It is clear that one’s lungs are important and asthma can hinder their condition and one’s life gravely. However, don’t think that asthma means the active part of your life is over. There are effective treatment and prevention methods for this condition. Take the advice below to heart, and you can starting living normally today.
An important part of symptom management is knowing what type of asthma you have. If you identify your specific causes, you can be prepared to treat the symptoms when they appear during your daily routines. People suffering from asthma that is exercise-induced, for example, had best be prepared for asthma attacks at the gym! Knowing your symptoms’ patterns can help you avoid big problems.
Do all you can to learn not just about asthma, but your particular asthma. Being fully informed about the specific type of asthma you have is very important. Those whose asthma is exacerbated by exercise will know to always have an inhaler on hand. Knowing when an asthma attack is likely to strike can help you avert disaster.
A good tip that can help your child cope with asthma is to make sure you never smoke around them. Secondhand smoke is a leading cause of asthma. Always ensure your child is in a smoke-free area.
Second hand smoke can cause asthma to develop in children, and can trigger an asthma attack if they already suffer from asthma. It has been medically proven that smoking can cause asthma or make existing symptoms worse. Also, do not let your child around others who smoke.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma and you are a smoker, it is time to quit. Although smoking is bad for all people, it is especially worse for asthma patients because it cuts off the oxygen supply that you need in order for your lungs to function and keep away asthma attacks.
Cleaning Products
Some medications are known to cause asthma symptoms. Some NSAIDs and aspirin might do this. Common medications used for controlling high blood pressure often times contain beta blockers, which asthmatics may be more sensitive to. Make sure your doctor knows if you are taking such medicine and also have asthma.
Asthma can cause increased sensitivity to the ingredients contained in many cleaning products. Many chemicals contained in common cleaning products can aggravate your asthma, triggering an attack. If you’re the one that cleans your home, try organic or natural cleaning solutions that are much less risky to your health.
It is always a problem if you have asthma and don’t have health insurance, but talking to a social worker may help you resolve this issue. Social workers are trained to help people find resources for affording health care, particularly on debilitating conditions such as asthma.
Asthma is not a curable disease and will require life-long health management. Ensure you’re taking the proper medications to manage common symptoms of asthma. In case of an attack, you need to have in your possession a medication that will provide almost instant relief. To determine the best options for you personally, consult your physician and an allergist.
If you plan to take a trip, you must always keep your rescue medication with you at all times. Travel adds stress on your physical body, and it might increase your chances of falling prey to asthma triggers. Influencing the environment around you is nearly impossible while on the road, which is another opportunity for deteriorating symptoms or attack triggers.
Consider getting allergy shots if you have asthma that is caused by allergies that aren’t under control. Your allergist might recommend Omalizumab, which is an antibody type medicine that can regulate your symptoms of allergic reactions.
Some of the major causes of asthma, and triggers for asthma attacks, can exist right in the home. These include mold, dust and spores. In order to remain healthy and lessen any chances of having an asthma attack, it is recommended you have your home inspected yearly to have these harmful triggers removed. It also helps to clean your home frequently to prevent a buildup of these allergens.
Learn how to properly use your inhaler. Get to a place out of the way, and read the directions before starting. The inhaler will only work if the medicine reaches your lungs. You need to inhale air while spraying the requisite dosage in your mouth. It is then necessary to hold the breath for about ten seconds to give the medication time to work in your lungs.
Mold and mildew grow in a home due to the humidity that creates a friendly environment for them. This stuff can easily set off an asthma attack. It is best if you keep the air in your home as dry as possible. Whenever you use a heater, you should use a dehumidifier, and air conditioning will help in the summer.
Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke because it is as dangerous to asthmatics as smoking a cigarette. As soon as you inhale any smoke from tobacco, your lungs become sensitive, which increases your risk of an attack. Just avoid any type of smoke, especially in small areas, and keep your lungs healthy to be safe.
