Asthma can get uncontrollable if it is left unchecked. Attacks can be serious, even fatal, unless they are controlled. It is important to consult with physicians, though there are additional things you can do to help your own situation. This article is filled with useful tips to help you manage your asthma.
There are medications that can unknowingly cause asthma-like symptoms. Some of these include aspirin and NSAIDs. Common medications used for controlling high blood pressure often times contain beta blockers, which asthmatics may be more sensitive to. If you suffer from any of these conditions along with your asthma, make sure you tell your doctor.
Cleaning Products
Asthma is not a curable disease and will require life-long health management. Make sure to take the right medication for controlling everyday asthma symptoms, but also have quick relief medication with you in case of an attack. Work with your allergist and doctor to find the right treatment program that makes you feel good and allows you to still do the things you want to do.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma, you should avoid cleaning products. A lot of agents in cleaners tend to trigger asthma attacks and symptoms. If you’re the one who regularly cleans the house, look for natural cleaning products which are much safer to use.
If you have moderate asthma attacks, exhale forcefully, so that you force air from your lungs. When you breathe out, exhale the air quickly and as hard as you can. Expel the air in your lungs with great force! Take in three breaths, and then a deeper breath until your lungs are full of air. Then exhale with force again. Not only will you breathe in rhythm, but you’ll focus more intently on how you are breathing and become aware of breathing problems. This is a good way to empty your lungs and let more air come in. Do not be alarmed if you cough or generate excess mucous; this is perfectly normal. Your only concern is to return your breathing to normal.
Never use a fan in a dirty, dust-filled room. Dust blown around by fans can cause your asthma to rear up. A fan will just blow around dust without providing fresh air, so opening a window is a better option as it brings in fresh air and ventilation.
Keep rooms free of dust, and do not turn on a fan if you do have dusty rooms. This could trigger an asthma attack because this will move the dust around. Encourage air to flow throughout the room by just opening a nearby window or door.
Leukotriene Inhibitor
You may want to use a leukotriene inhibitor if your asthma is being particularly problematic. There are modern medicines that are highly effective at blocking leukotrienes. Leukotriene are chemicals that may cause your lungs to get inflamed which can lead to an asthma attack. Taking an inhibitor blocks the receptors that leukotrienes normally interact with and leaves your throat less inflamed and attack-prone.
If you are having trouble preventing asthma attacks, you may find success with a leukotriene inhibitor. A leukotriene inhibitor works by preventing leukotrienes. Leukotriene is a substance that can bring about inflammation, resulting in an asthma attack. Taking an inhibitor will reduce the amount of this substance your body produces, which should decrease the number of attacks you experience.
Make sure if you have an inhaler that you are using it the right way. Find a good place and follow all of the directions that have been provided by the maker of the product. The inhaler will only work if the medicine reaches your lungs. The dosage that is required should be sprayed into the mouth while you inhale air. Hold in your breath for 10 seconds so the medicine works properly.
Talk to a social worker if you’re not eligible for any health insurance and you’re an asthma sufferer. Affording asthma medication is important for handling the illness, and social workers can find places the offer the medicine at low costs.
If you have asthma that is not covered by health insurance, contact someone in a government agency, like a social worker. It is essential that you can buy your asthma medicine, and a social worker might help you find a hospital or clinic that can provide your medicine at reduced cost, or free.
Ask everyone in your family to get a flu shot every year. If you have asthma, you can protect your health by taking all steps possible to avoid any type of cold, flu or other upper respiratory infection. Making sure to consistently wash your hands, and getting the proper vaccinations are two standard precautions.
Keep your medication with you, especially when you are traveling. Traveling can put additional strain on your body, making you more susceptible to asthma triggers. You also have little control over your surroundings as you travel, and this may result in an increase in symptoms or frequency of attacks.
If you suffer from asthma, be sure your diet includes lots of Vitamins C and E. These vitamins have been known to improve the function of the lungs and reduce some asthma symptoms. It doesn’t matter if you get the vitamins for food or a supplement; just get them. These vitamins will also provide a boost to your immune system. This will prevent respiratory illnesses that can trigger your asthma attacks.
You can join an online or offline support group. 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’re having asthma problems, a dehumidifier is a beneficial purchase. By decreasing the humidity you have in your home, it will decrease the dust mites, which will then decrease your asthma from flaring up. A dehumidifier makes the air in your home dry by keeping humidity to a minimum.
Some of asthma’s major triggers can be right in your home. These causes can include dust, spores and mold. Have an inspector come visit your house to remove any harmful agents that you have so that you can stay healthy and lower your risk for an asthma attack. Conscientious house-cleaning can help prevent buildup of substances in your home that might trigger an asthma attack.
Hay fever and colds can worsen asthma symptoms so prepare to need increased treatments. The effects of some illnesses can exacerbate the effects of your asthma, causing the need for more treatments. Your physician might also work an additional treatment into your therapy until such time as you are healthier.
A humid home environment is a healthy environment for mildew and mold to develop. Asthma attacks are easily triggered by these substances. Therefore, it is important to make sure your home is dry. During winter time, use a dehumidifier if necessary to control humidity while running your heater, and use your air conditioner during summer months to keep air dry.
Asthma is an uncurable disease, but that doesn’t mean that the symptoms are permanent and can’t go away. However, just like most things in life, overcoming your asthma symptoms takes time and effort. If you follow these easy tips, you’ll find that your symptoms will get better over time and you’ll be able to enjoy a healthier, more active lifestyle.
If you are traveling by plane and taking along your asthma medications, make sure to have with you any written doctors prescriptions, especially when carrying some large asthma equipment like a nebulizer. Written proof of needing your equipment can help you with any issues you might have in the security line.