When you are diagnosed with asthma, you may be anxious about having an asthma attack, and overwhelmed by the changes that will need to be made in your life. If you take the proper steps, however, the impact of asthma on your life can be greatly reduced. Keep reading to learn some specific strategies that can help you live a full life despite your asthma.
When you have asthma, you need to be careful around chemical cleaning products. A lot of these products contain harsh chemicals such as ammonia. These chemicals wreak havoc on you and can trigger an attack. There are many all-natural organic cleaning products available that may help eliminate asthmatic problems.
Do you know the type of asthma that you suffer with? Understanding the specifics of your asthma will help you to avoid attack triggers in your day-to-day life. For instance, people with exercise-induced asthma would do well to carry an inhaler in their gym bag! Treating asthma is less difficult if you and your physician are aware of the triggers that bring on an attack.
Asthma is ongoing. Therefore, it also requires continual management of your health. It is crucial that you have the proper medications for controlling asthma, as well as medication, such as a rescue inhaler to treat sudden attacks. To find which treatment options are the best for you and your condition, make sure you speak with a doctor and allergist.
Ensure your child is never around smoke to handle their asthma. Secondhand smoke is almost as dangerous to asthmatics as actually smoking a cigarette. You should never put your children in a situation where they are exposed to people who are smoking.
If you have asthma and do not have health insurance, you should consider seeing a social worker. You must have the ability to afford your medication, so a social worker might be able to locate a hospital or clinic that can offer them at little cost or free.
Be careful of chemical cleaners if you are asthmatic. Cleaning products are often full of chemicals, and breathing those chemicals in can irritate your lungs. If you’re the one that cleans your home, try organic or natural cleaning solutions that are much less risky to your health.
If you’re having asthma problems, a dehumidifier is a beneficial purchase. Cutting down the humidity in the house will lower the amount dust mites in the air, and that will mean fewer asthma flare-ups. A dehumidifier makes the air in your home dry by keeping humidity to a minimum.
Leukotriene Inhibitor
If you suffer from asthma, don’t expose yourself to secondhand smoke. You can suffer an asthma attack if you are around cigarette smoke because it makes your lungs function poorly. You are even more exposed to an attack when the smoke is in a closed-in room or area.
A leukotriene inhibitor can be helpful if you have asthma. A leukotriene inhibitor stops the release of a chemical that causes the inflammation that is responsible for some asthma attacks. Leukotriene is a substance that may cause inflammation. This can make a person have an asthma attack. When used properly, an inhibitor can help reduce symptoms and prevent attacks.
Keep your home free of dust and other triggers, especially where the person who suffers from asthma sleeps. Never allow anyone to smoke in the home of an asthmatic, and consider using plastic to cover your mattress and pillows. Don’t use bleach or harsh chemicals inside, and air out the house as much as possible after cleaning.
If you have asthma, try to avoid smokers, even if you do not smoke. When you breathe in smoke, particularly in an enclosed area, your lungs cannot function as well, and it increases your risk of having an asthma attack.
If you have asthma or you live with an asthma sufferer, you should ensure you receive an annual flu shot. Therefore, it is very important to avoid as many infections to the lungs as possible by getting a vaccine each year.
Receiving a regular flu shot is a great tip to implement if you or someone you love suffers from asthma. Make sure your child’s vaccinations are up-to-date to avoid as many infections as possible.
Know what causes your asthma attacks, as this will enable you to work around them or prepare to treat the asthma attacks that result. Generally, it is found that items such as smoke and pollen can trigger attacks in those that suffer with asthma. If able, avoid anything that results in symptoms of asthma or an asthma attack.
Pay attention to your symptom triggers. The more aware of your triggers you become, the easier it will be to avoid them and reduce the number of attacks you suffer. Smoke, pollen, or pet dander are common triggers. When possible, stay away from these triggers that cause symptoms or ultimately, full-blown attacks.
If you suffer from asthma, it’s best to avoid pillows full of feathers. Pillow feathers are known to worsen asthma and affect the lungs. This extends to the rest of your bedding, as well. There are hypoallergenic comforters and sheets you can use to limit asthma symptoms.
