If you suffer from asthma, you know that this chronic condition can limit your freedom and happiness. At the same time, you should understand that the symptoms are manageable if you are willing to make certain changes and take the proper medicines. This article is packed with useful tips and advice for living with asthma.
Certain prescription medications have the potential to cause asthma symptoms. Some NSAIDs and aspirin might do this. Other medications that may have an effect on the respiratory system include beta blockers used to treat high blood pressure. If you have asthma and these other conditions, let your physician know.
Are you informed about what type of asthma you suffer from? When you’re informed about your asthma, you’ll be able to do more to cope with the illness and prevent it from having a negative effect on your life. For example, if your asthma is induced by exercise, it might be wise to always have an inhaler in your gym bag. When you know what triggers your asthma, you will be more prepared to stop attacks before they begin.
If you have asthma, you need to avoid any kind of tobacco smoke. Don’t smoke! Inhaling the chemical-laden fumes and even the vapors from cigarettes can be extremely harmful. These can trigger a severe asthma attack that can be difficult to get under control. If others are smoking and you are nearby, get away from them immediately.
Cleaning products should be avoided when you have asthma. Many of the chemicals in cleaning products can trigger asthma symptoms or attacks. If you are the person in your house who does the cleaning, there natural product solutions which are safe for you to use.
If you find yourself in a room that is dusty, don’t turn on any kind of fan. Turning on a fan is going to cause the dust to leave its surface and begin filling the air of your environment. Open some windows if you want fresh air.
You should stay away from anything you might believe which can trigger an asthma attack. This is different for everyone, but some people, things like dust or pollen can trigger an attack. Others find themselves suffering from attacks when they overexert themselves. It is important to determine what triggers your asthma attacks so you can try to avoid those things.
When you are having a difficult time with asthma, you might want to use a leukotriene inhibitor. As its name suggests, this inhibitor works by preventing the release and build-up of leukotriene. The chemical leukotriene is a common cause of inflammation in the lungs which in turn, can trigger asthma attacks. The inhibitor can prevent them and decrease your asthma attacks.
If you’re having an asthma attack, a great way to handle this is to immediately evacuate the air from your lungs. Force air out of your lungs with quick, powerful exhalations. Try hard to push the air out from your lungs! Inhale for three quick breaths, and then take one deep breath so that you can allow your lungs to fill with air, and then force the air out again. Using this strategy provides your breathing with a rhythm that forces you to focus on it. It will also help to get the air to come out of the lungs so more can come in. If you cough up mucus, don’t worry – just get the breathing back to normal.
Consider consulting a social worker if your asthma medication is not covered by an insurance policy. Social workers are trained to help people find resources for affording health care, particularly on debilitating conditions such as asthma.
Asthma Patients
Be sure you and your family members get a yearly flu vaccination. If you have asthma, try to avoid getting respiratory infections if you can. You can start by taking simple precautions, such as washing your hands and getting proper vaccinations when due.
Asthma patients without health insurance can get help by asking a social worker and getting access to programs with the resources asthma patients need. 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 you suffer from asthma, ensure you consume lots of Vitamins E and C. These vitamins are thought to help improve lung function and control asthma symptoms. You can find the vitamins you need in food or supplements. These vitamins also help boost your immune system, which helps to prevent illnesses that trigger asthma.
Lower the chances of asthma attacks by keeping a spotless home, particularly in the areas where you sleep. Keep food consumption to the kitchen and the dining room, and never allow anyone to smoke in the house. Thoroughly air out your house after every cleaning, and stay away from bleach and similar harsh chemicals while cleaning indoors.
Try to keep your home as clean as possible, especially the bedroom of the asthma sufferer, to reduce the risk of an asthma attack. Keep food in a kitchen or on the dining room table, and avoid cigarette smoking inside. Let in plenty of fresh air if the weather permits, and avoid using harsh chemicals to bleach.
Those who have asthma should avoid down pillows. Feathers can have a negative effect on the lungs and can worsen asthma symptoms. The same goes for bedding – try to buy a comforter and sheets that are made from hypoallergenic materials.
Avoid pillows with feathers if you have asthma. Feathers can trigger asthma symptoms and reduce lung function. Patients should also buy hypoallergenic bedding.
Join a support group, online or in “real life”, to find help from your peers. Asthma can be severe enough to keep you away from social activiites. A support group also makes it easier to keep up to date on advancements in asthma science or new medications that come on the market.
If you plan to take a trip, you must always keep your rescue medication with you at all times. Traveling can make you more likely to suffer from attacks due to the extra strain and stress on your body. It’s hard to have much control over your environment when you travel, which makes it more likely you will have some sort of symptoms or an asthma attack.
Asthma Attacks
Avoid cold-induced asthma attacks by protecting your mouth and nose with a scarf. Bundling up puts heat between the air and your lungs, which can help lessen your risk of an asthma attack. Cold air can trigger severe attacks, especially for young children.
Some of the most notorious causes of asthma attacks exist in normal households. Some of these irritants include dust, mold and spores. Have your home inspected for and cleaned of these things to reduce the occurrence of asthma attacks. Also, cleaning your house can help with this buildup.
It is crucial that you know how to properly use your asthma treatments, particularly rescue inhalers. Asthma typically is treated so that the sufferer has a regular maintenance medication, but is also prescribed a rescue medication, like an inhaler. Asthma doesn’t go away, so it’s important to be vigilant about taking your daily medication and using your rescue inhaler when an attack occurs.
As previously noted, the dangers of asthma loom heavy over anyone who suffers from this condition and cannot get it under control. Avoid allergens, smoke, and excessive amounts of air pollution and always carry a fast acting inhaler for emergency situations. The advice in this article will help you to control you asthma symptoms, and get your life back.
Asthma usually takes an extended interval of time to fully develop, and the warning signs are rarely obvious. In some serious cases, people have dropped dead due to an asthma attack without ever knowing they had asthma in the first place. Because of this, if you notice that you have trouble breathing or are constantly coughing, you may want to visit your doctor. They can tell you if you have asthma and if there is a medication that you should be taking. Your doctor can also tell you if there is something you can do to prevent asthma from developing.