Asthma is a very serious medical problem that can hugely impact your life. You should take necessary steps to keep it from becoming severe as prevention is much easier than having to react to a major attack. This article contains several tips and methods to help manage asthma symptoms.
Do you know what sub-type of asthma you’re plagued with? When you’re informed about your asthma, you’ll be able to do more to cope with the illness and prevent it from having a negative effect on your life. For example, if your asthma is induced by exercise, it might be wise to always have an inhaler in your gym bag. If you know and understand your asthma triggers, you can better avoid and handle attacks.
What kind of asthma do you suffer from? Being fully informed about the specific type of your particular asthma condition can help you have is very important. People who suffer from exercise-induced asthma will need to make sure that they have an inhaler with them inside of their bag. Knowing when an asthma attack is likely to strike can help keep you avert disaster.
Cigarette smoke and asthma do not mix. Asthma creates breathing problems by constricting airways, and cigarette smoking only exacerbates the problem. Do not breathe in the vapors or any other chemical fumes. Doing so can cause an asthma attack you might not have the ability to stop. Leave a room if people smoke, or ask them to stop.
If asthma is something that you are afflicted with, it’s crucial that you quit. Smoking is a bad habit for everyone, but those with asthma suffer especially because cigarettes lessen the oxygen supply that is crucial for the lungs to function properly and prevent an asthma attack.
If the room you are in appears to be dusty, refrain from turning on any fans. This will move all the dust around, and can easily trigger an asthma attack. It is much better to open a window when you are in need of some air flow.
There are some common medications that may contribute to asthma symptoms. Aspirin is a widely used medicine that can cause asthma sufferers.
Having a fast acting inhaler is vital to save asthmatics from experiencing severe symptoms. Talk to your physician and find out if a leukotriene inhibitor would be right for you. A leukotriene inhibitor prevents the formation of leukotrienes. A leukotrienes is a type of chemical that causes inflammation, which leads to asthma attacks. Using an inhibitor will counteract the negative effects of leukotriene, thereby decreasing the occurrence of asthma attacks.
Asthma is not a chronic respiratory disease that needs ongoing management. Make sure to take the right medication for controlling everyday asthma symptoms, and have a quick relief medication on hand if you have an attack. Speak with an allergist and doctor to determine the best for you.
You should ensure that every family member in your household gets a flu vaccine yearly. When you are afflicted with asthma, steer as clear as you can of all types of respiratory infections. The preventative measures you can take against such sickness range from simple habits of hand washing to getting your annual flu shot.
Learn how to properly use an inhaler in the correct manner if you do not already know. The inhaler only reduce symptoms if the medication reaches your lungs. Inhale deeply and spray the correct amount into your mouth. You should keep your breath 10 seconds so the medicated mist fill up your lungs.
A dehumidifier can significantly reduce the asthma attacks experienced by you or other afflicted members of your household. A dehumidifier will reduce attacks by taking extra humidity and, by extension, dust mites and other debris out of your air. Dehumidifiers reduce humidity and keep the air in your home dry.
Make sure that everyone in your loved ones receive annual flu shots. This includes taking standard precautions against illness, such as washing your hands, getting vaccinated and avoiding those who are sick.
If you have asthma, avoid people who smoke. The functionality of your lungs can be dramatically impaired if you inhale tobacco smoke, especially in areas with little ventilation, and you run a greater risk of attack.
You may want to consider purchasing a dehumidifier to use at home if you suffer from asthma. Lowering humidity will reduce the amount of dust mites in your home, a prime trigger of asthma. Dehumidifiers reduce attacks in your home dry by making the humidity out.
When suffering from asthma, make sure to choose products that are unscented. 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. Put down some new carpeting and throw up a coat of paint to get rid of indoor odors. Keep your indoor air clean and free of pollutants to stay healthy.
If you suffer from asthma, be sure to stay away from people who smoke, even if you are not a smoker yourself. When you inhale tobacco smoke, especially in close quarters, your lung function can be drastically decreased, which can increase your chances of suffering from an attack.
In order to minimize the chance of an asthma attack, be sure to keep your living area very clean, most definitely the bedroom area. Food should not be eaten outside of the kitchen, and there should be no indoor smoking. Once you have cleaned your house, air it out; you should also eliminate utilizing any toxic chemicals inside.
