Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with the condition known as asthma? Read on for some simple ways to help you keep asthma symptoms under control.
If you suffer from asthma, don’t smoke, and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke. This does mean avoiding all tobacco products as well as being mindful of sources of employment, with special attention to factories that might provide exposure to smoke and vapors.
If you are an asthma sufferer, you should refrain from smoking or being around any vapors or fumes. Thus, you need to avoid cigarettes and cigars and be vigilant about steering clear of environmental or workplace exposure to smoke.
Do you know what sub-type of asthma you’re plagued with? Learning about your type of asthma will help you manage its impact on your life. For example, if you have exercise-induced asthma, you will want to always make sure you have an inhaler in your gym bag. Knowing your asthma symptom patterns will help keep you safe.
Asthmatics should not smoke. If you smoke – quit immediately. 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.
Smoking is extremely harmful if you suffer from asthma. If you are not already a smoker, don’t start, and if you are, quit as soon as possible. Smoking isn’t good for anyone, but it’s worse for those with asthma. It cuts off the oxygen supply that your lungs need to function properly to keep away the asthma attacks.
Asthma is a disease that is continuous. As such, it requires long-term 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. To determine the best options for you personally, consult your physician and an allergist.
Stay away from anything that you are aware of that may trigger your asthma. Certain outdoor areas may be off-limits because they cause allergies to flare up. For others, attacks can be caused by physical activities. Knowing exactly what sets off your asthma is thus, very important.
Learn how to properly use your inhaler. Find a relaxing spot, and be sure that you follow the directions that the manufacturer provided. The medicine must go to your lungs for it to work. While inhaling, spray the dosage in your mouth. Hold your breath at least ten seconds, so that the medicated mist can fill your lungs.
There are medications that can unknowingly cause asthma-like symptoms. Believe it or not, something as seemingly innocuous as aspirin can actually trigger symptoms. Some medications can cause your asthma to be worse such as beta blockers for high blood pressure or heart disease. If you suffer from these conditions and also have asthma, be sure to let your doctor know.
People suffering from asthma should stick to unscented products. Products with a fragrance raise the air pollution indoors, and increase the risk of an attack being triggered. Some of these products include incense, scented body sprays and air fresheners. An asthma sufferer’s airways can feel irritated by odors such as fresh paint or new carpeting. Try to maintain fresh air inside your home.
During a mild to moderate attack, force all of the air out of your lungs. Exhale as fast and hard as you can. Truly pump all air from your lungs! Inhale for three quick breaths, and then take one deep breath so that you can allow your lungs to fill with air, and then force the air out again. Pay attention to what you are doing and follow a regular rhythm. It also allows you to take in more air by completely emptying your lungs. You might start coughing, and some sputum may come up, but this is no problem and your focus is to get back into a relaxed, rythmic breathing pattern again.
Keep your home clean. By keeping a clean environment, especially in a bedroom, you can lower your risk of asthma attacks. Keep food consumption to the kitchen and the dining room, and never allow anyone to smoke in the house. Bypass chemicals when cleaning your home if at all possible, and be sure to open doors and windows afterwards.
If you are suffering from asthma, stay away from any type of cigarette smoke. Refrain from smoking! Avoid fumes and vapors of any kind. A severe asthma attack can be life threatening. If you find yourself in a situation where you are around smokers, remove yourself as quickly as possible.
Receiving a flu shot annually is very important if you or a loved one are asthmatic. Get yearly vaccinations to keep these potential infections at bay.
Never use a fan in a dirty, dust-filled room. This could trigger an asthma attack because this will move the dust around. Open a window instead to get the air flowing.
Support Group
A leukotriene inhibitor can be helpful if you have asthma. A leukotriene inhibitor prevents the formation of leukotrienes. The chemical leukotriene is a common cause of inflammation in the lungs which in turn, can trigger asthma attacks. The prescription will help to decrease home much leukotriene is in your system and therefore, the number of asthma attacks you have.
If you or a loved one suffers from asthma, a support group may help. You can find support groups online or in your community. Asthma, especially the more severe forms, cause many problems that interfere with the quality of life and present many challenges. Being a part of a support group can help provide you with honest information about products and helpful hints, as well as medical news.
Studies show that using a variety of cleaning products in the home can actually increase the odds of triggering an asthma attack. Try using organic cleaning products that are not comprised of irritating chemicals.