Most homes are full of common asthma triggers. Some of these irritants include dust, mold and spores. In order to remain healthy and lessen any chances of having an asthma attack, it is recommended you have your home inspected yearly to have these harmful triggers removed. Regularly cleaning your house can also contribute to preventing buildup of these substances.
Even if you have not had any recent breathing problems, you should nonetheless schedule regular checkups. A flare-up can occur at any time, and your physician may have learned of a prescription medication that can treat your symptoms more safely and effectively.
Find out how you are supposed to use your asthma medication and rescue treatments. Typically, asthma is treated using normal medications along with rescue medication, like an inhaler, for emergency situations. Asthma is an illness that is chronic in nature, so it is imperative to take the management medicine as directed and only using the rescue inhaler when necessary.
Look into becoming a part of a support group. There are many to choose from both online and offline. Extremely severe asthma can be debilitating and prevent one from living a full life. On top of that, an asthma support group will keep you apprised of the latest developments in asthma medication and other significant medical breakthroughs.
When taking asthma medications on a plane trip, bring written medical prescriptions provided by your doctor. Having evidence from a doctor that the medication is necessary for your health will greatly help with security at the airport.
Humidity in your home causes an environment where mildew and mold are more likely to grow. These substances can easily trigger asthma attacks. Keeping a home dry and mold-free is important. Using a dehumidifier during cold weather and turning on your air conditioner when the weather gets hot again can help keep humidity out of your home to ensure your asthma is under control.
Avoiding smoke is one of the best asthma-prevention tips out there. Smoke can induce an asthma attack. Stay away from cigarette smoke, fumes, and vapors as much as you can. All of these air-borne pollutants can greatly increase your asthma symptoms. If someone smokes around you, ask them politely if they could smoke when you are not around.
When the weather starts to turn colder, wear a scarf or shawl that covers your mouth and nose to help prevent asthma attacks. You can help warm the air with these things before they bring any harm to your lungs. Studies have consistently shown that cold air can cause your throat and lungs to constrict, triggering asthma attacks. Children are especially susceptible to cold-induced asthma.
You may want to consider having numerous doctors treat your asthma. Your PCP can be the person you go to for help with asthma, but it’s also a good idea to talk to a specialist. Asthma centers, pulmonologists, nutritionists and allergists can all work with you, making sure you are getting all the treatment you need.
Contact with pets and other animals should be minimized for the asthma sufferer. While allergies from animals can complicate asthma, those without allergies can get asthma attacks from dust or pollen that the animals carry.
Stop smoking. Most people know how dangerous smoking is, but for someone afflicted with asthma, the dangers are ten times more serious. Sensitive asthmatic lungs are easily irritated by smoke, so they need to avoid smoking and to avoid situations where there are people who smoke.
Have more than one medical professional look at your asthma problems. Although your primary doctor can treat your asthma, a specialist may be able to provide further help. Allergists, asthma centers, pulmonologists, and even nutritionists can work with you to make sure you are taking advantage of all avenues of treatment.
Remain calm in the event of an asthma attack. Calmly use the inhaler. Use it again after 30 seconds has elapsed. If your attack worsens, call for help. Go to the hospital. If the attack is particularly bad, have a friend take you or call 911. Breathe into a paper bag for assistance in slowing your breathing during the trip to the hospital.
Refrain from smoking. The dangers surrounding smoking are well documented, but for asthma sufferers the issues can be much more serious. Smoking is very bad for people who suffer from asthma, be sure not to smoke, but not to be around people that smoke.
It’s essential to know how to cope with asthma, if you have it. Asthma’s burden can be lighter if you learn how to live with it in a successful manner. Make sure you apply these tips and keep looking for new information regularly.
People that experience asthma must stay indoors as often as they can when pollen is abundant. While asthma isn’t an allergy, many allergy irritants can affect it. Now there’s information on local air quality available so you can monitor whether you’re going to be exposed to hard to breath air.