If not left in check, asthma can spiral out of control. An asthma attack can be dangerous, even fatal. Although you should try to obtain guidance from health professionals, in some cases, it is simply not enough. In such instances, it is up to you to do something about it. This article is filled with useful tips to help you manage your asthma.
If asthma is something you suffer from, do not smoke or spend time around smokers, much less any source of vapors and fumes. This means avoidance of all tobacco products, as well as taking into consideration any smoke or vapors you might be exposed to in a prospective workplace.
Smoking should never be done around children, especially a child who suffers from asthma. Secondhand smoke is almost as dangerous to asthmatics as actually smoking a cigarette. Also, do not let your child around others who smoke.
Don’t smoke around your child if they have asthma; this could worsen their situation. Second-hand cigarette smoke is a leading cause of asthma. It’s best to also keep your child away from places in which others will be smoking.
If you find that you are in a dusty room, do not put on any type of fan. An asthma attack can be easily triggered by the moving dust. On smog-free, low pollen days, open your windows to improve airflow in the house.
Avoid being around any known asthma triggers. For some, allergens such as dust and pollen can trigger an attack. It could also be some type of strenuous exercise. Do your best to understand and figure what exactly triggers your asthma so that you know what you need to avoid.
Leukotriene Inhibitor
Certain prescription medications have the potential to cause asthma symptoms. A couple of common culprits that do this are aspirin and NSAIDs. Some medications can cause your asthma to be worse such as beta blockers for high blood pressure or heart disease. If you have asthma and these other conditions, let your physician know.
If you are having trouble dealing with asthma, a leukotriene inhibitor might be of good use. A leukotriene inhibitor helps to prevent leukotrienes. Leukotrienes are molecules that cause the tracheal muscles to contract; having too many leukotrienes makes asthma attacks more likely. Taking an inhibitor will reduce the amount of this substance your body produces, which should decrease the number of attacks you experience.
Asthma is a chronic disease that requires ongoing, consistent management and care. Always be very sure that you’re taking the right type of medication for your condition if you hope to control it. It’s also important to have a quick-relief medication available. Speak to your physician and allergist to find out what medications are right for you.
If you suffer from asthma, ensure you consume lots of Vitamins E and C. These vitamins help reduce asthma flare-ups by improving lung function. You can get both of these vitamins from eating certain foods, or by taking the vitamins in supplement form. You can help out your immune system that can help stave off asthma triggers!
Consider getting injections of medications to treat your asthma if you are prone to attacks induced by allergy symptoms. It is called omalizumab, and it is an antibody medicine used to control allergic reaction symptoms. You will need to speak to your allergist to find out if this would be helpful to you.
If you use any more than four kinds of cleaning product around your home, then the risk of an asthma attack is increased. Consider purchasing and using organic cleaning products since they are void of irritating chemicals.
Social workers are there for your assistance if you live with asthma, yet can’t get approved for health insurance. It’s vital that you stay on medication, so there may be programs available to help you get them at a discount.
If you have asthma, it is imperative that you stay away from smokers. Tobacco smoke can bring on an asthma attack, especially within areas without good air flow. The smoke restricts the ability of your lungs to breathe, making an attack much more likely to occur.
Be sure you and your family members get a yearly flu vaccination. If you are afflicted with asthma, avoid getting any infections if possible. It’s important to take the standard precautions against these illnesses, such as hand washing and vaccinations.
While everyone appreciates the look and feel of a clean house, asthma sufferers in particular benefit from a healthy environment as it can decrease the risk of asthma attacks, especially in a sleeping area. Keep food in a kitchen or on the dining room table, and avoid cigarette smoking inside. Air the house out thoroughly after cleaning and avoid the use of bleach and other harsh chemicals indoors.
If you have asthma, it might be helpful for you to buy a dehumidifier. Not only will a dehumidifier decrease humidity, but it will also be helpful in controlling the dust mite population. Both are causative factors in asthma attacks. A dehumidifying device reduces the moisture in the air.
When you are suffering from asthma and you have hay fever or a cold, you will most likely need an increase in your treatment. Side effects that are associated with most illnesses can serve as triggers for asthma and may cause an increase in your asthma treatment. Your family doctor may recommend adding another treatment or medication to your current regimen until you recover from your illness.
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. Generally, it is found that items such as smoke and pollen can trigger attacks in those that suffer with asthma. When possible, stay away from these triggers that cause symptoms or ultimately, full-blown attacks.