During the months that are colder, wear a shawl, muffler or scarf that will cover your nose and mouth to help you avoid asthma attacks. This will keep you from breathing cold air. Cold air can be a nuisance and breathing it has actually proven to trigger asthma attacks. This is especially true for younger children who have severe or moderate asthma.
If you suffer from asthma, avoid smokers, even if you do not smoke yourself. Inhaling smoke from tobacco products can compromise your lung function, which then makes you more susceptible to an attack. The risk of an attack from cigarette smoke is increased as the space you are in decreases.
Written Prescription
Stand ready for a boost to your asthma treatment should you suffer from illnesses like colds or hay fever. The effects of some illnesses can exacerbate the effects of your asthma, causing the need for more treatments. Your doctor may need to add new treatments to your typical asthma regimen until you are well.
If you are going on a plane trip with asthma medications, make sure to bring your written prescription along with you. Carrying written prescription information will help you to avoid security hassles, and you won’t have to worry about your medication being confiscated.
An annual flu shot is crucial if you have asthma or have an asthmatic child. A yearly vaccination will help minimize the number of infections your children have to deal with.
You should use your inhaler everyday regularly; however, be forewarned that the medicine can potentially lead to mouth infections, especially around your gums and teeth. Immediately brush your teeth followed by a quick gargle after using your inhaler. This is a great way to prevent any kind of complications in your mouth.
To stay out in front of your asthma, make sure that you see the doctor to receive regular checkups. A new flare-up may be just around the corner, or your doctor may have news of a more effective new medication you can try.
When you are removing dust or crumbs from your floor, you should use a vacuum or damp mop to avoid scattering dust in the air. If you are sweeping, you can trigger an asthma attack by stirring up a lot of allergens into the air. When dusting, use a damp cloth, as feather dusters just move dust around.
Look for a support group, such as an online community or a local group. Asthma, especially severe asthma, can be a debilitating condition and prevent you from participating fully in daily life. A support group will help you have a good time and forget about your condition once in a while, as well as as keep you informed about the latest innovations.
Smoke should always be avoided when you suffer from asthma. Smoke can seriously affect the lungs and is a common asthma trigger. You should stay far away from smoke of any kind, chemicals and vapors. These things can cause your asthma symptoms to greatly increase. Ask people around you not to smoke in your presence. Don’t be rude about it, but don’t be afraid to ask for what you need.
Mildew and mold grow best in a home with high humidity. These can very easily cause an attack. So try your best to make your home as dry as possible. Use a dehumidifier during the winter time so that you can keep humidity in control when you use a heater. You can use the air conditioning in your household during summer time to get the same affect.
Bed Linens
Dust, pollen, allergens and other asthma aggravators tend to collect in bed linens. Clean your linen and pillow case every week to prevent asthma attacks. You will breathe easier at night when you have freshly washed and clean bed linens.
Allergens and asthma triggers, such as dust and pollen can cling to your bed linens. The easiest way to get rid of these triggering agents is by washing all of your bedding using your washer’s hot setting every Sunday. Clean bed linens that are washed frequently will help you breathe easier every time your head hits the pillow.
Asthma sufferers need to stay inside as much as they can when the air’s pollen content is high. While asthma and allergies are separate illnesses, you’ll find that the triggers for one tend to be mirrored in the other. Asthma suffers can now minimize exposure to outdoor pollutants and irritants by checking online for current air quality in their areas.
To make sure all of your medical needs are being met, you will need to consult at least two doctors. Although your primary doctor can treat your asthma, a specialist may be able to provide further help. Asthma centers, pulmonologists, allergists or even nutritionists will be able to work with you, make certain that you check out all outlets offering treatment.
It is important to keep away from humidifiers that have not been sanitized if you suffer from asthma or allergies. The insides of these machines get really moist and provide great breeding grounds for bacteria, which means the machines would actually be filling the air in your home with the very allergens you are seeking to avoid.
As you can see from this article, there are many ways to manage the symptoms of asthma. However, the biggest factor will be how determined you are to apply them. Your asthma can flare up when you stop paying attention to warning signs and symptoms. The above article outlined ways in which you can protect yourself and control asthma symptoms.
You need to be educated in properly using your inhaler if you suffer from asthma. Spraying it into your mouth and then inhaling doesn’t work. Once you spray the inhaler you must take deep breaths for a couple of seconds. Using the inhaler in a proper manner can make all the difference for those who deal with asthma.