Asthma creates a serious health condition for people in every age group, from children to seniors. Not only should you regularly see a medical professional, but you should also keep an eye on certain triggers. This article contains several simple suggestions to help you better handle your asthma and lower the chances of an asthma attack.
Do you know what type of asthma you have? Being fully informed about the specific type of asthma you have is very important. One example of this is exercise-induced asthma. This type of asthmatic will need to carry his inhaler with him when he goes for a run. Knowing symptom patterns will help you prevent emergencies.
There are many different types of asthma. Understanding the specifics of your asthma will help you to avoid attack triggers in your day-to-day life. For example, if your asthma is brought on by bronchitis, you should keep your rescue inhaler with you during times when you are sick. By knowing the pattern to your symptoms it will be a big help to you avoiding crises.
If you are an asthma sufferer, it is crucial that you don’t smoke. Smoking isn’t healthy for anyone, but if you are afflicted with asthma, preventing oxygen from getting to your lungs is just begging for an attack.
Unfortunately, asthma sufferers must realize that their condition is chronic which requires ongoing treatment. 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. Speak to your allergist and doctor to see what they recommend for you.
Avoid being around any known asthma triggers. For some people, this can be pollen or other allergy triggers. For others, certain physical activities may be the trigger. Try and figure out what gets your asthma started so you know what to avoid.
Know how to use your inhaler correctly. Find a quiet spot and follow the instructions the manufacturer has given. 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. Hold your breath at least ten seconds, so that the medicated mist can fill your lungs.
There are certain medications that cause or exacerbate asthma symptoms. Not everyone knows this. Among these medications are aspirin and other NSAIDs. Additionally, beta blockers, a type of medication used for heart disease and hypertension, may cause asthma symptoms. It is important to talk openly with your doctor about your asthma so that you do not take any medications that could be harmful to you.
Social Worker
If you are having trouble preventing asthma attacks, you may find success with a leukotriene inhibitor. There are modern medicines that are highly effective at blocking leukotrienes. Leukotriene is a substance that can bring about inflammation, resulting in an asthma attack. When used properly, an inhibitor can help reduce symptoms and prevent attacks.
Talk to a social worker if you do not have health insurance and need medication for your asthma. Having the financial ability to purchase your asthma medications is essential, and a social worker can help you locate a hospital or clinic that can provide you with these medications for free or at a significantly reduced rate.
Asthmatics should have a flu shot every year to prevent contracting a serious respiratory infection. Asthma patients should try their best to avoid getting respiratory infections. The easiest way to start is by performing routine hand-washing, limiting your touching of surfaces while in public places, and getting vaccinations recommended by your doctor.
Be sure you and your family members get a yearly flu vaccination. Do everything you can to avoid a respiratory infection if you have asthma. This means taking every precaution possible, do things like getting vaccinated to prevent sickness to hand washing on a regular basis.
Vitamins E and C are beneficial to anyone with asthma. There is some evidence that these two vitamins can improve breathing and lower the frequency of asthma attacks. These vitamins can be easily obtained, either through your diet or a supplement. The vitamins work to strengthen your immunities, thereby warding off sicknesses that tend to exacerbate asthma.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma, you should avoid smoking or even being in the presence of smokers. 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.
When you are suffering from asthma and you have hay fever or a cold, you will most likely need an increase in your treatment. The effects of an illness can cause the severity of your asthma to temporarily increase, which necessitates a change in treatment. Your doctor may choose to also add an additional treatment until the illness gets better.
For asthma sufferers, the unscented option is always the best choice among different products. Products with a strong smell such as air fresheners, incense or perfume can trigger asthma attacks. Fresh paint and new carpeting also give off odors that may aggravate the airways. Clean your indoor air and keep it as fresh as you can.
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. If you have asthma, it’s most likely triggered by things such as being around animals or pollen. Most asthmatics also can’t tolerate smoke. Make a special effort to avoid agents that bring on even minor asthma symptoms, much less a major attack.
Make sure you get a flu shot each year if you have asthma or if your child does. Make sure your child’s vaccinations are up-to-date to avoid as many infections as possible.
Even if you are feeling great, never skip your regular asthma checkup. Asthma can flare-up at any time, and you never know, perhaps your doctor has safer or better medications which can help your symptoms.
