Regardless of how long you may have had it, asthma can still be a frightening concept for you or your loved ones. You should be aware of what asthma entails and what it can do, and how it’s treated so you can manage it appropriately. Know what you need to do and how to go about it by arming yourself with the knowledge in these tips.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma and you are a smoker, it is time to quit. Smoking is bad in general for everyone, but it is particularly worse for asthma suffers because it decreases the amount of oxygen in the lungs, putting you at higher risk for asthma attacks.
You should avoid smoking at all costs and being exposed to vapors and perfumes if you suffer from asthma. Stay away from jobs that would expose you to toxic or heavy vapors, and refrain from any tobacco use.
Stay away from anything that you are aware of that may trigger your asthma. For some people, this can be pollen or other allergy triggers. For others, physical activity can irritate them. Determine what your trigger is so you can easily avoid an attack.
What triggers your asthma? If you identify your specific causes, you can be prepared to treat the symptoms when they appear during your daily routines. A perfect example is that if you have asthma caused by exercise you should put a inhaler in your locker or gym bag. If you know and understand your asthma triggers, you can better avoid and handle attacks.
Those with asthma should always opt for unscented items because they are safest. Products with a fragrance raise the air pollution indoors, and increase the risk of an attack being triggered. Some of these products include incense, scented body sprays and air fresheners. Newly installed carpet or fresh paint in the home are both known to release chemical irritants. Keep the air inside your house as fresh as you can.
Do not smoke around a child with asthma. Secondhand smoke is something that can lead to serious asthma. You should never put your children in a situation where they are exposed to people who are smoking.
Know that your asthma treatment or medication may have to be increased a bit if you are suffering from allergies, hay fever or a cold. These illnesses have side effects that can cause asthma to flare up and make an increase in medication necessary. Your physician might also work an additional treatment into your therapy until such time as you are healthier.
If you suffer from asthma, it is vital that you avoid smoking; if you do, you should quit. Smoking is horrible for people, it is really bad if asthma becomes worse and blocks oxygen to your body, you need oxygen to work and stave off asthma.
Avoid feather pillows if you suffer from asthma. Feathers may trigger asthma symptoms by irritating your lungs. The same goes for bedding – try to buy a comforter and sheets that are made from hypoallergenic materials.
There are medications that can unknowingly cause asthma-like symptoms. NSAIDs and aspirin are known for their ability to cause symptoms. This can also be caused by beta blockers, like medications that are used in managing high blood pressure or heart problems. If you’ve been diagnosed as asthmatic and are taking medications unrelated to your asthma, be sure your doctor is aware of them.
Keep all your regularly scheduled asthma appointments, regardless of how you are feeling. It is impossible to predict the next attack. Furthermore, newer or safer asthma medications may be approved in the time since you last visited your doctor.
Asthma doesn’t just go away, so you can’t just stop managing it. Your doctor may prescribe medications that must be taken daily. In addition, you will likely have medication to take in the event of an attack. Find out from your allergist and your doctor what is best for you.
Mildew and mold grow best in a home with high humidity. These can very easily cause an attack. Therefore, it can benefit you to ensure your home stays as dry as possible. Use a dehumidifier during the winter time so that you can keep humidity in control when you use a heater. You can use the air conditioning in your household during summer time to get the same affect.
Cleaning Products
Know the right way to use any asthma medication you are taking, in particular your rescue medication. For most asthma cases, an emergency treatment option, such as an inhaler, is used to supplement day-to-day management medication. It’s important to use both forms of medication properly to treat your chronic condition.
Using more than four different types of cleaning products in your home has been shown to increase the risk of an asthma attack. A great way to prevent this is to purchase some organic, non-chemical cleaning products. These all-natural products are safe when inhaled.
You can use the preventative inhaler daily, but know that it can cause mouth infections near your gums and teeth. Immediately brush your teeth followed by a quick gargle after using your inhaler. This is a great way to prevent any kind of complications in your mouth.
