Are you a person who, among millions of others, suffers from asthma? This article contains several easy tips that can help you control your asthma symptoms.
If you are afficted with asthma, it is critical to quit smoking and avoid the use of any other tobacco products. Smoking is unhealthy for everyone, however it is especially bad for asthmatics. Your lungs are already compromised from the asthma and adding smoke to that will cut off the vital oxygen supply your lungs need to breathe.
Suffer from asthma? It is vital that you not smoke tobacco; if you do, 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.
In order to prevent asthma attacks, keep away from triggers. For many people, allergens such as dust and pollen can induce an attack. Some people get attacks after being physically active. Try to see what cause your asthma so that you can avoid it.
Avoid exposing yourself to any of your known asthma triggers. This can vary from person to person, as small particles like dust can cause asthma attacks. Others find themselves suffering from attacks when they overexert themselves. Do your best to understand and figure what exactly triggers your asthma so that you know what you need to avoid.
If you have mild to moderate asthma attack, breathe out forcefully to get every bit of air out from your lungs. Exhale as quickly as possible, expelling air forcefully out of your lungs. Force all the air out of the lungs! Inhale for three quick breaths, and then take one deep breath so that you can allow your lungs to fill with air, and then force the air out again. This will create a rhythm and will help you be aware of the way you are breathing. This is a good way to empty your lungs and let more air 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.
Never take medications without getting your doctor’s approval so you don’t wind up taking one that has a side effect of exacerbating asthma.. Aspirin and some other NSAIDs may do this. You can also use beta blockers, which will help you manage blood pressure. If you suffer from these conditions and also have asthma, be sure to let your doctor know.
Contact a social worker if you have asthma but do not meet the eligibility requirements for health insurance. 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.
You need ongoing treatment for asthma because it’s an ongoing disease. 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. See your doctor or allergist to find out which treatment plan is best for your situation.
Make sure that everyone in your family gets their flu shot. If you suffer from asthma, it is best to avoid respiratory infections of any type as much as possible. Take standard precautions against any kind of illness, and start washing those hands and getting vaccinations that will protect you from getting very sick.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma, you must avoid cigarette smoke at all costs. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, stop. Avoid fumes and vapors of any kind. Any of these things can trigger an asthma attack. Avoid secondhand smoke by leaving physical distance between yourself and the smoker.
If you have asthma, get a dehumidifier for your home. When your home has less humidity, there are less dust mites, and that minimizes the chances of an asthma flare-up. Dehumidifiers reduce attacks in your home by making the air cleaner and drier.
Don’t turn on the fan if the dust in a room is aggravating your asthma. If you do, the dust will move around, and you can trigger your asthma. If you feel you need airflow, open a window instead.
Lower the chances of asthma attacks by keeping a spotless home, particularly in the areas where you sleep. Keep food consumption to the kitchen and the dining room, and never allow anyone to smoke in the house. Bypass chemicals when cleaning your home if at all possible, and be sure to open doors and windows afterwards.
Leukotriene Inhibitor
Make sure you know what triggers asthma attacks so you can either avoid those triggers or be prepared to manage your asthma symptoms. The majority of people suffering from asthma have several common triggers, like pet dander, smoke or pollen. Try to avoid these items as much as humanly possible so as to not trigger a full attack.
Talk to your doctor about getting a leukotriene inhibitor if you have asthma. A leukotriene inhibitor is for the prevention of leukotrienes. A leukotrienes is a type of chemical that causes inflammation, which leads to asthma attacks. Taking an inhibitor blocks the receptors that leukotrienes normally interact with and leaves your throat less inflamed and attack-prone.
If you suffer from asthma, consider using a feather-free pillow to sleep. Pillow feathers are known to worsen asthma and affect the lungs. This applies to bedding, as well, so it’s best to make sure that everything on your bed is hypoallergenic.
Asthma patients without health insurance can get help by asking a social worker and getting access to programs with the resources asthma patients need. Social workers are trained to help people find resources for affording health care, particularly on debilitating conditions such as asthma.
