Do you suffer with asthma but don’t know a lot about the subject? You are not alone. Lots of people would like to get more knowledge on asthma but don’t know where to go. Read the article below for lots of asthma information.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma and you are a smoker, it is time to quit. Smoking is unhealthy for anyone, regardless of their health; however, when you have asthma, smoking restricts the oxygen your lungs needs to breathe and function properly. If your lung function is affected, you run the risk of having more frequent attacks.
Suffer from asthma? It is vital that you not smoke tobacco; if you do, quit. Smoking is not recommended for anyone, but it creates worse complications for asthma patients by cutting off part of the oxygen supply needed to breathe properly.
If you are prone to asthma attacks, avoid any cigarette or other tobacco smoke. Do not smoke! Air pollution and fumes from harsh chemicals also increase asthma symptoms. This can cause an asthma attack, and you may be unable to bring it under control. If you are around others who are smoking, remove yourself.
If you have asthma and have frequent attacks that are related to allergies, there are medicines that can be injected to provide you with long-term relief. Omalizumab can effectively control allergy symptoms you may be experiencing and can be suggested by your local allergist if it fits your needs.
Consider getting allergy shots if you have asthma that is caused by allergies that aren’t under control. Ask your allergist about omalizumab, an antibody drug that can reduce the severity of asthma symptoms and the frequency of attacks.
Leukotriene Inhibitor
Learn how to use an inhaler in the correct manner if you do not already know. Get to a place out of the way, and read the directions before starting. The inhaler will only work if the medicine reaches your lungs. Spray the stated dose of medicine into your mouth as you inhale. Holding your breath for a minimum of 10 seconds gives the medicinal mist from the inhaler time to spread itself throughout your lungs.
Having a fast acting inhaler is vital to save asthmatics from experiencing severe symptoms. Talk to your physician and find out if a leukotriene inhibitor would be right for you. A leukotriene inhibitor stops the release of a chemical that causes the inflammation that is responsible for some asthma attacks. A leukotriene will cause inflammation in the respiratory system, causing an asthma attack. 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 tobacco smoke is inhaled, especially in closed-in areas, your lung function can be drastically decreased, which can increase your chances of suffering from an attack.
Utilize the inhaler correctly. Find a quiet secluded area so that you can calmly take the inhaler as directed by the instructions from the manufacturer. The inhaler only can help if it’s medicine reaches the lungs. Inhale air while spraying the necessary amount of medication into your mouth. It is then necessary to hold the breath for about ten seconds to give the medication time to work in your lungs.
When suffering from asthma, make sure to choose products that are unscented. If you are using scented products like perfume, incense, or air fresheners you should up the level of air pollution in your home. Fresh paint and new carpeting also produce smells that can cause irritation to the airways. Keep your indoor air clean and free of pollutants to stay healthy.
Social Worker
Make sure you get a flu shot each year if you have asthma or if your child does. Stave off as many of these infections as possible by getting vaccinated every year.
If you have asthma that is not covered by health insurance, contact someone in a government agency, like a social worker. Having the financial ability to purchase your asthma medications is essential, and a social worker can help you locate a hospital or clinic that can provide you with these medications for free or at a significantly reduced rate.
Be certain you are aware of all your asthma attack triggers so you know both how to steer clear of them and also be ready to take care of your symptoms. Most asthma sufferers have a few common triggers such as smoke, pet dander or pollen. Whenever possible, avoid those substances that trigger either symptoms or full-blown attacks.
If you or someone in your family has asthma, all family members need to get flu shots every year. A yearly vaccination will help minimize the number of infections your children have to deal with.
Some of the main triggers of asthma attacks happen right inside the home. These causes are sources, such as, but not limited to dust, mold and spores. To keep these triggers out of your home, have a professional inspector come to your home each year to remove these nasties from your home. As an additional measure, a home that is regularly cleaned will help keep these irritants from building up.
Avoid pillows with feathers if you have asthma. Feathers can decrease lung function and cause asthma symptoms. It is also advisable to use hypoallergenic sheets and comforters for the same reason.
Do not allow mold or mildew to grow in your home, because they can be extremely dangerous for asthma sufferers. Mold and mildew can have a hand in making you suffer a asthma attack! It is best if you keep the air in your home as dry as possible. During winter time, use a dehumidifier if necessary to control humidity while running your heater, and use your air conditioner during summer months to keep air dry.
