If it is left without watching, asthma can become very severe. A severe asthma attack can put you in the hospital or kill you. You should always consult medical specialists, but when their advice is inadequate, you should take matters into your own hands. With these easy to follow pieces of advice, you can live a healthier life with asthma.
If asthma is something you suffer from, do not smoke or spend time around smokers, much less any source of vapors and fumes. That means you have to avoid all tobacco, and seriously consider think about what jobs you take; for example, factories are probably not a healthy place for you because of all the vapors and smoke.
You need to make sure that you do not smoke and that you stay away from a lot of fumes and vapors if you suffer from asthma. You should not smoke and consider which jobs are appropriate for you, especially if you are thinking about working in a factory.
If you suffer from asthma and allergies that result in attacks, you can get injections of long-lasting medication for relief. Known as Omalizumab, this antibody medicine can control the body’s allergic senses and lower the symptoms or reactions that asthma patients suffer.
To keep your child healthy, make sure they are never around smoke. Secondhand smoke is known to be a reason asthma happens. While making sure to never light up around your children, it is also vital that you make sure your kids are not around others who do not show the same courtesy.
If you suffer from asthma, ensure that your diet contains adequate amounts of Vitamin E and Vitamin C. These particular vitamins are believed to better your lung function and help manage your symptoms of asthma. Vitamin C is available in multiple forms. You can find it in citrus fruits, supplements, and in many other places. Vitamins C and E are necessary for a healthy immune system. If your immune system isn’t healthy, it won’t be able to fight off illnesses that cause asthma attacks.
If you are experiencing a moderately severe attack, try to first exhale completely. Exhale quickly and forcefully. Truly pump all air from your lungs! Inhale in a series of three, or three shallow breaths and one deep breath. After your lungs are filled with air, forcefully exhale again. This gives your breathing a rhythm, which makes you aware of how many breaths you take. It will also empty your lungs of air, so that they’re ready to take in new, fresh air. It is okay to cough, even to generate sputum. Your ultimate goal is getting your breathing regulated.
Stand ready for a boost to your asthma treatment should you suffer from illnesses like colds or hay fever. These kinds of illness can inflame you asthma to a degree that a treatment increase is necessary. Your physician might also add more treatments to your regimen until your asthma is under control again.
Chemical Fumes
If you have asthma, use a pillow that doesn’t have feathers in it. Pillow feathers are known to worsen asthma and affect the lungs. This also goes for bedding; use sheets, comforters and blankets that are crafted from hypoallergenic materials.
Cigarette smoke will make your asthma worse. Never smoke yourself! Avoid vapors and chemical fumes from cigarettes. These can trigger a severe asthma attack that can be difficult to get under control. Do everything you can to avoid cigarette smoke, air pollution, allergens and harsh chemical fumes to keep your asthma symptoms under control.
A support group can offer empathy and information about new treatments and medication. Asthma, especially if it is severe, can be quite debilitating and can keep you from being an active participant in life. 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.
If allergy symptoms cause you to have moderate to severe asthma attacks, there is a medication available that can help for extended periods of time. For example, Omalizumab can be used to keep your allergic reactions to a minimum and your asthma under control.
Humidity in the home can create an environment that is ideal for mold and mildew to grow. These can very easily cause an attack. A dry home will help you out a lot more. When it’s cold, a dehumidifier can keep moisture to a minimum; in hot months, your A/C unit will do the same thing.
If you suffer from asthma and you are not eligible for health insurance, speak with a social worker. Social workers are often able to locate a hospital or clinic that can offer free or low cost options to make sure you can fill your medication prescriptions.
Asthma often takes time to develop, the symptoms appearing slowly. In fact, some people who didn’t even realize they had asthma died as a result of their initial attack. If you have any trouble breathing or are coughing a lot, you need to see a doctor to determine what it is and if you need any medication or treatment for asthma prevention.
Scented Products
If you are taking an airplane and you need to travel with your asthma apparatus or medications, bring your written prescription with you. Having written documentation supporting this medically necessary item will eliminate any hassles when going through the security check point.
Scented products could cause averse reactions to asthma sufferers. It is safest to use unscented products when possible. Scented products should be avoided, such as air fresheners, perfume, and incense. These can increase the amount of air pollution in the home and even trigger an attack. New carpet and fresh paint can also emit odors that can irritate the airways. Strive to maintain an indoor environment that is free from these pollutants, keeping the air fresh.
