Asthma is probably one of the most terrifying conditions as it can come and go swiftly, restricting your ability to properly breathe. You could get an asthma attack at any time and must always be prepared. This article provides a wealth of information about why asthma attacks occur, and it gives you some tips for coping with it and lessening the limits it might put on you.
Do you know what sub-type of asthma you’re plagued with? Being aware of your specific condition will help you combat the effects it has over your body day in and day out. People who suffer from exercise-induced asthma should consider carrying an emergency inhaler in their bag. When you know what triggers your asthma, you will be more prepared to stop attacks before they begin.
It is very important that an asthma sufferer refrain from smoking, if you do then it is advisable you quit now. Smoking is unhealthy for anyone, regardless of their health; however, when you have asthma, smoking restricts the oxygen your lungs needs to breathe and function properly. If your lung function is affected, you run the risk of having more frequent attacks.
Do not smoke around a child with asthma. Secondhand smoke is a trigger for asthma attacks, not to mention the myriad of other diseases it can cause. Any place where smoking is allowed should be avoided if you have a child with asthma.
Cleaning Products
It is important that you try to stay clear of cleaning products if you have asthma. A lot of the cleaning products have certain chemicals in them which can trigger asthma attacks. There are many all-natural organic cleaning products available that may help eliminate asthmatic problems.
When you have asthma, it is vital that you avoid cleaning products. Cleaning products may contain chemicals which can trigger an asthmatic episode, such as ammonia. If you’re the one that cleans your home, try organic or natural cleaning solutions that are much less risky to your health.
When you suffer a medium-intensity attack, try and forcefully exhale all air from your lungs. When you breathe out, exhale the air quickly and as hard as you can. Really expel the air from your lungs! Then take three small breaths in, followed by a deeper breath to fill your lungs comfortably. Next, exhale forcefully again. Paying attention this way will help you stabilize your breathing and make it rhythmic. It will also help to get the air to come out of the lungs so more can come in. This breathing technique may cause some coughing or sputum, but it can help regulate your breathing and reduce the attack.
You need to avoid all of the asthma triggers that you know. Some people have allergies that cause asthma, and allergens such as dust and pollen can cause an attack. Others may need to avoid certain physical activities to keep from suffering an attack. Determine what your trigger is so you can easily avoid an attack.
Use the inhaler the right way. Find a quiet spot and follow the instructions the manufacturer has given. The inhaler will only work if the medicine reaches your lungs. Inhale the air and spray the right amount down your throat. Hold in your breath for 10 seconds so the medicine works properly.
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that requires constant management. Make sure that your daily routine includes taking appropriate medication to keep you free of asthma symptoms, along with additional medication to treat you for any sudden asthma attacks. Discuss treatment strategies with both your primary care physician and your allergist.
Consider supplementing your diet with Vitamins E and C when you suffer from asthma. These vitamins can help improve your lung function, ultimately controlling asthma. These vitamins can be easily obtained, either through your diet or a supplement. Getting enough vitamins is also a good way to prevent asthma attacks by boosting your immune system.
Asthma sufferers should avoid smoking cigarettes and any place that has cigarette smoke. Smoking is off limits. Inhaling the chemical-laden fumes and even the vapors from cigarettes can be extremely harmful. Any of these things can trigger an asthma attack. If people smoke around you, you should get away form that area.
Make sure you get a flu shot once a year if you suffer from asthma. Stave off these infections immediately by getting your vaccinations yearly.
If you have asthma and have frequent attacks that are related to allergies, there are medicines that can be injected to provide you with long-term relief. An antibody medicine under the name Omalizumab can be used to reduce these symptoms caused by allergies and might be prescribed by your allergist.
If you are dealing with asthma, a good idea is to use a pillow without feathers. Feathers can trigger asthma symptoms and reduce lung function. The same can be said for bedding, try to get hypoallergenic comforters and sheets.
You and your loved ones need to get a flu vaccination every year. If you have asthma, it’s important to prevent all respiratory infections, if at all possible. Making sure to consistently wash your hands, and getting the proper vaccinations are two standard precautions.
Keep all your regularly scheduled asthma appointments, regardless of how you are feeling. You can never tell when an attack will strike, or when your physician may have some better or safer advice for you to follow.
Keep your home meticulously clean to reduce attack potential if there is an asthma sufferer living there, especially the bedroom. Don’t smoke indoors, or allow any junk food in your home. After cleaning around the house, open windows and allow fresh air into the house. This can reduce the smell and pervasiveness of household cleaners like bleach.
Some of the most notorious causes of asthma attacks exist in normal households. These are dust, mold and spores. To stay healthy and reduce the chance of asthma attacks, you should have an inspector visit your house yearly to remove these harmful agents. Furthermore, thorough and frequent cleaning will ensure that allergens and other possible triggers do not accumulate in your home.
