Anyone, of any age can get asthma, and it is quite a serious matter at any age. Look for any warning signs that indicate a decline in your condition, and seek advice and options from your doctor earlier rather than later. This article provides several easy tips on making your symptoms better and reducing the likelihood of asthma attacks.
It is very important that an asthma sufferer refrain from smoking, if you do then it is advisable you quit now. While smoking is bad for everyone, it’s particularly hard on an asthma sufferer as it restricts oxygen getting to the lungs.
If you suffer from asthma, don’t smoke or expose yourself to smoke, fumes or vapors. This means avoiding tobacco products, and making sure that you do not choose any kind of job that could expose you to harmful vapors or smoke, such as factory work.
It is crucial that you stay away from all types of cigarette smoke if you suffer from asthma. Refrain from smoking! Avoid breathing in vapors from smoke or other chemical-type fumes. This can cause your asthma to flare up, causing an attack that may be uncontrollable. If you find that you have people smoking around you, get yourself out of that area rather quickly.
If you suffer from asthma, it is critical that you not smoke. 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.
A leukotriene inhibitor may be an excellent way for you to deal with asthma. A leukotriene inhibitor stops the release of a chemical that causes the inflammation that is responsible for some asthma attacks. Leukotrienes are molecules that cause the tracheal muscles to contract; having too many leukotrienes makes asthma attacks more likely. The inhibitor will block leukotrienes from getting into your lungs and lessen the chances of you suffering an asthma attack.
Cleaning Products
Unscented products are the safest option for those who suffer from asthma. Products that contain strong scents, like incense, perfume, or air freshener can trigger an asthma attack just by lingering in the air. Put down some new carpeting and throw up a coat of paint to get rid of indoor odors. Aim to make the air inside your home allergen free, and as fresh and clean as possible.
Cleaning products can trigger an asthma attack, so try to keep your exposure to them to a minimum. Cleaning products may contain chemicals which can trigger an asthmatic episode, such as ammonia. If you must do the cleaning in your home, opt for natural products with lower chemical content.
If you’re suffering from a cold or allergies, you should talk to your doctor about taking additional asthma medication. Make sure your doctor prescribes a fast acting inhaler for emergency situations. Your regular medication may also need to be combined with other treatments your doctor may recommend.
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. There are some beta blockers that are given to those trying to control their heart disease or who have high blood pressure that may be harmful to an asthmatic, as well. If you suffer from any of these conditions along with your asthma, make sure you tell your doctor.
If you are asthmatic, it may be a good idea to use a pillow that is not filled with feathers. Feathers can trigger asthma symptoms and reduce lung function. Patients should also buy hypoallergenic bedding.
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 will cause the dust to move around, which could cause an asthma attack. Open a window to bring clean, cool air inside instead.
When you travel, your rescue medication should be with you all the time. Traveling can put additional strain on your body, making you more susceptible to asthma triggers. You also have little control over your environment when traveling, which can make you more susceptible to an attack and symptoms of greater severity.
If your asthma attacks are severe, you may want to speak with your doctor about a long lasting injection of medication to control your symptoms. Omalizumab is a mediation that is able to control allergic reaction symptoms.
Find a good support group in the Internet or in your area. Left untreated, asthma can be very debilitating and prevent you from enjoying your normal activities. If you know other asthma sufferers, you can stay up to date on the latest medicines and treatment options.
Social Worker
Many of the most common asthma triggers are found in the home. These include dust, mold and spores. Stay on top of your health and reduce the likelihood of attacks. You can do this by having it inspected every year to get rid of triggers. Regularly cleaning your house can also contribute to preventing buildup of these substances.
Talk to a social worker if you have asthma and no health insurance. Asthma medications are never cheap, but it’s vital that you receive them and that is the social worker’s goal. He or she will deal with the clinics directly in efforts to remedy the situation.
If you are traveling by plane and taking along your asthma medications, make sure to have with you any written doctors prescriptions, especially when carrying some large asthma equipment like a nebulizer. Having proof that it belongs to you and is medically necessary will make the security check easier.
You should ensure that every family member in your household gets a flu vaccine yearly. If you have asthma, you can protect your health by taking all steps possible to avoid any type of cold, flu or other upper respiratory infection. To do this you must take extra precautions against getting sick, like washing your hands often and getting vaccinated every year.
When you are removing dust or crumbs from your floor, you should use a vacuum or damp mop to avoid scattering dust in the air. Sweeping stirs up dust and other things that can trigger your asthma. A moist rag chosen over a feather duster is the best choice for an asthmatic.
Avoid feather pillows if you suffer from asthma. The feathers can make it harder to breathe right and trigger an attack. Same thing with bedding – purchase sheets and a comforter that are constructed from hypoallergenic materials.
Bed linens tend to collect asthma triggers like pollen, dust and other allergens. You may cut down on these potential inducers of an asthma attack by cleaning your sheets and pillows in hot water each week. You will find that having fresh linens will make your breathing while sleeping much easier.