When you are traveling, make sure you have a rescue inhaler with you. Traveling tends to put extra stain on the body, and you’re more susceptible to your asthma triggers under these conditions. The change in environment can also have a negative impact, since it is impossible to control. This can lead to more frequent attacks or attacks with symptoms that are worse than normal.
Monitor your weekly inhaler use and tally how many times you need to use it to control an attack. Using it more often than twice weekly means that you should have your asthma assessed by a doctor. You can use your frequency of inhaler use to gauge the effectiveness of your asthma treatment plan and make modifications when necessary.
Some common catalysts of asthma attacks regularly occur in the home. These triggers include dust, spores and mold. Stay on top of your health and reduce the likelihood of attacks. You can do this by having it inspected every year to get rid of triggers. You can help keep your house safe from these harmful substances by regularly cleaning and dusting your home.
When preventing asthma, stay away from smoke. Inhaling smoke can trigger an asthma attack. Do what you can to avoid chemical fumes, cigarette smoke and other vapors. These things will aggravate your asthma and worsen the symptoms. When anyone lights up a cigarette or cigar in your presence, politely inform them that you have asthma and ask them not to smoke beside you.
You can wear warm things like a shawl, muffler or scarf, which can help cover your nose and mouth in the colder months. This will warm the air before it gets in your lungs. By breathing in cold air, it has been proven that it could trigger an asthma attack more so in children that are younger and suffer from severe to moderate asthma.
Asthma sufferers should have minimal contact with animals including pets. While allergies from animals can complicate asthma, those without allergies can get asthma attacks from dust or pollen that the animals carry.
Inhalers are important to use every day, but be aware that inhalers have been known to cause infections near the teeth and gums. To prevent these issues, brush and use mouthwash immediately after inhaler usage.
Your bed linen could be filled with dust, pollen or other allergens. You can cut down on these irritants or eliminate them altogether by washing your bedding and pillow cases in very hot water once a week. Fresh bed linens, washed regularly, will ensure that you can breathe a little easier while you sleep.
Pay attention to how often you reach for your asthma inhaler each week. If you are using it more than twice, your asthma may not be as well-controlled as you think or you may be experiencing unusual circumstances bringing on more frequent attacks. The amount you utilize your inhaler can remind you to always monitor your environment as a means of effectively managing your asthma.
Smoking cigarettes is not a choice that should be made. Most people know that smoking is unhealthy, but the consequences are even worse for someone who has asthma. Not only should smoking be avoided, you need to be careful to stay away from people who do smoke because it is extremely harmful and will irritate your sensitive asthmatic lungs.
Asthma sufferers should have minimal contact with animals including pets. An allergy to an animal will worsen asthma symptoms, and an animal can carry enough dust or pollen to trigger an attack.
Remain calm in the event of an asthma attack. Calmly use the inhaler. Use it again after 30 seconds has elapsed. If you feel your ashtma attack worsening, get immediate help. Have someone drive you directly to the hospital or call an ambulance for you. You can slow your breathing by placing a paper bag over your mouth and nose to slow your breathing until you get medical attention.
To make sure all of your medical needs are being met, you will need to consult at least two doctors. Your family doctor or primary care physician can be the person you go to regularly for asthma symptoms, but also talk to a few specialists. 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.
Learn as much as possible about asthma. If you know a lot about asthma, you can work towards fixing it. Remain current on the latest treatment techniques and be certain to receive the very best professional assistance you can. The only way you can do this is by arming yourself with condition and treatment knowledge.
If you experience an asthma attack, stay calm. Use the inhaler, wait thirty seconds, and use once more. Should your asthma get even worse, seek medical attention immediately. Have someone call an ambulance for you, or have them bring you to a hospital. To calm yourself on the drive, bring a paper bag and breathe into it, as this will slow your breathing.
Eat more foods rich in vitamin B6. Vitamin B6, aka pyridoxine, is found to reduce asthma attack frequency in a lot of studies. Vitamin B6 helps your body to produce molecules that work to relax your bronchial tissues. One common source of vitamin B6 are bananas.
If conclusion, it’s normal for people experiencing asthma to be curious about their condition because it affects their everyday life. This article was aimed at giving you the best asthma information available, so your stress about the condition can be eased. By implementing the advice you’ve read here, you’ll find that your life is a lot more enjoyable!
Identifying what triggers your asthma attacks will go a long way towards treating them. You may even want to keep an asthma trigger journal so you can discuss this with your doctor. After you figure them out, try to stay away from your triggers, and take them out of your environment if you can.