Regardless of how long you may have had it, asthma can still be a frightening concept for you or your loved ones. You should be well aware of what asthma can do and what the condition entails, so you are able to manage asthma appropriately. A better understanding of asthma combined with the following asthma management advice can dramatically reduce the instance of asthma attacks.
Cleaning products should be avoided when you have asthma. A lot chemicals that are in these items can set off an asthma attack or aggravate other symptoms. When you are tidying your home consider using natural products that are effective for cleaning rather than traditional cleansers.
People afflicted by asthma should make it a priority to always avoid exposure to smoke, vapors and fumes. Stay away from jobs that would expose you to toxic or heavy vapors, and refrain from any tobacco use.
Avoid the things that trigger your asthma. This can vary from person to person, as small particles like dust can cause asthma attacks. Others find themselves suffering from attacks when they overexert themselves. Try to figure out when your asthma began so it can be avoided.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma, you should avoid cleaning products. Cleaning products contain a plethora of chemicals that are triggers to exacerbating symptoms related to asthma, as well as the attacks themselves. If you’re the one who regularly cleans the house, look for natural cleaning products which are much safer to use.
Never use a fan in a dirty, dust-filled room. An asthma attack can be easily triggered by the moving dust. Instead, you should consider opening a window to get some fresh clean air going through your lungs.
Some medications can exacerbate asthma symptoms as a side effect. Some of these include aspirin and NSAIDs. Some medications can cause your asthma to be worse such as beta blockers for high blood pressure or heart disease. It is important for your doctor to know your complete medical history, including any medications you are currently taking, so they can best treat your asthma.
Consider consulting a social worker if your asthma medication is not covered by an insurance policy. You will need asthma medications, and if you are unable to afford them, a social worker can find a hospital or clinic that can offer you medication for free or for a little cost.
Asthma is a chronic condition that is ongoing over time, and as such, will require a continual treatment and management regimen. Always be very sure that you’re taking the right type of medication for your condition if you hope to control it. It’s also important to have a quick-relief medication available. Speak to your allergist and doctor to see what they recommend for you.
Be sure you and your family members get a yearly flu vaccination. Keep yourself healthy, and without respiratory infections as best you can. This means you should also be sure to wash your hands frequently and get vaccinated.
Asthma Attack
Both Vitamin C and Vitamin E are important if you suffer from asthma. There is some evidence that these two vitamins can improve breathing and lower the frequency of asthma attacks. Get these nutrients through supplements or food. These vitamins will also help prevent illnesses by boosting your body’s immune system.
Any type of smoke can bring on a serious asthma attack. Never smoke a cigarette! It is also a good idea to stay away from the fumes or vapors from harsh chemicals, such as those used in cleaning. These can trigger a severe asthma attack that can be difficult to get under control. If you find that you have people smoking around you, get yourself out of that area rather quickly.
Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke because it is as dangerous to asthmatics as smoking a cigarette. Tobacco smoke causes your lung function to decrease, increasing the risk of a very severe attack, especially in enclosed rooms without much air flow or ventilation.
Social workers are there for your assistance if you live with asthma, yet can’t get approved for health insurance. Affording asthma medication is important for handling the illness, and social workers can find places the offer the medicine at low costs.
Be knowledgeable about the factors that cause asthma attacks in order to avoid the triggers or develop a plan for managing the symptoms of asthma. Most asthma sufferers have a few common triggers such as smoke, pet dander or pollen. If able, avoid anything that results in symptoms of asthma or an asthma attack.
Using over four kinds of cleaning products in the home can trigger asthma attacks. Try to use organic based cleaning products that are not harmful to asthma sufferers.
Asthmatic patients should avoid using feather pillows. The feathers can make asthma worse and take away from your ability to breathe. The same can be said for bedding, try to get hypoallergenic comforters and sheets.
Flu Shot
Know exactly how any asthma medication you take or may take works. Asthma is generally managed through regular medicine which is supplemented with rescue medications like inhalers. Because asthma can be a lifelong issue, it is vital to take both regular and rescue medications according to the instructions.
If your child or yourself are asthma sufferers it is very important that you get the flu shot every single year. Prevent those flu infections before they happen by getting a flu shot each year.
Monitor your weekly inhaler use and tally how many times you need to use it to control an attack. When you find you are depending on it more than thrice during a week’s period on an ongoing basis it is a sign your asthma is not under proper control and could lead to serious attacks if not addressed. The frequency of use of your inhaler can give you an idea about your surroundings and the need to watch them.
