Asthma symptoms might be difficult to manage if they are left unchecked. Not only can asthma attacks prove severe, some are flat out fatal. It is important to consult with physicians, though there are additional things you can do to help your own situation. The following article will give you advice to help control your asthma.
What triggers your asthma? Being aware of your specific condition will help you combat the effects it has over your body day in and day out. For example, if your asthma is often triggered by workouts, your inhaler should always be on hand when you exercise. You will be able to prevent asthma attacks if you can recognize symptoms.
Do you know the type of asthma that you suffer with? One of the best ways to combat asthma and its limiting effects on your life is to know and understand as much as you can about your specific condition. One example of this is exercise-induced asthma. This type of asthmatic will need to carry his inhaler with him when he goes for a run. Knowing when an asthma attack is likely to strike can help you avert disaster.
It is crucial for asthma sufferers not to smoke. Smoking is unhealthy for anyone, but it is especially dangerous for someone with asthma. This is because your lungs and airway are already compromised by your condition.
The symptoms of asthma might not always be apparent, but for those that suffer from the disease, the condition never goes away entirely. Take the proper medications for controlling your asthma daily, and keep quick relief medication somewhere on you just in case you have a sudden attack. Speak to an allergist and doctor to see what’s best for you.
Some medications that you may take unknowingly can cause you to have asthma symptoms. A couple of common culprits that do this are aspirin and NSAIDs. Beta blockers that are used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease can develop asthma like symptoms. Let your doctor know about your asthma and what prescriptions you’re taking.
When you suffer a medium-intensity attack, try and forcefully exhale all air from your lungs. Breathe out fast and hard. This will force the air from your lungs. Take three short breaths, and then take a fourth, deeper breath to fill your lungs comfortably; then, breathe out with force again. Using this strategy provides your breathing with a rhythm that forces you to focus on it. It also helps to push air out from your lungs so new air can come back in. It is okay to cough, even to generate sputum. Your ultimate goal is getting your breathing regulated.
Keep rooms free of dust, and do not turn on a fan if you do have dusty rooms. This will cause the dust to move around, which could cause an asthma attack. If you wish to have a breeze, open a window instead of running a fan.
Always use your inhaler in the proper manner. Find a relaxing spot, and be sure that you follow the directions that the manufacturer provided. The inhaler can only help you if the medication actually reaches the lungs. The dosage that is required should be sprayed into the mouth while you inhale air. You should keep your breath held for 10 seconds at a minimum to let the medicated mist fill up your lungs.
Make sure that everyone in your family gets their flu shot. Asthma patients should try their best to avoid getting respiratory infections. Take standard precautions against any kind of illness, and start washing those hands and getting vaccinations that will protect you from getting very sick.
Be sure not to smoke as well as stay away from any smokers in general, this can be very harmful for you if you have asthma. When you breathe in smoke, especially in small spaces, it diminishes breathing ability, which greatly increases the probability of an asthma attack.
Asthma attacks have been found to be more likely in homes where four or more different cleaning products are in use. Choose instead organic products that are not filled with harmful chemicals.
Scented Products
If you suffer from asthma, don’t expose yourself to secondhand smoke. Tobacco smoke causes your lung function to decrease, increasing the risk of a very severe attack, especially in enclosed rooms without much air flow or ventilation.
Scented products could cause averse reactions to asthma sufferers. It is safest to use unscented products when possible. Scented products should be avoided, such as air fresheners, perfume, and incense. These can increase the amount of air pollution in the home and even trigger an attack. Irritating odors are also given off by new carpeting and paints. Try to maintain fresh air inside your home.
You will need to keep your residence really clean, especially the bedroom where the asthma sufferer sleeps in order to help lessen the chances of an attack. Only permit food in designated eating areas, such as the kitchen or dining room, and don’t allow smoking inside the house at all. Bypass chemicals when cleaning your home if at all possible, and be sure to open doors and windows afterwards.
Whenever you travel, always keep your rescue inhaler or other fast-acting medication by your side at all times. 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.
Regular flu shots are important if you or one of your children suffer from asthma. Regular vaccinations will help you and your children to avoid lung infections.
