Living with asthma is very hard, but if you manage it correctly, you can lead a better life. With the right information, you can learn to avoid the asthma attacks that interfere with your daily routine. This article provides ways to make the most of life with asthma.
There are many different types of asthma. Being fully informed about the specific type of asthma you have is very important. One example of this is exercise-induced asthma. This type of asthmatic will need to carry his inhaler with him when he goes for a run. By knowing the pattern to your symptoms it will be a big help to you avoiding crises.
If you are an asthma patient, do not expose yourself to vapors, fumes and cigarette smoke. 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 could be something you’re allergic to like pollen or dust. Others may have attacks that are triggered by physical activity. It is important to determine what triggers your asthma attacks so you can try to avoid those things.
Figure out what type of asthma you are suffering with. Before you can develop a self-care plan for your asthma symptoms, you need to know the specific cause of your symptoms. People who suffer from exercise-induced asthma should consider carrying an emergency inhaler in their bag. Knowing the patterns related to your symptoms could aid you in avoiding crises.
There are certain medications that cause or exacerbate asthma symptoms. Not everyone knows this. Some NSAIDs and aspirin might do this. You should also pay attention to heart medications you may take, or ones that treat abnormal blood pressure. If you suffer from asthma, be sure that your medical professional is aware of this.
Allow Anyone
Consider a leokotriene inhibitor if your asthma is not controlled by other methods. Leukotriene inhibitors work to prevent leukotrienes. Leukotriene is a type of chemical substance which may cause inflammation and could cause an attack. When used properly, an inhibitor can help reduce symptoms and prevent attacks.
If you have an asthmatic child, do not allow anyone to smoke around him. Secondhand smoke is a leading cause of asthma, and it can also trigger an asthma attack. Never allow anyone to smoke around your child, and teach them not to smoke as an adult themselves.
Make sure if you have an inhaler that you are using it the right way. Find a comfy spot, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The inhaler is only beneficial if the medicine gets to your lungs. Inhale air while spraying the necessary amount of medication into your mouth. Hold your breath for at least 10 seconds to allow the medicated mist to fill your lungs.
If allergy symptoms cause you to have moderate to severe asthma attacks, there is a medication available that can help for extended periods of time. Known as Omalizumab, this antibody medicine can control the body’s allergic senses and lower the symptoms or reactions that asthma patients suffer.
In order to minimize the chance of an asthma attack, be sure to keep your living area very clean, most definitely the bedroom area. Only eat in the kitchen, and never let anyone smoke inside the house. Thoroughly air out your house after every cleaning, and stay away from bleach and similar harsh chemicals while cleaning indoors.
If you use any more than four kinds of cleaning product around your home, then the risk of an asthma attack is increased. Choose organic products, and stick to as few products as possible.
A yearly flu shot is necessary if you suffer from asthma. Prevent those flu infections before they happen by getting a flu shot each year.
Tobacco Smoke
When traveling, make sure to have your rescue medication handy at all times. Traveling can be somewhat stressful and put added strain your body, which might make you more likely to respond to asthma triggers by having an attack. While on the road, it is also hard to control the environment you are in, which also makes an attack more likely.
Stay away from any tobacco smoke, even people that are smoking tobacco. When you inhale tobacco smoke, particularly in closeted areas, the functioning of your lungs can decrease, and you may suffer an attack.
A support group can offer empathy and information about new treatments and medication. Suffering from asthma can mean many days are spent at home with your condition stopping you from participating in a full and fulfilling lifestyle. The individuals in this group could also provide you with new insights about medications that are out there, as well as other advice in dealing with asthma.
Hay fever and colds can worsen asthma symptoms so prepare to need increased treatments. Treatment may be increased in these cases as many illnesses have side effects that can cause flare ups in your asthma. It is possible that your doctor will decide to modify your treatment, or even add additional treatments, until you are back on your feet.
Know the right way to take your asthma medication, and above all any 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. Asthma is a lifelong condition; you should correctly take your regular medication and use your rescue medication only as needed.
Sleep with a feather-less pillow if you have asthma. The feathers from a pillow can cause asthma symptoms and decrease your lung function. This applies to bedding, as well, so it’s best to make sure that everything on your bed is hypoallergenic.
When you are making an effort to control asthma, do not smoke. Cigarette smoke will often trigger an asthma attack. Avoid triggers like vapors, chemical fumes, and cigarette smoke as much as you can. All of these will increase your asthma symptoms. If someone smokes around you, ask them politely if they could smoke when you are not around.
Keep all your doctors appointments even if your asthma symptoms aren’t bothering you. You don’t know when you could have another flare-up, or if there are better or safer medications available.
Asthma sufferers should minimize their contact with animals and pets. Though dander allergies are often seen in conjunction with asthma, even asthmatics who are not allergic may have attacks that are triggered by the ancillary irritants transported by animals, including pollen and dust.
It is important to know the proper way to use asthma medication, especially the medication that is used in an emergency. 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. Since asthma is chronic in nature, appropriate application and use of both management and rescue medicines is vital.
Allergens, pollen and other irritants can collect in your linens and aggravate your asthma. The easiest way to get rid of these triggering agents is by washing all of your bedding using your washer’s hot setting every Sunday. The freshly laundered linens will make it easier for you to breath when you are sleeping.
As seen here, there are lots of ways that you can stop or control asthma from messing up your life. Asthma does not mean the end of all you love about your life when you follow the advice above to make an effective plan.
Do not make the decision to smoke. If you have asthma, you could have serious health complications from smoking. An asthmatic’s lungs are more vulnerable than those of a healthy individual, which makes it especially important to abstain from smoking and avoid secondhand smoke.