A preventative inhaler should be used every day, but you should know that this can cause infections near the teeth and gums in your mouth. Always brush and gargle as soon as you’ve finished using your inhaler to prevent mouth infections.
When you are suffering from asthma and you have hay fever or a cold, you will most likely need an increase in your treatment. These illnesses have side effects that can cause asthma to flare up and make an increase in medication necessary. The doctor may choose to pursue additional treatment options during your illness as well.
You should track how often, in a week’s time, you require the use of a rescue inhaler. If you are using it more than twice, your asthma may not be as well-controlled as you think or you may be experiencing unusual circumstances bringing on more frequent attacks. If you have to use your inhaler a lot, you will know that you should more closely monitor your surroundings.
Asthma Attack
Asthma sufferers should avoid coming into contact with both domestic and farm animals. Asthmatics can be affected by the dander or pollen that comes from the animals, even if they have no allergies to them. This can be a very risky situation to put yourself in and should be avoided.
While traveling, always keep emergency asthma medication on hand and close by. You may find that the stress of traveling makes an asthma attack more likely. You can’t exert as much control over your environment when you travel, so you may have an asthma attack or exacerbation of symptoms under unfamiliar conditions.
Make sure you keep calm if you are having an asthma attack. Immediately use your asthma inhaler, rest for 30 seconds, then use it once more. If the attack gets worse, then seek help immediately. Have someone take you to a hospital, or if necessary call an ambulance. Try breathing in a paper bag to slow your breathing on the way there.
Bundle up during winter weather if you have asthma. Covering your nose and mouth with a scarf or muffler helps prevent asthma attacks. Proper winter wear can keep cold air from agitating 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.
Schedule regular appointments with your physician to keep tabs on your asthma. This person needs to have the ability to look at your current situation so that they can make any changes as necessary. It is important that you keep these appointments so that your doctor is able to keep you healthy.
Asthma is a medical condition that tends to slowly develop over time, and the symptoms are not always that obvious. In fact, some people who didn’t even realize they had asthma died as a result of their initial attack. That is why it is important to check regularly with your doctor and always point out if you are having any kind of breathing problems or related symptoms. With the proper medical attention, you can prevent attacks and keep asthma under control.
You will get a lot of support for your asthma if you join a group or just by talking with other people who have asthma. Other asthma sufferers often have the best tricks for dealing with dangerous situations, and fighting the battle against asthma. Having support from other people in the same situation as you are is an amazing help to your treatment and state of mind.
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. When you have written proof that these items are necessary it can help speed along the security procedures.
Asthma may be the result of genetics or something in the environment, or perhaps a bit of both. If there are members of your family with asthma, it is important to monitor yourself as well as your children for asthma-like symptoms. There are a lot of things in your home that can cause asthma, some of these are smoke, mold, dust and pollution.
Use a mop that’s wet to clean your floors instead of a 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. Use a dampened rag when dusting, instead of a feather duster, so as to prevent stirring up loose dust particles and other asthma triggers.
Be on the lookout for allergy attacks. You should switch medications if you have more than two asthma attacks each week. Medical professionals generally consider two or more allergy attacks weekly to be dangerous, but completely preventable.
Bed Linens
Make sure you ban any type of smoking inside your home, or any place that can harm someone in your household who suffers from asthma. Smokers should smoke outdoors and a reasonable distance from your home. Just the smell of smoke from a heavy smoker’s garments can trigger asthma attacks.
Bed linens can collect dust, pollen and other allergens, all of which can further aggravate asthma. You can avoid this by making sure to wash your bed linens in hot water at least once a week. These fresh, regularly washed linens can help you breathe easier when sleeping.
Lower you chance of getting the flu by getting a vaccination every year. Even if you rarely catch the flu, get your shot to avoid catching a respiratory infection that will greatly decrease your breathing ability. Asthma makes you more susceptible to all sorts of respiratory ailments, from infections to viruses.
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.
If you are an asthma sufferer, you need to warm-up before you begin any strenuous exercise and to properly cool-down when you are finished. These actions will lessen your risk of having an asthma attack as a result of your exercise.