Asthma is one of a handful of medical conditions that can hugely impact your daily life. One of the best methods to deal with asthma is to understand how to prevent attacks before they begin. There are many tips in this article that can help you control your asthma.
Do you know the type of asthma that you suffer with? Learning about your type of asthma will help you to deal with it. Those whose asthma is exacerbated by exercise will know to always have an inhaler on hand. You can avoid any future crisis by knowing and figuring out patterns of the symptoms you have.
Cleaning Products
If you suffer from asthma, it is vital that you avoid smoking; if you do, you should quit. Smoking is bad for everyone, but it’s particularly dangerous for an asthma sufferer, as it cuts off vital oxygen to the lungs.
Cleaning products should be avoided when you have asthma. Cleaning products contain a plethora of chemicals that are triggers to exacerbating symptoms related to asthma, as well as the attacks themselves. If you clean the home, there are many natural products that are safe to use.
Utilize the inhaler correctly. An inhaler is most effective if used in a relaxed location and according to the maker’s instructions. Your inhaler will only help if you breathe very deeply. Spray the stated dose of medicine into your mouth as you inhale. Make sure you hold your breath for 10 seconds or more to get the medications into your lungs.
Some medications can exacerbate asthma symptoms as a side effect. Aspirin and other NSAIDs are known to be asthma triggers. You should also pay attention to heart medications you may take, or ones that treat abnormal blood pressure. Let your doctor know about your asthma and what prescriptions you’re taking.
Vitamins C and E can greatly assist you in fighting asthma attacks. They are believed to aid respiratory function and to be instrumental in keeping your asthma in check. You are able to get these vitamins either from food or a supplement. Another great benefit of vitamin C is that it will help to strengthen your immune system overall.
Asthma is a chronic disease that requires ongoing, consistent management and care. Always be very sure that you’re taking the right type of medication for your condition if you hope to control it. It’s also important to have a quick-relief medication available. Consult with your physician and allergist to find out what is best for you.
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. You can suffer an asthma attack if you are around cigarette smoke because it makes your lungs function poorly. You are even more exposed to an attack when the smoke is in a closed-in room or area.
There are certain types of household cleaning products that can trigger asthma attacks, and using multiple products is particularly dangerous. Try using organic cleaning products that are not comprised of irritating chemicals.
Understand what things make your asthma flare and avoid these things or manage the symptoms. Asthma sufferers generally have different triggers in common like pollen, pet dander and smoke. When it is possible avoid substances that make you have symptoms or attacks.
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. Food should not be eaten outside of the kitchen, and there should be no indoor smoking. Don’t use strong cleaners or bleach and air out the house immediately following cleaning.
If you are cleaning, you should use a mop that is damp instead of a dry broom. Vacuuming or wet-mopping are better than sweeping because they don’t stir up dust and debris that might induce an asthma attack. When you dust, use a damp cloth instead of a feather duster which can spread these triggers.
Annual Flu Shot
Avoiding smoke is key in controlling asthma. Smoke can cause asthma attacks. Make sure to stay away from chemical fumes and cigarette smoke whenever possible. Any one of these things can aggravate asthma symptoms and cause an episode. Ask any smokers not to smoke in your presence.
An annual flu shot is crucial if you have asthma or have an asthmatic child. This annual flu shot will prevent infectious damage to your lungs.
Your bed linens are where pollen, dust and other allergens like to collect. You may cut down on these potential inducers of an asthma attack by cleaning your sheets and pillows in hot water each week. Fresh bed linens, laundered on a regular basis, will keep you breathing clearly and easily at night while you slumber.
Those who have asthma should avoid down pillows. The feathers can make asthma worse and take away from your ability to breathe. The same rule holds true for bedding. Choose sheets and a comforter that are constructed from materials known for being hypoallergenic.
Asthma sufferers should stay indoors as much as possible when pollen counts rise. Even though asthma is not technically an allergy, those who suffer from allergies often find their condition is exacerbated by the same irritants and triggers that those afflicted with asthma are affected by as well. You can get the information about air quality in the area you are in; people who suffer from asthma should stay indoors if their air quality is low.
Have your rescue inhaler with you at all times, especially when on vacation. When you travel, you sometimes strain your body a little more than you think, which can make you a bit more susceptible to having asthma attacks. It is often hard to maintain the right kind of environment when you are traveling, and this may heighten the risk of an asthma attack or worsening symptoms.
If you suffer from asthma or allergies, avoid using a vaporizer or humidifier unless it is consistently and thoroughly cleaned. Bacteria can build up in the moisture of these machines, and get relayed into the very environment that you are attempting to make more conducive to your condition.
You can join an online or offline support group. Asthma, especially if it is severe, can be quite debilitating and can keep you from being an active participant in life. Also, other asthma sufferers can alert you to scientific breakthroughs and changes, such as new medications.
If you experience an asthma attack, 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. Have someone drive you directly to the hospital or call an ambulance for you. Try breathing in a paper bag to slow your breathing on the way there.
Mildew and mold grow best in a home with high humidity. You can get asthma attacks because of these substances. Therefore, you should always strive to maintain a dry home. When it’s cold, a dehumidifier can keep moisture to a minimum; in hot months, your A/C unit will do the same thing.
It is important to visit with your doctor often, every two months or so, in order to stay on top of your asthma. At your doctor’s visit, the doctor will evaluate your asthma and make any changes to your treatment plan if they are required. You are the one who needs to make sure that these appointments happen to stay healthy.
Asthma Attacks
If you want to paint something, get a mask to protect yourself from the fumes. The fumes from the pain can irritate your asthma. By using a mask, you will keep yourself from inhaling the majority of these fumes. Learn what type of chemicals trigger your asthma and try to stay away from them.
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 before it gets in your lungs. Inhalation of cold air is proven to initiate asthma attacks, and younger kids afflicted with asthma of moderate or severe proportions are especially at risk.
Eat more foods that are rich in B6 vitamins. In many studies, it has been shown that vitamin B6 (which is also called pyridoxine) decreases the intensity and frequency of asthma attacks. Vitamin B6 is essential for producing chemicals that cause lung tissue to relax. People who need additional vitamin B6 should eat bananas.
Let your asthma specialist know if treatments are not effective. Try using the tips in the article so that you can reduce the frequency of attacks and keep your symptoms in check, and possibly enjoy life more.
If you are prone to asthma attacks, you need to find out what triggers them. A good way to do this is to keep a small journal or notebook. Record each asthma attack and what was happening when it occurred. Discuss this information with your doctor, and he will help you to identify triggers. After you figure out what your triggers are, do everything in your power to avoid exposure to them.