Living with asthma is very hard, but if you manage it correctly, you can lead a better life. There are many ways to control or prevent asthma from interfering with your life. Here are some suggestions that can help you live with asthma.
Do you know which type of asthma you suffer from? Particular cases of asthma can respond differently to the same treatment, so you need to know all that you can about your case to treat it most effectively. For example, if your asthma is induced by exercise, it might be wise to always have an inhaler in your gym bag. You can avoid any future crisis by knowing and figuring out patterns of the symptoms you have.
If you suffer from asthma, avoid smoke, fumes and vapors. Stay away from jobs that would expose you to toxic or heavy vapors, and refrain from any tobacco use.
It is important that you try to stay clear of cleaning products if you have asthma. Many chemicals contained in common cleaning products can aggravate your asthma, triggering an attack. If you must do the cleaning in your home, opt for natural products with lower chemical content.
Cleaning products should be avoided when you have asthma. The chemicals in these products make you more prone to an asthma attack. If you have the job of cleaning your house, you should safer, natural products.
There are some medications out there that you could be taking which will actually trigger your asthma symptoms. NSAIDs and aspirin are known for their ability to cause symptoms. Also, beta blockers, such as medicines used to control heart disease and high blood pressure. Make sure your doctor knows if you are taking such medicine and also have asthma.
There are medications that can unknowingly cause asthma-like symptoms. 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. Make sure you consult with your doctor concerning your asthma and possible drug reactions.
If you have moderate asthma attacks, exhale forcefully, so that you force air from your lungs. Breathe out hard and fast. Try hard to push the air out from your lungs! Then, follow three short intakes of breath with one longer inhalation until your lungs are filled with air, although not uncomfortably so. Finally, expel the air from your lungs with force again. Breathing in this rhythmic manner helps you to concentrate on the breaths you’re taking. When air is forcefully exhaled, it allows a fresh intake of air to fill your lungs. It is okay that you cough up some sputum, you really want to breathe right again.
Asthma sufferers should avoid smoking cigarettes and any place that has cigarette smoke. Smoking is off limits. Avoid all fumes of chemical products or breathing harmful vapors. This can trigger an asthma attack, which may be difficult to stop. If you find that you have people smoking around you, get yourself out of that area rather quickly.
Resist the urge to turn on a fan if you find yourself in a room filled with dust. The fan will circulate the dust along with the air, which can cause it to get into your lungs and make your asthma worse. Open a window instead to get the air flowing.
If the room you are in appears to be dusty, refrain from turning on any fans. A fan will spread dust and debris all over. This can very easily aggravate your asthma, and cause serious symptoms. It’s better to open the window if you’re in need of fresh air.
Take a lot of Vitamin E and C if you are suffering from asthma. These vitamins help to control asthma symptoms and improve the function of your lungs. You can choose to ingest this vitamins by eating foods that are rich in the vitamins or through a supplement. These vitamins are great for your immune system, and a strong immune system wards off illnesses that can trigger asthma attacks.
Consider getting allergy shots if you have asthma that is caused by allergies that aren’t under control. There are antibody medications used to control allergic reactions that come recommended by allergists.
To cut the risk of an asthma attack, keep your house as clean as you can, particularly the bedroom of the person with asthma. Only allow food in the kitchen, and never smoke indoors. Bypass chemicals when cleaning your home if at all possible, and be sure to open doors and windows afterwards.
Though it is easy to postpone or avoid, get those annual flu vaccinations. It is a good idea to avoid all respiratory infections when you have asthma. The easiest way to start is by performing routine hand-washing, limiting your touching of surfaces while in public places, and getting vaccinations recommended by your doctor.
If you’re suffering from a cold or allergies, you should talk to your doctor about taking additional asthma medication. The effects of an illness can cause the severity of your asthma to temporarily increase, which necessitates a change in treatment. It is possible your doctor will want to add additional therapies to your treatment program until you are back on your feet.
If you suffer from asthma, be sure your diet includes lots of Vitamins C and E. They are believed to aid respiratory function and to be instrumental in keeping your asthma in check. Many foods have these vitamins in abundance, but you can also use a supplemental pill. These vitamins can improve your immune system to prevent asthma triggers.
You should know what triggers your asthma attacks; this will allow you to either avoid them or be ready to manage the symptoms. There are some quite common triggers that can invoke an attack in asthma sufferers, for example cigarette smoke, pollen, or pet hair and dander. It is best to do all that is possible to avoid triggers that can cause attacks.
Your asthma medication may need to be adjusted if you become ill. Many illnesses have side effects which can cause your asthma to get much worse, leading your doctor to increase treatment. It is possible your doctor will want to add additional therapies to your treatment program until you are back on your feet.
Travel with your rescue medication on your person at all times. Traveling to different places might expose you to unexpected triggers, as your body is put under more strain when you travel. You can’t exert as much control over your environment when you travel, so you may have an asthma attack or exacerbation of symptoms under unfamiliar conditions.
Take notes of what can trigger your asthma attacks so that you can be prepared for a future attack or learn how to avoid them all together. Generally, it is found that items such as smoke and pollen can trigger attacks in those that suffer with asthma. When possible, stay away from triggers of asthma symptoms in an effort to prevent a severe attack.
