If you’ve just been given an asthma diagnosis, you may not know what to do. Asthma has no cure, which makes it a chronic condition. Your life shouldn’t come to a standstill once you are diagnosed with asthma. Here you will see some simple methods to manage your asthma to keep you safe and healthy.
There are some common medications that you could be using that will cause asthma symptoms. Examples of medications that may contribute to asthma are aspirin and other NSAIDs. Some medications for blood pressure and heart disease – those referred to as beta blockers – can also exacerbate asthma problems. If you’ve been diagnosed as asthmatic and are taking medications unrelated to your asthma, be sure your doctor is aware of them.
What kind of asthma do you have? Understanding the specifics of your asthma will help you to avoid attack triggers in your day-to-day life. Those whose asthma is exacerbated by exercise will know to always have an inhaler on hand. Knowing the patterns of your symptoms will help you avoid crises.
Exhale as hard as you can during an asthma attack. If you can’t breathe at all, go to the hospital; however, controlling your exhalation rate can sometimes help stop a less severe attack. Exhale quickly and hard. Forcefully push the air out from your lungs. Then take three small breaths in, followed by a deeper breath to fill your lungs comfortably. Next, exhale forcefully again. Paying attention this way will help you stabilize your breathing and make it rhythmic. When air is forcefully exhaled, it allows a fresh intake of air to fill your lungs. If you cough or produce sputum, don’t worry. Just remain focused on your objective, which is to regain a normal rate of breathing.
It is crucial for asthma sufferers not to smoke. 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.
Cigarette smoke and asthma do not mix. Asthmatics should also never smoke. Stay away from vapors and all chemical fumes so you are not able to breathe them in. This can cause your asthma to flare up, causing an attack that may be uncontrollable. When you see people smoking in your area avoid them and move away.
Asthma Symptoms
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. An antibody medicine known as omalizumab is very effective at countering asthma attacks related to allergies. Ask your allergist about it.
Some medications that you may take unknowingly can cause you to have asthma symptoms. Aspirin and other NSAIDs are known to be asthma triggers. The medication you take for high blood pressure can also cause asthma symptoms. Tell your doctor if you are an asthmatic and you are using these medications.
A leukotriene inhibitor may be an excellent way for you to deal with asthma. This type of inhibitor is designed to prevent leukotrienes. Leukotrienes has a hand in causing swelling and inflammation in your lungs, and may trigger a asthma attack. Using an inhibitor will counteract the negative effects of leukotriene, thereby decreasing the occurrence of asthma attacks.
Asthma is a continuous disease that needs ongoing management. It is crucial that you have the proper medications for controlling asthma, as well as medication, such as a rescue inhaler to treat sudden attacks. Speak to your allergist and doctor to see what they recommend for you.
Make sure that everyone in your family gets their flu shot. If you have asthma, you can protect your health by taking all steps possible to avoid any type of cold, flu or other upper respiratory infection. Precautions include washing your hands and staying current with vaccinations.
Make sure you use the inhaler in the proper, prescribed method. Find a good place and follow all of the directions that have been provided by the maker of the product. The inhaler is only beneficial if the medicine gets to your lungs. While inhaling air, spray required dosage in your mouth. Hold in your breath for 10 seconds so the medicine works properly.
If you have hay fever or a cold, you will probably need increased treatment of your asthma. Adjusting your medication may be necessary to manage the symptoms of these and other illnesses. It is also possible that your physician will add an additional treatment to your routine until you recover from your illness.
Talk to a social worker if you do not have health insurance and need medication for your asthma. Asthma medications are never cheap, but it’s vital that you receive them and that is the social worker’s goal. He or she will deal with the clinics directly in efforts to remedy the situation.
If your kid or you suffer from asthma, you should get a yearly flu shot. Stave off these infections immediately by getting your vaccinations yearly.
Asthma sufferers should take Vitamins E and C. It is thought that these vitamins will help increase lung function and will help control asthma symptoms. You can find the vitamins you need in food or supplements. These vitamins will also help prevent illnesses by boosting your body’s immune system.
Keep your medication with you, especially when you are traveling. Traveling can put additional strain on your body, making you more susceptible to asthma triggers. It is often hard to maintain the right kind of environment when you are traveling, and this may heighten the risk of an asthma attack or worsening symptoms.
You should know what triggers your asthma attacks; this will allow you to either avoid them or be ready to manage the symptoms. Generally, it is found that items such as smoke and pollen can trigger attacks in those that suffer with asthma. Avoid your asthma triggers as much as you can to prevent attacks.
Look into becoming a part of a support group. There are many to choose from both online and offline. Asthma can be devastating and lead to lethargy and withdrawal from normal life – especially if it is quite severe. As science marches on, new medications and treatments for asthma become available, and you can keep abreast of this progress through a good support group.
