Living through a bout of asthma is quite unsettling, as is the knowledge that the disease will never entirely go away. However, when you understand how to cope with your asthma, you can live a fuller and happier life. Keep reading to learn some specific strategies that can help you live a full life despite your asthma.
What type of asthma are you having to deal with? Before you can develop a self-care plan for your asthma symptoms, you need to know the specific cause of your symptoms. Asthma caused by exercise can be treated easily if you carry an inhaler when you go to the gym. Treating asthma is less difficult if you and your physician are aware of the triggers that bring on an attack.
Asthmatics should not smoke. If you smoke – quit immediately. 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.
Asthma can cause increased sensitivity to the ingredients contained in many cleaning products. The chemicals in many cleaning products will trigger asthma attacks or symptoms. If you’re the one who regularly cleans the house, look for natural cleaning products which are much safer to use.
Never use a fan in a dirty, dust-filled room. Turning on a fan is going to cause the dust to leave its surface and begin filling the air of your environment. Open a window to bring clean, cool air inside instead.
Asthma is a chronic disease that requires ongoing, consistent management and care. It is crucial that you have the proper medications for controlling asthma, as well as medication, such as a rescue inhaler to treat sudden attacks. A variety of options are available for the treatment of asthmatic attacks. Consult your doctor and an allergist.
Attacks Related
Make sure if you have an inhaler that you are using it the right way. Find a spot that is peaceful, and then follow the instructions given by the manufacturer. Your inhaler will only help if you breathe very deeply. The dosage that is required should be sprayed into the mouth while you inhale air. Continue holding your breath for approximately 10 seconds. This way, the medication will soak into the cells of your lungs.
If you are a person with asthma and have persistent attacks related to allergy symptoms, a medication that can be used for a long term effect is one that can be injected. An antibody medicine known as omalizumab is very effective at countering asthma attacks related to allergies. Ask your allergist about it.
Ask everyone in your family to get a flu shot every year. People who have been diagnosed with asthma should exercise extreme diligence in avoiding other respiratory conditions. It is important to do things like hand washing and receiving proper vaccinations.
When struggling with asthma, consider using a leukotriene inhibitor. Leukotriene inhibitors are used to prevent things called leukotrienes. Leukotrienes has a hand in causing swelling and inflammation in your lungs, and may trigger a asthma attack. Leukotriene is an oral therapy for the treatment of asthma, but it is not as effective as inhaled corticosteroids.
You can help to prevent asthma attacks by maintaining a clean home, particularly the asthmatic’s bedroom. Refrain from smoking inside the home, and keep edibles inside your kitchen. Let in plenty of fresh air if the weather permits, and avoid using harsh chemicals to bleach.
If you have asthma and cannot afford health insurance or have no eligibility, bring up your situation with a social worker. Having the financial ability to purchase your asthma medications is essential, and a social worker can help you locate a hospital or clinic that can provide you with these medications for free or at a significantly reduced rate.
Make sure you are aware of what triggers your asthma so you can avoid it or prepare properly. The majority of asthma sufferers suffer attacks when exposed to some common trigger, including allergens or cigarette smoke. If at all possible, strive to avoid substances and locations that trigger your asthma symptoms or attacks.
Think about buying a dehumidifier if your asthma symptoms are bad. Lowering the level of humidity present in your home can reduce the numbers of dust mites, a prime trigger of asthma. Dehumidifiers eliminate your home’s humidity, leaving dry air.
Don’t skip appointments for your checkups, even if you haven’t had any recent asthma attacks. It is important to make sure your condition isn’t worsening, and your doctor may want to prescribe a different medication.
You should understand what triggers your asthma attacks in order for you to avoid these causes or prepare yourself for managing your symptoms. Asthma sufferers generally have different triggers in common like pollen, pet dander and smoke. When it is possible avoid substances that make you have symptoms or attacks.
When the weather starts to turn colder, wear a scarf or shawl that covers your mouth and nose to help prevent asthma attacks. Proper winter wear can keep cold air from agitating your lungs. Breathing cold air can set off an asthma attack, particularly in small children who have have somewhat severe asthma.
When you are traveling, be sure to carry your rescue inhaler with you at all times. The stress of travel may temporarily weaken your body and make you more vulnerable to attack triggers. It is also difficult to control your environment while traveling, making it more likely that you may experience an attack or worsening symptoms.
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. Prevent these unnecessary side effects by gargling and brushing your teeth right after you use the inhaler.
Even if your asthma seems like it is under control, always keep your asthma appointments with the doctor. You never know when you might suffer another flare-up, or when your doctor might have a better or safer medication to prescribe for your symptoms.