It’s important to keep up with your daily preventative inhaler routine, but watch out for mouth infections, especially in both teeth and gums. Prevent these unnecessary side effects by gargling and brushing your teeth right after you use the inhaler.
Those with asthma should always opt for unscented items because they are safest. Scented products such as air fresheners and perfumes can trigger an asthma attack. New carpet and fresh paint can also emit odors that can irritate the airways. Take all necessary measures to ensure that your home is always filled with fresh, clean air.
Use a mop that’s wet to clean your floors instead of a broom. Sweeping sends dust and dander back into the air and could trigger an asthma attack. Dusting can actually just move the dust around, sending particles into the air, and into your lungs triggering an asthma attack, so try wiping things down with a damp cloth to minimize the amount of allergens you are exposed to.
A yearly flu shot is necessary if you suffer from asthma. Stave off these infections immediately by getting your vaccinations yearly.
Avoid smoke, if you don’t want to have an asthma attack. The inhalation of smoke can easily trigger an asthma attack. Avoid exposure to chemical fumes and vapors, and any type of wood or cigarette smoke. Exposing yourself to these pollutants can have a significant effect on your asthma symptoms. Ask people around you not to smoke in your presence. Don’t be rude about it, but don’t be afraid to ask for what you need.
You should understand what triggers your asthma attacks in order for you to avoid these causes or prepare yourself for managing your symptoms. Most asthma sufferers have a few common triggers such as smoke, pet dander or pollen. Do your best to avoid coming into contact with substances that you know will trigger your symptoms.
If pollen is present in the air, anyone with asthma should stay inside. While asthma and allergies are separate illnesses, you’ll find that the triggers for one tend to be mirrored in the other. 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.
Take your rescue inhaler and keep it handy when you travel. The stress of travel may temporarily weaken your body and make you more vulnerable to attack triggers. Controlling your environment is harder when traveling, so this makes it much more probable that you experience worsening symptoms or an attack.
If you do have an asthma attack, make sure to stay calm. Use your rescue inhaler, rest for a half to one minute, then use the inhaler again. If you do this and you notice that your attack is worsening then you need to get help. Go to the hospital. If the attack is particularly bad, have a friend take you or call 911. Breathe into a paper bag for assistance in slowing your breathing during the trip to the hospital.
During cold, winter months, asthma sufferers should wear a shawl, muffler, or scarf that will cover both their nose and mouth. That way the air is warmed before it enters your lungs. Inhalation of cold air is proven to initiate asthma attacks, and younger kids afflicted with asthma of moderate or severe proportions are especially at risk.
Joining a network of those who suffer from asthma, or simply talking to others who suffer from the condition, can have a positive impact on you. 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. Gaining the support of those around you is crucial.
Asthma Attack
Eat more foods that are rich in B6 vitamins. Vitamin B6, known as pyridoxine, reduces the risks of getting an asthma attack. Pyridoxine produces molecules that facilitate the relaxation of bronchial tissues. One excellent source of vitamin B6 is bananas.
Asthma generally takes a long time to develop, and the symptoms may be vague at first, making it difficult to diagnose the problem. There are lots of cases where people die of an asthma attack without knowing they had asthma. It is advised that you seek out a medical professional if you ever have shortness of breath or experience constant coughing; this may be a sign that you suffer from asthma and need proper medication to prevent an asthma attack and keep your condition under control.
Asthma can be caused by genetics, environmental factors, or a little bit of both. If a member of your family suffers from asthma, you should pay close attention to any symptoms of asthma that you and your children display. Air pollutants like smoke and mold spores can trigger an asthma attack, so keep your home clean to avoid irritation.
Using the great ideas found in this article, you and your doctor can make an effective plan that will make the day to day management of asthma easier. There are new medications and treatments being developed all the time. Soon, asthma will be more easy to deal with than ever.
If you are in the middle of an asthma attack without your emergency inhaler, try to get some caffeine quickly. Any source of caffeine will help control asthma attack symptoms, including chocolate, coffee, or black tea. The caffeine in these foods can constrict blood vessels, allowing your airways to open.