Asthma can put you in critical condition very quickly if you aren’t careful. Sometimes, asthma attacks are so bad that they cause fatalities. Ask for advice from qualified professionals, and be proactive in taking steps to improve your health. Here are a few easy tips to help you get a handle on your asthma symptoms.
You should avoid smoking and any type of fumes if you suffer from asthma. You should avoid jobs where you might be exposed to fumes and chemicals, such as factories.
If you are asthmatic, you absolutely must not subject yourself to any form of cigarette smoke. Smoking isn’t good for anyone, but it’s worse for those with asthma. It cuts off the oxygen supply that your lungs need to function properly to keep away the asthma attacks.
There are medicines out there that may increase your chance of triggering asthma symptoms. Among these medications are aspirin and other NSAIDs. There are some beta blockers that are given to those trying to control their heart disease or who have high blood pressure that may be harmful to an asthmatic, as well. It is important to let your doctor know if you suffer from asthma together with any of these conditions.
Asthma Triggers
Asthma doesn’t just go away, so you can’t just stop managing it. Ensure you’re taking the proper medications in order to manage everyday asthma symptoms. In addition, you should have a quick-fix medication handy in the event you suffer from an attack. To find which treatment options are the best for you and your condition, make sure you speak with a doctor and allergist.
Keep away from any and everything that you know triggers your asthma attacks. Asthma triggers will vary greatly between individuals. If you have allergy related asthma, you will want to avoid pollen and dust. It could also be some type of strenuous exercise. Try to determine your asthma triggers, so you can avoid them and prevent attacks.
If you have asthma, you need to avoid any kind of tobacco smoke. You should not smoke yourself! Don’t breathe vapor or chemical fumes. This can trigger an unstoppable asthma attack. Do everything you can to avoid cigarette smoke, air pollution, allergens and harsh chemical fumes to keep your asthma symptoms under control.
Exhale as hard as you can during an asthma attack. If you can’t breathe at all, go to the hospital; however, controlling your exhalation rate can sometimes help stop a less severe attack. Breathe out aggressively, as hard as you can. Try to force the air out of your lungs! Inhale for three quick breaths, and then take one deep breath so that you can allow your lungs to fill with air, and then force the air out again. This gives your breathing a rhythm and makes you focus on your breathing. In addition, it repeatedly empties your lungs of air, so that you can draw in more oxygen-rich air. You may cough or generate sputum, this is okay, your main goal is to get your breathing back on track again.
If your asthma attacks are severe, you may want to speak with your doctor about a long lasting injection of medication to control your symptoms. Known as Omalizumab, this antibody medicine can control the body’s allergic senses and lower the symptoms or reactions that asthma patients suffer.
If the room you are in appears to be dusty, refrain from turning on any fans. The fan will circulate the dust along with the air, which can cause it to get into your lungs and make your asthma worse. On smog-free, low pollen days, open your windows to improve airflow in the house.
When suffering from asthma, there are vitamins that can help, including E and C. These vitamins help to control asthma symptoms and improve the function of your lungs. Get these nutrients through supplements or food. Getting enough vitamins is also a good way to prevent asthma attacks by boosting your immune system.
Leukotriene Inhibitor
Keep dust and dirt to a minimum in any bedroom where an asthma sufferer sleeps. Only permit food in designated eating areas, such as the kitchen or dining room, and don’t allow smoking inside the house at all. Harsh chemicals, like bleach and ammonia, can trigger asthma.
You may want to use a leukotriene inhibitor if your asthma is being particularly problematic. A leukotriene inhibitor prevents the formation of leukotrienes. The chemical leukotriene is a common cause of inflammation in the lungs which in turn, can trigger asthma attacks. Taking an inhibitor blocks the receptors that leukotrienes normally interact with and leaves your throat less inflamed and attack-prone.
If you’re suffering from a cold or allergies, you should talk to your doctor about taking additional asthma medication. Many illnesses have side effects which can cause your asthma to get much worse, leading your doctor to increase treatment. You might even get a new treatment added onto our existing program until the illness subsides.
Utilize the inhaler correctly. Find a comfy spot, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The inhaler only can help if it’s medicine reaches the lungs. While inhaling air, spray the proper amount of inhalant into your mouth. Continue holding your breath for approximately 10 seconds. This way, the medication will soak into the cells of your lungs.
Pay attention to your symptom triggers. The more aware of your triggers you become, the easier it will be to avoid them and reduce the number of attacks you suffer. A lot of people who suffer from asthma have the same triggers, pet dander, smoke, or pollen. Avoid your asthma triggers as much as you can to prevent attacks.
Make sure that everyone in your family, including you, gets annual flu shots. If you suffer from asthma, it is best to avoid respiratory infections of any type as much as possible. Take standard precautions against any kind of illness, and start washing those hands and getting vaccinations that will protect you from getting very sick.