Make it a habit to always have some rescue medication is at hand at all times during your travels. You can’t exert as much control over your environment when you travel, so keep in mind you are more vulnerable to symptoms and attacks when you go to a new area.
If you are an asthma patient, you may want to sleep with a pillow that does not contain feathers. Feathers can decrease lung function and cause asthma symptoms. Your other bedding, such as sheets, blankets and comforters, should be hypoallergenic, too.
Even if you are feeling great, always keep your asthma appointments with the doctor.
You must have regular asthma reviews, even if you are not having any problems. You cannot be certain when you will next have an issue with your asthma, or when there may be a better medication available to utilize for your condition.
Mold and mildew can grow in homes with high humidity levels. These things can very easily. You should do your home dry.During winter time, use a device to dehumidify in the winter, and air condition in the summer.
Look into becoming a part of a support group. There are many to choose from both online and offline. Suffering from asthma can mean many days are spent at home with your condition stopping you from participating in a full and fulfilling lifestyle. Also, other asthma sufferers can help keep you aware of new medications or other medical treatments.
Rescue Medication
In the winter, prevent attacks by wearing shawls, mufflers and scarves that cover the nose and mouth. Proper winter wear can keep cold air from agitating your lungs. Breathing in air that’s cold can trigger an attack, particularly in younger children that have moderate or severe asthma.
Know the right way to take your asthma medication, in particular your rescue medication. Asthma is generally two-pronged: Daily asthma treatment and additional emergency medicine which is supplemented with rescue medications like inhalers. Asthma lasts a lifetime, so it is very important that you take your medication properly and only use your rescue medication if you need it.
You need to know how to properly use asthma medications that are prescribed to you, especially your rescue medication, so that you are prepared if you need to use it during an emergency. Asthma is usually treated by using a regular medicine supplemented with a rescue medicine, like an inhaler. Because you will have asthma for the rest of your life, it is important that you take your maintenance medication properly, and that you use your emergency medication correctly.
Asthma often takes time to develop, and its symptoms may not be very noticeable. There are lots of cases where people that have passed away from an asthma attack without ever knowing they were even at risk. So, if you have a lingering cough or instances of troubled breathing, see a doctor to figure out whether you suffer from asthma and to determine whether you will be needing medication to prevent or treat the condition.
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. You can prevent this by brushing your teeth and gargling immediately following the use of your inhaler.
Asthma Attacks
If you have asthma attacks, remember to stay calm. First thing first, use your inhaler, then wait 30 seconds and begin to use it again. If your attack worsens, call for help. Go to the hospital immediately or call 911. Try breathing in a paper bag to slow your breathing on the way there.
Avoid smoke if you want to prevent asthma and asthma attacks.Smoke and chemicals have been known to trigger an asthma attacks. Stay away from cigarette smoke, chemicals, and cigarette smoke at all times. These are all common triggers and can aggravate asthma symptoms to greatly increase. If you live with or near a smoker, you may want to ask them if they will smoke in another area.
If you suffer from asthma and have to use your inhaler in excess of two or three times per week, you should see a doctor and ask about changing your medication. Using your inhaler this frequently means your prescription is not effectively treating your asthma. This is also true if your inhaler needs refilling more than two times annually.
Asthma sufferers should avoid close contact with animals including pets.
Make sure your doctor sees you every two or three months for a check up to see how you are managing with your asthma condition. Your physician needs to have the opportunity to see what is happening with you, and alter your treatment plan if necessary. Your doctor is busy, so it’s on you to set and keep your appointments.
Bed linens can collect dust, dust, all of which can further aggravate asthma. You may cut down on these potential inducers of an asthma attack by cleaning your sheets and pillow cases in hot water each week.
If you want to paint something, get a mask to protect yourself from the fumes. Paint can aggravate asthma, but a mask can combat the irritation because it forms a shield between your nose and the environment. Use proper safety equipment to protect yourself from chemicals that can agitate your asthma condition.
As per usual with such ailments, always consult a doctor when your symptoms pass that certain threshold and become unbearable. Also, follow this advice to control your symptoms so you can live a healthy life.
Joining a support group for asthma sufferers, or having a conversation with others who have asthma, is very helpful. They can provide you with advice and tips on how to better deal with fighting asthma. Keeping supportive people in your daily life is very important.