Clean your home with a wet mop instead of a broom. An asthma attack is one possible outcome of a sweeping session that fills the air around you with allergens and dust. Use a dampened rag when dusting, instead of a feather duster, so as to prevent stirring up loose dust particles and other asthma triggers.
Think about the benefits of joining an online or in-person support group. Asthma, especially if it is severe, can be quite debilitating and can keep you from being an active participant in life. Your peers will be able to provide you with advice and tips that work for them, information about new treatment techniques, and even some home remedies you might not know about.
Consult with multiple doctors. While your asthma treatment should start with your primary care doctor, visiting one or two asthma specialists can make a real difference in how well you understand and manage your condition. Asthma centers, pulmonologists, nutritionists and allergists can all work with you, making sure you are getting all the treatment you need.
Rescue Medications
Talk to your doctor about adjusting your medication if you find yourself using the inhaler 3 or more times per week. Frequent asthma attacks indicate that your inhaled medication isn’t keeping your asthma under control. This also goes for refills. If you find yourself refilling your inhaler in excess of twice a year, then you need to change medications.
Find out how you are supposed to use your asthma medication and rescue treatments. Asthma is generally managed through regular medicine which is supplemented with rescue medications like inhalers. Because asthma can be a lifelong issue, it is vital to take both regular and rescue medications according to the instructions.
Go to your doctor a few times every year to check up on your asthma, and ensure that it is being managed effectively. Your physician can assess if there’s been any changes in your condition, and adjust your treatment plan accordingly. You need to stay on top of scheduling doctor visits. Otherwise, your condition might deteriorate suddenly.
The development of asthma symptoms can occur over time and they can be difficult to pinpoint and diagnose. In a lot of cases, people die from an asthma attack because they didn’t know they had the condition. Therefore, if you have trouble breathing or a constant cough, you may want to seek a medical professional to determine if you have asthma. Your physician can also determine whether you need medication for either asthma prevention or asthma treatment.
Know what your triggers are to safeguard yourself against asthma. You may even want to keep an asthma trigger journal so you can discuss this with your doctor. After you identify substances that trigger your asthma symptoms, you can avoid those substances in your environment or ask your doctor whether there is a medication that will allow you to go into an environment with those triggers and remain free of asthma symptoms.
If you are going to be flying and are bringing your asthma medicine with you, take written prescriptions from your physician with you, especially if you will be taking large equipment like a nebulizer. Written proof of needing your equipment can help you with any issues you might have in the security line.
The following symptoms can signify a serious attack worthy of emergency room attention. Some symptoms of a dangerous attack include blue or gray nails and lips and a lack of response to medications. Your child can have a hard time speaking.
When you clean house, it is recommended that you clean your floor with a wet mop instead of sweeping it. If you are sweeping, you can trigger an asthma attack by stirring up a lot of allergens into the air. When you dust, try dampening a rag, instead of a feather duster, to avoid spreading things that can trigger your asthma.
If you do not have your inhaler with you and you are experiencing an asthma attack, take a quick caffeine shot! You can actually reduce some asthma attack symptoms with coffee, strong black tea and even chocolate, be sure to check into other items as well. Caffeine works because it constricts blood vessels and opens up the airways.
Anyone with asthma needs to avoid all types of smoke when trying to decrease asthma attacks. Smoke can seriously affect the lungs and is a common asthma trigger. Stay away from all types of fumes as well as cigarette smoke. These can aggravate your asthma symptoms. If there are smokers around you, you may want to ask them if they will smoke in another area.
Watch carefully for any signs of food allergies in your children. If you happen to notice difficulty breathing, or skin rashes when your child eats a certain food, it would be wise for you to visit a doctor to have them tested for allergies. Your child could develop asthma later in life after having these types of allergies.
People that experience asthma must stay indoors as often as they can when pollen is abundant. While asthma is different than allergies, often the same types of things that bother those with allergies trigger irritation in asthmatics as well. Since data on air quality is now widely published, those with asthma have the ability to avoid being outside when concentrations of irritants are high.
For those with asthma, do warm-ups before exercising. You should also do cool downs after exercising. Doing both can prevent serious attacks during or after exercising.
If you suffer from asthma, you need to learn how to go through your daily life. The frustration of dealing with asthma can be easier if you have the right tips, and know how to manage it. There is a lot of information on asthma, such as the advice in this article, and it will help you.
Waking up with an asthma attack at night more than 3 times a week, or using your inhaler 3 or more times a week is a sign that your asthma medication needs to be evaluated. Talk to your doctor as soon as possible.