Asthma can be very scary, whether it is you or a loved one that is afflicted. It is important to be well informed when it comes to asthma so you can better manage the effects. Read this article for some advice designed to help you understand the way asthma works and what symptoms to expect.
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that requires constant management. Make certain you are doing the most you can each day to keep your symptoms under control. Take the proper medications needed for everyday symptoms, and always have quick relief medication by you at all times in the event an attack occurs. Your physician and allergist are the ones to approach with any questions you have about this disease and its treatment.
A good tip that can help your child cope with asthmatic problems is to avoid smoking in any areas they frequent. Secondhand smoke can lead to serious asthma. You should take care to also need to be sure your child is never in an environment where other people are smoking.
If you find that you are in a dusty room, do not put on any type of fan. Otherwise, the dust will fly into the air and could give you an attack. If you feel you need airflow, open a window instead.
Avoid the things that could trigger your asthma. For some people, allergens like dust and pollen, such as a reaction to dust or pollen. Others may need to avoid certain physical activity. Try to see what cause your asthma began so it can avoid it.
If you have asthma and suffer persistent attacks caused by allergy symptoms, an injectable medicine can be administered for extended relief. An antibody medicine known as omalizumab is very effective at countering asthma attacks related to allergies. Ask your allergist about it.
Asthma is a curable disease that is ongoing and must be attended to every day. Be sure you are practicing proper self-care, and always have emergency medication available in case an attack occurs.Speak to an allergist or your doctor to determine the best for you.
Using more than 4 different kinds of cleaning products for your house has been known to increase risks associated to asthma attacks. Organic cleaners are also a safer choice since they contain fewer chemical irritants.
Omalizumab is a mediation that is used to control these allergic reaction symptoms.
Stay away from any tobacco smoke, even people that are smoking tobacco. When you inhale tobacco smoke, particularly in small areas without much ventilation, lung function may be severely impacted, and you have a higher chance of having an attack.
Learn how to use your inhaler.The inhaler only help you if the medication within it actually gets to your lungs. Inhale air while spraying the correct dose into your mouth. You should hold your breath 10 seconds at a minimum to let the medicated mist fill up your lungs.
Scented products could cause averse reactions to asthma sufferers. It is safest to use unscented products when possible. If you are using scented products like perfume, incense, or air fresheners you should up the level of air pollution in your home. Be aware that fresh paint and new carpet also can emit harmful odors that irritate sensitive airways. As much as possible, try to keep your home filled with fresh, pure air.
Make sure that all members of your family get their annual flu shot. This means taking every precaution possible, such as practicing good hygiene and getting all recommended vaccinations.
You should be ready to increase asthma treatments if you suffer from hay fever or a cold. Treatment may be increased in these cases as many illnesses have side effects that can cause flare ups in your asthma. Your family doctor may recommend adding another treatment or medication to your current regimen until you recover from your illness.
People who have asthma should avoid using unscented products. Products that contain fragrance, such as perfumes, colognes, or air fresheners, introduce irritants into the air around you and can cause asthma attacks. Fresh paint and new carpeting also irritate the airway. Try to see that the air inside your home remains as free from possible asthma triggers as possible.
Avoid pillows with feathers if you have asthma. Feathers can decrease lung function and cause asthma symptoms. This applies to bedding, as well, so it’s best to make sure that everything on your bed is hypoallergenic.
You may have to take more asthma treatments if you suffer from seasonal hay fever or catch a cold. Many of these illnesses have side effects that could cause your asthma to flare up so badly that you typically need. Your doctor may choose to also add another treatment into your regimen until the illness is better.
Mold and mildew can thrive in a humid home environment. These substances can easily trigger asthma attacks. Keeping a home dry and mold-free is important. When you use the heater in the winter, be sure to have a dehumidifier control the humidity in your home. During the summer time, be sure to use the air conditioner to maintain a dry home.
Stave off as many of these infections immediately by getting vaccinated every year.
Asthma is a disease that effects the respiratory system, and can take many years to develop, often times going undetected. In some serious cases, people have dropped dead due to an asthma attack without ever knowing they had asthma in the first place. Therefore, if you have trouble breathing or a constant cough, you may want to seek a medical professional to determine if you have asthma. Your physician can also determine whether you need medication for either asthma prevention or asthma treatment.
Some common catalysts of asthma attacks regularly occur in your home. These can include dust, mold and dust. Cleaning the house on a regular basis is one way to keep these substances from accumulating.
