It is common to be scared when a doctor gives you a diagnosis of asthma. There is not a cure for asthma; it is a lifelong condition. Believe it or not, however, life does go on even after you are diagnosed with this condition. Here you will see some simple methods to manage your asthma to keep you safe and healthy.
What triggers your asthma? Knowing as much as possible about your specific type of asthma will go an incredibly long way in helping you combat the day-to-day effects it has on you. For example, if you have exercise-induced asthma, you will want to always make sure you have an inhaler in your gym bag. Treating asthma is less difficult if you and your physician are aware of the triggers that bring on an attack.
Do not smoke around a child with asthma. Secondhand smoke is known to be a reason asthma happens. You should never put your children in a situation where they are exposed to people who are smoking.
Smoking should never be done around children, especially a child who suffers from asthma. Secondhand smoke is almost as dangerous to asthmatics as actually smoking a cigarette. Any place where smoking is allowed should be avoided if you have a child with asthma.
Avoid being around any known asthma triggers. For some people, it may be related to allergies, such as a reaction to dust or pollen. For others, it may be linked to physical exertion. Try to see what cause your asthma so that you can avoid it.
Make certain that all members of your family get their annual flu shot. You do not want to have a respiratory infection if you have asthma. This means that you should take all standard precautions to avoid illness, such as washing your hands, getting vaccinated and avoiding those who are sick.
Asthma is a disease that is ongoing and must be attended to every day. Be certain that you are using the right maintenance medicines to control your asthma and that you also have a rescue or emergency medication when you have an acute asthma attack. Find out from your allergist and your doctor what is best for you.
If you suffer from asthma, don’t expose yourself to secondhand smoke. When you breathe in smoke, especially in small spaces, it diminishes breathing ability, which greatly increases the probability of an asthma attack.
Proper knowledge of how to use your inhaler is necessary if you have asthma. Find a quiet spot and follow the instructions the manufacturer has given. The medicine in the inhaler only works if it actually makes it to your lungs. Spray the dosage into the mouth while you inhale air. Hold your breath for at least 10 seconds to allow the medicated mist to fill your lungs.
Keep dust and dirt to a minimum in any bedroom where an asthma sufferer sleeps. Food should be eaten only in the kitchen or dining room, and cigarettes are best relegated to outdoor smoking areas. When cleaning your home, try not to use products that contain harsh chemicals, such as bleach. You should also allow fresh air to thoroughly circulate throughout your home after you’re done cleaning it.
Social workers are there for your assistance if you live with asthma, yet can’t get approved for health insurance. A social worker can possibly help you with finding treatment and low-cost medications.
Asthmatic patients should avoid using feather pillows. The feathers from a pillow can cause asthma symptoms and decrease your lung function. The same it true for bedding, try purchasing sheets and comforters that are created from hypoallergenic materials.
If you have asthma, a dehumidifier is something you should consider purchasing for you home. When your home has less humidity, there are less dust mites, and that minimizes the chances of an asthma flare-up. Try running a dehumidifier to dry up the air in your home.
Keep all your regularly scheduled asthma appointments, regardless of how you are feeling. You can not predict when an attack might hit you, or if your doctor has found a different medication that is safer and will help your symptoms more.
If you use any more than four kinds of cleaning product around your home, then the risk of an asthma attack is increased. To limit the chemicals in the air, look for organic cleaning alternatives.
You can join an online or offline support group. Asthma, especially severe asthma, can be a debilitating condition and prevent you from participating fully in daily life. Also, communicating with other people with asthma will keep you in the know about changes in how the condition is understood and treated.
Asthma Attack
Know the right way to take your asthma medication, and above all any rescue medication. Asthma is usually treated by using a regular medicine supplemented with a rescue medicine, like an inhaler. Asthma is considered a chronic condition. For this reason, you should take the management of it very seriously.
Unscented products are best for asthma sufferers. Products that contain strong scents, like incense, perfume, or air freshener can trigger an asthma attack just by lingering in the air. In addition, paint that is fresh or carpet that is new release odors that can cause breathing irritations that lead to an asthma attack. Try keeping the air indoors as fresh as it can be.
If you are taking an airplane and you need to travel with your asthma apparatus or medications, bring your written prescription with you. If you have the proof that this is a medical necessity, it can cause less hassles during the security check.
Try to keep your home as clean as possible, especially the bedroom of the asthma sufferer, to reduce the risk of an asthma attack. Keep food consumption to the kitchen and the dining room, and never allow anyone to smoke in the house. Once you have cleaned your house, air it out; you should also eliminate utilizing any toxic chemicals inside.
During the week, you should take note each time your rescue inhaler is used. If you find that you are relying on it more than two times a week, your asthma is possibly not being well-controlled. If you notice an increased use in your inhaler, reexamine your management plan and check for any changes in your surroundings that may be triggering the asthma.
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. A lot of asthma sufferers have some triggers in common, like pollen, smoke and pet dander. Whenever you can, just steer clear of these triggers when you know what they would result in.
You should have limited contact with animals, as it can cause you to have an asthmatic reaction. Animals carry pollen and dust with them and can trigger serious asthma attacks.
If you suffer from asthma, you should refrain from sleeping on a pillow that contains feathers. Feathers can have a negative effect on the lungs and can worsen asthma symptoms. The same reasoning applies to all bedding – only purchase bed sheets and comforters that are manufactured from hypoallergenic materials.
Do not smoke! Smoking is one of the worst things a person with asthma can do. Smoke irritates the lungs of an asthma sufferer, so avoid the presence of people who smoke if you have asthma.
As this article has shown, being prepared can help you to live your life despite being diagnosed with asthma. Knowing about your personal asthma situation and how you can effectively manage it on a daily basis is going to help you avoid crises. This article is your first step to building a knowledge base to combat this disease effectively!
When pollen counts begin to rise, then anyone who suffers from asthma should just stay inside as much as they can. Even though asthma is not considered to be an allergy, asthma is triggered by the same things that cause allergies. Many areas provide air quality information publicly, allowing you to stay indoors when the air outside is poor.