You will need to keep your residence really clean, especially the bedroom where the asthma sufferer sleeps in order to help lessen the chances of an attack. Avoid smoking inside, and only let people eat in the kitchen. Bypass chemicals when cleaning your home if at all possible, and be sure to open doors and windows afterwards.
Monitor how often, per week, you find it necessary to use your inhaler. If you have to use your inhaler more than twice, then our asthma is not being controlled effectively, and you may need to see your doctor for a way to get it under control again. Counting how many times you reach for your inhaler can be a good aid to remind you of what environments you need to control and what else you may need to manage.
If you are asthmatic, it may be a good idea to use a pillow that is not filled with feathers. People are often allergic to these natural products that can affect breathing and bring on asthma symptoms. The same can be said for bedding, try to get hypoallergenic comforters and sheets.
People with asthma should not smoke. A lot of people know that smoking is bad for you, but if you have asthma it is far worse. A person with asthma has sensitive lungs that can react adversely to smoke, causing an asthmatic attack. So an asthmatic should not even be in a room where other people are smoking.
Humidity is a problem in the home, because it creates conditions that are perfect for mildew and mold growth. You can get asthma attacks because of these substances. To halt the growth of mold and mildew keep your home’s humidity low. A dehumidifier can be used in the winter, and in the summer, many air conditioner models also help strip moisture from the air.
If you have allergies and asthma, you need to avoid using a humidifier or a vaporizer unless it has been thoroughly cleaned. If the machine stays wet, it can breed bacteria and you’ll end up pumping harmful allergens out into the air.
If you have asthma attacks, remember to stay calm. Use the inhaler, pause for 30 seconds then use it again. If this doesn’t start to control your attack, get assistance right away. Call an ambulance or have someone present drive you to the nearest hospital. Try breathing in a paper bag to slow your breathing on the way there.
Do all you can to educate yourself about asthma. The more you understand about the condition, the more effective you’ll be in taking steps to manage your asthma. Keep up on what the most effective treatments are and ensure you are receiving the best treatments possible. The only way you can do this is by arming yourself with condition and treatment knowledge.
Be proactive in controlling your asthma with regular visits to your doctor. Your doctor should make changes to your treatment if they feel your condition has changed. You need to stay on top of scheduling doctor visits. Otherwise, your condition might deteriorate suddenly.
Have your asthma situation checked out by a doctor every so often, so that you are not blindsided by changes in your condition. At your doctor’s visit, the doctor will evaluate your asthma and make any changes to your treatment plan if they are required. You are responsible to schedule these appointments so you can stay healthy.
If you want to paint something, get a mask to protect yourself from the fumes. You can bother your asthma a lot by painting, if you use a mask it can help protect you. Stay away from any chemicals or substance that could worsen your condition.
Always use an appropriately-designed mask when painting to guard against breathing paint fumes. Asthma is strongly irritated by paint, so a mask will put a shield between you and it, and lessen the problem. In general, you should avoid anything that will trigger an asthma attack or worsen your asthma symptoms.
Joining a support group for asthma sufferers, or having a conversation with others who have asthma, is very helpful. People who have experience with the same disease as you can often provide a number of suggestions or tricks that work in specific situations – all of which can make your battle with asthma a little earlier. One of the keys to fighting asthma is having the support of the people in your life.
Vitamin B6 intake should be increased in order to help control asthma. Research has shown that by increasing the amount of vitamin B6, sometimes referred to as pyridoxine, individuals can reduce how often they suffer asthma attacks. At minimum, it can help lower the intensity of attacks. Pyridoxine is instrumental in producing certain molecules that help to relax bronchial tissue. Bananas are a great vitamin B6 source.
As was earlier stated, there is plenty of information you have to know about asthma. This article is a small portion of the information that is available when it comes to asthma and it’s management. With a combination of this information, and your doctor’s advice, you can lessen the effects of asthma.
Once you know what sets your asthma off, you can keep attacks from happening as frequently. Write down anything that triggers an asthma attack, then share what you’ve written with your asthma specialist. Once identified, do everything you can to avoid triggers and eliminate them from your environment whenever possible.