There is an increasing need for effective asthma treatments. This surge in demand for asthma treatment strategies has brought some innovative, lesser-known treatments and therapies to light. Right now is your opportunity to find a asthma treatment. Read on to learn what is currently known about the disease and how to find the treatment that best works for you.
The symptoms of asthma might not always be apparent, but for those that suffer from the disease, the condition never goes away entirely. Be certain that you are using the right maintenance medicines to control your asthma and that you also have a rescue or emergency medication when you have an acute asthma attack. Find out from your allergist and your doctor what is best for you.
If you suffer from asthma, you should not smoke or expose yourself to any type of vapors or fumes. This means avoidance of all tobacco products, as well as taking into consideration any smoke or vapors you might be exposed to in a prospective workplace.
If your health insurance situation cannot help you with your asthma, talk to 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.
Keep clear of anything that you know to be a trigger for your asthma. For many people, allergens such as dust and pollen can induce an attack. For other people it may physical activities that will set them off. It is important to determine what triggers your asthma attacks so you can try to avoid those things.
Vitamins E and C are beneficial to anyone with asthma. Since both of these have been attributed to better function of the lungs, they also help to control the symptoms of asthma. You can take these vitamins in pill form, or you can eat fresh fruits and vegetables and get the vitamins that way. These vitamins can also boost the immune system and help prevent asthma attacks.
The symptoms of asthma might not always be apparent, but for those that suffer from the disease, the condition never goes away entirely. 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. A variety of options are available for the treatment of asthmatic attacks. Consult your doctor and an allergist.
People who have asthma should stick to using unscented products. Indoor air pollution rises with the constant use of anything scented, ranging from air fresheners to incense, and all this can trigger asthma attacks. New carpeting and even a fresh coat of paint can aggravate the airway and lungs as well. Aim to make the air inside your home allergen free, and as fresh and clean as possible.
If you are having an asthma attack (mild or moderate), you need to try to force air out of the lungs. Exhale hard and fast. Truly pump all air from your lungs! Take in three breaths, and then a deeper breath until your lungs are full of air. Then exhale with force again. This will make your breathing rhythmic and help you pay more attention to it. It also helps to push air out from your lungs so new air can come back in. You may generate sputum, but the primary goal is to start breathing regularly again.
When traveling, make sure to have your rescue medication handy at all times. Traveling causes extra strain on your already stressed body, which makes your body more susceptible to bothersome asthma triggers. Traveling can make asthma symptoms worse, and it is difficult, nearly impossible to control environmental triggers during travel.
If you have asthma, avoid cigarette smoke of all kinds. Never smoke yourself! Avoid breathing chemical fumes and vapors. This can set off an Asthma attack that you might not be able to stop. If you are around people who smoke, leave the area very fast.
Don’t skip appointments for your checkups, even if you haven’t had any recent asthma attacks. You don’t know when another flare-up will happen, or when your physician can offer you safer or superior medicine for your symptoms.
If you suffer from asthma, and have many attacks that are related to your allergy symptoms, there is a medication that is injected and provides long term effects. Known as Omalizumab, this antibody medicine can control the body’s allergic senses and lower the symptoms or reactions that asthma patients suffer.
If you or a loved one suffers from asthma, a support group may help. You can find support groups online or in your community. Left untreated, asthma can be very debilitating and prevent you from enjoying your normal activities. Also, other asthma sufferers can help keep you aware of new medications or other medical treatments.
Make sure that everyone in your family, including you, gets annual flu shots. People who have been diagnosed with asthma should exercise extreme diligence in avoiding other respiratory conditions. Making sure to consistently wash your hands, and getting the proper vaccinations are two standard precautions.
Your home might harbor several of the major triggers of asthma attacks. These generally include dust, mold and spores. To reduce asthma attacks and stay healthy, have an inspector remove any harmful agents yearly. In addition, cleaning the house regularly can greatly contribute to keeping these substances from building up.
To minimize the chances of triggering a bout of asthma, keep your house extra clean, particularly rooms where asthma patients sleep. Keep food in a kitchen or on the dining room table, and avoid cigarette smoking inside. Harsh chemicals, like bleach and ammonia, can trigger asthma.
When the weather starts to turn colder, wear a scarf or shawl that covers your mouth and nose to help prevent asthma attacks. This way, the air will be warm before entering your lungs. In multiple studies, breathing cold air is linked to increased asthma attacks. This link is especially pronounced in younger children.
Asthma Attacks
When flying and bringing along asthma medications and equipment, be sure to pack your prescriptions. This is especially true for large items like a nebulizer. If you’ve got written proof, it’ll save you a lot of hassle when you’re at a security check.
Know what causes your asthma attacks, as this will enable you to work around them or prepare to treat the asthma attacks that result. There are some quite common triggers that can invoke an attack in asthma sufferers, for example cigarette smoke, pollen, or pet hair and dander. If able, avoid anything that results in symptoms of asthma or an asthma attack.
Keep in mind that mopping your floors with a wet mop will cause less asthma problems than sweeping will. Vacuuming or wet-mopping are better than sweeping because they don’t stir up dust and debris that might induce 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.
When you fly, make sure to take along prescriptions or doctors’ notes for all of your asthma equipment and medications, especially if they are unusual. Having written documentation supporting this medically necessary item will eliminate any hassles when going through the security check point.
For those struggling with their asthma, avoiding regular contact with pets is important to control symptoms. 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.
Monitor how many times, on a weekly basis, you are using your rescue inhaler. It is possible that your asthma may be out of control or that there are extenuating circumstances that are exacerbating your condition. This number can help you monitor your environment for asthma triggers and let you determine if your treatment plan is working properly.
If you experience a sudden asthma attack, staying calm is extremely important. Use your inhaler, wait 30 seconds and use it again. If this does not lessen the attack, get help quickly. Go to the hospital immediately or call 911. Breathing into a paper bag on the way can sometimes help by slowing your breathing rate.
Use a mop that’s wet to clean your floors instead of a broom. If you are sweeping, you can trigger an asthma attack by stirring up a lot of allergens into the air. Use damp rags instead of a dry feather duster so triggers won’t be filling the air.
Proper use of an inhaler is crucial if you suffer from asthma. Spraying it inside your mouth and inhaling is not all it takes. Every time you spray the inhaler, breathe deeply inward for about three seconds. If you are having trouble using it correctly, ask your doctor for help at your next visit.
Bed linens often collect asthma aggravators, such as pollen, dust and allergens. You can cut down on these irritants or eliminate them altogether by washing your bedding and pillow cases in very hot water once a week. You will breathe easier at night when you have freshly washed and clean bed linens.
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. Frequent need of an inhaler is an indication that the medication prescribed is not the right strength. This is also true if you find yourself refilling the inhaler prescription more than twice in a calendar year.
As you have seen, there are many ways to treat asthma. You have to find the treatments that work best for you. There is a lot of information available that will show the benefits of each treatment. By using these tips, you’re close to improving your asthma situation.
It’s important to know absolutely everything you possibly can about your disease. Knowledge is power, and enlightened proactive steps yield immeasurable dividends in your treatment and management regimen. Keep up to date on the different treatments and always be sure to have the best possible care for yourself. You need to learn about asthma and the treatment options available.