Respiration is one of the most important of the body’s functions. If you have a condition that affects your breathing and lungs, such as asthma, the complications to your life and health can be extreme. It is possible to live a healthy and enjoyable life with asthma. Read the good advice in this article, and learn how to make life with asthma doable.
Avoid those things that you know can trigger your asthma. Certain asthma sufferers experience attacks when they around around allergy triggers, such as dust or pollen. Others may need to avoid certain physical activities to keep from suffering an attack. Knowing exactly what sets off your asthma is thus, very important.
Cigarette Smoke
Social workers are there for your assistance if you live with asthma, yet can’t get approved for health insurance. You must have the ability to afford your medication, so a social worker might be able to locate a hospital or clinic that can offer them at little cost or free.
If your child or another loved one suffers from asthma, you should be sure to never smoke cigarettes when you’re near them. As far as triggers that cause asthma attacks or causes of the condition in general, secondhand cigarette smoke ranks right up there. Keep your child away from cigarette smoke and any other kind of fumes.
For asthma sufferers, the unscented option is always the best choice among different products. Simple everyday things such as air fresheners, incense and perfume can cause indoor air pollution levels to increase and trigger an attack. Irritating odors are also given off by new carpeting and paints. Try to keep the indoor air as clean and fresh as possible.
Certain prescription medications have the potential to cause asthma symptoms. Some of these include aspirin and NSAIDs. Some medications can cause your asthma to be worse such as beta blockers for high blood pressure or heart disease. If you have asthma paired with heart disease or high blood pressure, tell your doctor.
Keep your home free of dust and other triggers, especially where the person who suffers from asthma sleeps. Only permit food in designated eating areas, such as the kitchen or dining room, and don’t allow smoking inside the house at all. After you clean, let the house air out completely, and stay away from using any harsh chemicals (especially bleach) inside.
During an attack that isn’t severe, force all air from your lungs. Force air out of your lungs with quick, powerful exhalations. Really force that air out of your lungs! Then take three small breaths in, followed by a deeper breath to fill your lungs comfortably. Next, exhale forcefully again. This will force you to pay careful attention to all of your breaths. This is a good way to empty your lungs and let more air come in. If you cough up mucus, don’t worry – just get the breathing back to normal.
You should know what triggers your asthma attacks; this will allow you to either avoid them or be ready to manage the symptoms. A lot of people who suffer from asthma have the same triggers, pet dander, smoke, or pollen. Whenever you can, just steer clear of these triggers when you know what they would result in.
If you are dealing with asthma, keep far away from cigarette smoke. Smoking is especially dangerous for asthmatics. It is also a good idea to stay away from the fumes or vapors from harsh chemicals, such as those used in cleaning. More often than not, smoke is going to trigger an unavoidable asthma attack. Do everything you can to avoid cigarette smoke, air pollution, allergens and harsh chemical fumes to keep your asthma symptoms under control.
Go to your regular medical check-ups, even if your condition seems under control. Flare-ups can occur at any time; plus, your doctor may have a new medication that he or she can offer you that will make your treatment safer and more effective.
Don’t turn on the fan if the dust in a room is aggravating your asthma. This will cause the dust to move around, which could cause an asthma attack. If possible, open a window to increase the flow of air into the room.
Mold and mildew can thrive in a humid home environment. Both of these substances are known to trigger asthma attacks. You should do your best to maintain a dry home. A dehumidifier can be used in the winter, and in the summer, many air conditioner models also help strip moisture from the air.
Social Worker
Asthma takes a long time to develop and doesn’t yield obvious symptoms. There are many cases where people have died from their first asthma attack, without even being aware that they were at risk. Discuss with your doctor if you are having problems trying to catch your breath or have had a persistent cough for a while. There is the possibility that you have developed asthma, and if so, your doctor can tell you what the best method to treat it would be.
Consider consulting a social worker if your asthma medication is not covered by an insurance policy. If you cannot afford medicine for asthma, your social worker can help you locate someone that can help.
While using an inhaler can potentially cause mouth or gum sores, it is still important to use it daily if you suffer from severe asthma. A good way to prevent these complications and side effects is to brush your teeth and gargle immediately after using your inhaler.
Consider buying a dehumidifier for the home if you have asthma. Dust mites are a major source of asthma attacks, and dehumidifiers are great at getting rid of the little buggers. Use a dehumidifier, and the air you breath will be much less likely to cause your asthma to flare up.
See how many times a week you typically use the rescue inhaler. If you use it more than two times, your asthma might not be well-controlled or you may have unusual occurrences causing those frequent attacks. The number of times you use your inhaler can serve as a good reminder to monitor your environment and other aspects of your asthma management plan.
Asthma attacks have been found to be more likely in homes where four or more different cleaning products are in use. Organic cleaners are also a safer choice since they contain fewer chemical irritants.
Bed linens often collect asthma aggravators, such as pollen, dust and allergens. You can cut down on these irritants or eliminate them altogether by washing your bedding and pillow cases in very hot water once a week. Sleeping with fresh bed linens will ensure you can breathe easy when you sleep.
An annual flu shot is crucial if you have asthma or have an asthmatic child. Make sure your child’s vaccinations are up-to-date to avoid as many infections as possible.
Consult with more than one physician. Although your primary doctor can treat your asthma, a specialist may be able to provide further help. There are a number of different approaches used to treat asthma. See what a pulmonololist, an allergist or a nutritionist has to say about your asthma problems.
Some of asthma’s major triggers can be right in your home. These culprits include dust, spores and mold. Have your home inspected for and cleaned of these things to reduce the occurrence of asthma attacks. Cleaning the house on a regular basis will also help prevent the buildup of these hazardous substances.
Any time that pollen counts go up, anyone suffering from asthma would be wise to keep their outdoors time to a minimum. While asthma isn’t an allergy, many allergy irritants can affect it. Asthma suffers can now minimize exposure to outdoor pollutants and irritants by checking online for current air quality in their areas.
Following good advice can help you feel less anxious about your lifelong battle with asthma. Your asthma can be under control, but at the same time you can be on the look out for new, more effective treatments.
Proper use of an inhaler is crucial if you suffer from asthma. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that it’s as easy as pumping lightly into your mouth. Every time you spray the inhaler, breathe deeply inward for about three seconds. Proper use of your inhaler is key when you have asthma.