When flying and bringing along asthma medications and equipment, be sure to pack your prescriptions. This is especially true for large items like a nebulizer. Without a written prescription stating that the item is medically necessary, you may experience frustration and delays at security checkpoints.
During cold, winter months, asthma sufferers should wear a shawl, muffler, or scarf that will cover both their nose and mouth. This will warm the air that you breathe before it enters your lungs. Breathing cold air can set off an asthma attack, particularly in small children who have have somewhat severe asthma.
Avoid smoke if you want to prevent asthma. The inhalation of smoke can easily trigger an asthma attack. Keep away from chemical fumes, chemical vapor, and tobacco smoke as much as you can. These things will aggravate your asthma and worsen the symptoms. Ask any smokers not to smoke in your presence.
You need to know how to properly use asthma medications that are prescribed to you, especially your rescue medication, so that you are prepared if you need to use it during an emergency. Asthma is typically treated with a regular medication supplemented by rescue medicine, such as an inhaler. Managing your medicine properly is important because asthma is a chronic health problem.
Bed linens are a magnet for nasty allergens and asthma triggers, including dust and pollen. You may cut down on these potential inducers of an asthma attack by cleaning your sheets and pillows in hot water each week. If you are sleeping on freshly laundered linens, you will sleep much easier.
When you are cleaning your home, it is always better to use a wet mop rather than sweeping your floors. Sweeping stirs up dust and other things that can trigger your asthma. When you dust, use a damp cloth instead of a feather duster which can spread these triggers.
See multiple doctors to keep asthma under control. Even though your primary care doctor can assist you in the basic care for your asthma, consider visiting a specialist also. Pulmonologists, allergists, asthma centers and nutritionists can help you take advantage of the many treatments available to those with asthma.
Bed linens often trap allergens, dust, pollen and other things that can aggravate asthma. A weekly wash cycle using hot water can eliminate these potential triggers for asthma attacks. You will breathe easier at night when you have freshly washed and clean bed linens.
It is important to remain calm during an asthma attack. Use your rescue inhaler, rest for a half to one minute, then use the inhaler again. If the attack you are experiencing starts getting worse, seek assistance. Get someone to call an ambulance or get you to a hospital. Inhaling and exhaling into a paper bag can slow your breathing while en route.
Have more than one medical professional look at your asthma problems. While your asthma treatment should start with your primary care doctor, visiting one or two asthma specialists can make a real difference in how well you understand and manage your condition. The allergists, pulmonologists and nutritionists in asthma centers can help you take full advantage of all treatments available.
Vitamin B6
Asthma sufferers should definitely stay indoors more when pollen increases. Asthma symptoms are not the same as allergic reactions, but allergies and asthma attacks have many common triggers. Technology has brought with it real-time air quality reports that can be consulted before exposure to outdoor air that may cause irritation to asthmatics.
Vitamin B6 intake should be increased in order to help control asthma. Vitamin B6 — also called pyridoxine– can reduce the intensity and frequency of asthma attacks. How does this work? Pyridoxine is a chemical that reduces constriction in the bronchial tubes. This constriction is what brings on asthma attacks. People who need additional vitamin B6 should eat bananas.
If you tend to suffer from any allergies or asthmatic conditions, always clean vaporizers very thoroughly, as well humidifiers and any associated apparatus. 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.
If you’re attacked by your asthma and are without your medications, try and consume some caffeine asap. Strong tea, coffee, or chocolate can give you some caffeine to help the asthma attack. The caffeine constricts your blood vessels, opening up your airway.
When you suffer from an asthma attack, be sure to remain calm. Use the inhaler, pause for 30 seconds then use it again. If your attack worsens, get help. Have some one call for an ambulance or take you to the hospital. Breathe into a paper bag, which will reduce your breathing rate during the trip.
Make sure you ban any type of smoking inside your home, or any place that can harm someone in your household who suffers from asthma. Just be sure to keep any smoke away from someone who suffers from asthma as this can harm them significantly. Heavy smokers can trigger asthma attacks because their clothing gives of a smoke-filled scent.
If you are dealing with asthma it is critical you understand how to properly use an inhaler. Spraying it into your mouth and then inhaling doesn’t work. Breath deeply each time you push your inhaler button. If you have asthma, there’s no way around it: you need to get familiar with the right method of using your inhaler.
Preparation is the key to living with your condition. When you know everything you can about your specific asthma triggers, you can use that knowledge to avoid potential triggers. Keep looking for more resources to increase your efficiency.
Schedule regular appointments with your physician to keep tabs on your asthma. Your doctor will be able to assess the effectiveness of treatments, and adjust them, if necessary. It is up to you to work with your doctor at regular appointments to keep your treatment plan working.