Asthma is a dangerous medical condition that can affect all people, no matter what their age. You must be vigilant regarding your symptoms, and be certain to consult good doctors in regards to your condition. This article will give you some suggestions on how to make your asthma easier to deal with.
If you’re suffering from asthma, it helps if you can avoid any harsh cleaning products out there. Cleaning products are often full of chemicals, and breathing those chemicals in can irritate your lungs. If you do the cleaning in your house, use natural solutions that are safer for you to breath in.
If you are an asthma patient, do not expose yourself to vapors, fumes and cigarette smoke. 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.
Some medications that you may take unknowingly can cause you to have asthma symptoms. Examples of medications that may contribute to asthma are aspirin and other NSAIDs. Beta blockers can also have this affect, as well as other medications for controlling high blood pressure and heart disease. Tell your doctor if you are an asthmatic and you are using these medications.
If your child or another loved one suffers from asthma, you should be sure to never smoke cigarettes when you’re near them. It has been medically proven that smoking can cause asthma or make existing symptoms worse. You should never put your children in a situation where they are exposed to people who are smoking.
Ask everyone in your family to get a flu shot every year. Keep yourself healthy, and without respiratory infections as best you can. To do this you must take extra precautions against getting sick, like washing your hands often and getting vaccinated every year.
If you are afflicted with asthma, it is critical that you don’t smoke. Smoking isn’t healthy for anyone, but if you are afflicted with asthma, preventing oxygen from getting to your lungs is just begging for an attack.
Know that your asthma treatment or medication may have to be increased a bit if you are suffering from allergies, hay fever or a cold. The effects of some illnesses can exacerbate the effects of your asthma, causing the need for more treatments. Your doctor may prescribe a new medicine or change the dose of your existing medication until the hay fever or cold passes.
There are medications that can unknowingly cause asthma-like symptoms. Believe it or not, something as seemingly innocuous as aspirin can actually trigger symptoms. Beta blockers can also have this affect, as well as other medications for controlling high blood pressure and heart disease. Make sure your physician is aware of all of your chronic conditions and any medications you are on so they can treat your asthma appropriately.
Know what causes your asthma attacks, as this will enable you to work around them or prepare to treat the asthma attacks that result. Most with asthma share common triggers, like pet dander, pollen or smoke. It is best to do all that is possible to avoid triggers that can cause attacks.
Leukotriene Inhibitor
Feather pillows can be bad for those with asthma. Feathers may trigger asthma symptoms by irritating your lungs. The same rule holds true for bedding. Choose sheets and a comforter that are constructed from materials known for being hypoallergenic.
Having a fast acting inhaler is vital to save asthmatics from experiencing severe symptoms. Talk to your physician and find out if a leukotriene inhibitor would be right for you. There are modern medicines that are highly effective at blocking leukotrienes. The inflammation caused by this substance can trigger the symptoms of asthma. By blocking the effects of leukotrienes, a leukotriene inhibitor can reduce the frequency and severity of your asthma attacks.
Keep all your doctors appointments even if your asthma symptoms aren’t bothering you. 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.
Use the inhaler properly. Go to a quiet place, and be sure to follow all instructions from the manufacturer. The inhaler only can help if it’s medicine reaches the lungs. You need to inhale air while spraying the requisite dosage in your mouth. Holding your breath for a minimum of 10 seconds gives the medicinal mist from the inhaler time to spread itself throughout your lungs.
In the winter, cover your mouth and nose with a scarf or shawl to prevent asthma attacks. This allows you to warm air before it enters your lungs. Cold air can trigger severe attacks, especially for young children.
Scented products could cause averse reactions to asthma sufferers. It is safest to use unscented products when possible. Products with a fragrance raise the air pollution indoors, and increase the risk of an attack being triggered. Some of these products include incense, scented body sprays and air fresheners. You should also avoid fresh paints or new carpets, as they give off fumes that can irritate the airway. Keep the air inside your house as fresh as you can.
Know the right way to use any asthma medication you are taking, in particular your rescue medication. Typical asthma treatment includes regular medicine supplemented by a rescue inhaler. Asthma is considered a chronic condition. For this reason, you should take the management of it very seriously.
