From the very young to the very old, asthma is an extremely serious condition regardless of age. You must be vigilant regarding your symptoms, and be certain to consult good doctors in regards to your condition. By following the ideas presented here, you can lessen your symptoms of asthma and reduce the chances that you will have an asthma attack.
If you suffer from asthma, avoid smoke, fumes and vapors. Decrease the effects of asthma by wearing a protective mask when pollution levels are especially high.
Some medications are known to cause asthma symptoms. Among these medications are aspirin and other NSAIDs. Beta blockers, such as those used to control high blood pressure or heart disease may also have this effect. It is important to let your doctor know if you suffer from asthma together with any of these conditions.
To keep your child healthy, make sure they are never around smoke. One of the biggest reasons people have asthma is secondhand smoke. You should never put your children in a situation where they are exposed to people who are smoking.
If you are having an asthma attack (mild or moderate), you need to try to force air out of the lungs. Breathe out aggressively, as hard as you can. Truly pump all air from your lungs! Follow this by breathing in three times quickly, and a fourth time deeply to ensure your lungs are filled to capacity, then exhale again as forcefully as possible. The breathing rhythm that you create by doing this will cause you to be aware of every breath you take. It also will push all of your air out of the lungs so that you can get more air in. This breathing technique may cause some coughing or sputum, but it can help regulate your breathing and reduce the attack.
A lot of medications can trigger an asthma attack without you knowing. Aspirin and some other NSAIDs may do this. Some medications for blood pressure and heart disease – those referred to as beta blockers – can also exacerbate asthma problems. It is important to talk openly with your doctor about your asthma so that you do not take any medications that could be harmful to you.
Avoid using a fan in any room that has excessive dust. Otherwise, the dust will fly into the air and could give you an attack. 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. Leukotriene inhibitors work to prevent leukotrienes. Inhibiting this chemical can lead to a decrease in asthma symptoms. When used properly, an inhibitor can help reduce symptoms and prevent attacks.
Leukotriene Inhibitors
Learn how to use an inhaler in the correct manner if you do not already know. Find a quiet spot and follow the instructions the manufacturer has given. The only way the inhaler can help is if the medication can reach your lungs. Spray the dosage into the mouth while you inhale air. Hold your breath at least ten seconds, so that the medicated mist can fill your lungs.
Leukotriene inhibitors can help control the symptoms of asthma. Leukotriene inhibitors are used to prevent things called leukotrienes. The chemical leukotriene is a common cause of inflammation in the lungs which in turn, can trigger asthma attacks. This inhibitor can prevent leukotrienes, which makes you less likely to have an asthma attack.
A dehumidifier is an excellent investment for asthma sufferers. Reducing the amount of humidity in your home reduces the number of dust mites, which in turn reduces the chances of your asthma flaring up. Dehumidifiers cause the air in your home to become dry, which means less humidity.
Make sure that you and your loved ones get a flu vaccination yearly. You do not want to have a respiratory infection if you have asthma. To do this you must take extra precautions against getting sick, like washing your hands often and getting vaccinated every year.
To keep from triggering any bad symptoms of asthma or a full-blown attack, it’s important to keep the home clean and tidy, free of dust and other particulates. This is particularly important in a bedroom. Food should be eaten only in the kitchen or dining room, and cigarettes are best relegated to outdoor smoking areas. Try to avoid using any harsh chemicals or bleach in the home while cleaning; and, once the home is cleaned, air it out.
If you are dealing with asthma, make sure you take lots of Vitamins E and C. These vitamins help to control asthma symptoms and improve the function of your lungs. You can choose to ingest this vitamins by eating foods that are rich in the vitamins or through a supplement. Getting enough vitamins is also a good way to prevent asthma attacks by boosting your immune system.
Know that your asthma treatment or medication may have to be increased a bit if you are suffering from allergies, hay fever or a cold. A lot of illnesses can cause your asthma to flare up very badly, resulting in the necessity to increase asthma treatment. Your physician might also work an additional treatment into your therapy until such time as you are healthier.
If you are an asthma patient, be sure to stay away from people who smoke, even if you are not a smoker yourself. Tobacco smoke can bring on an asthma attack, especially within areas without good air flow. The smoke restricts the ability of your lungs to breathe, making an attack much more likely to occur.
You should know what triggers your asthma attacks; this will allow you to either avoid them or be ready to manage the symptoms. There are some quite common triggers that can invoke an attack in asthma sufferers, for example cigarette smoke, pollen, or pet hair and dander. When possible, stay away from these triggers that cause symptoms or ultimately, full-blown attacks.
