Living with asthma is a challenge you have to face everyday. You need the proper tools to do this. With the right information, you can learn to avoid the asthma attacks that interfere with your daily routine. Here are some guidelines on how to live life to the fullest although experiencing asthma.
You should avoid smoking at all costs and being exposed to vapors and perfumes if you suffer from asthma. That means you have to avoid all tobacco, and seriously consider think about what jobs you take; for example, factories are probably not a healthy place for you because of all the vapors and smoke.
Learn how to use an inhaler in the correct manner if you do not already know. Find a relaxing spot, and be sure that you follow the directions that the manufacturer provided. You can inhale all you want, but it’s useless if the medication doesn’t make it to your lungs. Spray the dosage into the mouth while you inhale air. Hold your breath for at least 10 seconds to allow the medicated mist to fill your lungs.
Smoking should never be done around children, especially a child who suffers from asthma. There’s a long list of environmental asthma triggers, and secondhand smoke is at the top of it. You should take care to also make sure your child does not get exposed to other environments where people might be smoking.
If you have asthma and cannot get health insurance, see a social worker. Social workers are trained to help people find resources for affording health care, particularly on debilitating conditions such as asthma.
If you are asthmatic, you absolutely must not subject yourself to any form of cigarette smoke. Although smoking is bad for all people, it is especially worse for asthma patients because it cuts off the oxygen supply that you need in order for your lungs to function and keep away asthma attacks.
Get annual flu vaccinations for your entire family. Respiratory infections can seriously hurt those who suffer from asthma, so take measures to avoid contracting them. Precautions include washing your hands and staying current with vaccinations.
Always be very mindful of the type of medications you’re taking. Some meds out there might just trigger an asthma attack. NSAIDs and aspirin are known for their ability to cause symptoms. Common medications used for controlling high blood pressure often times contain beta blockers, which asthmatics may be more sensitive to. If you have any of these conditions along with your asthma, make sure you tell your doctor.
Asthma Symptoms
During a mild to moderate attack, force all of the air out of your lungs. Breathe out fast and hard. This will force the air from your lungs. Follow this by breathing in three times quickly, and a fourth time deeply to ensure your lungs are filled to capacity, then exhale again as forcefully as possible. The breathing rhythm that you create by doing this will cause you to be aware of every breath you take. It also expels air from your lungs so more can enter. It is okay that you cough up some sputum, you really want to breathe right again.
Allergens, the common cold and influenza can increase your asthma symptoms. An increase in treatment is necessary sometimes because side effects of other sicknesses can cause your asthma symptoms to flare up. Your physician might also work an additional treatment into your therapy until such time as you are healthier.
Though it is easy to postpone or avoid, get those annual flu vaccinations. Make sure you do your best in avoiding respiratory infections at all costs if you have asthma. Precautions include washing your hands and staying current with vaccinations.
If your child or yourself are asthma sufferers it is very important that you get the flu shot every single year. Getting vaccinated yearly can help keep many of these illnesses at bay.
Stay away from any tobacco smoke, even people that are smoking tobacco. Tobacco smoke causes your lung function to decrease, increasing the risk of a very severe attack, especially in enclosed rooms without much air flow or ventilation.
Avoid using a feather or down pillow if you have asthma. Feathers can aggravate symptoms of asthma and lower lung function. This applies to bedding, as well, so it’s best to make sure that everything on your bed is hypoallergenic.
Figure out your asthma triggers. Once you know what they are, you can change your lifestyle to prevent asthma attacks. If you can’t avoid a trigger, you can pack your inhaler, take allergy pills or engage in other preventive measures so you don’t have an attack. There are some quite common triggers that can invoke an attack in asthma sufferers, for example cigarette smoke, pollen, or pet hair and dander. Whenever you can, stay away from these agents that can trigger symptoms or cause full-blown asthma attacks.
Some of the major causes of asthma, and triggers for asthma attacks, can exist right in the home. Such irritants include mold spores, dust, smoke and chemical fumes. Have your home inspected for and cleaned of these things to reduce the occurrence of asthma attacks. It also helps to clean your home frequently to prevent a buildup of these allergens.
When it’s colder, wear a shawl, scarf or muffler that will cover your mouth and nose to avoid asthma attacks. Proper winter wear can keep cold air from agitating your lungs. Breathing in air that’s cold can trigger an attack, particularly in younger children that have moderate or severe asthma.
Asthma typically develops over a long time, and sometimes the symptoms aren’t very obvious. There are lots of cases where people die of an asthma attack without knowing 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 are taking your prescriptions with you on a flight, make sure to take your prescription. Having proof that it belongs to you and is medically necessary will make the security check easier.
If you’re flying with asthma medications, be sure you get a prescription from your physician. You’ll speed up the process of going through security if you have written proof that shows that the items are necessary.
