Not only can asthma be a burden to your everyday life, but it can even be fatal. You should take the correct measures to avoid and manage asthma. Apply the tips laid out here, and reduce your symptoms; stop asthma from controlling your life.
You should not smoke or be anywhere near smoke if you suffer from asthma. That means you have to avoid all tobacco, and seriously consider think about what jobs you take; for example, factories are probably not a healthy place for you because of all the vapors and smoke.
What type of asthma are you having to deal with? If you know as much as you can about the kind of asthma that you have, you can find out how to battle it day-by-day. 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.
Do you know which type of asthma you suffer from? When you know in-depth information about your asthma, you can figure out how to fight against it. If your asthma is triggered by exercise, throw an inhaler into your gym bag. If you are familiar with your symptoms and their patterns, you will be better able to avoid emergencies.
There are medicines out there that may increase your chance of triggering asthma symptoms. Examples of medications that may contribute to asthma 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.
It is vital that neither you, nor anyone else, smoke around a child with asthma. Secondhand smoke is a huge health risk and directly plays a role in why people develop asthma. Keep your child away from any area where people are smoking.
If you are suffering from a mild or moderate asthma attack, expel all the air from your lungs. Breathe out aggressively, as hard as you can. You have to force the air out. After that, take in three shallow breaths and one deep breath. Once your lungs are full again, do another forceful exhale. Not only will you breathe in rhythm, but you’ll focus more intently on how you are breathing and become aware of breathing problems. It also helps to push air out from your lungs so new air can come back in. You may generate sputum or cough but that is alright, since your main objective is getting you to breathe normally again.
Never use a fan in a dirty, dust-filled room. The fan will circulate the dust along with the air, which can cause it to get into your lungs and make your asthma worse. Open a window to bring clean, cool air inside instead.
Any type of smoke can bring on a serious asthma attack. Asthmatics should also never smoke. Avoid breathing in vapors from smoke or other chemical-type fumes. This can cause your asthma to flare up, causing an attack that may be uncontrollable. The minute you spot people smoking, immediately remove yourself from the area.
Though it is easy to postpone or avoid, get those annual flu vaccinations. Try to avoid getting any respiratory infections if you have asthma. This means you should also be sure to wash your hands frequently and get vaccinated.
If you find yourself in a room that is dusty, don’t turn on any kind of fan. This will move all the dust around, and can easily trigger an asthma attack. Instead, you should consider opening a window to get some fresh clean air going through your lungs.
Asthma sufferers should take Vitamins E and C. 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 a supplement or consume these vitamins in food. These vitamins are great for your immune system, and a strong immune system wards off illnesses that can trigger asthma attacks.
Leukotriene Inhibitor
Think about buying a dehumidifier if your asthma symptoms are bad. Though you may not be aware of it, high levels of humidity in indoor spaces can increase dust mites, which then can affect asthma. Dehumidifiers cause the air in your home to become dry, which means less humidity.
You may want to use a leukotriene inhibitor if your asthma is being particularly problematic. Leukotriene inhibitors block the effects of leukotrienes. Leukotriene, a chemical substance, can cause asthma attacks by causing inflammation. If you get a leukotriene inhibitor, it can get rid of them in the air and help you with asthma symptoms.
If you have asthma, avoid people who are smoking. Inhaling smoke from tobacco products can compromise your lung function, which then makes you more susceptible to an attack. The risk of an attack from cigarette smoke is increased as the space you are in decreases.
Use the inhaler the right way. Find a spot that is out of the way, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to the letter. Remember that using an inhaler is only going to help you if the medication contained within makes its way to the lungs. While inhaling, spray the dosage in your mouth. Hold your breath still for ten seconds at least in order to let the mist with medicine fill your lungs.
Receiving a regular flu shot is a great tip to implement if you or someone you love suffers from asthma. Getting vaccinated yearly can help keep many of these illnesses at bay.
Stay away from cigarette smoke, even if it’s secondhand. If you inhale the smoke, it will harm your lungs and increase the possibility of an asthma attack. Always be mindful of this, especially in small spaces that do not have very much air flowing.
Take notes of what can trigger your asthma attacks so that you can be prepared for a future attack or learn how to avoid them all together. A lot of people who suffer from asthma have the same triggers, pet dander, smoke, or pollen. When it is possible avoid substances that make you have symptoms or attacks.
Many people underestimate asthma, or at least think that they can’t do anything about it since it is an incurable disease. However, you’ll be amazed at how much difference you can make simply by following these simple steps to try and relieve symptoms and reduce the sources of asthma attacks.
If you are an asthma patient, you may want to sleep with a pillow that does not contain feathers. Feathers can aggravate symptoms of asthma and lower lung function. Be sure to keep the same advice in mind for your bedclothes. They should be made from materials that do not increase allergy symptoms.