You need to know what the asthma triggers are so that they can be avoided or treated promptly. Most with asthma share common triggers, like pet dander, pollen or smoke. Whenever you can, avoid the things that trigger your asthma.
Consider joining a support group, either on or offline. If you have asthma, it can stop you from participating in basic activities like sports, especially if the condition is severe. By joining a support group, you will be able to discuss new scientific breakthroughs or treatment alternatives with those who are interested.
Go to your regular medical check-ups, even if your condition seems under control. It is impossible to predict the next attack. Furthermore, newer or safer asthma medications may be approved in the time since you last visited your doctor.
Asthma typically develops over a long time, and sometimes the symptoms aren’t very obvious. A few people have even died from an asthma attack without knowing they even had this dangerous condition. If you often have difficulty breathing or a persistent cough, it would be wise to make an appointment with your physician, so he or she can confirm whether you have asthma. If you do, your doctor can then prescribe medications to manage or treat it.
During colder months, wear a shawl, scarf or muffler to avoid asthma. You can help warm the air with these things before they bring any harm to your lungs. Breathing cold air triggers your asthma attacks, particularly in young kids with bad asthma.
Monitor how often, per week, you find it necessary to use your inhaler. If you use it more than two times, your asthma might not be well-controlled or you may have unusual occurrences causing those frequent attacks. The amount you utilize your inhaler can remind you to always monitor your environment as a means of effectively managing your asthma.
Rescue Medication
If you suffer from asthma, avoid being around smoke. Smoking can actually trigger an asthma attack. Do what you can to avoid chemical fumes, cigarette smoke and other vapors. They can easily increase your asthma symptoms. If there are smokers around you, you may want to ask them if they will smoke in another area.
Make sure you understand the correct way to use your asthma medication, especially any rescue medication. When you have asthma, you should be on a maintenance medication and have an emergency medicine for asthma attacks. Usually this is in the form of an inhaler. Because asthma is a chronic condition, it is important to take management medication properly and to use rescue medication appropriately.
Those with asthma should minimize time with pets and animals. Even people that do not have allergies are prone to suffer an asthma attack from the pollen and dust on animals.
Monitor your weekly inhaler use and tally how many times you need to use it to control an attack. Your medication may need to be adjusted or an alternative treatment considered if you find that you need to use it 3 or more times per week. Counting how many times you reach for your inhaler can be a good aid to remind you of what environments you need to control and what else you may need to manage.
Bed linens tend to collect asthma triggers like pollen, dust and other allergens. To reduce the chance that your bed linens will induce an asthma attack, wash your sheets every week in hot water. You will find that having fresh linens will make your breathing while sleeping much easier.
If you have asthma, clean your floors with a wet mop, instead of sweeping with a traditional broom. If you choose to sweep, you’re swirling up a tornado of dust and allergens, both of which are common triggers for asthma symptoms. When dusting, use a damp cloth, as feather dusters just move dust around.
To make sure all of your medical needs are being met, you will need to consult at least two doctors. Your PCP can be the person you go to for help with asthma, but it’s also a good idea to talk to a specialist. Asthma doctors, allergists, and pulmiologists are the people who you want to consult with to help with asthma.
Remain calm if you do happen to come under an asthma attack. Use your rescue inhaler, rest for a half to one minute, then use the inhaler 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. Ask a family member or friend to call for ambulatory help or to drive you to the emergency room. On your way to the hospital, breath in and out in a paper bag in order to help calm yourself and get your breathing down to a normal pace.
Knowing how to appropriately and safely use your inhaler is essential if you are afflicted with asthma. It isn’t as simple as spraying your mouth with it and lightly inhaling air. Every single time that you spray the inhaler into your mouth, you must, for a couple of seconds, breathe deeply. An inhaler is not of much use if you aren’t taking it correctly.
Asthma is a serious lung disorder that requires appropriate medical treatment. Asthma is a dangerous condition with attacks that have the potential to be lethal. It is crucial to do what ever you can to keep your asthma under control. Make sure you always take an inhaler with you and stay away from what triggers your attacks. If you use them, you may find that you can reduce your symptoms and feel better.
Finding out as much as you can about asthma is a good way to help you manage your asthma. When you’re educated about your asthma, you can be proactive with the treatment. Keep current with treatments and ensure you have the greatest possible care that you can have. The best way to ensure this is to know as much as you can about asthma and your options for treatment.