Asthma, like any respiratory condition, can be extremely scary, since it interferes with your ability to take in oxygen, which is required to live. You could get an asthma attack at any time and must always be prepared. This article empowers you to treat your asthma by helping you understand how and why it happens, and what to do when it does.
Do you know the type of asthma that you suffer with? One of the best ways to combat asthma and its limiting effects on your life is to know and understand as much as you can about your specific condition. If people who have asthma suffer attacks triggered by exercise, they should bring an inhaler with them when they work out. You can avoid a crisis by knowing your symptoms’ patterns.
If you have asthma, you should definitely avoid smoking or being exposed to any kind of fumes or vapors. This includes all tobacco products, and you also need to be careful if you are going to apply for a job in a factory or where you have the potential to be exposed to vapors and harmful smoke.
It is very important that an asthma sufferer refrain from smoking, if you do then it is advisable you quit now. Although smoking causes health problems for everyone, it is even more dangerous to asthma sufferers because the smoke causes airway swelling that cuts off oxygen to your lungs, and can trigger an attack.
Figure out what type of asthma you are suffering with. If you know as much as you can about the kind of asthma that you have, you can find out how to battle it day-by-day. If people who have asthma suffer attacks triggered by exercise, they should bring an inhaler with them when they work out. You can avoid a crisis by knowing your symptoms’ patterns.
Avoid harsh cleaning chemicals if you are an asthma sufferer. A lot chemicals that are in these items can set off an asthma attack or aggravate other symptoms. If you do the cleaning in your house, use natural solutions that are safer for you to breath in.
Smoke Yourself
Asthma is ongoing. Therefore, it also requires continual management of your health. Be sure you are practicing proper self-care, and make sure you have your inhaler ready to go in case you suffer a full-blown attack. Discuss treatment strategies with both your primary care physician and your allergist.
Anyone suffering from asthma or asthma-like symptoms needs to stay clear of cigarette smoke, whether you smoke yourself, or even if you’re breathing secondhand smoke. Never smoke yourself! It is also a good idea to stay away from the fumes or vapors from harsh chemicals, such as those used in cleaning. This can aggravate your asthma and it might not stop. If you find that you have people smoking around you, get yourself out of that area rather quickly.
Properly use the inhaler every time you must use it. Find a quiet secluded area so that you can calmly take the inhaler as directed by the instructions from the manufacturer. Remember that the medication must reach your lungs if the inhaler is to work properly. Spray the required dosage into your mouth while inhaling air. Make sure you hold your breath for 10 seconds or more to get the medications into your lungs.
If you suffer from asthma and allergy attacks, ask your doctor for a long-lasting allergy injection. Your allergist might recommend Omalizumab, which is an antibody type medicine that can regulate your symptoms of allergic reactions.
Keep your home free of dust and other triggers, especially where the person who suffers from asthma sleeps. Do not allow smoking in your house, and keep food in your kitchen. When cleaning your home, try not to use products that contain harsh chemicals, such as bleach. You should also allow fresh air to thoroughly circulate throughout your home after you’re done cleaning it.
Social Worker
You should be ready to increase asthma treatments if you suffer from hay fever or a cold. Illnesses like this can often worsen your asthma symptoms, which may require that you up your dosage of certain medications. 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. Having the financial ability to purchase your asthma medications is essential, and a social worker can help you locate a hospital or clinic that can provide you with these medications for free or at a significantly reduced rate.
You should always have your rescue medication with you when you are traveling. Traveling to different places might expose you to unexpected triggers, as your body is put under more strain when you travel. You also have little control over your surroundings as you travel, and this may result in an increase in symptoms or frequency of attacks.
Consider supplementing your diet with Vitamins E and C when you suffer from asthma. These vitamins aid in improving the function of the lungs and controlling the symptoms of asthma. You are able to get these vitamins either from food or a supplement. These vitamins will also help prevent illnesses by boosting your body’s immune system.
Humidity in the home can create an environment that is ideal for mold and mildew to grow. These substances can easily trigger asthma attacks. So, it makes sense to keep dry air in your home. During winter time, use a dehumidifier if necessary to control humidity while running your heater, and use your air conditioner during summer months to keep air dry.
Using over four kinds of cleaning products in the home can trigger asthma attacks. Choose organic products, and stick to as few products as possible.
During the months that are colder, wear a shawl, muffler or scarf that will cover your nose and mouth to help you avoid asthma attacks. This will warm the air before it gets in your lungs. Breathing cold air can set off an asthma attack, particularly in small children who have have somewhat severe asthma.
Those with asthma should always opt for unscented items because they are safest. Products that contain fragrance, such as perfumes, colognes, or air fresheners, can pollute the air triggering your asthma. Certain things in the home, such as newly installed carpet or fresh paint, can also release chemical irritants. Clean your indoor air and keep it as fresh as you can.
Understand how to properly use your own asthma medication, particularly the rescue medication. Asthma is generally treated with a rescue medication, usually an inhaler, in addition to a regularly-taken maintenance medication. Asthma is an illness that is chronic in nature, so it is imperative to take the management medicine as directed and only using the rescue inhaler when necessary.
If you do not take the steps necessary to control your asthma, it can potentially be fatal. By using the advice in the article above, you can better control your asthma.
Make sure you count how many times, within a week, you have to use your inhaler. If you use it three or more times each week, your treatment plan may not be working effectively or else an atypical situation may be triggering an increased number of attacks. This number can help you monitor your environment for asthma triggers and let you determine if your treatment plan is working properly.