For the millions of men, women, and children who have difficulty breathing as a result of asthma, even the simplest physical task may seem daunting. Luckily, there are a number of ways to combat the devastating symptoms of
asthma and make life much more manageable. You will likely be better informed about and better prepared to deal with asthmatic respiratory concerns after you have taken a look at the tips below.
You should avoid smoking at all costs and being exposed to vapors and perfumes if you suffer from asthma. This includes all tobacco products, and you also need to be careful if you are going to apply for a job in a factory or where you have the potential to be exposed to vapors and harmful smoke.
If your child or another loved one suffers from asthma, you should be sure to never smoke cigarettes when you’re near them. Secondhand smoke is almost as dangerous to asthmatics as actually smoking a cigarette. Keep your child away from cigarette smoke and any other kind of fumes.
What triggers your asthma? Gaining as much knowledge as you can about the type of asthma you have can make your day-to-day activities a little easier. Asthma caused by exercise can be treated easily if you carry an inhaler when you go to the gym. If you know and understand your asthma triggers, you can better avoid and handle attacks.
If asthma is something that you are afflicted with, then don’t smoke or immediately quit. 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.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma, you should avoid cleaning products. A lot of agents in cleaners tend to trigger asthma attacks and symptoms. If you do the cleaning in your house, use natural solutions that are safer for you to breath in.
It is imperative that you do your best to avoid cleaning chemicals if you are asthmatic. A lot chemicals that are in these items can set off an asthma attack or aggravate other symptoms. If you do the cleaning in your house, use natural solutions that are safer for you to breath in.
Avoid using a fan in any room that has excessive dust. This could trigger an asthma attack because this will move the dust around. If you wish to have a breeze, open a window instead of running a fan.
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.. NSAIDs and aspirin are known for their ability to cause symptoms. Common medications used for controlling high blood pressure often times contain beta blockers, which asthmatics may be more sensitive to. If you suffer from any of these conditions along with your asthma, make sure you tell your doctor.
Properly use the inhaler every time you must use it. A lot of people use inhalers improperly, so be sure that you’re adhering to the manufacturer’s suggested instructions. The medicine in the inhaler only works if it actually makes it to your lungs. Inhale air while spraying the necessary amount of medication into your mouth. Then, don’t breathe for around 10 seconds so that the medication permeates your lungs.
If you suffer from asthma, and have many attacks that are related to your allergy symptoms, there is a medication that is injected and provides long term effects. An excellent antibody medication that works well to control asthma symptoms, brought on by allergic reactions is called Omalizumab, and can be administered by your allergist.
Take a lot of Vitamin E and C if you are suffering from asthma. They help to increase the function of the lungs and control the overall symptoms of asthma. You can get these vitamins from food or take a supplement. These vitamins can improve your immune system to prevent asthma triggers.
Think about buying a dehumidifier if your asthma symptoms are bad. Cutting down the humidity in the house will lower the amount dust mites in the air, and that will mean fewer asthma flare-ups. Air is kept dry by dehumidifiers by sucking the humidity out of it.
Buy products that are unscented if you suffer from asthma. Using scented products, like air fresheners and perfume, will increase the level of air pollution and is likely to trigger an attack. Certain things in the home, such as newly installed carpet or fresh paint, can also release chemical irritants. Because the dangers these things represent, it is important to always keep indoor air fresh to the best of your ability.
You must have regular asthma reviews, even if you are not having any problems. It is important to make sure your condition isn’t worsening, and your doctor may want to prescribe a different medication.
To lower the chances of an asthma attack, keep your house as clean as can be, especially the bedroom. Only eat in the kitchen, and never let anyone smoke inside the house. If you clean with any harsh chemicals or bleach, make sure to ventilate thoroughly afterwards.
Making mouth and nose coverings such as mufflers, shawls or scarves a routine part of your winter wardrobe can help you ward off 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 suffer from asthma, consider using a feather-free pillow to sleep. Feathers can have a negative effect on the lungs and can worsen asthma symptoms. The same rule holds true for bedding. Choose sheets and a comforter that are constructed from materials known for being hypoallergenic.
Anyone with asthma should stay far away from smoke. Smoke is a major cause of asthma attacks. You should avoid cigarette smoke, vapors, and chemical fumes as much as possible. The more you are exposed to fumes, vapors and smoke, the more likely you are to have an asthma attack. If someone starts smoking near you, politely inquire whether they can smoke in your absence.
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. If you often have difficulty breathing or a persistent cough, it would be wise to make an appointment with your physician, so he or she can confirm whether you have asthma. If you do, your doctor can then prescribe medications to manage or treat it.
Bed Linens
Asthma sufferers should avoid coming into contact with both domestic and farm animals. Animals carry pollen and dust with them and can trigger serious asthma attacks.
Allergens, dust, pollen and other things that can aggravate your asthma tend to collect inside bed linens. You can avoid this by making sure to wash your bed linens in hot water at least once a week. Fresh linens, washed regularly, can ensure you breathe better as you sleep.
Avoid aggravating your asthma condition while sleeping by covering your mattress and pillows with plastic before putting clean linens on. These threats can be reduced or even eliminated by keeping your bed linens laundered every week using hot water. The freshly laundered linens will make it easier for you to breath when you are sleeping.
People with asthma should not smoke. Smoking is an unhealthy habit for everyone, but it poses an even greater danger to people with asthma. Your lungs could become very irritated if you smoke, and you should avoid being around others that are smoking.
If you have asthma and allergies, do not use a vaporizer or humidifier unless you make sure that it has been cleaned thoroughly. If you allow bacteria to breed in the moist environment of the machine, you will just be pumping allergens into the air that you are trying to humidify.
If the pollen count is rising, stay indoors when possible. The same pollens and other irritants that cause trouble for allergy sufferers are also concerns for asthma sufferers, even though the two are quite distinct conditions. Now there’s information on local air quality available so you can monitor whether you’re going to be exposed to hard to breath air.
Don’t panic when you have an asthma attack. Locate your inhaler, inhale deeply with the spray, and allow 30 seconds to pass before you reuse it. If the attack gets worse doesn’t get better, then get help immediately. Ask a family member or friend to call for ambulatory help or to drive you to the emergency room. While heading to the hospital, breathe into a paper bag; it will slow your breathing rate and help reduce the attack.
If you have asthma, you must know how to use your inhaler properly. You cannot just spray it in your mouth and lightly inhale. You must breathe deeply for at least a few seconds when using your inhaler. Properly using your asthma inhaler is one of the most important ways you, as a person with asthma, can protect your health.
Educate yourself about asthma. Knowledge is power, and enlightened proactive steps yield immeasurable dividends in your treatment and management regimen. Stay current with treatment technology and get yourself the best care that you can. The only way for you gain this knowledge would be to learn what your type of condition is and the treatment options.
Now that you are aware of some simple asthma facts, you should have an idea on how to manage the respiratory problems associated with asthma, and make you more confident to take care of this issue. Asthma sufferers, be it you or someone you know, should realize that having asthma does not have to ruin your life.
It can help out to meet and talk with others who have asthma. They can give you pointers and tips on what to do in certain situations, and can help you in your fight against asthma. As with anything else, having the right support system can make a difference in how asthma affects your life.