Travel with your rescue medication on your person at all times. It’s easy to get thrown off your regular eating and sleeping routine while traveling, which strains your body and increases your vulnerability to asthma attack triggers. While on the road, it is also hard to control the environment you are in, which also makes an attack more likely.
If traveling by plane with your asthma equipment or medications, always carry your written prescription with you to avoid problems. Having written proof that the item in question is in fact medically necessary can cut down on hassles at the security check.
Look into becoming a part of a support group. There are many to choose from both online and offline. Left untreated, asthma can be very debilitating and prevent you from enjoying your normal activities. If you know other asthma sufferers, you can stay up to date on the latest medicines and treatment options.
If you are cleaning, you should use a mop that is damp instead of a dry broom. Sweeping can stir up some asthmatic triggers that will exacerbate your symptoms. You can greatly reduce this by using a wet sponge, damp rag, or moist cloth instead of your old-fashioned feather duster.
Asthma Attacks
Anyone with asthma should limit their exposure to household pets and other types of 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.
Some of the main triggers of asthma attacks happen right inside the home. Three triggers comprise the asthma triad of doom: spores, dust and mold. To ensure health and reduce the potential for asthma attacks, have a yearly inspection for the presence and removal of these hazards. Cleaning your house on a regular basis is one way to keep these substances from accumulating.
Your bed linens are where pollen, dust and other allergens like to collect. Use fresh linens to make up your bed on a regular basis. You’re less likely to have an asthma attack while asleep or upon first waking up if your bedding is fresh and clean.
Using a wet mop is superior to using a broom to clean your floors. Sweeping sends dust and dander back into the air and could trigger an asthma attack. Dust will adhere to a wet towel instead of being loose in the air like feather dusters do where it can aggravate your asthma.
If you have asthma, don’t smoke. Most people know how dangerous smoking is, but for someone afflicted with asthma, the dangers are ten times more serious. Asthmatics have sensitive lungs and tobacco smoke is very, very irritating. Smoke is so bad, that asthmatics should never allow themselves to be in the same vicinity as someone who is smoking.
Smoking is particularly bad for people with asthma. If you have asthma, you could have serious health complications from smoking. It can irritate sensitive lungs. People with asthma should not only avoid smoking, but should also avoid other people while they are smoking.
Remain calm if you do happen to come under an asthma attack. Immediately use your asthma inhaler, rest for 30 seconds, then use it once more. Don’t suffer in silence or wait it out if your breathing gets worse instead of better after using your inhaler. You need immediate medical attention if this happens. If there is someone nearby, have them call an ambulance or drive you to the nearest hospital. Breathe into a paper bag for assistance in slowing your breathing during the trip to the hospital.
Don’t panic when you have an asthma attack. Use your inhaler, wait 30 seconds and use it again. If you feel your ashtma attack worsening, get immediate help. Have someone take you to a hospital, or if necessary call an ambulance. Try breathing into a paper bag in order to slow down your breathing while on the way to the hospital.
If you end up using your inhaler more than twice a week, then you need to consult a physician and change your medication. If you need to use your inhaler that often, the medicine in it isn’t working as well as it should. This also goes for refills. If you find yourself refilling your inhaler in excess of twice a year, then you need to change medications.
Always use an appropriately-designed mask when painting to guard against breathing paint fumes. The fumes from paint can easily cause your asthma to flare up. Having a mask will help you to prevent this. Avoid substances and chemicals which can worsen your asthma.
If you want to paint something, get a mask to protect yourself from the fumes. Paint can aggravate asthma, but a mask can combat the irritation because it forms a shield between your nose and the environment. Avoid specific chemicals and substances that could worsen your asthma.
You should not take asthma lightly. Some asthma attacks may be lethal, you should take proper measures to lower the chances of your asthma getting out of control. This can include keeping a rescue inhaler with you at all times and reducing the allergens and dust present in your home. If you use these tips, you will learn how to be manage your asthma and its symptoms.
Don’t skimp on vitamin B6. Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, has been found to reduce the frequency and intensity of asthma attacks in many studies. Pyridoxine improves the flow of blood and oxygen to your bronchial tubes. One common source of vitamin B6 are bananas.