Asthma is scary, regardless of who is affected by it. You should be aware of what asthma entails and what it can do, and how it’s treated so you can manage it appropriately. Read on for some advice designed to help you understand the way asthma works and what symptoms to expect.
Keep away from any and everything that you know triggers your asthma attacks. Allergens such as dust and pollen can bring on an asthma attack at any time. Some things, such as physical exertion, can cause an asthma attack. Try to see what cause your asthma so that you can avoid it.
Stay away from smoking, or being around any smoke, vapors or fumes. You should avoid all tobacco products. You also need to consider where you see employment. If you have asthma, you should not work in areas where you will be exposed to smoke or vapors as they could cause you to have an asthma attack.
Exhale as hard as you can during an asthma attack. If you can’t breathe at all, go to the hospital; however, controlling your exhalation rate can sometimes help stop a less severe attack. Exhale in a hard and fast manner. Force all the air out of the lungs! Take in three breaths, and then a deeper breath until your lungs are full of air. Then exhale with force again. This method forces you to pay close attention to your breathing and create a steady rhythm. It also pushes the air out of your lungs, so that more air can come in. You may generate sputum or cough but that is alright, since your main objective is getting you to breathe normally again.
Learn what triggers your asthma so that you can avoid it. Certain outdoor areas may be off-limits because they cause allergies to flare up. Others may have attacks that are triggered by physical activity. Try and figure out what gets your asthma started so you know what to avoid.
If you are someone who suffers from asthma, stay away from all types of cigarette smoke. Refrain from smoking! Avoid breathing in the vapors and any other types of chemical fumes. These irritants can be a trigger for a severe asthma attack. If people are smoking around you, remove yourself from that area quickly.
Chemical Fumes
A dehumidifier is an excellent investment for asthma sufferers. Reducing the amount of humidity in your home reduces the number of dust mites, which in turn reduces the chances of your asthma flaring up. Dehumidifiers work by taking the humidity out of the air.
Any type of smoke can bring on a serious asthma attack. If you smoke, try quitting. Don’t breathe vapor or 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.
If you use any more than four kinds of cleaning product around your home, then the risk of an asthma attack is increased. Try using organic cleaning products that are not comprised of irritating chemicals.
When you are having a difficult time with asthma, you might want to use a leukotriene inhibitor. A leukotriene inhibitor stops the release of a chemical that causes the inflammation that is responsible for some asthma attacks. The chemical leukotriene is a common cause of inflammation in the lungs which in turn, can trigger asthma attacks. The inhibitor will block leukotrienes from getting into your lungs and lessen the chances of you suffering an asthma attack.
When you are traveling, make sure you have a rescue inhaler with you. Traveling to different places might expose you to unexpected triggers, as your body is put under more strain when you travel. Influencing the environment around you is nearly impossible while on the road, which is another opportunity for deteriorating symptoms or attack triggers.
If you have asthma and cannot afford health insurance or have no eligibility, bring up your situation with a social worker. It’s vital that you stay on medication, so there may be programs available to help you get them at a discount.
Your home can be the cause of your asthma and its triggers. These causes are sources, such as, but not limited to dust, mold and spores. Have your home inspected for and cleaned of these things to reduce the occurrence of asthma attacks. As an additional measure, a home that is regularly cleaned will help keep these irritants from building up.
If you suffer from asthma, be sure your diet includes lots of Vitamins C and E. They are believed to aid respiratory function and to be instrumental in keeping your asthma in check. Get these nutrients through supplements or food. These vitamins also help boost your immune system, which helps to prevent illnesses that trigger asthma.
Do not allow mold or mildew to grow in your home, because they can be extremely dangerous for asthma sufferers. These can very easily cause an attack. You should do your best to maintain a dry home. When it’s cold, a dehumidifier can keep moisture to a minimum; in hot months, your A/C unit will do the same thing.
You may have to take more asthma medicine if you suffer from seasonal hay fever or catch a cold. Some illnesses create issues that make it necessary to increase medication temporarily. Your doctor could add another treatment into your regimen until the illness is better.
Be sure you understand how to use the medication you’re given for asthma properly, especially your rescue medication. When you have asthma, you should be on a maintenance medication and have an emergency medicine for asthma attacks. Usually this is in the form of an inhaler. Asthma is not curable, so it is very important that you take your medication properly and only use your rescue medication if you need it.
If you have asthma, use a pillow that doesn’t have feathers in it. Feathers can have a negative effect on the lungs and can worsen asthma symptoms. It is also advisable to use hypoallergenic sheets and comforters for the same reason.
