Are you a part of millions of asthma sufferers that struggle with the symptoms? This article provides many easy tips that will help you be better able to control asthma symptoms.
Figure out what type of asthma you are suffering with. Being aware of your particular asthma condition can help you to effectively treat it on a daily basis. 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.
If asthma is something that you are afflicted with, then don’t smoke or immediately quit. Smoking is unhealthy for everyone, however it is especially bad for asthmatics. Your lungs are already compromised from the asthma and adding smoke to that will cut off the vital oxygen supply your lungs need to breathe.
Ensure your child is never around smoke to handle their asthma. Secondhand smoke is almost as dangerous to asthmatics as actually smoking a cigarette. Never allow anyone to smoke around your child, and teach them not to smoke as an adult themselves.
Always be very mindful of the type of medications you’re taking. Some meds out there might just trigger an asthma attack. A couple of common culprits that do this are aspirin and NSAIDs. You can also use medications that can control high blood pressure and heart disease, things like beta blockers. If you have asthma paired with heart disease or high blood pressure, tell your doctor.
Quit smoking or avoid smoke if you suffer from asthma. While smoking is bad for everyone, it’s particularly hard on an asthma sufferer as it restricts oxygen getting to the lungs.
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 treatment strategies with both your primary care physician and your allergist.
When you suffer from asthma, avoiding cleaning products is really important to do. Asthma sufferers are often sensitive to chemical cleaners; using these products can sometimes trigger asthma attacks. If you are responsible for cleaning your residence, think about purchasing natural products, which are less likely to set off your asthma.
Chemical Fumes
Should you wind up inside a really dusty room, don’t activate any fans. The fan will circulate the dust along with the air, which can cause it to get into your lungs and make your asthma worse. The better way would be to open a window to increase the airflow in the room.
Asthma sufferers should avoid smoking cigarettes and any place that has cigarette smoke. Refrain from smoking! Stay away from vapors and chemical fumes, too. This can trigger an asthma attack, which may be difficult to stop. Do everything you can to avoid cigarette smoke, air pollution, allergens and harsh chemical fumes to keep your asthma symptoms under control.
Be sure you and your family members get a yearly flu vaccination. Asthma patients should try their best to avoid getting respiratory infections. This includes taking standard precautions against illness, like hand washing, as well as getting vaccinations that can keep you from getting sick.
A dehumidifier is a beneficial investment for anyone with asthma. Decreasing the humidity in the house decreases dust mites, which decreases asthma flare ups. Use a dehumidifier, and the air you breath will be much less likely to cause your asthma to flare up.
If you have asthma, it might be helpful for you to buy a dehumidifier. By bringing down the humidity level, it will reduce dust mites and reduce asthma flare-ups. Dehumidifiers reduce humidity and keep the air in your home dry.
If you suffer from asthma and do not smoke, make sure to avoid people who do smoke. When you inhale tobacco smoke, the lung’s function can be decreased, and you will increase the chance you have an asthma attack. Smaller areas without proper ventilation make you even more susceptible to an attack.
It’s been proven that you should use no more than four cleaning products in the home. If you do it can increase the risk of asthma attacks. Choose organic products, and stick to as few products as possible.
To keep from triggering any bad symptoms of asthma or a full-blown attack, it’s important to keep the home clean and tidy, free of dust and other particulates. This is particularly important in a bedroom. Only allow food in the kitchen, and never smoke indoors. Harsh chemicals, like bleach and ammonia, can trigger asthma.
Buy products that are unscented if you suffer from asthma. If you are using scented products like perfume, incense, or air fresheners you should up the level of air pollution in your home. Newly installed carpet or fresh paint in the home are both known to release chemical irritants. Try keeping the air indoors as fresh as it can be.
Your asthma treatments will likely increase when you suffer from hay fever or a cold. The side effects of many illnesses can flare up your asthma so bad that you have to have an increase in treatment. Your doctor might add additional medication until your sickness gets better.
If you suffer from asthma, it’s best to avoid pillows full of feathers. Feathers can trigger asthma symptoms and reduce lung function. The same rule holds true for bedding. Choose sheets and a comforter that are constructed from materials known for being hypoallergenic.
Regular flu shots are important if you or one of your children suffer from asthma. Getting vaccinated yearly can help keep many of these illnesses at bay.
