This information guide was created to help the millions of people who live with asthma every day – like you! We have compiled some of the best advice available to help you find ways to live a fuller healthier life, as well as ways to make your life easier.
To keep your child healthy, make sure they are never around smoke. One of the biggest reasons people have asthma is secondhand smoke. Keep your child away from any area where people are smoking.
Suffer from asthma? It is vital that you not smoke tobacco; if you do, quit. Although smoking causes health problems for everyone, it is even more dangerous to asthma sufferers because the smoke causes airway swelling that cuts off oxygen to your lungs, and can trigger an attack.
Avoid being around any known asthma triggers. For many people, allergens such as dust and pollen can induce an attack. While in other people, all it takes is physical activity and an attack can trigger. Know your asthma causes so you can avoid putting yourself in a situation where you may suffer from an attack.
You need ongoing treatment for asthma because it’s an ongoing disease. Make certain you are doing the most you can each day to keep your symptoms under control. Take the proper medications needed for everyday symptoms, and always have quick relief medication by you at all times in the event an attack occurs. Talk to your doctor and allergist to see what is the best idea for you.
If you’re suffering from an asthma attack that’s moderate or mild, then work to force all the air you can from your lungs. Blow your breath out as hard and fast as you can. Force your lungs to expel as much air as possible. Then take three small breaths in, followed by a deeper breath to fill your lungs comfortably. Next, exhale forcefully again. This establishes a regular pattern to your breathing routine, which means you have to pay attention to how you are breathing. By repeatedly forcing air out, you make room for new air so that your breathing can get back on track. There may be periods of harsh coughing and a substantial generation of sputum, but this is actually what you want in order to get the airways opened and the breathing back on a regular pattern.
If you have asthma, you should keep away from any smoke from cigarettes. Don’t smoke! Avoid breathing chemical fumes and vapors. This can trigger an unstoppable asthma attack. You should give up on the smokes if you have asthma and also make sure to avoid other people who are smoking.
Asthmatics should have a flu shot every year to prevent contracting a serious respiratory infection. If you have asthma, try to avoid getting respiratory infections if you can. Precautions include washing your hands and staying current with vaccinations.
Prevent Leukotrienes
If you are dealing with asthma, make sure you take lots of Vitamins E and C. They are believed to aid respiratory function and to be instrumental in keeping your asthma in check. You can choose to ingest this vitamins by eating foods that are rich in the vitamins or through a supplement. These vitamins can improve your immune system to prevent asthma triggers.
A leukotriene inhibitor may be an excellent way for you to deal with asthma. Leukotriene inhibitors work to prevent leukotrienes. Leukotrienes are inflammation-causing chemicals that can bring on asthma attacks. The inhibitor will prevent leukotrienes, which can decrease the amount of asthma attacks that you have.
Your asthma treatments will likely increase when you suffer from hay fever or a cold. An increase in treatment is necessary sometimes because side effects of other sicknesses can cause your asthma symptoms to flare up. You might even get a new treatment added onto our existing program until the illness subsides.
If you have asthma and cannot afford health insurance or have no eligibility, bring up your situation with a social worker. Social workers are often able to locate a hospital or clinic that can offer free or low cost options to make sure you can fill your medication prescriptions.
If you have asthma or you live with an asthma sufferer, you should ensure you receive an annual flu shot. You can ward off a great number of these infections by having annual vaccinations.
Your asthma medication may need to be adjusted if you become ill. Many illnesses have side effects which can cause your asthma to get much worse, leading your doctor to increase treatment. Your doctor may also add another treatment to your regimen until your illness gets better.
If you suffer from asthma, you might want to use a pillow that doesn’t contain feathers. Pillow feathers force the lungs to work harder and can exacerbate asthma problems. This extends to the rest of your bedding, as well. There are hypoallergenic comforters and sheets you can use to limit asthma symptoms.
Be certain you are aware of what triggers an asthma attack so you can avoid it, or at least be prepared to handle the symptoms. Generally, it is found that items such as smoke and pollen can trigger attacks in those that suffer with asthma. When it is possible avoid substances that make you have symptoms or attacks.
