If you do not treat your asthma, it can quickly become dangerous. Asthma attacks may be harsh and in some cases, even fatal. If you have asthma, you need to talk to a doctor, but there are things you can do on your own, as well. The following article offers you many manageable tips which can help mend and alleviate your asthma symptoms.
Figure out what type of asthma you are suffering with. Being aware of your specific condition will help you combat the effects it has over your body day in and day out. For example, if your asthma is induced by exercise, it might be wise to always have an inhaler in your gym bag. Knowing when an asthma attack is likely to strike can help you avert disaster.
If you are an asthma sufferer, you should refrain from smoking or being around any vapors or fumes. This includes all tobacco products, and you also need to be careful if you are going to apply for a job in a factory or where you have the potential to be exposed to vapors and harmful smoke.
Do not smoke around a child with asthma. Second-hand cigarette smoke is a leading cause of asthma. You also need to be sure that your child isn’t around those that choose to smoke.
It is vital that neither you, nor anyone else, smoke around a child with asthma. There’s a long list of environmental asthma triggers, and secondhand smoke is at the top of it. Always ensure your child is in a smoke-free area.
Asthma is an ongoing disease and requires ongoing health management. Make sure that your daily routine includes taking appropriate medication to keep you free of asthma symptoms, along with additional medication to treat you for any sudden asthma attacks. Speak to an allergist and doctor to see what’s best for you.
If you are afficted with asthma, it is critical to quit smoking and avoid the use of any other tobacco products. Smoking isn’t healthy for anyone, but if you are afflicted with asthma, preventing oxygen from getting to your lungs is just begging for an attack.
Contact a social worker if you have asthma but do not meet the eligibility requirements for health insurance. It is critical that every asthma sufferer have access to the proper medicines to keep the condition under control, and a social worker could help you locate a hospital or clinic that will provide you the necessary medication on a low or no-fee basis.
Cleaning Products
Think about buying a dehumidifier if your asthma symptoms are bad. By decreasing the humidity you have in your home, it will decrease the dust mites, which will then decrease your asthma from flaring up. Use a dehumidifier, and the air you breath will be much less likely to cause your asthma to flare up.
It is important that you try to stay clear of cleaning products if you have asthma. Cleaning products contain a plethora of chemicals that are triggers to exacerbating symptoms related to asthma, as well as the attacks themselves. If you do the cleaning in your house, use natural solutions that are safer for you to breath in.
You can help to prevent asthma attacks by maintaining a clean home, particularly the asthmatic’s bedroom. Do not allow smoking in your house, and keep food in your kitchen. After you clean, let the house air out completely, and stay away from using any harsh chemicals (especially bleach) inside.
You need to avoid all of the asthma triggers that you know. Some people have allergies that cause asthma, and allergens such as dust and pollen can cause an attack. Others have asthma attacks when they participate in physical activities. Knowing exactly what sets off your asthma is thus, very important.
Allergens, the common cold and influenza can increase your asthma symptoms. Many of these illnesses will worsen your asthma symptoms bad enough to require more treatments than you typically need. Your physician may even recommend that you take additional medication until you recover.
If you have asthma, avoid cigarette smoke of all kinds. Smoking is especially dangerous for asthmatics. Avoid all fumes of chemical products or breathing harmful vapors. More often than not, smoke is going to trigger an unavoidable asthma attack. If you are around people who smoke, leave the area very fast.
Keep all your doctors appointments even if your asthma symptoms aren’t bothering you. You can not predict when an attack might hit you, or if your doctor has found a different medication that is safer and will help your symptoms more.
It has been shown that if you use multiple varieties of cleaning products around your house, it will increase the chance of an asthma attack. Organic cleaning products should be selected due to their lack of irritating chemicals.
Look into becoming a part of a support group. There are many to choose from both online and offline. Asthma can be quite debilitating, especially if the asthma is severe, and this condition can interfere with daily life. Also, communicating with other people with asthma will keep you in the know about changes in how the condition is understood and treated.
You can join an online or offline support group. Asthma, particularly if it is severe, can incapacitate you and keep you from going about your daily activities. The individuals in this group could also provide you with new insights about medications that are out there, as well as other advice in dealing with asthma.
Your home’s humidity can cause mold and mildew growth within it. You can get asthma attacks because of these substances. Keeping a home dry and mold-free is important. 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.
During colder months, wear a shawl, scarf or muffler to avoid asthma. This way, the air will be warm before entering your lungs. Studies have consistently shown that cold air can cause your throat and lungs to constrict, triggering asthma attacks. Children are especially susceptible to cold-induced asthma.
You should definitely use your preventative inhaler on a daily basis. However, you should be warned that the drug can also cause infections in your mouth, particularly near your teeth and gums. Prevent these unnecessary side effects by gargling and brushing your teeth right after you use the inhaler.
It is important to know the proper way to use asthma medication, especially the medication that is used in an emergency. A typical asthma treatment plan is daily medication backed up with an emergency inhaler. It’s important to use both forms of medication properly to treat your chronic condition.
Make note of how often, on a weekly basis, you use your inhaler. If you use it very often, you may not have it under control. 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.
When flying and bringing along asthma medications and equipment, be sure to pack your prescriptions. This is especially true for large items like a nebulizer. When you have written proof that these items are necessary it can help speed along the security procedures.
When you are making an effort to control asthma, do not smoke. Smoke can cause asthma attacks. You should attempt to minimize your contact with cigarette smoke, chemical fumes, and noxious vapors. These things will aggravate your asthma and worsen the symptoms. If you in the company of someone who smokes, politely ask him to refrain when you are near.
Monitor how many times, on a weekly basis, you are using your rescue inhaler. Using it more often than twice weekly means that you should have your asthma assessed by a doctor. You can use your frequency of inhaler use to gauge the effectiveness of your asthma treatment plan and make modifications when necessary.
Avoid aggravating your asthma condition while sleeping by covering your mattress and pillows with plastic before putting clean linens on. It is important to wash your bed linens at least once per week in very hot water if you want to reduce or eliminate the potential aggravators. You’re less likely to have an asthma attack while asleep or upon first waking up if your bedding is fresh and clean.
When you clean your floors, do so with a wet mop instead of a broom. Sweeping stirs up irritants that can trigger an asthma attack. You can greatly reduce this by using a wet sponge, damp rag, or moist cloth instead of your old-fashioned feather duster.
People that experience asthma must stay indoors as often as they can when pollen is abundant. Asthma is in no way an allergy, but a lot of the same burdens that bother allergy suffers also affect people who suffer from asthma. Now that local air quality information is available in most areas, asthma sufferers can minimize their outdoor exposure when potential irritants are in the air.
Asthma is an uncurable disease, but that doesn’t mean that the symptoms are permanent and can’t go away. However, just like most things in life, overcoming your asthma symptoms takes time and effort. If you follow these easy tips, you’ll find that your symptoms will get better over time and you’ll be able to enjoy a healthier, more active lifestyle.
It is important to become as knowledgeable as possible about asthma. Education is a priceless tool in finding the proper treatment for your asthma. In order to ensure that you are always getting the best possible care, stay abreast of new developments and up-to-date treatments. The best way to ensure this is to know as much as you can about asthma and your options for treatment.