For the many sufferers of asthma, just the slightest activity can result in a serious and sudden loss of their very ability to breathe. There are many treatments available that can make life easier. You will likely be better informed about and better prepared to deal with asthmatic respiratory concerns after you have taken a look at the tips below.
Asthmatics should not smoke. If you smoke – quit immediately. Smoking is unhealthy for everyone, however it is especially bad for asthmatics. Your lungs are already compromised from the asthma and adding smoke to that will cut off the vital oxygen supply your lungs need to breathe.
Never smoke around a child with asthma, or you could kill them! Secondhand smoke is a leading cause of asthma. Also, do not let your child around others who smoke.
Always be very mindful of the type of medications you’re taking. Some meds out there might just trigger an asthma attack. NSAIDs and aspirin are known for their ability to cause symptoms. This can also be caused by beta blockers, like medications that are used in managing high blood pressure or heart problems. Make sure you consult with your doctor concerning your asthma and possible drug reactions.
Smoking is a horrible habit, even deadly, for an asthma sufferer. Smoking is detrimental to anyone’s health, but those with asthma suffer especially because cigarettes lessen the oxygen supply that is crucial for the lungs to function properly and prevent an asthma attack.
During a mild to moderate attack, force all of the air out of your lungs. Breathe out fast and hard. Forcefully push the air out from your lungs. Inhale in three short breaths and one fourth deeper breath so that your lungs are comfortably full of air, then exhale forcefully again. This gives your breathing a rhythm, which makes you aware of how many breaths you take. By repeatedly forcing air out, you make room for new air so that your breathing can get back on track. There may be periods of harsh coughing and a substantial generation of sputum, but this is actually what you want in order to get the airways opened and the breathing back on a regular pattern.
Cleaning Products
Cigarette smoke and asthma do not mix. Avoid smoking altogether. Don’t breathe vapor or chemical fumes. This can cause an asthma attack, and you may be unable to bring it under control. If you see people smoking in your vicinity, you should get away from them as soon as possible.
Cleaning products should be avoided when you have asthma. A lot of the cleaning products have certain chemicals in them which can trigger asthma attacks. If you enjoy cleaning, or are the sole cleaner in the household, you are sure to be able to find one of the many natural cleaners that will be safe for your use.
A leukotriene inhibitor can be helpful if you have asthma. Leukotriene inhibitors block the effects of leukotrienes. Leukotrienes are inflammation-causing chemicals that can bring on asthma attacks. Get the inhibitor to prevent the leukotrienes, and your asthma attacks may drop in number.
Make sure if you have an inhaler that you are using it the right way. Locate a quiet place, and follow the label to a tee. The inhaler will only work if the medicine reaches your lungs. Breathe in through your mouth while you’re pressing the spray button. After inhaling, it’s important that you hold the medication in by holding your breath for 10 seconds at the least.
Use your inhaler as directed. Find a spot that is peaceful, and then follow the instructions given by the manufacturer. The inhaler is only useful if the medication within it actually gets to your lungs. Inhale air while spraying the necessary amount of medication into your mouth. Hold in your breath for 10 seconds so the medicine works properly.
If you are someone who suffers from asthma, you should consider buying a dehumidifier for your home. Lowering humidity will reduce the amount of dust mites in your home, and help your asthma improve. A dehumidifier makes the air in your home dry by keeping humidity to a minimum.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma, you should avoid smoking or even being in the presence of smokers. Inhaling smoke from tobacco products can compromise your lung function, which then makes you more susceptible to an attack. The risk of an attack from cigarette smoke is increased as the space you are in decreases.
It has been shown that if you use multiple varieties of cleaning products around your house, it will increase the chance of an asthma attack. Organic products are preferable to more chemically loaded, commercially produced cleaning products.
People who have asthma should avoid using scented household products. Products that contain fragrance, such as perfumes, colognes, or air fresheners, fill the air with irritants that can trigger an asthma attack. New carpeting and even a fresh coat of paint can aggravate the airway and lungs as well. Try to see that the air inside your home remains as fresh as possible.
