Your lungs are pretty important for healthy body function, so it’s not all surprising that a condition like asthma can put a damper on activities of daily living. There are a lot of ways to control asthma and live a healthy life, so don’t think this is impossible. Read this article’s advice, and realize that asthma is manageable to live with.
Do you know what type of asthma you have? Being fully informed about the specific type of asthma you have is very important. For instance, people with exercise-induced asthma would do well to carry an inhaler in their gym bag! You can avoid a crisis by knowing your symptoms’ patterns.
Avoid harsh cleaning chemicals if you are an asthma sufferer. Many chemicals contained in common cleaning products can aggravate your asthma, triggering an attack. When you are tidying your home consider using natural products that are effective for cleaning rather than traditional cleansers.
Don’t smoke around your child if they have asthma; this could worsen their situation. Secondhand smoke is a leading cause of asthma. You should also make sure your child is never in an environment where other people are smoking.
Be aware of certain medications that can lead to asthma problems. Examples of medications that may contribute to asthma are aspirin and other NSAIDs. Additionally, beta blockers, a type of medication used for heart disease and hypertension, may cause asthma symptoms. It is important for your doctor to know your complete medical history, including any medications you are currently taking, so they can best treat your asthma.
When you have asthma, you need to be careful around chemical cleaning products. It is very possible that one might bring on an asthma attack with some chemicals used for cleaning. If you are the person in your house who does the cleaning, there natural product solutions which are safe for you to use.
Don’t turn on the fan if the dust in a room is aggravating your asthma. If you do, the dust will move around, and you can trigger your asthma. If you feel you need airflow, open a window instead.
Be aware of certain medications that can lead to asthma problems. Believe it or not, something as seemingly innocuous as aspirin can actually trigger symptoms. You can also use beta blockers, which will help you manage blood pressure. Tell your doctor if you are an asthmatic and you are using these medications.
Asthma Attacks
If you are suffering from a mild or moderate asthma attack, expel all the air from your lungs. Exhale as quickly as possible, expelling air forcefully out of your lungs. It can’t be said too strongly: you must force the air out! Inhale a series of three quick breaths, followed by a deeper one, before exhaling with force again. Doing this means breathing in a conscious rhythm that makes you mindful of your breathing. By repeatedly forcing air out, you make room for new air so that your breathing can get back on track. You might cough or produce sputum, but that is fine; you are trying to get breathing under control again.
Vitamins C and E can greatly assist you in fighting asthma attacks. There is some evidence that these two vitamins can improve breathing and lower the frequency of asthma attacks. Get these nutrients through supplements or food. Your immune system gets a boost with these vitamins, and this helps protect your body against illnesses and asthma.
When you are dealing with asthma, try getting a lekotriene inhibitor. These medications prevent the production of leukotrienes. Leukotriene is a substance that may cause inflammation. This can make a person have an asthma attack. Taking an inhibitor blocks the receptors that leukotrienes normally interact with and leaves your throat less inflamed and attack-prone.
Scented products could cause averse reactions to asthma sufferers. It is safest to use unscented products when possible. Products with a strong smell such as air fresheners, incense or perfume can trigger asthma attacks. Newly installed carpet or fresh paint in the home are both known to release chemical irritants. Aim to keep the air as fresh as possible indoors.
Learn how to properly use your inhaler. 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. While inhaling air, spray required dosage in your mouth. Hold your breath for at least 10 seconds to allow the medicated mist to fill your lungs.
Keep your home free of dust and other triggers, especially where the person who suffers from asthma sleeps. Keep food consumption to the kitchen and the dining room, and never allow anyone to smoke in the house. After cleaning around the house, open windows and allow fresh air into the house. This can reduce the smell and pervasiveness of household cleaners like bleach.
Make certain that all members of your family get their annual flu shot. It is a good idea to avoid all respiratory infections when you have asthma. This includes taking standard precautions against illness, like hand washing, as well as getting vaccinations that can keep you from getting sick.
You may have to take more asthma medicine if you suffer from seasonal hay fever or catch a cold. Many of these illnesses will worsen your asthma symptoms bad enough to require more treatments than you typically need. Your doctor might add additional medication until your sickness gets better.
If you use any more than four kinds of cleaning product around your home, then the risk of an asthma attack is increased. Try to use organic based cleaning products that are not harmful to asthma sufferers.
Maintenance Medication
If you suffer from asthma, avoid smokers, even if you do not smoke yourself. As soon as you inhale any smoke from tobacco, your lungs become sensitive, which increases your risk of an attack. Just avoid any type of smoke, especially in small areas, and keep your lungs healthy to be safe.
Find out how you are supposed to use your asthma medication and rescue treatments. Asthma is generally treated with a rescue medication, usually an inhaler, in addition to a regularly-taken maintenance medication. Because you will have asthma for the rest of your life, it is important that you take your maintenance medication properly, and that you use your emergency medication correctly.
Stand ready for a boost to your asthma treatment should you suffer from illnesses like colds or hay fever. The side effects of many illnesses can flare up your asthma so bad that you have to have an increase in treatment. It is possible that your doctor will decide to modify your treatment, or even add additional treatments, until you are back on your feet.
If you’re flying with asthma medications, be sure you get a prescription from your physician. If you’ve got written proof, it’ll save you a lot of hassle when you’re at a security check.
If you are an asthma patient, you may want to sleep with a pillow that does not contain feathers. Feathers can aggravate symptoms of asthma and lower 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.
Pay attention to how often you reach for your asthma inhaler each week. It is possible that your asthma may be out of control or that there are extenuating circumstances that are exacerbating your condition. How often you use your rescue inhaler should serve as a reminder that your environment needs to be monitored.
Find a good support group in the Internet or in your area. Asthma is a terrible condition that can prevent you from engaging in simple daily activities. Furthermore, these groups will keep you informed about any changes in medicines or any other scientific discoveries that are relevant.
If you have asthma, clean your floors with a wet mop, instead of sweeping with a traditional broom. Sweeping the floor kicks up dust and other debris that can set off an attack of your asthma. Dust will adhere to a wet towel instead of being loose in the air like feather dusters do where it can aggravate your asthma.
Most of the triggers for attacks, and causes of asthma, are found inside the home. These include mold, dust and spores. Have an inspector come visit your house to remove any harmful agents that you have so that you can stay healthy and lower your risk for an asthma attack. Furthermore, thorough and frequent cleaning will ensure that allergens and other possible triggers do not accumulate in your home.
Following good advice can help you feel less anxious about your lifelong battle with asthma. New techniques and medicines are always in development, and eventually asthma will be handled with ease.
Your bed linens are where pollen, dust and other allergens like to collect. A weekly wash cycle using hot water can eliminate these potential triggers for asthma attacks. Fresh, laundered bedding will help you sleep that much easier at night.