Your home is where most asthma triggers are located. Dander, dust and mold are all commonly found in many homes. Having your house inspected yearly is a good way to reduce the presence of these asthma triggers. On top of that, doing housecleaning regularly can prevent build up of these particles.
Be sure to take plenty of Vitamins C and E if you have asthma. They help to increase the function of the lungs and control the overall symptoms of asthma. Many foods have these vitamins in abundance, but you can also use a supplemental pill. These vitamins can improve your immune system to prevent asthma triggers.
Your home’s humidity can cause mold and mildew growth within it. You can get asthma attacks because of these substances. To halt the growth of mold and mildew keep your home’s humidity low. 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.
Realize what triggers your attacks, and you can avoid or manage these situations. The majority of individuals afflicted with asthma know there are common irritants like pollen, pet dander and smoke. Avoid these things when you can to breathe easier.
Avoid cold-induced asthma attacks by protecting your mouth and nose with a scarf. This will warm the air up before you breathe it into your lungs. Studies have indicated that asthma attacks are sometimes triggered when cold air is inhaled. This is especially true for young children who have asthma that is moderate to severe.
Avoid pillows with feathers if you have asthma. Feathers can trigger asthma symptoms and reduce lung function. Your other bedding, such as sheets, blankets and comforters, should be hypoallergenic, too.
Know the right way to use any asthma medication you are taking, in particular your rescue medication. Asthma treatment is generally two-pronged: Daily asthma treatment and additional emergency medicine to relieve attacks as they happen. It’s important to use both forms of medication properly to treat your chronic condition.
Even if you have not had any recent breathing problems, you should nonetheless schedule regular checkups. Your doctor may be able to prescribe more effective treatments and you may be suffering symptoms you’re not aware are related to your asthma.
Someone suffering from asthma should avoid animals. 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.
Your home might harbor several of the major triggers of asthma attacks. These include dust, mold and spores. Have an inspector come visit your house to remove any harmful agents that you have so that you can stay healthy and lower your risk for an asthma attack. As an additional measure, a home that is regularly cleaned will help keep these irritants from building up.
You want to make certain you visit more than just one doctor. Your family doctor or primary care physician can be the person you go to regularly for asthma symptoms, but also talk to a few specialists. Certain specialists, such as pulmonologists and allergists, can provide extra treatment options for your asthma.
You should definitely use your preventative inhaler on a daily basis. However, you should be warned that the drug can also cause infections in your mouth, particularly near your teeth and gums. You can prevent these side effects with proper tooth brushing and gargling after you use your inhaler.
Don’t smoke. Most people know that smoking is unhealthy, but the consequences are even worse for someone who has asthma. Smoke irritates the lungs of an asthma sufferer, so avoid the presence of people who smoke if you have asthma.
Instead of sweeping your floors with a broom, it is preferable to clean using a wet mop. When you sweep, you are stirring up asthma triggers that can cause you to have an asthma attack. When you need to dust, do so with a damp rag instead of a feather duster so that you reduce spreading around anything that will trigger your asthma.
If you have allergies and asthma, you need to avoid using a humidifier or a vaporizer unless it has been thoroughly cleaned. Bacteria could breed in this moist environment and get into the air once you turn the humidifier on.
Asthma sufferers should minimize their contact with animals and pets. Even sufferers not allergic to a certain animal need to remember that dust and pollen on the animals can still trigger an attack.
Make sure you keep calm if you are having an asthma attack. Use the inhaler, wait thirty seconds, and use once more. If this procedure does not stop your attack, seek immediate treatment from a healthcare professional. Have someone drive you directly to the hospital or call an ambulance for you. To calm yourself on the drive, bring a paper bag and breathe into it, as this will slow your breathing.
Talk with your physician if you find that you need your inhaler more often than a couple of times weekly. Frequent use may be a signal that the medication is not effective. This also goes for refills. If you find yourself refilling your inhaler in excess of twice a year, then you need to change medications.
When planning on painting an interior area of your home, make sure that you purchase a mask to protect your respiratory tract from the paint’s fumes. Paint fumes can be irritating to asthma sufferers, but a mask creates a protective shield. Substances and chemicals which have the power to trigger asthma should be widely avoided.
Asthma is an uncurable disease, but that doesn’t mean that the symptoms are permanent and can’t go away. However, just like most things in life, overcoming your asthma symptoms takes time and effort. If you follow these easy tips, you’ll find that your symptoms will get better over time and you’ll be able to enjoy a healthier, more active lifestyle.
Monitor your child’s asthma symptoms to see whether they should be going to the hospital or not. Two common symptoms of an unusually serious asthma attack are asthma medication having no effect and lips and extremities that are blue or gray in color. During these severe attacks, it may be difficult for your child to speak.