Avoid smoke, if you don’t want to have an asthma attack. The inhalation of smoke can easily trigger an asthma attack. Vapors, cigarette smoke, and chemical fumes should be avoided. Exposing yourself to these pollutants can have a significant effect on your asthma symptoms. If there is someone who always smokes around you, you should politely ask this person to smoke when you aren’t present.
Some of the most notorious causes of asthma attacks exist in normal households. Typical asthma triggers in the home are dust and mold spores. To reduce asthma attacks and stay healthy, have an inspector remove any harmful agents yearly. Furthermore, thorough and frequent cleaning will ensure that allergens and other possible triggers do not accumulate in your home.
Avoid aggravating your asthma condition while sleeping by covering your mattress and pillows with plastic before putting clean linens on. Clean your linen and pillow case every week to prevent asthma attacks. Sleeping with fresh bed linens will ensure you can breathe easy when you sleep.
Rescue Inhaler
If you tend to suffer from any allergies or asthmatic conditions, always clean vaporizers very thoroughly, as well humidifiers and any associated apparatus. Not cleaning a humidifier allows bacteria to grow in the machine’s moist water tank area, and the machine will pump dangerous allergens into yoru environment every time you use it.
Know exactly how any asthma medication you take or may take works. A treatment made up of a daily medication plus a rescue inhaler can help to keep asthma under control. Because asthma does not get cured, those afflicted with it must continue to take their regular medication and use their rescue inhaler when needed.
Don’t panic when you have an asthma attack. Use your inhaler, wait 30 seconds and use it again. If the inhaler does not provide immediate help, get medical help right away. Have someone call emergency services or drive you to the nearest hospital. Breathing in and out of a paper bag on the way will help slow down your breathing.
If you have asthma consider staying away from pets or animals. While allergies from animals can complicate asthma, those without allergies can get asthma attacks from dust or pollen that the animals carry.
If you suffer from asthma attacks, familiarize yourself with how to properly use your inhaler. You need to know that you can’t lightly inhale as you just spray it inside your mouth. You must breathe deeply in conjunction with the spray. Proper use of your inhaler is key when you have asthma.
Make sure you are going to different doctors. Your family doctor will be in charge of your asthma treatment, but seeing a specialist can provide you with invaluable help. Pulmonologists, allergists, asthma centers and nutritionists can help you take advantage of the many treatments available to those with asthma.
If you use your rescue inhaler more than two times a week, see a doctor to have your medication adjusted. Having to use your inhaler multiple times means the medicine you’re receiving isn’t working well enough and needs to be changed. This is also true if your inhaler needs refilling more than two times annually.
People that experience asthma must stay indoors as often as they can when pollen is abundant. While asthma isn’t an allergy, many allergy irritants can affect it. Air quality readings are often available locally, and utilizing this information is key in minimizing exposure to harmful airborne irritants.
Schedule regular appointments with your physician to keep tabs on your asthma. This will give your doctor a chance to assess your current asthma condition, and make any needed adjustments to your medication. It is your responsibility to make sure you make these appointments with your doctor so that he can follow up with you and keep you healthy.
It is important to visit with your doctor often, every two months or so, in order to stay on top of your asthma. This person needs to have the ability to look at your current situation so that they can make any changes as necessary. Your doctor is busy, so it’s on you to set and keep your appointments.
Asthma may be caused by environmental factors, genetics, or possibly both. If you have a family member with asthma, keep a close watch on your children and yourself for any asthma related symptoms. Environmental conditions like mold spores, extra dust, pollution and smoke may cause asthma, so protect yourself and your kids from these hazards.
Attending a support group of asthma sufferers, or just sharing with people who have this condition, can really benefit you. By talking to fellow sufferers, you will learn more about asthma and what you should do in case of an attack. It is essential that you have a strong support network.
Keeping your home neat, clean, and regularly swept can really help to reduce the number of asthma attacks you have. Wash your bedding, including pillows, regularly. When you do this, you prevent the buildup of dusts and dust mites, both of which often trigger asthma attacks. When dust builds up, the air becomes more and more irritating to asthma sufferers and increases the likelihood of an attack.
Vitamin B6.
Over time you should work to strengthen your body and increase the capacity of your lungs. The last thing you should do is a frenetic workout. You will surely trigger an attack. Start slow and build your stamina.
Make sure you are getting enough vitamin B6. Vitamin B6, aka pyridoxine, is found to reduce asthma attack frequency in a lot of studies. Vitamin B6 is essential for producing chemicals that cause lung tissue to relax. Bananas are a great source of Vitamin B6.
If your child suffers certain asthma attack symptoms, you should be prepared to rush him to the emergency department as soon as possible. Two common symptoms of an unusually serious asthma attack are asthma medication having no effect and lips and extremities that are blue or gray in color. Your child may also be unable to speak.
As you have read, there are many options available to you that can help control your asthma. Asthma does not need to become the be all and end all of your life. Learn of ways to control it and your life will be most enjoyable.
If your asthma quick-relief inhaler is in use more than two times a week, or you end up waking up with an attack more than twice a week, talk to your doctor about switching your medication. Consult your physician for additional information.