague. When you inhale smoke, especially in close quarters, lung functioning is decreased, and it can trigger an attack.
If you’ve been diagnosed with asthma, be sure to get flu shots every year. This is doubly important for asthmatic children. A yearly vaccination will help minimize the number of infections your children have to deal with.
People who have asthma should avoid using scented household products. Products that contain strong scents, like incense, perfume, or air freshener can trigger an asthma attack just by lingering in the air. In addition, paint that is fresh or carpet that is new release odors that can cause breathing irritations that lead to an asthma attack. Try to make it your goal to keep the indoor air as fresh and allergen free as possible.
If you suffer from asthma, it’s best to avoid pillows full of feathers. Pillow feathers are known to worsen asthma and affect the lungs. Be sure to keep the same advice in mind for your bedclothes. They should be made from materials that do not increase allergy symptoms.
When dealing with hay fever or a cold, you will notice an increase in your asthma symptoms. Many illnesses have side effects which can cause your asthma to get much worse, leading your doctor to increase treatment. The doctor may choose to pursue additional treatment options during your illness as well.
Many of the most common asthma triggers are found in the home. Such irritants include mold spores, dust, smoke and chemical fumes. In order to remain healthy and lessen any chances of having an asthma attack, it is recommended you have your home inspected yearly to have these harmful triggers removed. Furthermore, thorough and frequent cleaning will ensure that allergens and other possible triggers do not accumulate in your home.
If you have asthma, or if your children have asthma, it is vital that you receive the flu shot yearly. This annual flu shot will prevent infectious damage to your lungs.
The more humid your home is, the easier it is for mildew and mold to grow. You can get asthma attacks because of these substances. You will benefit greatly from keeping the moisture out of your home’s air. Whenever you use a heater, you should use a dehumidifier, and air conditioning will help in the summer.
You need to know what the asthma triggers are so that they can be avoided or treated promptly. Most with asthma share common triggers, like pet dander, pollen or smoke. Avoid your asthma triggers as much as you can to prevent attacks.
Know exactly how any asthma medication you take or may take works. Asthma is usually treated by using a regular medicine supplemented with a rescue medicine, like an inhaler. Because asthma has no cure, you must treat it carefully by taking your maintenance medication every day and using your emergency medication responsibly.
If you suffer from asthma, it’s best to avoid pillows full of feathers. Feathers can trigger asthma symptoms and reduce lung function. The same it true for bedding, try purchasing sheets and comforters that are created from hypoallergenic materials.
As seen here, it is important that you are prepared in order to manage asthma. Knowing the kind of asthma you have and the different methods on how you can deal with it daily is necessary in order to avoid crises. The insights here can be your first line of defense in arming yourself with invaluable knowledge.
Attend your regular asthma checkups, even if things seem to be going well. Your doctor may be able to prescribe more effective treatments and you may be suffering symptoms you’re not aware are related to your asthma.