Your asthma medication may need to be adjusted if you become ill. Treatment may be increased in these cases as many illnesses have side effects that can cause flare ups in your asthma. Your doctor may also add another treatment to your regimen until your illness gets better.
It is important to use your maintenance inhaler daily as prescribed. However, understand that most types of inhalers contain ingredients which may make your mouth more susceptible to infections. One way to reduce the probability of such infections is to immediately brush and gargle after inhaling the medicine.
Regular flu shots are important if you or one of your children suffer from asthma. Keep yourself safe from these outbreaks by getting a yearly shot.
Anyone with asthma needs to avoid all types of smoke when trying to decrease asthma attacks. Inhaling smoke can trigger an asthma attack. Vapors, cigarette smoke, and chemical fumes should be avoided. These can increase symptoms of asthma. If you live with or near a smoker, find a way to politely ask that they not smoke around you or your living spaces.
Be certain you are aware of all your asthma attack triggers so you know both how to steer clear of them and also be ready to take care of your symptoms. Most asthma sufferers have a few common triggers such as smoke, pet dander or pollen. Avoid your asthma triggers as much as you can to prevent attacks.
Contact with animals and pets should be avoided for asthma sufferers. Some asthma sufferers are allergic to animal fur or dander on top of their asthma, but even those who don’t have such an allergy can bring on an attack if they breathe in too much of these irritants.
Avoid pillows with feathers if you have asthma. People are often allergic to these natural products that can affect breathing and bring on asthma symptoms. Same thing with bedding – purchase sheets and a comforter that are constructed from hypoallergenic materials.
Go to several doctors. Of course your regular doctor will be the one you go to for help with your asthma, but you should also see a specialist. Nutritionists, allergists, and pulmonologists are just some of the advisers who can change your life for the better.
Some of the main triggers of asthma attacks happen right inside the home. These causes are sources, such as, but not limited to dust, mold and spores. To lessen the risk of an asthma attack and to stay healthy, have your house inspected every year by an inspector, and remove those agents when they have been identified. In addition, regularly cleaning the home can stop these things from building up.
Smoking cigarettes is not a choice that should be made. There is a general awareness that smoking is not good for your health. But for the asthmatic, smoking can quickly have serious consequences. 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.
Asthma Attacks
It is important to keep away from humidifiers that have not been sanitized if you suffer from asthma or allergies. If the vaporizer or humidifier has not been thoroughly cleaned there could be bacteria growing inside of it. When you turn it on it will pump allergens that you will inevitably breath in.
Making mouth and nose coverings such as mufflers, shawls or scarves a routine part of your winter wardrobe can help you ward off asthma attacks. This lets the air warm slightly before you breathe it in. Inhalation of cold air is proven to initiate asthma attacks, and younger kids afflicted with asthma of moderate or severe proportions are especially at risk.
If you do have an asthma attack, make sure to stay calm. Grab your inhaler and use it, then wait to see if it helps. If not, then use it again in thirty seconds. If your attack worsens, get help. Go to the hospital immediately or call 911. Try putting a paper bag up to your mouth and breathing into it to help slow your breaths.
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 prevent complications from using a preventative inhaler, brush your teeth immediately after using it and use mouthwash as well.
If you find yourself relying on your rescue inhaler more often than twice weekly, it may be necessary to speak with your doctor about changing medication. Frequent use may be a signal that the medication is not effective. This is also true if you find yourself refilling the inhaler prescription more than twice in a calendar year.
Asthma can be a very life threatening problem and should always be taken seriously. Asthma is a dangerous condition with attacks that have the potential to be lethal. It is crucial to do what ever you can to keep your asthma under control. So, carry an emergency inhaler with you at all times, or you can take precautions like making sure your house is always free of dirt and dust. Hopefully, by using these tips, you will have your symptoms better and have control over your asthma.
Learn all that you can learn about the condition you have. The more you know about the condition, the better you can help yourself. Keep up with the latest asthma news and see to it that you’re getting the best possible care. The best possible way to really understand your condition and treatment options is to educate yourself.