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. Common triggers among asthma sufferers are smoke, pollen, or pet dander. Try to avoid the things that make your asthma flare up.
Do not allow mold or mildew to grow in your home, because they can be extremely dangerous for asthma sufferers. This stuff can easily set off an asthma attack. So, it makes sense to keep dry air in your home. One way to control the humidity in the house is to employ a dehumidifier to pull out the excess moisture.
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. Also, make sure your other bedding is made with hypoallergenic materials.
Allergens and asthma triggers, such as dust and pollen can cling to your bed linens. You can get rid of these by washing your sheets and other linens in very hot water each week. If there are always fresh linens on your bed, you are much more likely to sleep restfully without unexpected asthma attacks.
If you are taking your prescriptions with you on a flight, make sure to take your prescription. Carrying your prescriptions along with written proof that they are medically necessary, will cut down on potential problems at the airport checkpoints.
Get a second opinion. It’s true your primary doctor should be your main source for all your asthma help, but it may be wise to see one or two asthma specialists. Asthma centers, pulmonologists, allergists or even nutritionists will be able to work with you, make certain that you check out all outlets offering treatment.
Clean your home with a wet mop instead of a broom. Those particles that can trigger asthma attacks are stirred up when you sweep. Also, use damp rags instead of feather dusters to dust your furniture.
Avoid smoking and people who are smokers. There is a general awareness that smoking is not good for your health. But for the asthmatic, smoking can quickly have serious consequences. Smoke greatly irritates the sensitive lungs of the person with asthma, so in addition to not smoking, someone with asthma should avoid people that are smoking.
Stay away from smoke if you have asthma. Smoke is a major cause of asthma attacks. Avoid any kind of chemical fumes, vapors, and tobacco smoke as much as you can. These can aggravate your asthma symptoms. If a person is smoking around you, politely ask him to smoke at times when you are somewhere else.
If you use your rescue inhaler more than two times a week, see a doctor to have your medication adjusted. Frequent asthma attacks indicate that your inhaled medication isn’t keeping your asthma under control. This is also true if you are refilling your rescue inhaler prescription more than twice a year.
Any time that pollen counts go up, anyone suffering from asthma would be wise to keep their outdoors time to a minimum. Asthma’s not an allergy, but many things that irritate allergies also irritate asthma. Technology has brought with it real-time air quality reports that can be consulted before exposure to outdoor air that may cause irritation to asthmatics.
Educate yourself about asthma. The more you educate yourself about your asthma condition, the more you are able to be proactive about your treatment. Make sure you are learning the newest information about treatments and get the best doctor to help you with it. The best thing to do is learn and research as much as you can about this condition and the treatment options that would be best for you.
If you are using a vaporizer or humidifier, you should thoroughly clean it prior to use. 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.
Check in with your doctor regularly to ensure that you are maintaining your asthma condition correctly and successfully. Your physician needs to evaluate how you are right now, and decide if any changes need to be made. It is your responsibility to make sure you make these appointments with your doctor so that he can follow up with you and keep you healthy.
If you find yourself relying on your rescue inhaler more often than twice weekly, it may be necessary to speak with your doctor about changing medication. Having to use your inhaler multiple times means the medicine you’re receiving isn’t working well enough and needs to be changed. Also, if you have to refill your inhaler more than twice in one year, then a visit to the doctor for a medication change is also in order.
If you are planning on painting a room in your house, buy a mask in advance to protect you from breathing in fumes. The fumes from paint can easily cause your asthma to flare up. Having a mask will help you to prevent this. Stay away from any chemicals or substance that could worsen your condition.
Check in with your doctor regularly to ensure that you are maintaining your asthma condition correctly and successfully. Frequent check-ups help your doctor evaluate the effectiveness of your current treatment plan and revise the plan as needed. You are in charge of scheduling your visits with your physician in order for him or her to properly take care of you.
Sometimes food allergies can trigger an asthma attack in children. Pay attention to any allergy symptoms your child develops after eating. If they develop hives or have difficulty breathing after consuming a specific food, have their pediatrician test them for that allergy. Allergies might be a symptom of an asthmatic condition that will appear later.
If not properly treated and managed, asthma may be a death sentence. If you follow the guidelines from this article, you will be better prepared to effectively manage the condition. Ultimately, you will be able to breathe easily and live a healthy life.
A place you can set aside in your home can help you reduce asthma symptoms in your home. A dehumidifier is an easy way to moderate the moisture in your air. Maintenance of steady humidity levels throughout your home cuts down on the seasonal attacks you might suffer.