Asthma can be a difficult condition to have to deal with. Even taking a short walk in the morning can trigger asthma; you may have difficulty with this and other tasks that are routine for people who don’t have this disease. Do not expect to get rid of this condition. The best you can do is keep it under control. Follow the tips below to prevent asthma attacks and manage your symptoms.
You should not smoke or be anywhere near smoke if you suffer from asthma. This does mean avoiding all tobacco products as well as being mindful of sources of employment, with special attention to factories that might provide exposure to smoke and vapors.
If asthma is something you suffer from, do not smoke or spend time around smokers, much less any source of vapors and fumes. You should not smoke and consider which jobs are appropriate for you, especially if you are thinking about working in a factory.
What triggers your asthma? 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. For example, if your asthma is brought on by bronchitis, you should keep your rescue inhaler with you during times when you are sick. Learn what activities trigger your symptoms, and prepare accordingly so that you’re never caught without your inhaler during an asthma attack.
Do you know what type of asthma you have? Knowing as much as possible about your specific type of asthma will go an incredibly long way in helping you combat the day-to-day effects it has on you. For example, if your asthma is induced by exercise, it might be wise to always have an inhaler in your gym bag. You will be able to prevent asthma attacks if you can recognize symptoms.
There are medications that can unknowingly cause asthma-like symptoms. Aspirin and some other NSAIDs may do this. This can also be caused by beta blockers, like medications that are used in managing high blood pressure or heart problems. If you suffer from any of these conditions along with your asthma, make sure you tell your doctor.
A great idea to help your child with asthmatic problems is to avoid smoking in any areas they frequent. Secondhand smoke is something that can lead to serious asthma. Ensure that your child is not around other people that smoke, either.
Asthma is not a curable disease and will require life-long health management. 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. Have a discussion with your doctor or allergist to determine what the best plan for you might be.
If you are an asthmatic, it is vital that you never smoke, and if you already do, you should quit as soon as possible. Smoking is unhealthy for anyone, but it is especially dangerous for someone with asthma. This is because your lungs and airway are already compromised by your condition.
During a mild to moderate attack, force all of the air out of your lungs. Force air out of your lungs with quick, powerful exhalations. Push that air from your lungs with all that you’ve got! Then take three small breaths in, followed by a deeper breath to fill your lungs comfortably. Next, exhale forcefully again. The breathing rhythm that you create by doing this will cause you to be aware of every breath you take. It will also empty your lungs of air, so that they’re ready to take in new, fresh air. This breathing technique may cause some coughing or sputum, but it can help regulate your breathing and reduce the attack.
Get annual flu vaccinations for your entire family. Try to avoid getting any respiratory infections if you have asthma. Take standard precautions against any kind of illness, and start washing those hands and getting vaccinations that will protect you from getting very sick.
If allergens are causing you to suffer from frequent asthma attacks that are moderate to severe, there is an injectable medication that can provide you with long-term relief. An antibody medicine under the name Omalizumab can be used to reduce these symptoms caused by allergies and might be prescribed by your allergist.
Immune System
If you have asthma and do not have health insurance, you should consider seeing a social worker. Asthma medications are a necessity, and a social worker can help you find an affordable way to keep your prescriptions current.
Consider supplementing your diet with Vitamins E and C when you suffer from asthma. They are believed to aid respiratory function and to be instrumental in keeping your asthma in check. You can gain vitamins from supplements or the old fashioned way, from food! Vitamins C and E are necessary for a healthy immune system. If your immune system isn’t healthy, it won’t be able to fight off illnesses that cause asthma attacks.
Vitamins C and E can greatly assist you in fighting asthma attacks. Since both of these have been attributed to better function of the lungs, they also help to control the symptoms of asthma. Either find a good vitamin supplement to take, or change your diet to include more foods rich in Vitamins E and C. These vitamins will also provide a boost to your immune system. This will prevent respiratory illnesses that can trigger your asthma attacks.
You need to know what the asthma triggers are so that they can be avoided or treated promptly. Some common asthma triggers include pet dander, pollen, and cigarette smoke. Try to avoid these items as much as humanly possible so as to not trigger a full attack.
If you are using a lot of different cleaners around your house you can trigger a asthma attack. Try using organic cleaning products which don’t contain irritating chemicals.
If you suffer from asthma, consider using a feather-free pillow to sleep. The feathers can make it harder to breathe right and trigger an attack. The same reasoning applies to all bedding – only purchase bed sheets and comforters that are manufactured from hypoallergenic materials.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma then you should avoid cigarettes and smokers like the plague. When you inhale tobacco smoke, particularly in small areas without much ventilation, lung function may be severely impacted, and you have a higher chance of having an attack.
Some common catalysts of asthma attacks regularly occur in the home. These triggers include dust, spores and mold. To stay healthy and reduce the chance of asthma attacks, you should have an inspector visit your house yearly to remove these harmful agents. In addition, cleaning the house regularly can greatly contribute to keeping these substances from building up.
If you deal with asthma in your life, always choose products that are free of scents. Indoor air pollution rises with the constant use of anything scented, ranging from air fresheners to incense, and all this can trigger asthma attacks. Fresh pain and new carpet also let off odors that are irritable to the airways. Because the dangers these things represent, it is important to always keep indoor air fresh to the best of your ability.
If your home is damp, it can encourage the growth of mildew and mold. Asthma attacks are easily triggered by these substances. Thus, keep the air in your home as moisture-free as possible to avoid asthma-related problems. During winter, use a device to dehumidify in the winter, and air condition in the summer.
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 eat in the kitchen, and never let anyone smoke inside the house. Harsh chemicals, like bleach and ammonia, can trigger asthma.
If you are taking an airplane and you need to travel with your asthma apparatus or medications, bring your written prescription with you. Having written documentation supporting this medically necessary item will eliminate any hassles when going through the security check point.
Avoid pillows stuffed with goosedown or other feathers if you have an asthma problem. The feathers contained in the pillow could trigger the symptoms related to asthma and it could prevent your lungs from functioning efficiently. Be sure to keep the same advice in mind for your bedclothes. They should be made from materials that do not increase allergy symptoms.
If you have asthma, don’t stop using your inhaler unless your doctor tells you to. However, watch for infections in your gums or other mouth discomfort after using your inhaler. Brushing or gargling immediately after use can help reduce the risk of infection and other problems.
Whenever you travel, always keep your rescue inhaler or other fast-acting medication by your side at all times. Traveling can put additional strain on your body, making you more susceptible to asthma triggers. Influencing the environment around you is nearly impossible while on the road, which is another opportunity for deteriorating symptoms or attack triggers.
Monitor your weekly inhaler use and tally how many times you need to use it to control an attack. 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. Focusing on how often you need your inhaler makes you aware of when you need to make changes to your plan for keeping asthma under control.
You must have regular asthma reviews, even if you are not having any problems. It is important to make sure your condition isn’t worsening, and your doctor may want to prescribe a different medication.
Again, asthma is a serious health problem; don’t ignore it or replace visiting your doctor with reading self-help articles about how to manage your symptoms. Do everything you can to keep your asthma symptoms under control. If you’re having frequent asthma attacks or are otherwise bothered by your asthma, see your doctor as soon as possible for additional help. Use these suggestions to reduce your symptoms so you can avoid having asthma control your life.
Mold and mildew thrive in homes with high humidity levels. These are harmful substances that can trigger asthma attacks. Try, then, to ensure your home is dry. During the cold, winter months, a dehumidifier can help. In the summer, an air conditioner naturally takes out a lot of the humidity in the air.