Asthma is a serious affliction, that can limit your abilities, restrict your lifestyle and, at its worst, become life threatening. You should be sure to get the tools to fight this disease. You can manage your asthma and reduce your symptoms by applying the tips below.
If you suffer from asthma, don’t smoke, and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke. This means you should stay away from all tobacco products and carefully consider the jobs you apply to, especially in factories, as you may be exposed to harmful smoke or vapors.
What type of asthma do you suffer from? Before you can develop a self-care plan for your asthma symptoms, you need to know the specific cause of your symptoms. If your asthma is triggered by exercise, throw an inhaler into your gym bag. Knowing when an asthma attack is likely to strike can help you avert disaster.
A great idea to help your child with asthmatic problems is to avoid smoking in any areas they frequent. Secondhand smoke is known to be a reason asthma happens. You should never put your children in a situation where they are exposed to people who are smoking.
Second hand smoke can cause asthma to develop in children, and can trigger an asthma attack if they already suffer from asthma. Secondhand smoke is a huge health risk and directly plays a role in why people develop asthma. You should take care to also make sure your child does not get exposed to other environments where people might be smoking.
Avoid harsh cleaning chemicals if you are an asthma sufferer. It is very possible that one might bring on an asthma attack with some chemicals used for cleaning. If you clean the home, there are many natural products that are safe to use.
Asthmatics should not smoke. If you smoke – quit immediately. Smoking is bad for everyone, but it’s particularly dangerous for an asthma sufferer, as it cuts off vital oxygen to the lungs.
Keep clear of anything that you know to be a trigger for your asthma. This is different for everyone, but some people, things like dust or pollen can trigger an attack. Others find themselves suffering from attacks when they overexert themselves. You should know what causes asthma, so you can stay away from these things.
Asthma can cause increased sensitivity to the ingredients contained in many cleaning products. A lot of agents in cleaners tend to trigger asthma attacks and symptoms. When you are tidying your home consider using natural products that are effective for cleaning rather than traditional cleansers.
Asthma is a chronic condition, requiring constant health management. Always be very sure that you’re taking the right type of medication for your condition if you hope to control it. It’s also important to have a quick-relief medication available. Discuss your best options with your allergist and doctor.
There are certain medications that cause or exacerbate asthma symptoms. Not everyone knows this. Some of these include aspirin and NSAIDs. Beta blockers that are used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease can develop asthma like symptoms. Make sure your doctor knows if you are taking such medicine and also have asthma.
Make sure that everyone in your family gets their flu shot. It is a good idea to avoid all respiratory infections when you have asthma. Take standard precautions against any kind of illness, and start washing those hands and getting vaccinations that will protect you from getting very sick.
The symptoms of asthma might not always be apparent, but for those that suffer from the disease, the condition never goes away entirely. Ensure you’re taking the proper medications in order to manage everyday asthma symptoms. In addition, you should have a quick-fix medication handy in the event you suffer from an attack. Consult with your physician and allergist to find out what is best for you.
Studies show that using a variety of cleaning products in the home can actually increase the odds of triggering an asthma attack. Choose instead organic products that are not filled with harmful chemicals.
Try a leukotriene inhibitor if you have asthma. This type of inhibitor is designed to prevent leukotrienes. Leukotriene, a chemical substance, can cause asthma attacks by causing inflammation. Taking an inhibitor blocks the receptors that leukotrienes normally interact with and leaves your throat less inflamed and attack-prone.
Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke because it is as dangerous to asthmatics as smoking a cigarette. When you inhale tobacco smoke, the lung’s function can be decreased, and you will increase the chance you have an asthma attack. Smaller areas without proper ventilation make you even more susceptible to an attack.
Know how to use your inhaler properly! Locate a quiet place, and follow the label to a tee. The inhaler will only reduce symptoms if the medication can get to your lungs. While inhaling, spray the dosage in your mouth. Hold in your breath for 10 seconds so the medicine works properly.
If you deal with asthma in your life, always choose products that are free of scents. Using products in your home such as incense, perfume or air fresheners can increase the amount of microscopic pollutants indoors and trigger asthma attacks. Newly installed carpet or fresh paint in the home are both known to release chemical irritants. As much as possible, try to keep your home filled with fresh, pure air.
Talk to a social worker if you do not have health insurance and need medication for your asthma. It’s vital that you stay on medication, so there may be programs available to help you get them at a discount.
Keep your home free of dust and other triggers, especially where the person who suffers from asthma sleeps. Food should be restricted to the kitchen, and smoking inside the home should never be permitted. After you clean, let the house air out completely, and stay away from using any harsh chemicals (especially bleach) inside.
People who have asthma should avoid using scented household products. Products with fragrance, such as perfumes, colognes, and air fresheners, introduce irritants into the air around you and can cause asthma attacks. Irritating odors are also given off by new carpeting and paints. Strive to maintain an indoor environment that is free from these pollutants, keeping the air fresh.
