There are millions of people out there who are scared to run even a short distance for fear of bringing about an asthma attack. You can live your life to the fullest by understanding the different treatment options available to you. The next few paragraphs will give you basic information about the nature of asthma, as well as how to treat it effectively.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma and you are a smoker, it is time to quit. Smoking is bad in general for everyone, but it is particularly worse for asthma suffers because it decreases the amount of oxygen in the lungs, putting you at higher risk for asthma attacks.
If you have asthma, it is crucial that you do not smoke, or quit if you do. Although smoking is terrible for everyone, it is even worse for an asthma sufferer due to less oxygen supply in the lungs and that can trigger an attack.
Always be very mindful of the type of medications you’re taking. Some meds out there might just trigger an asthma attack. Some anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, can flare up asthma symptoms. You can also use medications that can control high blood pressure and heart disease, things like beta blockers. It is important for your doctor to know your complete medical history, including any medications you are currently taking, so they can best treat your asthma.
Avoid those things that you know can trigger your asthma. Asthma triggers will vary greatly between individuals. If you have allergy related asthma, you will want to avoid pollen and dust. For others, certain physical activities may be the trigger. Try and figure out what gets your asthma started so you know what to avoid.
Keep rooms free of dust, and do not turn on a fan if you do have dusty rooms. This will cause the dust to move around, which could cause an asthma attack. If you feel you need airflow, open a window instead.
If allergy symptoms cause you to have moderate to severe asthma attacks, there is a medication available that can help for extended periods of time. Omalizumab is an antibody medication that is used to control these allergic reaction symptoms and may be recommended by your allergist.
If you have asthma and cannot get health insurance, see a social worker. Asthma medications are a necessity, and a social worker can help you find an affordable way to keep your prescriptions current.
You may want to use a leukotriene inhibitor if your asthma is being particularly problematic. As its name suggests, this inhibitor works by preventing the release and build-up of leukotriene. A leukotrienes is a type of chemical that causes inflammation, which leads to asthma attacks. Leukotriene is an oral therapy for the treatment of asthma, but it is not as effective as inhaled corticosteroids.
Make certain that all members of your family get their annual flu shot. Asthma sufferers need to be careful and guard against any upper-resperatory illnesses. It is important to do things like hand washing and receiving proper vaccinations.
If you have asthma, it might be helpful for you to buy a dehumidifier. When your home has less humidity, there are less dust mites, and that minimizes the chances of an asthma flare-up. A dehumidifying device reduces the moisture in the air.
If you have asthma, get a dehumidifier for your home. A reduction in humidity will also lessen the amount of dust mites in your home. This lessens the chance of an asthma flare up. Dehumidifiers keep the air in your home dry by eliminating humidity.
If you’ve got asthma, don’t smoke or be near smokers. Tobacco smoke causes your lung function to decrease, increasing the risk of a very severe attack, especially in enclosed rooms without much air flow or ventilation.
If you have asthma, try to avoid smokers, even if you do not smoke. When you inhale tobacco smoke, you are severely increasing the likelihood of an asthma attack. This is especially true in small, confined areas with little to no ventilation.
Flu Shot
Make sure you get a flu shot once a year if you suffer from asthma. Make sure your child’s vaccinations are up-to-date to avoid as many infections as possible.
If your kid or you suffer from asthma, you should get a yearly flu shot. This annual flu shot will prevent infectious damage to your lungs.
You should always have your rescue medication with you when you are traveling. Traveling can put additional strain on your body, making you more susceptible to asthma triggers. You won’t be able to control factors in your environment, such as air quality, while are away from home. This also adds to the likelihood of an attack or more symptoms than you are used to at home.
You need to know what the asthma triggers are so that they can be avoided or treated promptly. Common asthma triggers include pollen, smoke or dander. When possible, stay away from these triggers that cause symptoms or ultimately, full-blown attacks.
When it’s colder, wear a shawl, scarf or muffler that will cover your mouth and nose to avoid asthma attacks. You can inhale warmer air into your body with these. Breathing in cold air tends to start asthma attacks, especially with younger children that have severe or moderate asthma.
If you suffer from asthma, you might want to use a pillow that doesn’t contain feathers. Feathers may trigger asthma symptoms by irritating your lungs. The same goes for bedding – try to buy a comforter and sheets that are made from hypoallergenic materials.
A lot of times asthma will develop over time, and has symptoms that aren’t always obvious. People can even die from their very first asthma attack as they’re not prepared for it! Always consult with a doctor to see if a persistent cough or difficulty breathing is a sign that you require treatment for asthma. There may even be things you can do to prevent it from getting worse.
Keep your medication with you, especially when you are traveling. Traveling is hard on your body, opening you up to an asthma attack. You won’t be able to control factors in your environment, such as air quality, while are away from home. This also adds to the likelihood of an attack or more symptoms than you are used to at home.
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. Carrying your prescriptions along with written proof that they are medically necessary, will cut down on potential problems at the airport checkpoints.
Asthma Triggers
Keep in mind that mopping your floors with a wet mop will cause less asthma problems than sweeping will. Sweeping stirs up dust and other things that can trigger your asthma. When you dust, try dampening a rag, instead of a feather duster, to avoid spreading things that can trigger your asthma.
Many of the most common asthma triggers are found in the home. These are dust, mold and spores. In order to remain healthy and lessen any chances of having an asthma attack, it is recommended you have your home inspected yearly to have these harmful triggers removed. Keep your house clean to keep these asthma triggers out of your home.
During times that pollen counts are high, asthma sufferers should try to stay indoors. A lot of the same things that can bother people with allergies will bother people with asthma as well. Technology has brought with it real-time air quality reports that can be consulted before exposure to outdoor air that may cause irritation to asthmatics.
Now that you have a basic understanding about some of the simplest and most effective ways to handle the respiratory symptoms of asthma, you will be more confident in your ability to offer support. Having asthma isn’t the end of your life as you know it. The advice in this article can help comfort you or your loved one.
If you have asthma and you’re also an allergy sufferer, you must only use a vaporizer or humidifier that’s been cleaned thoroughly. Bacteria could breed in this moist environment and get into the air once you turn the humidifier on.