Your doctor has just informed you that you have asthma, and you feel very worried about what to do next. Asthma has no cure, and as such the condition is chronic. Your life shouldn’t come to a standstill once you are diagnosed with asthma. This article offers ways in which you can effectively and safely manage asthma.
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 almost as dangerous to asthmatics as actually smoking a cigarette. You should take care to also make sure your child does not get exposed to other environments where people might be smoking.
Are you informed about what type of asthma you suffer from? One of the best ways to combat asthma and its limiting effects on your life is to know and understand as much as you can about your specific condition. If your asthma is triggered by exercise, throw an inhaler into your gym bag. By knowing the pattern to your symptoms it will be a big help to you avoiding crises.
There are medications that can unknowingly cause asthma-like symptoms. Aspirin and some other NSAIDs may do this. The medication you take for high blood pressure can also cause asthma symptoms. If you have asthma paired with heart disease or high blood pressure, tell your doctor.
If you have an asthmatic child, do not allow anyone to smoke around him. One leading cause of issues in children who have asthma is that people smoke around them. Any place where smoking is allowed should be avoided if you have a child with asthma.
Make sure you are taking plenty of Vitamins E and C if you suffer from asthma. These vitamins have been known to improve the function of the lungs and reduce some asthma symptoms. You can get both of these vitamins from eating certain foods, or by taking the vitamins in supplement form. These vitamins will also help prevent illnesses by boosting your body’s immune system.
You need to avoid all of the asthma triggers that you know. For many, allergens like dust and pollen, can trigger their attacks. For others, attacks can be caused by physical activities. Determine what sets your asthma off so you can stay away from these things.
If you are someone who suffers from asthma, you should consider buying a dehumidifier for your home. Decreasing the humidity in the house decreases dust mites, which decreases asthma flare ups. A dehumidifying device reduces the moisture in the air.
Asthma is not a curable disease and will require life-long health 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.
Hay fever and colds can worsen asthma symptoms so prepare to need increased treatments. Some illnesses create issues that make it necessary to increase medication temporarily. Your doctor may need to add new treatments to your typical asthma regimen until you are well.
Chemical Fumes
If you suffer from asthma, you should refrain from sleeping on a pillow that contains feathers. Feather can decrease lung function and trigger asthma symptoms. Also, make sure your other bedding is made with hypoallergenic materials.
If you’re a sufferer of asthma, stay away from cigarette smoke. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, stop. Do not breathe in the vapors or any other chemical fumes. Chemical fumes will trigger asthma attacks that you won’t be able to put an end to. If people smoke around you, you should get away form that area.
Make regular asthma checkups with your doctor, even if you are not having any issues come up. A flare up can come at any time and your doctor can always look into safer medications for your particular symptoms.
Know how to use your inhaler properly! An inhaler is most effective if used in a relaxed location and according to the maker’s instructions. The only way the inhaler can help is if the medication can reach your lungs. Inhale deeply and spray the correct dose into your mouth. You should hold your breath 10 seconds so the medicated mist is able to fill up your lungs.
Most of the triggers for attacks, and causes of asthma, are found inside the home. These culprits include dust, spores and mold. To reduce asthma attacks and stay healthy, have an inspector remove any harmful agents yearly. Additionally, cleaning your home on a regular schedule prevents these unwanted visitors from taking residence en masse.
If you have asthma, a dehumidifier is something you should consider purchasing for you home. By bringing down the humidity level, it will reduce dust mites and reduce asthma flare-ups. Dehumidifiers keep the humidity out of your home by keeping the air dry.
Humidity is a problem in the home, because it creates conditions that are perfect for mildew and mold growth. Both mold and mildew are associated with asthma attacks. Thus, keep the air in your home as moisture-free as possible to avoid asthma-related problems. One way to control the humidity in the house is to employ a dehumidifier to pull out the excess moisture.