If you suffer from asthma, consider using a feather-free pillow to sleep. Feathers can trigger asthma symptoms and reduce lung function. Be sure to keep the same advice in mind for your bedclothes. They should be made from materials that do not increase allergy symptoms.
Keep your home free of dust and other triggers, especially where the person who suffers from asthma sleeps. Keep food consumption to the kitchen and the dining room, and never allow anyone to smoke in the house. After cleaning around the house, open windows and allow fresh air into the house. This can reduce the smell and pervasiveness of household cleaners like bleach.
Asthma usually takes an extended interval of time to fully develop, and the warning signs are rarely obvious. Many individuals died from their very first asthma attack because they weren’t aware they had the risk factors for an attack. Given that fact, if you have any kind of consistent cough or respiratory ailments, consulting a physician for testing is a good idea, since you want to know if you are suffering from asthma and if so, what to do about it.
Asthma Attacks
During the week, you should take note each time your rescue inhaler is used. 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. Focusing on how often you need your inhaler makes you aware of when you need to make changes to your plan for keeping asthma under control.
Know what causes your asthma attacks, as this will enable you to work around them or prepare to treat the asthma attacks that result. Smoke, pollen, or pet dander are common triggers. Avoid these things when you can to breathe easier.
Asthma sufferers need to know which types of animals and breeds won’t trigger their asthma attacks. While allergies from animals can complicate asthma, those without allergies can get asthma attacks from dust or pollen that the animals carry.
Sleep with a feather-less pillow if you have asthma. Feathers can aggravate symptoms of asthma and lower lung function. This applies to bedding, as well. Purchase sheets and comforters that are made of hypoallergenic materials.
Allergens and asthma triggers, such as dust and pollen can cling to your bed linens. A weekly wash cycle using hot water can eliminate these potential triggers for asthma attacks. These fresh, regularly washed linens can help you breathe easier when sleeping.
You should always have your rescue medication with you when you are traveling. The stress of travel may temporarily weaken your body and make you more vulnerable to attack triggers. Controlling your environment is harder when traveling, so this makes it much more probable that you experience worsening symptoms or an attack.
Don’t smoke. Most people are aware of the dangers of smoking, but for someone with asthma, the consequences are even more serious. Smoke is extremely irritating to the already sensitive asthmatic lungs, so care should be taken to not only smoke, but also avoid being in the presence of other people who are smoking.
When you are removing dust or crumbs from your floor, you should use a vacuum or damp mop to avoid scattering dust in the air. Sweeping the floor kicks up dust and other debris that can set off an attack of your asthma. When dusting, try to use a damp rag rather than a feather duster to cut down on the spread of the triggers.
If you do have an asthma attack, make sure to stay calm. You should immediately use your inhaler and use the inhaler again 30 seconds later. Seek help if your attack gets worse. Go to the hospital immediately or call 911. To calm yourself on the drive, bring a paper bag and breathe into it, as this will slow your breathing.
Make sure you keep calm if you are having an asthma attack. Use your rescue inhaler, rest for a half to one minute, then use the inhaler again. Should your asthma get even worse, seek medical attention immediately. Get someone to call an ambulance or get you to a hospital. You can slow your breathing by placing a paper bag over your mouth and nose to slow your breathing until you get medical attention.
Do all you can to educate yourself about asthma. You can take faster, more effective action to treat your asthma condition the better you understand it. In order to ensure that you are always getting the best possible care, stay abreast of new developments and up-to-date treatments. You can do this by educating yourself on your condition and the treatment options that are available to you.
Know what your triggers are to safeguard yourself against asthma. Write down potential asthma triggers in a journal and talk to your doctor about them. Take active steps to minimize coming into contact with elements that trigger your asthma, to help reduce your attacks.
Asthmatics should always wear a mask when dealing with the harsh chemicals in fresh paint. Paint can trigger asthma-related issues, but wearing a mask will provide a protective barrier to circumvent these issues. Use proper safety equipment to protect yourself from chemicals that can agitate your asthma condition.
Genetics and/or environmental factors can cause asthma. If anyone else in your family suffers from asthma, keep watch for any asthma symptoms in your children or yourself. Asthma sufferers need to be especially careful to avoid smoke, dust mites, extremely high air pollution levels and allergens.
The causative factors in asthma range from environmental factors to genetic factors. Most of the time, both environment and genetics play a role in determining whether you will be impacted by this disease. If you have a family member with asthma, watch your children and yourself for asthma symptoms. Things in the environment, like smoke, pollution, excessive dust and mold spores can trigger asthma; therefore, be sure that you and your children avoid these agents.
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.
Be mindful of watching your children for food allergies symptoms. If you notice any kinds of hives or breathing problems after they have eaten a particular food, you are going to want to have them tested for the allergy at the doctor. Allergies can be a sign that asthma is not far behind.