Any medical condition that makes it difficult to breathe–especially asthma–has the potential to be absolutely terrifying. Asthma attacks come with no warning, and the condition can shorten your life or even bring it to an abrupt halt. This article empowers you to treat your asthma by helping you understand how and why it happens, and what to do when it does.
You should not smoke or be anywhere near smoke if you suffer from asthma. Stay away from jobs that would expose you to toxic or heavy vapors, and refrain from any tobacco use.
A great idea to help your child with asthmatic problems is to avoid smoking in any areas they frequent. Secondhand smoke is something that can lead to serious asthma. Any place where smoking is allowed should be avoided if you have a child with asthma.
What type of asthma do you suffer from? Being aware of your specific condition will help you combat the effects it has over your body day in and day out. People suffering from asthma that is exercise-induced, for example, had best be prepared for asthma attacks at the gym! When you know what triggers your asthma, you will be more prepared to stop attacks before they begin.
Asthma Symptoms
If you suffer with asthma, avoid cleaning products. The complex list of ingredients on many cleaning products makes it difficult know which ones have the chemical compounds that might aggravate asthma symptoms or even initiate an attack. There are many all-natural organic cleaning products available that may help eliminate asthmatic problems.
There are some medications out there that you could be taking which will actually trigger your asthma symptoms. A couple of common culprits that do this are aspirin and NSAIDs. The medication you take for high blood pressure can also cause asthma symptoms. If you suffer from asthma, be sure that your medical professional is aware of this.
Avoid being around any known asthma triggers. For some people, this is allergy related; things like pollen and dust can start an attack. Others experience an attack from physical activities. You need to determine what your triggers are so that you can avoid them.
Anyone suffering from asthma or asthma-like symptoms needs to stay clear of cigarette smoke, whether you smoke yourself, or even if you’re breathing secondhand smoke. You should not smoke yourself! It is also a good idea to stay away from the fumes or vapors from harsh chemicals, such as those used in cleaning. This can trigger an unstoppable asthma attack. If others are smoking and you are nearby, get away from them immediately.
If you’re in a dustier room, avoid turning on a fan. When you turn on the fans they will move the dust in the room around and this can trigger your asthma very easily. If you need airflow, simply opening a window would be better.
If you have asthma and suffer persistent attacks caused by allergy symptoms, an injectable medicine can be administered for extended relief. Known as Omalizumab, this antibody medicine can control the body’s allergic senses and lower the symptoms or reactions that asthma patients suffer.
If you have asthma and suffer persistent attacks caused by allergy symptoms, an injectable medicine can be administered for extended relief. 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 that is not covered by health insurance, contact someone in a government agency, like a social worker. If you cannot afford medicine for asthma, your social worker can help you locate someone that can help.
If you use more than four cleaning products, you are increasing the risks of an asthma attack. A great way to prevent this is to purchase some organic, non-chemical cleaning products. These all-natural products are safe when inhaled.
Unscented products are best for asthma sufferers. Scented products, like air fresheners, incense and perfume, raise indoor pollution levels and can trigger asthma attacks. Freshly painted walls and brand-new carpet can also give off odors that cause irritation to airways. Keep the air inside your home clean and fresh, and free of any asthma triggers.
If you have hay fever or a cold, chances are your asthma treatment will be increased. The effects of an illness can cause the severity of your asthma to temporarily increase, which necessitates a change in treatment. Your doctor could add another treatment into your regimen until the illness is better.
While everyone appreciates the look and feel of a clean house, asthma sufferers in particular benefit from a healthy environment as it can decrease the risk of asthma attacks, especially in a sleeping area. Food should be restricted to the kitchen, and smoking inside the home should never be permitted. After using chemical to clean, air out the house.
Avoid using a feather or down pillow if you have asthma. Feathers may trigger asthma symptoms by irritating your lungs. This also goes for bedding; use sheets, comforters and blankets that are crafted from hypoallergenic materials.
When you are suffering from asthma and you have hay fever or a cold, you will most likely need an increase in your treatment. Make sure your doctor prescribes a fast acting inhaler for emergency situations. You might even get a new treatment added onto our existing program until the illness subsides.
When you are traveling, make sure you have a rescue inhaler with you. Traveling tends to put extra stain on the body, and you’re more susceptible to your asthma triggers under these conditions. While on the road, it is also hard to control the environment you are in, which also makes an attack more likely.
An annual flu shot is crucial if you have asthma or have an asthmatic child. Regular vaccinations will help you and your children to avoid lung infections.
You must have regular asthma reviews, even if you are not having any problems. You can never tell when an attack will strike, or when your physician may have some better or safer advice for you to follow.
Don’t skip appointments for your checkups, even if you haven’t had any recent asthma attacks. You can never tell when an attack will strike, or when your physician may have some better or safer advice for you to follow.
Join an online or offline support group. Many people who suffer from asthma are unable to live a full life. Being a part of a support group can help provide you with honest information about products and helpful hints, as well as medical news.
Asthma Attacks
Wear scarves, shawls and mufflers to cover your noise and mouth during colder weather. This will warm the air up before you breathe it into your lungs. Breathing cold air can trigger severe asthma attacks. This is especially true for young children with asthma.
Some of the major causes of asthma, and triggers for asthma attacks, can exist right in the home. These culprits include dust, spores and mold. To ensure health and reduce the potential for asthma attacks, have a yearly inspection for the presence and removal of these hazards. It also helps to clean your home frequently to prevent a buildup of these allergens.
If traveling by plane with your asthma equipment or medications, always carry your written prescription with you to avoid problems. Written proof of needing your equipment can help you with any issues you might have in the security line.
Mildew and mold grow best in a home with high humidity. These fungi are both common triggers for asthma attacks. Therefore, it is important to maintain a dry home. In the winter, use a dehumidifier along with your heater, and in the summer months, you can use your air conditioner to help control the amount of water in the air within your home.
Asthma sufferers should have minimal contact with animals including pets. While asthma can be triggered from an animal hair allergy, those free of these allergies can have an attack by the pollen and dust that the animals carry.
If you do not take the steps necessary to control your asthma, it can potentially be fatal. When you follow the advice from this article, you will manage your asthma through better breathing and improved activity.
Always try your best to remain calm if you begin having an asthma attack. Immediately use your inhaler, then wait a half a minute and do so again. Don’t suffer in silence or wait it out if your breathing gets worse instead of better after using your inhaler. You need immediate medical attention if this happens. Call an ambulance or have someone present drive you to the nearest hospital. To calm yourself on the drive, bring a paper bag and breathe into it, as this will slow your breathing.