If you are currently trying to cope with the daily struggles which go hand-in-hand with asthma, then the information in this article may greatly benefit you. There is a lot of advice here to help you live an easier and healthier life.
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.
Be sure to avoid cigarette smoke if you have asthma. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, stop. Avoid breathing in the vapors and any other types of chemical fumes. This can trigger an asthma attack, which may be difficult to stop. If people smoke around you, you should get away form that area.
When you suffer from asthma, avoiding cleaning products is really important to do. It is very possible that one might bring on an asthma attack with some chemicals used for cleaning. Use natural cleaners instead of chemical cleaners to reduce your chances of asthma attacks after cleaning.
Asthma Attacks
Avoid those things that you know can trigger your asthma. This can vary from person to person, as small particles like dust can cause asthma attacks. Or, you may need to avoid certain activities that overexert your body. Look for the trigger points in your life, so you can work around them.
A leukotriene inhibitor can be helpful if you have asthma. A leukotriene inhibitor prevents the formation of leukotrienes. A leukotrienes is a type of chemical that causes inflammation, which leads to asthma attacks. The inhibitor will keep the leukotrienes from forming, which can reduce the frequency of asthma attacks that you experience.
Be aware of certain medications that can lead to asthma problems. Some of these include aspirin and NSAIDs. Beta blockers that are used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease can develop asthma like symptoms. Make sure your physician is aware of all of your chronic conditions and any medications you are on so they can treat your asthma appropriately.
Properly use the inhaler every time you must use it. Find a good place and follow all of the directions that have been provided by the maker of the product. 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. Allow the mist to fill up your lungs by holding your breath at least ten seconds.
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that requires constant management. Be sure to take the correct medicines to keep your daily asthma symptoms under control, and always have emergency medication available in case an attack occurs. Discuss treatment strategies with both your primary care physician and your allergist.
Talk to a social worker if you have asthma and no health insurance. It is important that you are able to afford your asthma medications, so a social worker may be able to find you a clinic or hospital that offers your medication at little to no cost.
Make sure you are taking plenty of Vitamins E and C if you suffer from asthma. These vitamins can help improve your lung function, ultimately controlling asthma. It is possible to acquire the necessary amounts by eating foods or by taking dietary supplements. These vitamins also help boost your immune system, which helps to prevent illnesses that trigger asthma.
You should ensure that every family member in your household gets a flu vaccine yearly. If you are afflicted with asthma, avoid getting any infections if possible. This means that you should take all standard precautions to avoid illness, such as washing your hands, getting vaccinated and avoiding those who are sick.
You may want to consider purchasing a dehumidifier for your home if you suffer from asthma. Lowering humidity will reduce the amount of dust mites in your home, and help your asthma improve. Dehumidifiers eliminate your home’s humidity, leaving dry air.
If you suffer from asthma, make sure that you consume enough Vitamin C and Vitamin E. These vitamins are thought to help improve lung function and control asthma symptoms. These vitamins can be easily obtained, either through your diet or a supplement. You can help out your immune system that can help stave off asthma triggers!
It is best to use products that are unscented in the home with someone who is asthmatic. Indoor air pollution rises with the constant use of anything scented, ranging from air fresheners to incense, and all this can trigger asthma attacks. Fresh paint and new carpeting also give off odors that may aggravate the airways. Keep your indoor air clean and free of pollutants to stay healthy.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma, you should avoid smoking or even being in the presence of smokers. 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.
Make sure to examine what it is that causes your asthma attacks in order to best avoid having to deal with them. The majority of individuals afflicted with asthma know there are common irritants like pollen, pet dander and smoke. Try to avoid these items as much as humanly possible so as to not trigger a full attack.
Annual Flu Shot
When you travel, your rescue medication should be with you all the time. You may find that the stress of traveling makes an asthma attack more likely. It is also hard to predict what will come up or to control your environment when you travel, which increases the chances of experiencing more severe symptoms or an attack.
If you have asthma or you live with an asthma sufferer, you should ensure you receive an annual flu shot. This annual flu shot will prevent infectious damage to your lungs.
Most of the triggers for attacks, and causes of asthma, are found inside the home. Some of these irritants include dust, mold and spores. An annual visit by a professional inspector can help keep your home free from these agents, and reduce the likelihood of an attack. In addition, cleaning the house regularly can greatly contribute to keeping these substances from building up.
When you travel, your rescue medication should be with you all the time. Traveling is hard on your body, opening you up to an asthma attack. You can’t exert as much control over your environment when you travel, so you may have an asthma attack or exacerbation of symptoms under unfamiliar conditions.
A lot of times asthma will develop over time, and has symptoms that aren’t always obvious. There have been a few cases where a person dies from their first attack, because they didn’t know they suffered from the condition. Given that fact, if you have any kind of consistent cough or respiratory ailments, consulting a physician for testing is a good idea, since you want to know if you are suffering from asthma and if so, what to do about it.
Mold and mildew can thrive in a humid home environment. These things can trigger asthma attacks very easily. Thus, keep the air in your home as moisture-free as possible to avoid asthma-related problems. Whenever you use a heater, you should use a dehumidifier, and air conditioning will help in the summer.
You should track how often, in a week’s time, you require the use of a rescue inhaler. When you find you are depending on it more than thrice during a week’s period on an ongoing basis it is a sign your asthma is not under proper control and could lead to serious attacks if not addressed. This number can help you monitor your environment for asthma triggers and let you determine if your treatment plan is working properly.
The article you have now read contained a number of ideas you can use to reassert control over your lifestyle. With the knowledge that you have discovered today, you can get back to a more active lifestyle, and enjoy taking a proactive approach towards getting back to the things you have been missing.
Contact with animals and pets should be avoided for asthma sufferers. Animals are a danger to asthma sufferers who are already allergic to them, but pets also carry a wide array of dust particles and pollen, so avoiding them is a good move for anyone dealing with asthma.