The need for fast and reliable relief from asthma symptoms is, unfortunately, rising. This demand has led to the development of some very effective treatments becoming available, both over the counter and by prescription. Now is a great time to find something to treat your asthma. The following advice will assist you in getting the proper treatment.
If you are afficted with asthma, it is critical to quit smoking and avoid the use of any other tobacco products. 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.
What kind of asthma do you have? 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. An example would be to bring in your gym bag an inhaler if you happen to have exercise-induced asthma. You will be able to prevent asthma attacks if you can recognize symptoms.
Make sure if you have an inhaler that you are using it the right way. An inhaler is most effective if used in a relaxed location and according to the maker’s instructions. The inhaler can only help you if the medication actually reaches the lungs. Inhale air while spraying the necessary amount of medication into your mouth. Hold your breath still for ten seconds at least in order to let the mist with medicine fill your lungs.
If you are an asthmatic, it is vital that you never smoke, and if you already do, you should quit as soon as possible. Smoking is horrible for people, it is really bad if asthma becomes worse and blocks oxygen to your body, you need oxygen to work and stave off asthma.
Though it is easy to postpone or avoid, get those annual flu vaccinations. If you suffer from asthma, it is best to avoid respiratory infections of any type as much as possible. To do this you must take extra precautions against getting sick, like washing your hands often and getting vaccinated every year.
If you’re having an asthma attack, a great way to handle this is to immediately evacuate the air from your lungs. Breathe out hard and fast. Expel the air in your lungs with great force! Then, follow three short intakes of breath with one longer inhalation until your lungs are filled with air, although not uncomfortably so. Finally, expel the air from your lungs with force again. This gives your breathing a rhythm, which makes you aware of how many breaths you take. This technique also forces the air from your lungs to enable more air to come in. You may generate sputum or cough but that is alright, since your main objective is getting you to breathe normally again.
If you suffer from asthma, avoid smokers, even if you do not smoke yourself. When you inhale tobacco smoke, particularly in small areas without much ventilation, lung function may be severely impacted, and you have a higher chance of having an attack.
Get a flu shot every season and make sure your family does as well. Try to avoid getting any respiratory infections if you have asthma. This includes preventive measures against sickness, such as practicing good hygiene and getting all recommended vaccinations.
You can help to prevent asthma attacks by maintaining a clean home, particularly the asthmatic’s bedroom. Food should only be eaten in the kitchen area, and whatever you do, please don’t smoke. Air the house out thoroughly after cleaning and avoid the use of bleach and other harsh chemicals indoors.
Think about getting a home dehumidifier if you have asthma. With less humidity, there will be fewer dust mites, and that means that there is less of a chance that your asthma will flare up. Dehumidifiers work by taking the humidity out of the air.
Stand ready for a boost to your asthma treatment should you suffer from illnesses like colds or hay fever. Adjusting your medication may be necessary to manage the symptoms of these and other illnesses. Your doctor may also add another treatment to your regimen until your illness gets better.
The use of multiple (more than four) household cleansers can cause an increase in asthma attacks. Use organic cleaning products since they don’t have irritating chemicals.
You should always have your rescue medication with you when you are traveling. Traveling adds strain on the body and increases your susceptibility to asthma triggers. It is also difficult to control your environment while traveling, making it more likely that you may experience an attack or worsening symptoms.
If your child or yourself are asthma sufferers it is very important that you get the flu shot every single year. Prevent these infections from occurring by going to get vaccinated each year.
Bundle up during winter weather if you have asthma. Covering your nose and mouth with a scarf or muffler helps prevent asthma attacks. This will warm the air before it gets in your lungs. Inhalation of cold air is proven to initiate asthma attacks, and younger kids afflicted with asthma of moderate or severe proportions are especially at risk.
You must have regular asthma reviews, even if you are not having any problems. Your doctor may be able to prescribe more effective treatments and you may be suffering symptoms you’re not aware are related to your asthma.
Asthma develops gradually, and its symptoms may not be very noticeable. There are lots of cases where people die of an asthma attack without knowing they had asthma. So, if you have difficulty breathing or a cough that doesn’t go away, see a doctor to figure out whether you suffer from asthma and to determine whether you will be needing medication to prevent or treat the condition.
Support Group
Anytime you clean your house or apartment, wet mopping is superior to sweeping. Sweeping sends dust and dander back into the air and could trigger an asthma attack. Dusting can actually just move the dust around, sending particles into the air, and into your lungs triggering an asthma attack, so try wiping things down with a damp cloth to minimize the amount of allergens you are exposed to.