If you need to travel with your asthma medication, particularly if you plan on bringing a nebulizer or other large equipment, it can be helpful to obtain a letter from your doctor explaining their use. Having evidence from a doctor that the medication is necessary for your health will greatly help with security at the airport.
Mold and mildew thrive in a humid home environment. These substances can very easily cause an attack. You should therefore try to keep your best to maintain a dry home. During the winter, use a dehumidifier if necessary to control humidity while running your heater, and air condition in the summer.
Keep notes on how often you are compelled to use your inhaler each week. You should not have to rely on a rescue inhaler more than twice per week. If you find yourself needing it more often, it could be a sign that your asthma is not being controlled well or that there is a new environmental factor causing attacks more frequently. Remembering the times you use the inhaler provides a good way to keep checking your environment, as well as other things in your plan to manage your asthma.
Asthma Attacks
When you are cleaning your home, it is always better to use a wet mop rather than sweeping your floors. Sweeping the floor kicks up dust and other debris that can set off an attack of your asthma. A damp rag should be used when dusting because a feather duster can cause dust to kick up and lead to an asthma attack.
During colder months, wear a shawl, muffler or scarf that will cover your nose and mouth to help you avoid asthma attacks. This helps warm air prior to it entering your lungs. Breathing cold air triggers your asthma attacks, particularly in small children who have have somewhat severe asthma.
Visit at least two different doctors. Your usual doctor will be able to help you, but you should also consider seeing a specialist. Think about going to a pulmonologist, an allergist or even a nutritionist, depending on what is triggering your attacks.
It is essential that you learn the proper ways to use all of your asthma medications, particularly rescue inhalers. Asthma treatment is generally two-pronged: Daily asthma treatment and additional emergency medicine which is supplemented with rescue medications like inhalers. Because asthma does not get cured, it is vital to take both regular and rescue medications according to the instructions.
Do not make the decision to smoke. There is a general awareness that smoking is not good for your health. But for the asthmatic, smoking can quickly have serious consequences. 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.
If you are going to be flying and are bringing your asthma medicine with you, especially a large piece of equipment such as a nebulizer, especially when carrying some large asthma equipment like a nebulizer. Having proof that states the item is a medical necessity can eliminate security hassles.
If you are suffering from an asthma attack, try to remain calm and do not panic. Use your inhaler, wait 30 seconds and use it again. Should your asthma get even worse, seek medical attention immediately. Ask a family member or friend to call for ambulatory help or to drive you to the emergency room. Breathe into a paper bag for assistance in slowing your breathing during the trip to the hospital.
Keep notes on how often you use your inhaler each week.If you use it more than two times, your treatment plan may not be working effectively or else an atypical situation may be triggering an increased number of attacks. How often an inhaler should serve as a reminder that your environment needs to be monitored.
Talk with your physician if you find that you need your inhaler more often than a couple of times weekly. Frequent need of an inhaler is an indication that the medication prescribed is not the right strength. This is also true if your inhaler needs refilling more than two times annually.
If you have asthma and allergies and use a humidifier, avoid using a vaporizer or humidifier unless it is consistently and thoroughly cleaned.
A support group for those with asthma can really help, and so can simply talking to people about your condition. Understanding what other people do to control and manage their asthma can be helpful in treating your own asthma. One of the keys to fighting asthma is having the support of the people in your life.
If this doesn’t start to control your attack, get help quickly. Have some one call for an ambulance or drive you to the nearest hospital. Breathing in and out of a paper bag on the way can sometimes help by slowing your breathing.
Target gradual strength training and increase the capacity of your lungs. If you think the physical exertion will be too much for your asthma, it likely is.
Eat foods that are rich in B6 vitamins.Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, is found to reduce asthma attack frequency in a lot of studies. Pyridoxine is very important in the relaxation of certain molecules that will help relax bronchial tissue to relax. Bananas are also a great-tasting source of vitamin B6 source.
Keep a close eye on your children for indications of any allergic reactions to food. If your child develops hives or a breathing difficulty after eating certain foods, make an appointment for an allergy test with their pediatrician. You may develop asthma down the line if you have these allergies.
There are many things you should be aware of when dealing with asthma. The information that was presented here is only the tip of the iceberg of advice that is available for asthma sufferers. When you work together, you can make asthma only a small part of your life.
Yearly flu vaccinations are highly recommended. You should get the vaccine regardless of whether you are or are not affected by the flu on a yearly basis. If you are asthma attack prone, you are also more likely to have suffer from any sinus or respiratory infection, particularly those that are flu-related.