Understand what things make your asthma flare and avoid these things or manage the symptoms. Common asthma triggers include pollen, smoke or dander. Whenever you can, just steer clear of these triggers when you know what they would result in.
Contact with pets and other animals should be minimized for the asthma sufferer. While an allergy to animal hair or dander is a possible asthma complication, even those sufferers free of such allergies can experience an asthma attack caused by the dust and pollen all animals tend to carry along with them.
Avoid pillows with feathers if you have asthma. People are often allergic to these natural products that can affect breathing and bring on asthma symptoms. Also, make sure your other bedding is made with hypoallergenic materials.
Do not smoke! Most people know that smoking is unhealthy, but the consequences are even worse for someone who has asthma. A person with asthma has sensitive lungs that can react adversely to smoke, causing an asthmatic attack. So an asthmatic should not even be in a room where other people are smoking.
Travel with your rescue medication on your person at all times. Traveling tends to put extra stain on the body, and you’re more susceptible to your asthma triggers under these conditions. It’s also hard to control the environment you’re in when traveling, which is another reason you might experience more symptoms or have an attack.
Watch the pollen counts and adjust your activity accordingly to protect yourself from seasonal asthma issues. Asthma is not considered an allergy, but elements that cause allergies usually trigger asthma attacks too. Asthma suffers can now minimize exposure to outdoor pollutants and irritants by checking online for current air quality in their areas.
Attend your regular asthma checkups, even if things seem to be going well. 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.
When dealing with an asthma attack, it is important to stay calm. Grab your inhaler and use it, then wait to see if it helps. If not, then use it again in thirty seconds. If this doesn’t start to control your attack, get assistance right away. Ask a family member or friend to call for ambulatory help or to drive you to the emergency room. To slow down your breathing along the way, breathe into a paper bag.
Support Group
You could gain some comfort from attending a support group geared toward asthmatics or even by just communicating with people with the same issues. They are there to help you win this battle with asthma through great tips and well planned ideas. Support given by those around you who are also afflicted with asthma can really make all the difference.
Look into becoming a part of a support group. There are many to choose from both online and offline. Asthma, especially if it is severe, can be quite debilitating and can keep you from being an active participant in life. By getting involved in a support group you will also be speaking with other sufferers who may know of new scientific discoveries and treatment plans you may not be aware of.
If someone you live with has asthma, make sure you do not smoke in the house or the car. Smokers should be required to leave the premises and put significant distance between themselves and the asthma sufferer. Just the smell of smoke from a heavy smoker’s garments can trigger asthma attacks.
Your home’s humidity can cause mold and mildew growth within it. These substances can easily trigger asthma attacks. A dry home will help you out a lot more. You can maintain a dry home by using a dehumidifier and heater in the colder months, and air conditioning when it is warm.
Get those flu shots. Flu vaccinations are a proactive strategy against attacks that is worth the time and effort. When you have asthma attacks, you may have worse infections of the sinuses or respiratory system that can be aggravated by the flu.
Be sure you understand how to use the medication you’re given for asthma properly, especially your rescue medication. Asthma is generally managed through regular medicine which is supplemented with rescue medications like inhalers. 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.
Avoid strenuous work outside when the weather is dry and cold. You can induce an asthma attack if you bronchial airways are dry and cool. You should be certain that the air is not cool or dry before you start to exercise outdoors.
When taking asthma medications on a plane trip, bring written medical prescriptions provided by your doctor. The written prescription will help you get through security without difficulty, because it establishes that your nebulizer and supplies are medically necessary.
If you have asthma, you should make sure you always do warm-ups before you do any type of strenuous exercise. Immediately after you finish this exercise, you should do cool-downs. By doing these things, you will help prevent suffering from a big attack in the middle of your workout or immediately afterwards.
Keep track of the number of times per week you use your rescue inhaler. If you have to use your inhaler more than twice, then our asthma is not being controlled effectively, and you may need to see your doctor for a way to get it under control again. The frequency of your inhaler usage should remind you to monitor the environmental conditions around you and other issues relating to the way you manage your asthma.
If you have asthma and use your rescue inhaler often, as in more than one or two times a week, or you wake up in the night from an asthma attack more than twice a week, you might need different asthma medication. As always, consult your doctor before making a switch.
As stated earlier, there is a lot that you should know about asthma. Our article contains just some of the many helpful ideas available for coping with asthma for yourself, or one you love. By taking all of this advice together, you are sure to help limit the toll that asthma has taken on your life.
You should always have a plan on how you will deal with an asthma attack. This is very important because if you are prepared you will be in a much better position to deal with the asthma symptoms you have.