Asthma typically develops over a long time, and sometimes the symptoms aren’t very obvious. In some serious cases, people have dropped dead due to an asthma attack without ever knowing they had asthma in the first place. If you have any trouble catching your breath or a cough that won’t go away, consider talking to your doctor to make sure that you aren’t afflicted with asthma. If you are, you’ll need to keep an inhaler with you at all times and possible take other medications.
Your home can be full of the major triggers leading to an asthma attack. Typical asthma triggers in the home are dust and mold spores. An annual visit by a professional inspector can help keep your home free from these agents, and reduce the likelihood of an attack. Cleaning the house on a regular basis will also help prevent the buildup of these hazardous substances.
If you are flying with your asthma medications, especially a large piece of equipment such as a nebulizer, be sure to bring along a written prescription from your doctor. Having proof in writing from a doctor that states the item is a medical necessity can eliminate security hassles.
Asthma Attacks
It is important to track how often you use your fast-acting inhaler each week. If your records start to show you need the inhaler more than two times weekly, your environment might be causing you problems or your asthma is not being controlled as well as it could be. You can use your frequency of inhaler use to gauge the effectiveness of your asthma treatment plan and make modifications when necessary.
During the colder months, avoid asthma attacks by wearing a scarf, shawl or muffler that covers the mouth and nose. You can help warm the air with these things before they bring any harm to your lungs. Breathing cold air triggers your asthma attacks, particularly in young kids with bad asthma.
Anytime you clean your house or apartment, wet mopping is superior to sweeping. Sweeping your floor can kick allergens into the air, triggering an asthma attack. When dusting, use a damp cloth, as feather dusters just move dust around.
Know the right way to use any asthma medication you are taking, in particular your rescue medication. Asthma is usually treated on two fronts. One is a standard medication, taken daily, and the other is an inhaler, intended for use in an emergency. It’s important to use both forms of medication properly to treat your chronic condition.
To make sure all of your medical needs are being met, you will need to consult at least two doctors. You may use your primary physician for most things, but a specialist can be very helpful as well. Asthma centers, pulmonologists, allergists or even nutritionists will be able to work with you, make certain that you check out all outlets offering treatment.
If you are going to be flying and are bringing your asthma medicine with you, take written prescriptions from your physician with you, especially if you will be taking large equipment like a nebulizer. Carrying written prescription information will help you to avoid security hassles, and you won’t have to worry about your medication being confiscated.
Do not smoke cigarettes. A lot of people know smoking is bad, but with asthma, it can be even worse. The lungs of someone with asthma are irritated by smoking, whether by that person or someone nearby.
Asthma Attack
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. While asthma is different than allergies, often the same types of things that bother those with allergies trigger irritation in asthmatics as well. Now that you have information on local air quality in most areas, people who suffer from asthma will be able to decrease outdoor activities if there is potential irritants in the air.
Avoid smoke, if you don’t want to have an asthma attack. Inhaling smoke can trigger an asthma attack. Stay away from cigarette smoke, fumes, and vapors as much as you can. All of these will increase your asthma symptoms. If you in the company of someone who smokes, politely ask him to refrain when you are near.
If you’ve been diagnosed with asthma, it is crucial that you understand how to properly use your inhaler. You need to know that you can’t lightly inhale as you just spray it inside your mouth. You must breathe deeply in conjunction with the spray. When your doctor prescribes your inhaler, ask him for detailed instructions in using it correctly.
Go to several doctors. Your family doctor will be in charge of your asthma treatment, but seeing a specialist can provide you with invaluable help. Asthma centers, allergists, pulmonologists, and nutritionists can all help ensure you are attacking your asthma on all fronts.
Hurry to the hospital if you see any symptoms of a dangerous asthma attack. If they’re having a serious attack, look for increased medication use that has little or absolutely no effect and blue or grayish lips and fingernails. Also, the person suffering the attack may be having issues talking.
The only way that you should use a vaporizer or humidifier when you have asthma or allergies is if it has been cleaned thoroughly. 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.
If you have asthma, avoid exercise in weather that is dry and cold. The reason for this is that your bronchial tubes will become dry and cold, potentially triggering an asthma attack. Because of this, it’s best only to exercise in a warm and humid area.
Clearly, there are many things to be learned about asthma. The piece provides only a glimpse of the vast amounts of information aimed at helping asthmatics manage their condition. With their help, you can make asthma something you manage, rather than something that rules your life.
Your exercise routines should always include extensive warm-ups beforehand and cool-downs afterwards if you have asthma troubles. Proper exercise with full warm-ups and cool-downs can significantly reduce your chances of experiencing an asthma attack during or following your workout.