Asthma treatment dosages will need to be increased if you are sick with a cold or are dealing with hay fever. An increase in treatment is necessary sometimes because side effects of other sicknesses can cause your asthma symptoms to flare up. Your doctor may also add another treatment to your regimen until your illness gets better.
In the winter, cover your mouth and nose with a scarf or shawl to prevent asthma attacks. You can inhale warmer air into your body with these. In multiple studies, breathing cold air is linked to increased asthma attacks. This link is especially pronounced in younger children.
Travel with your rescue medication on your person at all times. Traveling to places can strain your body, and it is more vulnerable to asthma triggers when it is under strain. Traveling can make asthma symptoms worse, and it is difficult, nearly impossible to control environmental triggers during travel.
Using your preventative inhaler should be done daily. It’s important to know, though, that it can cause sores and infections near your gums and teeth. A good way to prevent these complications and side effects is to brush your teeth and gargle immediately after using your inhaler.
Asthma Attacks
When housecleaning, it is better to clean your floors with a damp mop than sweeping them with a broom. Those particles that can trigger asthma attacks are stirred up when you sweep. A moist rag chosen over a feather duster is the best choice for an asthmatic.
Some of the most notorious causes of asthma attacks exist in normal households. These culprits include dust, spores and mold. To ensure health and reduce the potential for asthma attacks, have a yearly inspection for the presence and removal of these hazards. Regularly cleaning your house can also contribute to preventing buildup of these substances.
During spring or other high-pollen times, don’t go outside unless you have to so that you can avoid a pollen-triggered asthma attack. Asthma is not considered an allergy, but elements that cause allergies usually trigger asthma attacks too. Check the local air quality report online to determine whether to stay indoors and keep irritant exposure to a minimum.
Avoid cold-induced asthma attacks by protecting your mouth and nose with a scarf. Bundling up puts heat between the air and your lungs, which can help lessen your risk of an asthma attack. Breathing cold air triggers your asthma attacks, particularly in young kids with bad asthma.
If you suffer from asthma attacks, familiarize yourself with how to properly use your inhaler. When you spray the inhaler into your mouth, you cannot just lightly inhale. Every single time that you spray the inhaler into your mouth, you must, for a couple of seconds, breathe deeply. Failure to properly use your inhaler can lead to deadly effect.
Find out how you are supposed to use your asthma medication and rescue treatments. A typical asthma treatment plan is daily medication backed up with an emergency inhaler. Asthma doesn’t go away, so it’s important to be vigilant about taking your daily medication and using your rescue inhaler when an attack occurs.
If you suffer from asthma and have to use your inhaler in excess of two or three times per week, you should see a doctor and ask about changing your medication. It means the medication used to calm acute attacks is either ineffective or not effective enough. This is also true if your inhaler needs refilling more than two times annually.
Asthma develops over an extended time period, and its symptoms aren’t always obvious. There are actually many people that have passed away from an asthma attack without ever knowing they were even 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.
Make sure you schedule regular checkups with your doctor every few months to keep a heads up on your asthmatic condition. Your physician can assess if there’s been any changes in your condition, and adjust your treatment plan accordingly. 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.
Do not smoke cigarettes. Most people know that smoking is unhealthy, but the consequences are even worse for someone who has asthma. Not only should smoking be avoided, you need to be careful to stay away from people who do smoke because it is extremely harmful and will irritate your sensitive asthmatic lungs.
Try to consume 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. Bananas are also a wonderful source of vitamin B6.
90% of dealing with asthma is about preparing for attacks. Knowing the kind of asthma you have and the different methods on how you can deal with it daily is necessary in order to avoid crises. This article is your first step to building a knowledge base to combat this disease effectively!
If you are prone to asthma attacks, you need to find out what triggers them. If you don’t know what yours are, keep a journal to potentially show you what they are. Take active steps to minimize coming into contact with elements that trigger your asthma, to help reduce your attacks.