Experiencing an asthma attack can be frightening, and knowing that you have to live with asthma can be a burden. Still, there are plenty of people with asthma who live perfectly normal lives but only because they’ve taken the steps needed to learn and control the situation. Read further to gather some advice on living with asthma successfully.
Can you identify the exact type of asthma you’re dealing with? If you identify your specific causes, you can be prepared to treat the symptoms when they appear during your daily routines. People suffering from asthma that is exercise-induced, for example, had best be prepared for asthma attacks at the gym! Knowing when an asthma attack is likely to strike can help you avert disaster.
Can you identify the exact type of asthma you’re dealing with? 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. People who suffer from exercise-induced asthma should consider carrying an emergency inhaler in their bag. When you know what triggers your asthma, you will be more prepared to stop attacks before they begin.
Some medications that you may take unknowingly can cause you to have asthma symptoms. NSAIDs and aspirin are known for their ability to cause symptoms. 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. Let your doctor know about your asthma and what prescriptions you’re taking.
Asthmatics should not smoke. If you smoke – quit immediately. 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 you have asthma, you need to avoid any kind of tobacco smoke. Do not smoke yourself, either! Avoid breathing in any of the vapors or other chemical fumes. This can aggravate your asthma and it might not stop. When you see people smoking in your area avoid them and move away.
Avoid anything that can trigger your asthma. For many, allergens like dust and pollen, can trigger their attacks. For other people it may physical activities that will set them off. Try to determine your asthma triggers, so you can avoid them and prevent attacks.
Resist the urge to turn on a fan if you find yourself in a room filled with dust. This can move the dust around and can trigger an attack easily. Encourage air to flow throughout the room by just opening a nearby window or door.
Asthma is a disease that is continuous. As such, it requires long-term health management. Make sure that your daily routine includes taking appropriate medication to keep you free of asthma symptoms, along with additional medication to treat you for any sudden asthma attacks. To find which treatment options are the best for you and your condition, make sure you speak with a doctor and allergist.
Make certain that you and your loved ones receive annual flu shots. Try to avoid getting any respiratory infections if you have asthma. It’s important to take the standard precautions against these illnesses, such as hand washing and vaccinations.
During a mild to moderate attack, force all of the air out of your lungs. Blow your breath out as hard and fast as you can. Get the air all out of the lungs. Then take three quick breaths, next a deeper breath till your lungs fill with air, then repeat the forceful exhalation again. This will force you to pay careful attention to all of your breaths. It will also help to get the air to come out of the lungs so more can come in. Do not be alarmed if you cough or generate excess mucous; this is perfectly normal. Your only concern is to return your breathing to normal.
You might want to purchase a dehumidifier to use at home if you have asthma. Reducing the amount of humidity in your home reduces the number of dust mites, which in turn reduces the chances of your asthma flaring up. A dehumidifier works to dry the air by removing moisture.
Go to your regular medical check-ups, even if your condition seems under control. Medical science is constantly evolving, so the doctor might know about a new treatment for you. Besides, you can never be sure when another attack might come on, so it’s better to be checked out.
Receiving a flu shot annually is very important if you or a loved one are asthmatic. Get vaccinated every flu season to avoid a high number of infections.
Join a support group, online or in “real life”, to find help from your peers. Extremely severe asthma can be debilitating and prevent one from living a full life. If you know other asthma sufferers, you can stay up to date on the latest medicines and treatment options.
Keep all your doctors appointments even if your asthma symptoms aren’t bothering you. A flare up can come at any time and your doctor can always look into safer medications for your particular symptoms.
Asthma generally takes a long time to develop, and the symptoms may be vague at first, making it difficult to diagnose the problem. People can even die from their very first asthma attack as they’re not prepared for it! That is why it is important to check regularly with your doctor and always point out if you are having any kind of breathing problems or related symptoms. With the proper medical attention, you can prevent attacks and keep asthma under control.
Find a good support group in the Internet or in your area. Asthma, especially severe asthma, can be a debilitating condition and prevent you from participating fully in daily life. 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.
Written Prescription
In the winter, cover your mouth and nose with a scarf or shawl to prevent 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.
If you are taking an airplane and you need to travel with your asthma apparatus or medications, bring your written prescription with you. Carrying written prescription information will help you to avoid security hassles, and you won’t have to worry about your medication being confiscated.
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.
Make sure you count how many times, within a week, you have to use your inhaler. Your medication may need to be adjusted or an alternative treatment considered if you find that you need to use it 3 or more times per week. The amount you utilize your inhaler can remind you to always monitor your environment as a means of effectively managing your asthma.
Consult with more than one physician. Your usual doctor will be able to help you, but you should also consider seeing a specialist. Nutritionists, allergists, pulmonologists and asthma centers can all help you, so make sure that you are using all of the different treatment avenues that you can.
Avoid smoke, if you don’t want to have an asthma attack. Sometimes smoke can cause an asthma attack. Stay away from cigarette smoke, fumes, and vapors as much as you can. Exposure to these substances can worsen your asthma considerably. Politely request that smokers abstain from smoking in your presence.
If you have asthma and allergies and use a humidifier, make sure it is thoroughly cleaned as often as necessary. Bacteria will breed rapidly due to the moisture in the machine. If you continue to use one without cleaning it correctly, you will be pushing allergens around the home, instead of the soothing humidity that you are hoping for.
You may want to consider having numerous doctors treat your asthma. Your family doctor will be in charge of your asthma treatment, but seeing a specialist can provide you with invaluable help. Allergists, asthma centers, pulmonologists, and even nutritionists can work with you to make sure you are taking advantage of all avenues of treatment.
Remain calm if you do happen to come under an asthma attack. Use your rescue inhaler, rest for a half to one minute, then use the inhaler again. If the attack gets worse, then seek help immediately. Have some one call for an ambulance or take you to the hospital. Grab a paper bag and breathe inside it, as that can help to slow down your breathing.
If you are using a vaporizer or humidifier, you should thoroughly clean it prior to use. Bacteria can breed inside the moist machine and you would be releasing them along with the humid air.
Talk to your doctor about adjusting your medication if you find yourself using the inhaler 3 or more times per week. This frequency of inhaler use means that your inhaler medication is not functioning effectively. Also, if you have to refill your inhaler more than twice in one year, then a visit to the doctor for a medication change is also in order.
You need to know how to properly use your inhaler if you have been diagnosed with asthma. You can’t just spray into your mouth and softly inhale. Every time you use your inhaler, be sure to breathe deeply and slowly. An inhaler is not of much use if you aren’t taking it correctly.
You should visit your doctor regularly throughout the year, so they can keep you apprised on the status of your asthma. Only your doctor can fully evaluate your condition and recommend appropriate changes in treatment. You should always keep your appointments so that your doctor can follow up on your treatment plans, and work with you to maintain your health.
If you are an asthma sufferer you need to understand how to make your life easier. Asthma may feel like a burden, but it will get much easier as you understand more about it and how you can successfully deal with symptoms. Thankfully, we have learned much about asthma, and the advice given in this article is sure to help improve your quality of life.
Asthma may be the result of genetics or something in the environment, or perhaps a bit of both. If your family has a history of asthma, pay special attention to any respiratory symptoms that may indicate that you or a family member is developing asthma. There are many environmental factors, like mold, great deals of dust, smoke and pollution that can lead to asthma, so it’s important to keep both yourself and your children away from these things.