Whenever you travel, always keep your rescue inhaler or other fast-acting medication by your side at all times. It’s easy to get thrown off your regular eating and sleeping routine while traveling, which strains your body and increases your vulnerability to asthma attack triggers. It is also difficult to control your environment while traveling, making it more likely that you may experience an attack or worsening symptoms.
Stand ready for a boost to your asthma treatment should you suffer from illnesses like colds or hay fever. Many illnesses have side effects that could cause your asthma to flare up so badly that you need to have an increase in treatment. It is possible that your doctor will decide to modify your treatment, or even add additional treatments, until you are back on your feet.
Consider joining a support group, either on or offline. Asthma can be quite debilitating, especially if the asthma is severe, and this condition can interfere with daily life. Others who suffer from asthma can give you immeasurable amounts of support and advice, and help you keep up with new medical developments.
Take notes of what can trigger your asthma attacks so that you can be prepared for a future attack or learn how to avoid them all together. A lot of people who suffer from asthma have the same triggers, pet dander, smoke, or pollen. Try to avoid these items as much as humanly possible so as to not trigger a full attack.
Bundle up during winter weather if you have asthma. Covering your nose and mouth with a scarf or muffler helps prevent asthma attacks. This will warm the air before it gets in your lungs. Inhaling cold air can elicit an asthma attack or create other serious respiratory problems.
If you are dealing with asthma, a good idea is to use a pillow without feathers. Pillow feathers are known to worsen asthma and affect the lungs. The same can be said for bedding, try to get hypoallergenic comforters and sheets.
Asthma is a health condition that usually develops over a period of time, and has symptoms that may not be obvious. There are many cases where people have died from their first asthma attack, without even being aware that they were at risk. 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.
There is good reason to make sure you have your rescue medicine for asthma in a convenient, easy to reach place. Traveling is hard on your body, and you might have an asthma attack easier because your body is more likely to respond to triggers. You can’t control the weather or the environment when you travel, so keep in mind you are more vulnerable to symptoms and attacks when you go to a new area.
If you’re flying and bringing along your asthma medications, bring a doctor’s written prescription with you. Without a written prescription stating that the item is medically necessary, you may experience frustration and delays at security checkpoints.
Think about signing up for a support group locally or online. Many people who suffer from asthma are unable to live a full life. Your peers will be able to provide you with advice and tips that work for them, information about new treatment techniques, and even some home remedies you might not know about.
If you have asthma, clean your floors with a wet mop, instead of sweeping with a traditional broom. Sweeping stirs up dust and other things that can trigger your asthma. Using a damp rag instead of a feather duster when you dust will lessen the spread of these triggers.
Humidity in the home can create an environment that is ideal for mold and mildew to grow. These substances can easily trigger asthma attacks. Keeping a home dry and mold-free is important. 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.
Smoke should always be avoided when you suffer from asthma. Smoking can actually trigger an asthma attack. Avoid exposure to chemical fumes and vapors, and any type of wood or cigarette smoke. These environmental conditions can exacerbate your asthma symptoms. If there’s smoke around you, ask politely for the person to stop smoking.
Wear scarves, shawls and mufflers to cover your noise and mouth during colder weather. Proper winter wear can keep cold air from agitating your lungs. Studies have indicated that asthma attacks are sometimes triggered when cold air is inhaled. This is especially true for young children who have asthma that is moderate to severe.
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.
This article contains much helpful advice on how to control your asthma symptoms. You will be able to manage your condition if you start applying them. If you ignore the signs of an asthma attack or stop doing the things that work to keep your asthma under control, you’ll most likely start having trouble with your asthma again. Make sure to protect yourself by adhering to this advice about strategies to help control your asthma.
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. If this does not help and your attack gets worse, you need to get immediate medical assistance. Ask someone to drive you to the closest hospital or call an ambulance. Slow your breathing by inhaling and exhaling into a paper bag while you are waiting for help.