Asthma can be serious to have and may cause a lot of negative problems in your life. You should take necessary steps to keep it from becoming severe and out of control. This article contains much-needed advice on different strategies to help you manage your asthma.
Do you know what sub-type of asthma you’re plagued with? Particular cases of asthma can respond differently to the same treatment, so you need to know all that you can about your case to treat it most effectively. If you have exercised-induced asthma, for example, you’ll want to bring your inhaler with you to the gym or other locations where you might be involved in physical activity. Knowing when an asthma attack is likely to strike can help you avert disaster.
You should avoid smoking and any type of fumes if you suffer from asthma. This does mean avoiding all tobacco products as well as being mindful of sources of employment, with special attention to factories that might provide exposure to smoke and vapors.
Learn what triggers your asthma so that you can avoid it. Asthma triggers will vary greatly between individuals. If you have allergy related asthma, you will want to avoid pollen and dust. Or, you may need to avoid certain activities that overexert your body. Do your best to understand and figure what exactly triggers your asthma so that you know what you need to avoid.
Asthma Symptoms
If you have asthma, you need to avoid any kind of tobacco smoke. If you smoke, try quitting. Avoid vapors and chemical fumes from cigarettes. These can trigger a severe asthma attack that can be difficult to get under control. If people smoke around you, you should get away form that area.
Some medications that you may take unknowingly can cause you to have asthma symptoms. 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.
Though it should go without saying, do not turn on any fans or circulation systems when in a room containing visible dust that has yet to be cleaned. This can move the dust around and can trigger an attack easily. If you wish to have a breeze, open a window instead of running a fan.
If you are prone to asthma attacks, avoid any cigarette or other tobacco smoke. Do not smoke! Never breathe in chemical fumes or vapors. Inhaling these substances may trigger an unstoppable asthma attack. Avoid secondhand smoke by leaving physical distance between yourself and the smoker.
If you have asthma and cannot afford health insurance or have no eligibility, bring up your situation with a social worker. You must have the ability to afford your medication, so a social worker might be able to locate a hospital or clinic that can offer them at little cost or free.
A leukotriene inhibitor can be helpful if you have asthma. This prescription will prevent the product of leukotrines and help to abate the symptoms of asthma. Leukotriene is a type of chemical substance which may cause inflammation and could cause an attack. The inhibitor will keep the leukotrienes from forming, which can reduce the frequency of asthma attacks that you experience.
Get annual flu vaccinations for your entire family. Try to avoid getting any respiratory infections if you have asthma. 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.
Stay away from any tobacco smoke, even people that are smoking tobacco. Inhaled smoke from tobacco can drastically reduce lung function, increasing your chances of an asthma attack. This is especially true in closed-in areas.
Asthma sufferers should take Vitamins E and C. These vitamins have been known to improve the function of the lungs and reduce some asthma symptoms. It is possible to acquire the necessary amounts by eating foods or by taking dietary supplements. Another great benefit of vitamin C is that it will help to strengthen your immune system overall.
If you have asthma, or if your children have asthma, it is vital that you receive the flu shot yearly. Stave off these infections immediately by getting your vaccinations yearly.
If you have asthma, get a dehumidifier for your home. Cutting down the humidity in the house will lower the amount dust mites in the air, and that will mean fewer asthma flare-ups. Dehumidifiers keep the humidity out of your home by keeping the air dry.
If you suffer from asthma, it’s best to avoid pillows full of feathers. Feathers can decrease lung function and cause asthma symptoms. The same it true for bedding, try purchasing sheets and comforters that are created from hypoallergenic materials.
If you have asthma, it is imperative that you stay away from smokers. When you inhale smoke, especially in close quarters, lung functioning is decreased, and it can trigger an attack.
Attend your regular asthma checkups, even if things seem to be going well. 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.
Pay attention to your symptom triggers. The more aware of your triggers you become, the easier it will be to avoid them and reduce the number of attacks you suffer. A lot of asthma sufferers have some triggers in common, like pollen, smoke and pet dander. Try to avoid the things that make your asthma flare up.
Make sure you understand the correct way to use your asthma medication, especially any rescue medication. Asthma is usually treated on two fronts. One is a standard medication, taken daily, and the other is an inhaler, intended for use in an emergency. Because asthma can be a lifelong issue, it is vital to take both regular and rescue medications according to the instructions.
Take your rescue inhaler and keep it handy when you travel. Traveling tends to put extra stain on the body, and you’re more susceptible to your asthma triggers under these conditions. Influencing the environment around you is nearly impossible while on the road, which is another opportunity for deteriorating symptoms or attack triggers.
Avoid smoke if you want to prevent asthma. Smoke is one of the primary triggers of asthma. Avoid exposure to chemical fumes and vapors, and any type of wood or cigarette smoke. These can increase symptoms of asthma. If someone is smoking near you, either ask them to stop or remove yourself from the situation.
Asthma is a medical condition that tends to slowly develop over time, and the symptoms are not always that obvious. In a lot of cases, people die from an asthma attack because they didn’t know they had the condition. That is why it is important to check regularly with your doctor and always point out if you are having any kind of breathing problems or related symptoms. With the proper medical attention, you can prevent attacks and keep asthma under control.
If you have asthma, don’t smoke. Most people are aware of the dangers of smoking, but for someone with asthma, the consequences are even more serious. Smoke greatly irritates the sensitive lungs of the person with asthma, so in addition to not smoking, someone with asthma should avoid people that are smoking.
Make sure you count how many times, within a week, you have to use your inhaler. If you are utilizing your inhaler more than two times per day, you might not be controlling asthma as well as you think you are! The number of times you use your inhaler can serve as a good reminder to monitor your environment and other aspects of your asthma management plan.
Let your asthma specialist know if treatments are not effective. Also, follow this advice to control your symptoms so you can live a healthy life.
You should have limited contact with animals, as it can cause you to have an asthmatic reaction. While allergies from animals can complicate asthma, those without allergies can get asthma attacks from dust or pollen that the animals carry.