While traveling, always keep emergency asthma medication on hand and close by. Travel adds stress on your physical body, and it might increase your chances of falling prey to asthma triggers. It is also difficult to control your environment while traveling, making it more likely that you may experience an attack or worsening symptoms.
Regardless of whether your asthma has been flaring up, don’t neglect routine checkups. Your doctor may be able to prescribe more effective treatments and you may be suffering symptoms you’re not aware are related to your asthma.
During the colder months, avoid asthma attacks by wearing a scarf, shawl or muffler that covers the mouth and nose. This way, the air will be warm before entering your lungs. By breathing in cold air, it has been proven that it could trigger an asthma attack more so in children that are younger and suffer from severe to moderate asthma.
Mold and mildew will often grow in a humid home. These substances are prime triggers for asthma attacks. Therefore, it is important to maintain a dry home. In the winter months, use a dehumidifier in order to get rid of moisture. Your air conditioner will keep it dry in the summer.
Asthma is a condition that typically will develop over a long period of time, with symptoms that are not very obvious. There have even been cases where people die from the first asthma attack they had, without knowing they had the condition. If you find yourself with a constant cough or have trouble breathing, consult your doctor, so he can tell you if you have asthma and if you need medication. He might even have suggestions on how to prevent it from worsening.
Asthma Attacks
Clean your home with a wet mop instead of a broom. Sweeping can trigger an asthma attack due to the copious clouds of minute asthma-triggering particles it kicks up. When dusting, try to use a damp rag rather than a feather duster to cut down on the spread of the triggers.
Avoid cold-induced asthma attacks by protecting your mouth and nose with a scarf. Filtering and warming air before you inhale it can help prevent asthma attacks. Studies have indicated that asthma attacks are sometimes triggered when cold air is inhaled. This is especially true for young children who have asthma that is moderate to severe.
Asthma aggravation, such as dust and pollen, can collect in your bed sheets and pillowcases. You can cut down on these irritants or eliminate them altogether by washing your bedding and pillow cases in very hot water once a week. You will breathe easier at night when you have freshly washed and clean bed linens.
It is important to use your maintenance inhaler daily as prescribed. However, understand that most types of inhalers contain ingredients which may make your mouth more susceptible to infections. You may be able to avoid this problem by brushing your teeth or rinsing your mouth thoroughly after each use of the inhaler.
Make sure you keep calm if you are having an asthma attack. You should use your inhaler immediately upon the first signs of an attack. Once you have used it, use it again 30 seconds later. Seek help if your attack gets worse. Have someone phone an ambulance or drive you to a hospital. To calm yourself on the drive, bring a paper bag and breathe into it, as this will slow your breathing.
Using a wet mop is superior to using a broom to clean your floors. The action of sweeping can swirl up a whole cloud of asthma-triggering particles. Dust will adhere to a wet towel instead of being loose in the air like feather dusters do where it can aggravate your asthma.
Closely monitor the frequency of your asthma attacks. If you have more than two asthma attacks in a week, it may be time to change medications. Doctors agree that having more than two attacks a week can be dangerous.
Those with asthma should minimize time with pets and animals. While allergies to dander or animal hair can possibly complicate your asthma, even those with no such allergies can have asthma attacks by inhaling the pollen and dust animals usually carry about with them.
Target gradual strength training and increase the capacity of your lungs. A more strenuous exercise program may irritate your airways and bring on an asthma attack so you will want to proceed with caution.
Make sure you are going to different doctors. You want to see your primary doctor for asthma help, though you should also see some specialists. Asthma centers, pulmonologists, nutritionists and allergists can all work with you, making sure you are getting all the treatment you need.
If you do not have your inhaler with you and you are experiencing an asthma attack, take a quick caffeine shot! Strong black tea, coffee or chocolate can aid in mitigating asthma attack symptoms. It works by constricting blood vessels, thus opening your airways.
This article contains a number of tips to help you better control your asthma symptoms. However, the biggest factor will be how determined you are to apply them. Individuals who ignore warning signs or underestimate the impact of symptoms are placing themselves in grave danger. Always protect yourself by following these tips and methods to control your asthma symptoms.
If you suffer from asthma, you should avoid being exposed to smoke in your home, car, or anywhere in your immediate area. If you know someone who smokes, ask that they do so outdoors away from the asthmatic. Heavy smokers can cause severe asthma attacks in people who suffer from this condition, as they carry the smell of smoke buildup in their clothing.