If you’ve just been given an asthma diagnosis, you may not know what to do. There is no cure for asthma, as it is a chronic disease. Life is not over though, just because of an asthma diagnosis. This guide will give you a few ways on how you can manage asthma effectively and safely.
You may be unaware that certain medications you might be on could cause asthma symptoms. A couple of common culprits that do this are aspirin and NSAIDs. Beta blockers that are used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease can develop asthma like symptoms. Talk to a doctor if you have any of these conditions along with asthma.
To keep your child healthy, make sure they are never around smoke. Secondhand smoke is a huge health risk and directly plays a role in why people develop asthma. Any place where smoking is allowed should be avoided if you have a child with asthma.
Because asthma is a continuing condition, you have to continually manage your health. You need to always take your medications for your everyday symptoms, and keep your quick relief medication with you in case you do have an attack. Your physician and allergist are the ones to approach with any questions you have about this disease and its treatment.
Be careful of chemical cleaners if you are asthmatic. A lot of these products contain harsh chemicals such as ammonia. These chemicals wreak havoc on you and can trigger an attack. If you are the person in your house who does the cleaning, there natural product solutions which are safe for you to use.
Having a fast acting inhaler is vital to save asthmatics from experiencing severe symptoms. Talk to your physician and find out if a leukotriene inhibitor would be right for you. This type of inhibitor is designed to prevent leukotrienes. Leukotriene, a chemical substance, can provoke an inflammation that causes an asthma attack. When used properly, an inhibitor can help reduce symptoms and prevent attacks.
Prescriptions and over-the-counter medications can actually trigger an asthma attack. Among these medications are aspirin and other NSAIDs. You can also use beta blockers, which will help you manage blood pressure. If you suffer from any of these conditions along with your asthma, make sure you tell your doctor.
If you suffer from asthma and you are not eligible for health insurance, speak with a social worker. 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.
Because asthma is a continuing condition, you have to continually manage your health. Be certain that you are prescribed or using the appropriate medicine to manage your daily symptoms, and that you have an emergency medicine readily available in the event of an attack. To find which treatment options are the best for you and your condition, make sure you speak with a doctor and allergist.
Get annual flu vaccinations for your entire family. 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. Precautions include washing your hands and staying current with vaccinations.
If you suffer from asthma, try seeing if a leukotriene inhibitor helps. It works to prevent leukotrienes. A leukotriene will cause inflammation in the respiratory system, causing an asthma attack. Using an inhibitor will counteract the negative effects of leukotriene, thereby decreasing the occurrence of asthma attacks.
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. Freshly painted walls and brand-new carpet can also give off odors that cause irritation to airways. Try to maintain fresh air inside your home.
Social Worker
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. It is also possible that your physician will add an additional treatment to your routine until you recover from your illness.
If you have asthma and do not have health insurance, you should consider seeing a social worker. Asthma patients need their medications, and a social worker might be able to hook you up with programs to help you such as clinics and programs through pharmaceutical companies.
If your kid or you suffer from asthma, you should get a yearly flu shot. Prevent those flu infections before they happen by getting a flu shot each year.
Make sure that you and your loved ones get a flu vaccination yearly. Asthma patients should try their best to avoid getting respiratory infections. This means you should also be sure to wash your hands frequently and get vaccinated.
Be knowledgeable about the factors that cause asthma attacks in order to avoid the triggers or develop a plan for managing the symptoms of asthma. Most with asthma share common triggers, like pet dander, pollen or smoke. Whenever possible, avoid those substances that trigger either symptoms or full-blown attacks.
If you suffer from asthma, taking enough Vitamin E and C can help you. These vitamins have been known to improve the function of the lungs and reduce some asthma symptoms. These vitamins can be easily obtained, either through your diet or a supplement. These vitamins can improve your immune system to prevent asthma triggers.
Take the time to understand the proper usage of your asthma medication, particularly any that is labelled as rescue medication. Asthma is usually treated by using a regular medicine supplemented with a rescue medicine, like an inhaler. Since asthma is chronic in nature, appropriate application and use of both management and rescue medicines is vital.
Sleep with a feather-less pillow if you have asthma. Feathers may trigger asthma symptoms by irritating your lungs. The same reasoning applies to all bedding – only purchase bed sheets and comforters that are manufactured from hypoallergenic materials.
Asthma often takes time to develop, the symptoms appearing slowly. There are many cases where people have died from their first asthma attack, without even being aware that they were at risk. If you have any trouble catching your breath or a cough that won’t go away, consider talking to your doctor to make sure that you aren’t afflicted with asthma. If you are, you’ll need to keep an inhaler with you at all times and possible take other medications.
Make it a habit to always have some rescue medication available when you travel. Travel adds stress on your physical body, and it might increase your chances of falling prey to asthma triggers. Controlling your environment is harder when traveling, so this makes it much more probable that you experience worsening symptoms or an attack.
You can use the preventative inhaler daily, but know that it can cause mouth infections near your gums and teeth. To prevent complications from using a preventative inhaler, brush your teeth immediately after using it and use mouthwash as well.
You can join an online or offline support group. If you have asthma, it can stop you from participating in basic activities like sports, especially if the condition is severe. Also, other asthma sufferers can help keep you aware of new medications or other medical treatments.
Someone suffering from asthma should avoid animals. While allergies from animals can complicate asthma, those without allergies can get asthma attacks from dust or pollen that the animals carry.
Asthma Attacks
Do not smoke cigarettes. A lot of people know smoking is bad, but with asthma, it can be even worse. Asthmatic lungs are extremely sensitive, and should not be exposed to smoke. Someone who has asthma should not only avoid smoking, but should also try to avoid being exposed to people smoking in their vicinity.
During the colder months, avoid asthma attacks by wearing a scarf, shawl or muffler that covers the mouth and nose. Filtering and warming air before you inhale it can help prevent asthma attacks. Breathing cold air can set off an asthma attack, particularly in small children who have have somewhat severe asthma.
Try to gain as much information about affliction as possible. When you’re educated about your asthma, you can be proactive with the treatment. Stay up to date with current treatments and make sure you have the best care possible. The best thing to do is learn and research as much as you can about this condition and the treatment options that would be best for you.
Preparation and forethought are at the foundation of any asthma plan. Knowing the flavor of asthma from which you suffer, as well as practicing a good treatment regimen, is the easiest way to stop attacks from happening before they start. This article is your first step to building a knowledge base to combat this disease effectively!
It is important to visit with your doctor often, every two months or so, in order to stay on top of your asthma. Only your doctor can fully evaluate your condition and recommend appropriate changes in treatment. It is important that you keep these appointments so that your doctor is able to keep you healthy.