If you’ve just been given an asthma diagnosis, you may not know what to do. Asthma is known to be a chronic condition, which means there is no known cure. Your life shouldn’t come to a standstill once you are diagnosed with asthma. This article contains simple tips to manage asthma effectively.
Cleaning products should be avoided when you have asthma. Asthma sufferers are often sensitive to chemical cleaners; using these products can sometimes trigger asthma attacks. If you’re the one who regularly cleans the house, look for natural cleaning products which are much safer to use.
Do you know what type of asthma you have? Learning about your type of asthma will help you manage its impact on your life. For example, if you have exercise-induced asthma, you will want to always make sure you have an inhaler in your gym bag. By knowing the pattern to your symptoms it will be a big help to you avoiding crises.
Asthma is a chronic condition, requiring constant health management. Ensure you’re taking the proper medications in order to manage everyday asthma symptoms. In addition, you should have a quick-fix medication handy in the event you suffer from an attack. Discuss treatment strategies with both your primary care physician and your allergist.
Avoid harsh cleaning chemicals if you are an asthma sufferer. Cleaning products contain a plethora of chemicals that are triggers to exacerbating symptoms related to asthma, as well as the attacks themselves. There are many all-natural organic cleaning products available that may help eliminate asthmatic problems.
Be certain to properly use your inhaler. Discover a location that is peaceful, and ensure you follow all the instructions that are given by the manufacturer. Your inhaler will only help if you breathe very deeply. Inhale deeply as you dispense the correct amount into your mouth. Be sure to hold the mist in your lungs for about ten seconds.
Some medications can exacerbate asthma symptoms as a side effect. Some NSAIDs and aspirin might do this. Beta blockers, such as those used to control high blood pressure or heart disease may also have this effect. If you suffer from any of these conditions along with your asthma, make sure you tell your doctor.
It is always a problem if you have asthma and don’t have health insurance, but talking to a social worker may help you resolve this issue. Social workers are trained to help people find resources for affording health care, particularly on debilitating conditions such as asthma.
If you are suffering from a mild or moderate asthma attack, expel all the air from your lungs. Breathe out fast and hard. You want to force all of the air from your lungs. Take three short breaths, then one last deep breath to ensure your lungs have enough air, then forcefully breath out. Pay attention to what you are doing and follow a regular rhythm. It also allows you to take in more air by completely emptying your lungs. You may cough or generate sputum, this is okay, your main goal is to get your breathing back on track again.
If you suffer from asthma, don’t expose yourself to secondhand smoke. Tobacco smoke causes your lung function to decrease, increasing the risk of a very severe attack, especially in enclosed rooms without much air flow or ventilation.
Resist the urge to turn on a fan if you find yourself in a room filled with dust. Otherwise, the dust will fly into the air and could give you an attack. Open some windows if you want fresh air.
Products with no scent are the safest and best option for an asthma sufferer. Simple everyday things such as air fresheners, incense and perfume can cause indoor air pollution levels to increase and trigger an attack. Many things in the home release chemicals that irritate the lungs, such as newly installed carpet or fresh paint. Aim to keep the air as fresh as possible indoors.
Make sure that everyone in your family, including you, gets annual flu shots. Asthma sufferers need to be careful and guard against any upper-resperatory illnesses. It’s important to take the standard precautions against these illnesses, such as hand washing and vaccinations.
Avoid using a feather or down pillow if you have asthma. The feathers contained in these pillows can aggravate asthma symptoms and reduce lung function. You should also look into hypoallergenic materials when buying sheets and a comforter.
In order to minimize the chance of an asthma attack, be sure to keep your living area very clean, most definitely the bedroom area. Food should only be eaten in the kitchen area, and whatever you do, please don’t smoke. Try not to use bleach or other irritants inside, and always thoroughly change the air in your house after cleaning.
Travel with your rescue medication on your person at all times. Traveling is hard on your body, opening you up to an asthma attack. You can’t control the weather or the environment when you travel, so keep in mind you are more vulnerable to symptoms and attacks when you go to a new area.
Be aware that your asthma medication may need to be adjusted if you are suffering from a cold, flu or hay fever. The side effects of many illnesses can flare up your asthma so bad that you have to have an increase in treatment. Your physician might also add more treatments to your regimen until your asthma is under control again.
You must have regular asthma reviews, even if you are not having any problems. You can not predict when an attack might hit you, or if your doctor has found a different medication that is safer and will help your symptoms more.
Most homes are full of common asthma triggers. These triggers inside the home are usually spores, mold and dust. To keep these triggers out of your home, have a professional inspector come to your home each year to remove these nasties from your home. Cleaning your house on a regular basis is one way to keep these substances from accumulating.
Do not allow mold or mildew to grow in your home, because they can be extremely dangerous for asthma sufferers. Both of these substances are known to trigger asthma attacks. So, it makes sense to keep dry air in your home. You can maintain a dry home by using a dehumidifier and heater in the colder months, and air conditioning when it is warm.
Asthma isn’t often something that pops up over night, but instead takes time to develop and the symptoms are slowly noticeable. Some people have even died from having an asthma attack, and they didn’t even know they had asthma. If you have any trouble breathing or are coughing a lot, you need to see a doctor to determine what it is and if you need any medication or treatment for asthma prevention.
When you fly, make sure to take along prescriptions or doctors’ notes for all of your asthma equipment and medications, especially if they are unusual. Having proof in writing from a doctor that states the item is a medical necessity can eliminate security hassles.
The key to successfully managing asthma is preparation. Knowing all that you can about your particular type of asthma, and the different ways to address it is the best preventative course of action you can take. This article can help you build some knowledge to fight it.
If you have asthma, clean your floors with a wet mop, instead of sweeping with a traditional broom. Vacuuming or wet-mopping are better than sweeping because they don’t stir up dust and debris that might induce an asthma attack. A moist rag chosen over a feather duster is the best choice for an asthmatic.