To stay out in front of your asthma, make sure that you see the doctor to receive regular checkups. You never know when you might suffer another flare-up, or when your doctor might have a better or safer medication to prescribe for your symptoms.
Make sure to examine what it is that causes your asthma attacks in order to best avoid having to deal with them. Most with asthma share common triggers, like pet dander, pollen or smoke. Avoid these things when you can to breathe easier.
Humidity is a problem in the home, because it creates conditions that are perfect for mildew and mold growth. You can get asthma attacks because of these substances. To halt the growth of mold and mildew keep your home’s humidity low. In the winter months, use a dehumidifier in order to get rid of moisture. Your air conditioner will keep it dry in the summer.
Avoid using a feather or down pillow if you have asthma. Pillow feathers force the lungs to work harder and can exacerbate asthma problems. This extends to the rest of your bedding, as well. There are hypoallergenic comforters and sheets you can use to limit asthma symptoms.
Know the right way to take your asthma medication, and above all any rescue medication. Asthma is usually treated on two fronts. One is a standard medication, taken daily, and the other is an inhaler, intended for use in an emergency. Since asthma is chronic in nature, appropriate application and use of both management and rescue medicines is vital.
Think about signing up for a support group locally or online. Asthma, especially if it is severe, can be quite debilitating and can keep you from being an active participant in life. A support group will help you have a good time and forget about your condition once in a while, as well as as keep you informed about the latest innovations.
Asthma generally develops over a period of time, and the symptoms are not always obvious. There have even been cases where people die from the first asthma attack they had, without knowing they had the condition. So, if you are having trouble coughing and breathing, talk to a doctor to see if you need treatment. You might receive a prescription to treat or prevent asthma.
Mold and mildew can thrive in a humid home environment. These substances are prime triggers for asthma attacks. Therefore, it is important to maintain a dry home. When you use the heater in the winter, be sure to have a dehumidifier control the humidity in your home. During the summer time, be sure to use the air conditioner to maintain a dry home.
If you are going to be flying and are bringing your asthma medicine with you, take written prescriptions from your physician with you, especially if you will be taking large equipment like a nebulizer. Without a written prescription stating that the item is medically necessary, you may experience frustration and delays at security checkpoints.
Asthma is a disease that can develop slowly over time, making it sometimes difficult to spot the symptoms. There are lots of cases where people die of an asthma attack without knowing they had asthma. It is advised that you seek out a medical professional if you ever have shortness of breath or experience constant coughing; this may be a sign that you suffer from asthma and need proper medication to prevent an asthma attack and keep your condition under control.
Rescue Inhaler
If you are traveling by plane and must bring inhalers or nebulizers on board, you should bring a written prescription for the equipment. Having proof in writing from a doctor that states the item is a medical necessity can eliminate security hassles.
See how many times a week you typically use the rescue inhaler. If you use it more than two times, your asthma might not be well-controlled or you may have unusual occurrences causing those frequent attacks. How often you use your rescue inhaler should serve as a reminder that your environment needs to be monitored.
Monitor how often, each week, you need your rescue inhaler. It is possible that your asthma may be out of control or that there are extenuating circumstances that are exacerbating your condition. 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.
When you are cleaning your home, it is always better to use a wet mop rather than sweeping your floors. Sweeping sends dust and dander back into the air and could trigger an asthma attack. When you dust, use a damp cloth instead of a feather duster which can spread these triggers.
Have more than one medical professional look at your asthma problems. While your primary care physician should be your go-to source for asthma help, consider making an appointment with a specialist or two. Allergists, asthma centers, pulmonologists, and even nutritionists can work with you to make sure you are taking advantage of all avenues of treatment.
Asthma is an uncurable disease, but that doesn’t mean that the symptoms are permanent and can’t go away. However, just like most things in life, overcoming your asthma symptoms takes time and effort. If you follow these easy tips, you’ll find that your symptoms will get better over time and you’ll be able to enjoy a healthier, more active lifestyle.
If you’ve been diagnosed with asthma, it is crucial that you understand how to properly use your inhaler. It is not as simple as spraying it into your mouth and breathing in. Every single time that you spray the inhaler into your mouth, you must, for a couple of seconds, breathe deeply. Neglecting to learn how to use your inhaler correctly will cause your symptoms to worsen significantly.