Asthma can be very frightening to deal with no matter who has it! You need to know the possible complications of asthma and the signs of an attack in order to deal with it effectively. You need to know what you can expect and when so these tips will be helpful.
There are many different types of asthma. 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. You will be able to prevent asthma attacks if you can recognize symptoms.
Stay away from anything that you are aware of that may trigger your asthma. For many, allergens like dust and pollen, can trigger their attacks. Or, you may need to avoid certain activities that overexert your body. Know your asthma causes so you can avoid putting yourself in a situation where you may suffer from an attack.
Do not smoke around a child with asthma. Secondhand smoke is known to be a reason asthma happens. You also need to be sure that your child isn’t around those that choose to smoke.
If you’re suffering from an asthma attack that’s moderate or mild, then work to force all the air you can from your lungs. Exhale in a hard and fast manner. Really force that air out of your lungs! Inhale in three short breaths and one fourth deeper breath so that your lungs are comfortably full of air, then exhale forcefully again. This technique develops a breathing rhythm, allowing you to notice the breaths that you take in. It pushes air from your lungs so you can breathe more in. This breathing technique may cause some coughing or sputum, but it can help regulate your breathing and reduce the attack.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma, you should avoid cleaning products. A lot of these products contain harsh chemicals such as ammonia. These chemicals wreak havoc on you and can trigger an attack. It is advisable to consider using products that have an organic base when cleaning.
Never turn on a fan when the room you are in is very dusty. An asthma attack can be easily triggered by the moving dust. Instead, you should consider opening a window to get some fresh clean air going through your lungs.
Avoid being around any known asthma triggers. For many people, allergens such as dust and pollen can induce an attack. For others, physical activities can cause them. Try to determine your asthma triggers, so you can avoid them and prevent attacks.
Consider getting allergy shots if you have asthma that is caused by allergies that aren’t under control. Ask your allergist about omalizumab, an antibody drug that can reduce the severity of asthma symptoms and the frequency of attacks.
Prescriptions and over-the-counter medications can actually trigger an asthma attack. Some NSAIDs and aspirins will do this for you. Many medications for heart disease and hypertension can also cause asthma symptoms. Let your doctor know about your asthma and what prescriptions you’re taking.
Asthma Attacks
If the room you are in appears to be dusty, refrain from turning on any fans. If you do, the dust will move around, and you can trigger your asthma. It is much better to open a window when you are in need of some air flow.
If you are having trouble preventing asthma attacks, you may find success with a leukotriene inhibitor. A leukotriene inhibitor prevents the formation of leukotrienes. Leukotriene, a chemical substance, can cause asthma attacks by causing inflammation. Leukotriene is an oral therapy for the treatment of asthma, but it is not as effective as inhaled corticosteroids.
If you have asthma and find yourself having frequent attacks caused by alleries, it may be time to consider a long-lasting medication. Your allergist may recommend a variety of medications to control your reactions and the onset of asthma.
Use the inhaler the right way. Find a quiet spot and follow the instructions the manufacturer has given. The inhaler is only useful if the medication within it actually gets to your lungs. The dosage that is required should be sprayed into the mouth while you inhale air. Hold your breath at least ten seconds, so that the medicated mist can fill your lungs.
Consider a leokotriene inhibitor if your asthma is not controlled by other methods. Leukotriene inhibitors work to prevent leukotrienes. Leukotrienes are molecules that cause the tracheal muscles to contract; having too many leukotrienes makes asthma attacks more likely. The inhibitor will block leukotrienes from getting into your lungs and lessen the chances of you suffering an asthma attack.
Cleaning Products
Consider buying a dehumidifier for the home if you have asthma. A dehumidifier will reduce attacks by taking extra humidity and, by extension, dust mites and other debris out of your air. Dehumidifiers reduce humidity and keep the air in your home dry.
It’s been proven that you should use no more than four cleaning products in the home. If you do it can increase the risk of asthma attacks. Try using organic cleaning products that are not comprised of irritating chemicals.
Unscented products are best for asthma sufferers. Scented products such as air fresheners and perfumes can trigger an asthma attack. Irritating odors are also given off by new carpeting and paints. Try keeping the air indoors as fresh as it can be.
If you have asthma, avoid people who smoke. Inhaled smoke from tobacco can drastically reduce lung function, increasing your chances of an asthma attack. This is especially true in closed-in areas.
When you are suffering from asthma and you have hay fever or a cold, you will most likely need an increase in your treatment. A lot of illnesses can cause your asthma to flare up very badly, resulting in the necessity to increase asthma treatment. It is possible that your doctor will decide to modify your treatment, or even add additional treatments, until you are back on your feet.
Keep your home free of dust and other triggers, especially where the person who suffers from asthma sleeps. Don’t smoke indoors, or allow any junk food in your home. After cleaning around the house, open windows and allow fresh air into the house. This can reduce the smell and pervasiveness of household cleaners like bleach.
Avoid pillows with feathers if you have asthma. Pillow feathers force the lungs to work harder and can exacerbate asthma problems. It is also advisable to use hypoallergenic sheets and comforters for the same reason.
When dealing with hay fever or a cold, you will notice an increase in your asthma symptoms. Side effects that are associated with most illnesses can serve as triggers for asthma and may cause an increase in your asthma treatment. Your family doctor may recommend adding another treatment or medication to your current regimen until you recover from your illness.
Make it a habit to always have some rescue medication available when you travel. When you travel, you sometimes strain your body a little more than you think, which can make you a bit more susceptible to having asthma attacks. Influencing the environment around you is nearly impossible while on the road, which is another opportunity for deteriorating symptoms or attack triggers.
As the article mentioned previously, it is important to know as much about asthma as possible. This article has provided you with quite a few tips to help you manage asthma, whether it’s you or a loved one. You can lessen the effect that asthma has on your life, or the life of someone you love.
Find a good support group in the Internet or in your area. Asthma can be devastating and lead to lethargy and withdrawal from normal life – especially if it is quite severe. A support group also makes it easier to keep up to date on advancements in asthma science or new medications that come on the market.