Avoid using a feather or down pillow if you have asthma. The feathers from a pillow can cause asthma symptoms and decrease your lung function. The same can be said for bedding, try to get hypoallergenic comforters and sheets.
Asthmatic patients should avoid using feather pillows. Feathers can trigger asthma symptoms and reduce lung function. Be sure to keep the same advice in mind for your bedclothes. They should be made from materials that do not increase allergy symptoms.
Keep all your regularly scheduled asthma appointments, regardless of how you are feeling. A flare-up can occur at any time, and your physician may have learned of a prescription medication that can treat your symptoms more safely and effectively.
Join a support group, online or in “real life”, to find help from your peers. Extremely severe asthma can be debilitating and prevent one from living a full life. A support group will help you have a good time and forget about your condition once in a while, as well as as keep you informed about the latest innovations.
Some common catalysts of asthma attacks regularly occur in the home. Three triggers comprise the asthma triad of doom: spores, dust and mold. Having your house inspected yearly is a good way to reduce the presence of these asthma triggers. Cleaning the house on a regular basis will also help prevent the buildup of these hazardous substances.
Humidity in your home causes an environment where mildew and mold are more likely to grow. These things can trigger asthma attacks very easily. You will benefit greatly from keeping the moisture out of your home’s air. You can maintain a dry home by using a dehumidifier and heater in the colder months, and air conditioning when it is warm.
Asthma Attack
Avoid cold-induced asthma attacks by protecting your mouth and nose with a scarf. You can inhale warmer air into your body with these. Studies have indicated that asthma attacks are sometimes triggered when cold air is inhaled. This is especially true for young children who have asthma that is moderate to severe.
During cold, winter months, asthma sufferers should wear a shawl, muffler, or scarf that will cover both their nose and mouth. Bundling up puts heat between the air and your lungs, which can help lessen your risk of an asthma attack. 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.
The development of asthma symptoms can occur over time and they can be difficult to pinpoint and diagnose. In some serious cases, people have dropped dead due to an asthma attack without ever knowing they had asthma in the first place. Given that fact, if you have any kind of consistent cough or respiratory ailments, consulting a physician for testing is a good idea, since you want to know if you are suffering from asthma and if so, what to do about it.
Consider using more than just one doctor. Of course your regular doctor will be the one you go to for help with your asthma, but you should also see a specialist. Asthma centers, allergists, pulmonologists, and nutritionists can all help ensure you are attacking your asthma on all fronts.
Make note of how often, on a weekly basis, you use your inhaler. If you use it very often, you may not have it under control. Counting how many times you reach for your inhaler can be a good aid to remind you of what environments you need to control and what else you may need to manage.
Those with asthma should remain inside as much as they can when the pollen count rises. Even though asthma isn’t an allergy, they share many things in common. You can get the information about air quality in the area you are in; people who suffer from asthma should stay indoors if their air quality is low.
Bed linens are a magnet for nasty allergens and asthma triggers, including dust and pollen. You can get rid of these by washing your sheets and other linens in very hot water each week. If you are sleeping on freshly laundered linens, you will sleep much easier.
If you are suffering from an asthma attack, try to remain calm and do not panic. Use the inhaler, wait thirty seconds, and use once more. If your attack worsens, get help. Have someone take you to a hospital, or if necessary call an ambulance. Try putting a paper bag up to your mouth and breathing into it to help slow your breaths.
You should have a team of medical professionals to help you craft your asthma treatment. Although your primary doctor can treat your asthma, a specialist may be able to provide further help. Certain specialists, such as pulmonologists and allergists, can provide extra treatment options for your asthma.
If you find you need your inhaler too often, more than two times a week, talk to your doctor about changing your prescription. It means the medication used to calm acute attacks is either ineffective or not effective enough. If you must refill your inhaler over two times a year, then it’s time to inquire with your doctor about a medication switch as well.
Joining a support group, or finding friends with a similar condition, can help you. The other members can give you valuable advice on how to cope with the everyday challenges of living with asthma, and how to handle specific situations. Gaining the support of those around you is crucial.
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.
Make sure you consume more foods with vitamin B6. Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, has been found to reduce the frequency and intensity of asthma attacks in many studies. Pyridoxine is essential because it produces certain substances that relax bronchial tissues. Bananas contain B6, as do many other delicious foods.