Although it is wise to use your inhaler as needed, be aware that the medication itself may cause problems with gums and teeth. Prevent these unnecessary side effects by gargling and brushing your teeth right after you use the inhaler.
You should definitely use your preventative inhaler on a daily basis. However, you should be warned that the drug can also cause infections in your mouth, particularly near your teeth and gums. To best method to prevent these side effects and complications is by brushing your teeth, then gargling directly after using the inhaler.
When cleaning your house, clean floors with a wet mop instead of a broom. If you choose to sweep, you’re swirling up a tornado of dust and allergens, both of which are common triggers for asthma symptoms. Use a dampened rag when dusting, instead of a feather duster, so as to prevent stirring up loose dust particles and other asthma triggers.
See how many times a week you typically use the rescue inhaler. When you find you are depending on it more than thrice during a week’s period on an ongoing basis it is a sign your asthma is not under proper control and could lead to serious attacks if not addressed. This number can help you monitor your environment for asthma triggers and let you determine if your treatment plan is working properly.
Asthma sufferers should have minimal contact with animals including pets. While allergies from animals can complicate asthma, those without allergies can get asthma attacks from dust or pollen that the animals carry.
Asthma Attack
Asthmatics should avoid smoking tobacco products whenever possible. A lot of people know smoking is bad, but with asthma, it can be even worse. Smoke is extremely irritating to the already sensitive asthmatic lungs, so care should be taken to not only smoke, but also avoid being in the presence of other people who are smoking.
Clean your home with a wet mop instead of a broom. Vacuuming or wet-mopping are better than sweeping because they don’t stir up dust and debris that might induce an asthma attack. Dusting can actually just move the dust around, sending particles into the air, and into your lungs triggering an asthma attack, so try wiping things down with a damp cloth to minimize the amount of allergens you are exposed to.
Going to an asthma support group or just talking to people who also have asthma can really help out. They will provide tips on how to deal with asthma, or what to do in certain situations that may be new to you. You need a strong support system!
See more than one doctor. Although your primary doctor can treat your asthma, a specialist may be able to provide further help. Pulmonologists, allergists, asthma centers and nutritionists can help you take advantage of the many treatments available to those with asthma.
A key way to manage your asthma is working to identify all of the things that trigger your attacks. Write down potential asthma triggers in a journal and talk to your doctor about them. After you identify your triggers, make every effort to stay away from them.
Do not make the decision to smoke. People know that smoking is dangerous, but it is even more dangerous to those with asthma. Smoke can severely irritate an asthma sufferer’s lungs; so, if you do suffer from asthma, stay away from both smoking and being around smoke in general.
Become stronger and increase the amount of air your lungs can hold over time. Never tempt an attack by starting a grueling workout when you know you cannot finish it because of asthma.
If you tend to suffer from any allergies or asthmatic conditions, always clean vaporizers very thoroughly, as well humidifiers and any associated apparatus. Bacteria can breed inside of the machine due to the moisture, which can exaggerate your allergies or asthma.
Watch for symptoms of a serious attack that require an emergency hospital visit. Signs that an asthma attack is underway can include blue or gray tints to the lips and fingernails. It is also possible your child will not respond to heightened doses of medication during an attack. Also, the person suffering the attack may be having issues talking.
Treatment Plan
Get yearly flu vaccinations. Even if you do not get sick often, asthmatics should always get vaccinated just in case. If you have asthma, getting the flu will cause further respiratory issues, for instance sinus infections.
If you have asthma, schedule checkups ever few months with your doctor to stay on top of your condition. Frequent check-ups help your doctor evaluate the effectiveness of your current treatment plan and revise the plan as needed. It is up to you to work with your doctor at regular appointments to keep your treatment plan working.
If there is an asthma sufferer in your home, circulating fresh air is crucial. Ventilate your home by opening doors or windows. Homes that have proper ventilation have 200 percent less allergens than homes with stagnant air. Ventilation is needed in order to have clean air circulating in a home.
Buy a mask to keep yourself from breathing in harmful fumes if you plan on painting in your home. A proper breathing mask will help to protect asthma sufferers from paint fumes. In general, you should avoid anything that will trigger an asthma attack or worsen your asthma symptoms.
Replace your bed pillows often to avoid a build-up of irritating contaminants. Purchase 100-percent-cotton towels and pillowcases since dust mites don’t penetrate these materials as readily as artificial materials. Of all the household triggers for asthma attacks, dust mites rank at the top of the list.
As this article shows, you can control the symptoms of asthma and keep on with your daily routine. A diagnosis of asthma is not terminal, so get down to work crafting your treatment and return to a fulfilling life!
If you suffer from asthma, open the window when cooking meals that release a large amount of smoke. Asthma can be easily set off by this smoke, so it is best to avoid it. If an open window does not help, it may be necessary to leave the building.