Most of the triggers for attacks, and causes of asthma, are found inside the home. Some of these irritants include dust, mold and spores. To reduce asthma attacks and stay healthy, have an inspector remove any harmful agents yearly. As an additional measure, a home that is regularly cleaned will help keep these irritants from building up.
Refrain from smoking. Most people are aware of the dangers of smoking, but for someone with asthma, the consequences are even more serious. The lungs of someone with asthma are irritated by smoking, whether by that person or someone nearby.
Emergency Medication
If pollen is present in the air, anyone with asthma should stay inside. Even though asthma isn’t an allergy, they share many things in common. The air quality information should be used to find out when it is better to stay indoors to avoid irritants present in the air.
It is crucial that you know how to properly use your asthma treatments, particularly rescue inhalers. Most people treat their asthma with regular daily medication, and carry supplemental emergency medication in the form of a rescue inhaler. Because you will have asthma for the rest of your life, it is important that you take your maintenance medication properly, and that you use your emergency medication correctly.
If you have asthma, schedule checkups ever few months with your doctor to stay on top of your condition. Frequent check-ups help your doctor evaluate the effectiveness of your current treatment plan and revise the plan as needed. Your doctor is busy, so it’s on you to set and keep your appointments.
Have more than one medical professional look at your asthma problems. 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 centers, allergists, pulmonologists, and nutritionists can all help ensure you are attacking your asthma on all fronts.
You need to identify your particular triggers so that you can prevent an asthma attack. A journal is a good way to identify what has triggered an attack and provides you with a simple way to keep your doctor informed. Many people have success controlling their asthma by eliminating known asthma triggers.
Smoking is particularly bad for people with asthma. Pretty much everyone is aware that smoking is dangerous, but for people suffering with asthma, it can have devastating effects. Smoke can severely irritate an asthma sufferer’s lungs; so, if you do suffer from asthma, stay away from both smoking and being around smoke in general.
Keep track of allergy attacks; if you have more than two a week, see a doctor about changing your medicine. Having an asthma attack twice a week is a danger to your health, and that frequency can be prevented.
Keep yourself as calm as possible when having an asthma attack. First thing first, use your inhaler, then wait 30 seconds and begin to use it again. If the attack gets worse doesn’t get better, then get help immediately. Have someone call an ambulance for you, or have them bring you to a hospital. Try breathing into a paper bag in order to slow down your breathing while on the way to the hospital.
Know what symptoms indicate a serious asthma attack that requires immediate medical intervention is occurring. Increased usage of medication to no avail of relief and fingernails and lips turning bluish-gray are indications of a severe asthma attack. Your child may also not be able to talk very well.
Educate Yourself
If a loved one suffers from asthma, it is important to be sure that smoking is prohibited around them. Smokers should smoke outside, far from the house and away from an asthma sufferer. Heavy smokers can cause severe asthma attacks in people who suffer from this condition, as they carry the smell of smoke buildup in their clothing.
Do all you can to educate yourself about asthma. The more you understand about the condition, the more effective you’ll be in taking steps to manage your asthma. Keep up on what the most effective treatments are and ensure you are receiving the best treatments possible. The best thing you can do is educate yourself about asthma and its treatment.
If you have asthma, avoid exercise in weather that is dry and cold. When bronchial airways dry out and become cool they can trigger an asthma attack. Because of this, it’s best only to exercise in a warm and humid area.
Don’t skimp on vitamin B6. Pyridoxine or vitamin B6 has been demonstrated to reduce the number of asthma attacks in various studies. Pyridoxine is instrumental in producing certain molecules that help to relax bronchial tissue. Bananas are also a wonderful source of vitamin B6.
If you are an asthma sufferer, a good tip is to begin by warming up with some stretching before any strenuous exercise, and then make sure you properly cool down as soon as you are finished exercising. Doing so greatly reduces the chances of having an exercise-induced asthma attack.
Environmental Factors
If you have asthma and need to use your emergency inhaler a lot, or you are getting asthma attacks at night, you need to speak to your doctor about your medication. Talk to your doctor.
Asthma has numerous potential causes, including both genetic and environmental factors. If asthma has occurred in your family, be aware of any symptoms of asthma you or your children may exhibit. Environmental factors such as pollution, smoke, mold spores and excess dust can cause asthma, so make sure to keep yourself and little ones away from these hazards.
All asthma sufferers would do well to keep their homes clean, and free of dust and smoke. It is possible to significantly reduce allergens in your home with frequent vacuuming. The ideal home, for an asthma sufferer, would have a central vacuuming system so that the particulates are blown directly outside of the home while vacuuming.
Your asthma should not ever be downplayed or taken lightly. Asthma attacks can be lethal, so you should take measures to reduce the chances of your asthma going out of control. Limit your exposure to allergens, smoke, pollution, and dust mites. Apply these tips to gain control over your condition.
Even the smoke from cooking food can trigger an attack if your asthma is severe, so make sure that you open a window along with turning your ventilation system on to prevent any attacks. Smoke from cooking can trigger your asthma and cause an attack. If your home fills up with smoke even with your windows opened, you may need to step outside until the air clears.