An asthma attack is a dangerous and rather frightening event to experience. The good news is that it is possible to really turn things around and live a normal life with asthma. Read this article to discover different methods you can use.
It is very important that an asthma sufferer refrain from smoking, if you do then it is advisable you quit now. Smoking is, of course, unhealthy for anyone. The habit is even more dangerous for asthma patients, however, because anything that reduces the amount of oxygen reaching the lungs can trigger an attack.
An important part of symptom management is knowing what type of asthma you have. If you know as much as you can about the kind of asthma that you have, you can find out how to battle it day-by-day. People suffering from asthma that is exercise-induced, for example, had best be prepared for asthma attacks at the gym! If you know and understand your asthma triggers, you can better avoid and handle attacks.
You want to make sure you can avoid situations that could trigger your asthma. Some people have allergies that cause asthma, and allergens such as dust and pollen can cause an attack. Others may have attacks that are triggered by physical activity. Try and figure out what gets your asthma started so you know what to avoid.
If you find yourself in a room that is dusty, don’t turn on any kind of fan. The wind will move dust around and get into your airways causing an attack. It’s better to open the window if you’re in need of fresh air.
There are medicines out there that may increase your chance of triggering asthma symptoms. Aspirin is an example of a widely used medicine that can cause asthma problems. Additionally, beta blockers, a type of medication used for heart disease and hypertension, may cause asthma symptoms. Make sure your doctor knows if you are taking such medicine and also have asthma.
Leukotriene Inhibitor
If you have asthma, you should keep away from any smoke from cigarettes. Avoid smoking altogether. Inhaling the chemical-laden fumes and even the vapors from cigarettes can be extremely harmful. This can trigger an unstoppable asthma attack. When you see people smoking in your area avoid them and move away.
When struggling with asthma, consider using a leukotriene inhibitor. Leukotriene inhibitors are used to prevent things called leukotrienes. Leukotriene is a substance that can bring about inflammation, resulting in an asthma attack. By blocking the effects of leukotrienes, a leukotriene inhibitor can reduce the frequency and severity of your asthma attacks.
If your health insurance situation cannot help you with your asthma, talk to a social worker. Having the financial ability to purchase your asthma medications is essential, and a social worker can help you locate a hospital or clinic that can provide you with these medications for free or at a significantly reduced rate.
If you have asthma, it might be helpful for you to buy a dehumidifier. Cutting down the humidity in the house will lower the amount dust mites in the air, and that will mean fewer asthma flare-ups. Dehumidifiers cause the air in your home to become dry, which means less humidity.
You should ensure that every family member in your household gets a flu vaccine yearly. Asthma sufferers need to be careful and guard against any upper-resperatory illnesses. It’s important to take the standard precautions against these illnesses, such as hand washing and vaccinations.
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. Keep food consumption to the kitchen and the dining room, and never allow anyone to smoke in the house. Don’t use strong cleaners or bleach and air out the house immediately following cleaning.
Vitamins E and C are beneficial to anyone with asthma. You can buy these vitamins to help you get better function from your lungs and control your asthma symptoms. It is possible to acquire the necessary amounts by eating foods or by taking dietary supplements. Getting enough vitamins is also a good way to prevent asthma attacks by boosting your immune system.
If you or your child suffer from asthma, it is important that you receive a flu shot every year. Getting vaccinated yearly can help keep many of these illnesses at bay.
You will need to keep your residence really clean, especially the bedroom where the asthma sufferer sleeps in order to help lessen the chances of an attack. Food should be eaten only in the kitchen or dining room, and cigarettes are best relegated to outdoor smoking areas. Make sure that the home is properly ventilated and aired out, especially after cleaning with harsh products, like bleach or ammonia.
Make sure you are aware of what triggers your asthma so you can avoid it or prepare properly. Some common asthma triggers include pet dander, pollen, and cigarette smoke. Try to avoid the things that make your asthma flare up.
Humidity is a problem in the home, because it creates conditions that are perfect for mildew and mold growth. These are harmful substances that can trigger asthma attacks. Therefore, you should always strive to maintain a dry home. 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 are asthmatic, it may be a good idea to use a pillow that is not filled with feathers. The feathers can make it harder to breathe right and trigger an attack. This extends to the rest of your bedding, as well. There are hypoallergenic comforters and sheets you can use to limit asthma symptoms.
If you need to travel with your asthma medication, particularly if you plan on bringing a nebulizer or other large equipment, it can be helpful to obtain a letter from your doctor explaining their use. When you can prove that an item is medically necessary, it can save a lot of time and hassle while working through airport security.
Most homes are full of common asthma triggers. These culprits include dust, spores and mold. An annual visit by a professional inspector can help keep your home free from these agents, and reduce the likelihood of an attack. Additionally, cleaning your home on a regular schedule prevents these unwanted visitors from taking residence en masse.
If you have asthma, clean your floors with a wet mop, instead of sweeping with a traditional broom. The action of sweeping can swirl up a whole cloud of asthma-triggering particles. In the same vein, choose a damp rag as opposed to a feather duster when dusting, as this prevents dust from flying about.
Asthma is a disease that can develop slowly over time, making it sometimes difficult to spot the symptoms. Some people have even died from having an asthma attack, and they didn’t even know they had asthma. So, if you are having trouble coughing and breathing, talk to a doctor to see if you need treatment. You might receive a prescription to treat or prevent asthma.
If you suffer from asthma, avoid being around smoke. Smoke can seriously affect the lungs and is a common asthma trigger. Do what you can to avoid chemical fumes, cigarette smoke and other vapors. They can easily increase your asthma symptoms. If someone is smoking near you, either ask them to stop or remove yourself from the situation.
If you’re flying with asthma medications, be sure you get a prescription from your physician. Written proof of needing your equipment can help you with any issues you might have in the security line.
Bed linens often trap allergens, dust, pollen and other things that can aggravate asthma. 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 will find that having fresh linens will make your breathing while sleeping much easier.
When you are cleaning your home, it is always better to use a wet mop rather than sweeping your floors. Vacuuming or wet-mopping are better than sweeping because they don’t stir up dust and debris that might induce an asthma attack. Use a dampened rag when dusting, instead of a feather duster, so as to prevent stirring up loose dust particles and other asthma triggers.
Do not make the decision to smoke. If you have asthma, you could have serious health complications from smoking. Smoke greatly irritates the sensitive lungs of the person with asthma, so in addition to not smoking, someone with asthma should avoid people that are smoking.
Try to gain as much information about affliction as possible. The greater your knowledge base regarding asthma, the more involved you can be in determining treatment plans. Remain current on the latest treatment techniques and be certain to receive the very best professional assistance you can. You can only achieve this by researching your condition, as well as, the treatment options available to you.
If you find yourself relying on your rescue inhaler more often than twice weekly, it may be necessary to speak with your doctor about changing medication. It means the medication used to calm acute attacks is either ineffective or not effective enough. Similarly, if you need to purchase refill inhalers more than twice a year, your medication is ineffective.
If you have asthma, it is important to know how to live with it. The more information that you can obtain about asthma, the less burdensome it is. Fortunately, medical science has discovered much regarding asthma, and the information here can get you started towards better management and clearer understanding of this affliction.
Check in with your doctor regularly to ensure that you are maintaining your asthma condition correctly and successfully. At your doctor’s visit, the doctor will evaluate your asthma and make any changes to your treatment plan if they are required. You should always keep your appointments so that your doctor can follow up on your treatment plans, and work with you to maintain your health.