Consider joining a support group, either on or offline. Asthma, particularly if it is severe, can incapacitate you and keep you from going about your daily activities. By joining a support group, you will be able to discuss new scientific breakthroughs or treatment alternatives with those who are interested.
For those struggling with their asthma, avoiding regular contact with pets is important to control symptoms. Some asthma sufferers are allergic to animal fur or dander on top of their asthma, but even those who don’t have such an allergy can bring on an attack if they breathe in too much of these irritants.
Some common catalysts of asthma attacks regularly occur in the home. These triggers include dust, spores and mold. Having your house inspected yearly is a good way to reduce the presence of these asthma triggers. You can help keep your house safe from these harmful substances by regularly cleaning and dusting your home.
Stay away from smoking. People know that smoking is dangerous, but it is even more dangerous to those with asthma. Smoke irritates the lungs of an asthma sufferer, so avoid the presence of people who smoke if you have asthma.
Avoid cold-induced asthma attacks by protecting your mouth and nose with a scarf. This allows you to warm air before it enters your lungs. By breathing in cold air, it has been proven that it could trigger an asthma attack more so in children that are younger and suffer from severe to moderate asthma.
People who suffer from asthma should stay inside as much as they can when the pollen count is up. A lot of the same things that can bother people with allergies will bother people with asthma as well. Information about local air quality is available in many areas so that those with asthma can reduce their outdoor exposure if irritants are within the air.
Although it is wise to use your inhaler as needed, be aware that the medication itself may cause problems with gums and teeth. To best method to prevent these side effects and complications is by brushing your teeth, then gargling directly after using the inhaler.
If you use your inhaler over two times a week, talk to your doctor about changing your medicine. Frequent need of an inhaler is an indication that the medication prescribed is not the right strength. Also, if you refill the inhaler more than 2 times each year, there is the same result, which means making an appointment with your doctor.
Bed Linens
Find out as much as possible about your condition. The more you know, the more proactive you’ll be in your own treatment. Keep current with treatments and ensure you have the greatest possible care that you can have. You can do this by educating yourself on your condition and the treatment options that are available to you.
Bed linens attract things that cause asthma attacks. You can avoid this by making sure to wash your bed linens in hot water at least once a week. Sleeping with fresh bed linens will ensure you can breathe easy when you sleep.
If you are going to be painting in your house, wear a mask, as it will protect you from harmful fumes. Not surprisingly, paint fumes are a known irritant for asthma. Specially designed masks can filter out these fumes. Don’t use certain chemicals and substances that could aggravate your asthma.
Avoid smoking and people who are smokers. There is a general awareness that smoking is not good for your health. But for the asthmatic, smoking can quickly have serious consequences. Not only should smoking be avoided, you need to be careful to stay away from people who do smoke because it is extremely harmful and will irritate your sensitive asthmatic lungs.
Up your intake of vitamin B6. Studies have found that vitamin B6, which is sometimes referred to as pyridoxine, can make asthma attacks less frequent and less intense. It does this by producing molecules to relax your bronchial tissue. Bananas are a wonderful source of Vitamin B6.
If you are using a vaporizer or humidifier, you should thoroughly clean it prior to use. Bacteria can grow inside the machine because of the moist environment, and you will be releasing that right into the air if you are using it.
Target gradual strength training and increase the capacity of your lungs. If you think the physical exertion will be too much for your asthma, it likely is.
If you use an inhaler more than 2 times a week, talk to your doctor about a new medication potentially. Frequent use of the rescue inhaler means that your management medicine is not working as it should. This also goes for refills. If you find yourself refilling your inhaler in excess of twice a year, then you need to change medications.
Watch your children for symptoms of food allergies. Some symptoms of food allergy can be extremely dangerous, and you should immediately get your child medical attention. These allergies are such as those that cause breathing difficulties, or those that cause noticeable swelling. If you suspect your child has a food allergy, have your child tested. You may develop asthma down the line if you have these allergies.
By now, you know that you have many options for treating asthma. However, you will still need to try out a few different methods to find the one(s) that works best for you. Fortunately, a wealth of information exists to help you research and review the benefits of various treatments. Use the tips above to breathe easier.
Get a flu vaccination every year. Even if you rarely seem to catch the flu, you still need the shot as a smart precaution against an illness that can be a real problem for you. Flu, colds and sinus infections, which you are more vulnerable to being asthmatic, can affect your ability to breathe.