Your home might harbor several of the major triggers of asthma attacks. Three triggers comprise the asthma triad of doom: spores, dust and mold. Stay on top of your health and reduce the likelihood of attacks. You can do this by having it inspected every year to get rid of triggers. On top of that, doing housecleaning regularly can prevent build up of these particles.
Asthmatic patients should avoid using feather pillows. Feathers in a pillow can bring on the symptoms of asthma and decrease lung function. You should also look into hypoallergenic materials when buying sheets and a comforter.
Mold and mildew will often grow in a humid home. These things can trigger asthma attacks very easily. You will benefit greatly from keeping the moisture out of your home’s air. Use a dehumidifier during the winter time so that you can keep humidity in control when you use a heater. You can use the air conditioning in your household during summer time to get the same affect.
When traveling, make sure to have your rescue medication handy at all times. Travel adds stress on your physical body, and it might increase your chances of falling prey to asthma triggers. You can’t exert as much control over your environment when you travel, so you may have an asthma attack or exacerbation of symptoms under unfamiliar conditions.
Using a preventative inhaler is important, but you need to know the side effects it can cause such as mouth infections. To prevent complications from using a preventative inhaler, brush your teeth immediately after using it and use mouthwash as well.
Even if you are feeling great, don’t skip your asthma check-ups. It is impossible to predict the next attack. Furthermore, newer or safer asthma medications may be approved in the time since you last visited your doctor.
Monitor how many times, on a weekly basis, you are using your rescue inhaler. Using it two times or may may mean that your asthma is not as controlled as you may think it is. It could also mean that something else is bringing on these frequent attacks. If you notice an increased use in your inhaler, reexamine your management plan and check for any changes in your surroundings that may be triggering the asthma.
Humidity in your home causes an environment where mildew and mold are more likely to grow. These substances can easily trigger asthma attacks. You should do your best to maintain a dry home. 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.
Someone suffering from asthma should avoid animals. Even people that do not have allergies are prone to suffer an asthma attack from the pollen and dust on animals.
Asthma often takes time to develop, the symptoms appearing slowly. Sometimes, a person can die from their first asthma attack without actually knowing they had the disease to begin with! Discuss with your doctor if you are having problems trying to catch your breath or have had a persistent cough for a while. There is the possibility that you have developed asthma, and if so, your doctor can tell you what the best method to treat it would be.
People who suffer from asthma should stay inside as much as they can when the pollen count is up. While asthma and allergies are separate illnesses, you’ll find that the triggers for one tend to be mirrored in the other. Asthma suffers can now minimize exposure to outdoor pollutants and irritants by checking online for current air quality in their areas.
If traveling by plane with your asthma equipment or medications, always carry your written prescription with you to avoid problems. When you have written proof that these items are necessary it can help speed along the security procedures.
Be proactive in controlling your asthma with regular visits to your doctor. Your doctor needs to be able to evaluate your current situation and make any necessary changes. You should always keep your appointments so that your doctor can follow up on your treatment plans, and work with you to maintain your health.
Monitor how often, per week, you find it necessary to use your 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 use of your inhaler can give you an idea about your surroundings and the need to watch them.
If repainting a room is in your future, purchase a quality mask first to protect your lungs from paint fumes. Paint fumes are especially dangerous for asthmatic people, but a mask will prevent asthma attacks efficiently. Avoid specific substances and chemicals that will worsen your asthma.
When housecleaning, it is better to clean your floors with a damp mop than sweeping them with a broom. An asthma attack is one possible outcome of a sweeping session that fills the air around you with allergens and dust. Dusting with a damp cloth rather than a feather duster can be a considerable help in reducing the amount of dust and other things that might start an attack.
Joining a support group for asthma sufferers, or having a conversation with others who have asthma, is very helpful. The other members can give you valuable advice on how to cope with the everyday challenges of living with asthma, and how to handle specific situations. Having supportive people that care about you is imperative.
The advice you just read should have given you some great ideas on how to cope with your asthma symptoms and reclaim your life. Use the tips and advice from the article above to be proactive in handling your asthma and maintain the lifestyle you love.
Increase the amount of vitamin B6 in your diet. Pyridoxine or vitamin B6 has been demonstrated to reduce the number of asthma attacks in various studies. Pyridoxine improves the flow of blood and oxygen to your bronchial tubes. One excellent source of vitamin B6 is bananas.