Asthma is a condition that will give you a lifelong struggle. It diminishes your capacity for normal activities, like taking a simple walk. There’s no cure for asthma, and keeping it under control can be challenging. That said, there ARE tips and techniques which can make managing your asthma and returning to a full life possible, and we’ve included many in this article. Read on!
Do all you can to learn not just about asthma, but your particular asthma. If you know as much as you can about the kind of asthma that you have, you can find out how to battle it day-by-day. Those whose asthma is exacerbated by exercise will know to always have an inhaler on hand. Knowing your asthma symptom patterns will help keep you safe.
A great idea to help your child with asthmatic problems is to avoid smoking in any areas they frequent. There’s a long list of environmental asthma triggers, and secondhand smoke is at the top of it. Always ensure your child is in a smoke-free area.
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 a leading cause of asthma, and it can also trigger an asthma attack. Also, do not let your child around others who smoke.
Avoid anything that is known to trigger your asthma. For some people, this is allergy related; things like pollen and dust can start an attack. Some things, such as physical exertion, can cause an asthma attack. Try to figure out when your asthma began so it can be avoided.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma, you must avoid cigarette smoke at all costs. Refrain from smoking! Avoid breathing chemical fumes and vapors. A severe asthma attack can be life threatening. The minute you spot people smoking, immediately remove yourself from the area.
Asthma is an ongoing disease and requires ongoing health management. You need to always take your medications for your everyday symptoms, and keep your quick relief medication with you in case you do have an attack. Discuss your best options with your allergist and doctor.
Resist the urge to turn on a fan if you find yourself in a room filled with dust. This can move the dust around and can trigger an attack easily. If you wish to have a breeze, open a window instead of running a fan.
If the room that you’re in is dusty, do not turn on a fan. This will move all the dust around, and can easily trigger an asthma attack. It’s better to open the window if you’re in need of fresh air.
You and your loved ones need to get a flu vaccination every year. Keep yourself healthy, and without respiratory infections as best you can. It is important to do things like hand washing and receiving proper vaccinations.
Consider getting allergy shots if you have asthma that is caused by allergies that aren’t under control. Omalizumab is one such medication, and can control the allergic symptoms you may be experienced. An allergist will be able to tell you if this is a good option.
Make sure you are taking plenty of Vitamins E and C if you suffer from asthma. These vitamins make lungs function better and keep symptoms of asthma under control. You can get both of these vitamins from eating certain foods, or by taking the vitamins in supplement form. Vitamins C and E are necessary for a healthy immune system. If your immune system isn’t healthy, it won’t be able to fight off illnesses that cause asthma attacks.
Make proper use of your inhaler. Find a good place and follow all of the directions that have been provided by the maker of the product. You can inhale all you want, but it’s useless if the medication doesn’t make it to your lungs. As you are inhaling air, spray the correct dosage in your mouth. Allow the mist to fill up your lungs by holding your breath at least ten seconds.
People suffering from asthma should stick to unscented products. Using products with scents, like perfume, incense and air fresheners, boosts the amount of air pollution indoors and can bring on an attack. Certain things in the home, such as newly installed carpet or fresh paint, can also release chemical irritants. As much as possible, try to keep your home filled with fresh, pure air.
Talk to a social worker if you do not have health insurance and need medication for your asthma. Social workers are often able to locate a hospital or clinic that can offer free or low cost options to make sure you can fill your medication prescriptions.
If you have asthma, you should get a flu shot once per year. This annual flu shot will prevent infectious damage to your lungs.
When you are suffering from asthma and you have hay fever or a cold, you will most likely need an increase in your treatment. Many illnesses have side effects that could cause your asthma to flare up so badly that you need to have an increase in treatment. Your physician may even recommend that you take additional medication until you recover.
Avoid pillows with feathers if you have asthma. Feathers can have a negative effect on the lungs and can worsen asthma symptoms. Patients should also buy hypoallergenic bedding.
Regardless of whether your asthma has been flaring up, don’t neglect routine checkups. Asthma can flare-up at any time, and you never know, perhaps your doctor has safer or better medications which can help your symptoms.
Even if your asthma is not acting up, attend all of your doctor’s appointments. It is important to make sure your condition isn’t worsening, and your doctor may want to prescribe a different medication.
Asthma is a disease that effects the respiratory system, and can take many years to develop, often times going undetected. There are many cases where people have died from their first asthma attack, without even being aware that they were at risk. So, if you have a lingering cough or instances of troubled breathing, you should see a doctor to see if you might have asthma and determine whether you may need medication to either prevent or treat asthma.
During cold months, you could avoid asthma attacks by constantly wearing a shawl, muffler or a scarf that covers both your mouth and nose. This will warm the air up before you breathe it into your lungs. Cold air can be a nuisance and breathing it has actually proven to trigger asthma attacks. This is especially true for younger children who have severe or moderate asthma.
Avoid smoke to prevent asthma and asthma attacks. Smoking can trigger a person who has asthma to have an attack. Vapors, cigarette smoke, and chemical fumes should be avoided. These are all common triggers and can aggravate asthma symptoms. If you know someone who smokes, politely ask that they do not smoke in your presence.
Asthma is a disease that can develop slowly over time, making it sometimes difficult to spot the symptoms. In some serious cases, people have dropped dead due to an asthma attack without ever knowing they had asthma in the first place. Discuss with your doctor if you are having problems trying to catch your breath or have had a persistent cough for a while. There is the possibility that you have developed asthma, and if so, your doctor can tell you what the best method to treat it would be.
For people with serious asthma, exposure to household pets should be limited. Though dander allergies are often seen in conjunction with asthma, even asthmatics who are not allergic may have attacks that are triggered by the ancillary irritants transported by animals, including pollen and dust.
During the week, you should take note each time your rescue inhaler is used. If you are utilizing your inhaler more than two times per day, you might not be controlling asthma as well as you think you are! How often an inhaler is used can help to monitor the environment.
Smoking cigarettes is not a choice that should be made. A lot of people know that smoking is bad for you, but if you have asthma it is far worse. Asthmatic lungs are extremely sensitive, and should not be exposed to smoke. Someone who has asthma should not only avoid smoking, but should also try to avoid being exposed to people smoking in their vicinity.
If you are cleaning, you should use a mop that is damp instead of a dry broom. Sweeping stirs up irritants that can trigger an asthma attack. In the same vein, choose a damp rag as opposed to a feather duster when dusting, as this prevents dust from flying about.
If the pollen count is rising, stay indoors when possible. While asthma and allergies are separate illnesses, you’ll find that the triggers for one tend to be mirrored in the other. Information about local air quality is available in many areas so that those with asthma can reduce their outdoor exposure if irritants are within the air.
Do all you can to educate yourself about asthma. The more educated you are about your asthma, the more proactive you can be about your treatment. Stay as current as you can to ensure you get the best possible care. You can do this by educating yourself on your condition and the treatment options that are available to you.
As the above article has stated, asthma is a terrible condition that should never be taken lightly. Take any necessary steps in managing your symptoms, and if they begin to overwhelm you get professional assistance. Understand that it will require some pretty large changes in your life if you wish to live healthily, but they can be accommodated in a minimal and even enjoyable manner.
If you have asthma, visit your doctor every three or four months so that they can help you monitor your health. Your physician can assess if there’s been any changes in your condition, and adjust your treatment plan accordingly. Your doctor is busy, so it’s on you to set and keep your appointments.