You can help to prevent asthma attacks by maintaining a clean home, particularly the asthmatic’s bedroom. Don’t smoke indoors, or allow any junk food in your home. Try to avoid using any harsh chemicals or bleach in the home while cleaning; and, once the home is cleaned, air it out.
If you have asthma, you should get a flu shot once per year. Getting vaccinated yearly can help keep many of these illnesses at bay.
If you’re suffering from a cold or allergies, you should talk to your doctor about taking additional asthma medication. These kinds of illness can inflame you asthma to a degree that a treatment increase is necessary. Your physician might also work an additional treatment into your therapy until such time as you are healthier.
Make sure you know what triggers asthma attacks so you can either avoid those triggers or be prepared to manage your asthma symptoms. Asthma sufferers generally have different triggers in common like pollen, pet dander and smoke. When possible, stay away from these triggers that cause symptoms or ultimately, full-blown attacks.
Make sure you get a flu shot each year if you have asthma or if your child does. Regular vaccinations will help you and your children to avoid lung infections.
Make note of how often, on a weekly basis, you use your inhaler. If you are utilizing your inhaler more than two times per day, you might not be controlling asthma as well as you think you are! The frequency of your inhaler use is a good way to remember to check out your environmental surroundings and be mindful of all factors relating to your asthma regimen.
Asthma Attacks
For those struggling with their asthma, avoiding regular contact with pets is important to control symptoms. An allergy to an animal will worsen asthma symptoms, and an animal can carry enough dust or pollen to trigger an attack.
Be keenly aware of the triggers for your asthma attacks. If you know the cause, you can stay away to prevent asthma attacks. Asthma sufferers generally have different triggers in common like pollen, pet dander and smoke. If able, avoid anything that results in symptoms of asthma or an asthma attack.
See more than one doctor. Your family doctor will be in charge of your asthma treatment, but seeing a specialist can provide you with invaluable help. Nutritionists, allergists, pulmonologists and asthma centers can all help you, so make sure that you are using all of the different treatment avenues that you can.
Asthmatic patients should avoid using feather pillows. The feathers can make asthma worse and take away from your ability to breathe. The same rule holds true for bedding. Choose sheets and a comforter that are constructed from materials known for being hypoallergenic.
If you use your inhaler over two times a week, talk to your doctor about changing your medicine. This means your inhaler isn’t working right. Similarly, if you need to purchase refill inhalers more than twice a year, your medication is ineffective.
Anyone with asthma should stay far away from smoke. Smoke is a major cause of asthma attacks. Avoid triggers like vapors, chemical fumes, and cigarette smoke as much as you can. Your asthma symptoms will be exacerbated by these things. If there’s smoke around you, ask politely for the person to stop smoking.
Always wear a face mask, if you are going to do any painting, in order to protect your airways from the fumes. Paint chemicals are a powerful irritant that can cause an asthma attack if inhaled without a mask. Don’t use certain chemicals and substances that could aggravate your asthma.
Allergens, dust, pollen and other things that can aggravate your asthma tend to collect inside bed linens. You could reduce the potential impact of these asthma inducers by cleaning your sheets regularly. Having fresh bedding will let you breathe more easily and have a more restful night.
Try to consume foods that are rich in B6 vitamins. B6, another name for pyridoxine, has been proven to lessen the frequency and severity of attacks related to asthma. Pyridoxine can produce specific molecules which can relax your bronchial tissue. You can find a good supply of vitamin B6 in natural foods such as bananas.
If you have asthma attacks, remember to stay calm. First thing first, use your inhaler, then wait 30 seconds and begin to use it again. If the attack gets worse doesn’t get better, then get help immediately. Have someone drive you directly to the hospital or call an ambulance for you. Inhaling and exhaling into a paper bag can slow your breathing while en route.
Know the symptoms of a serious asthma attack so you’ll know when it is time to head for the hospital. The symptoms of a severe attack include reduced efficacy of medication, even in higher doses, along with gray or blue lips and fingernails. Your child may also experience trouble speaking.
If you use an inhaler more than 2 times a week, talk to your doctor about a new medication potentially. Using your inhaler this frequently means your prescription is not effectively treating your asthma. Another sign is needing refills 3 or more times per year on your rescue inhaler prescription.
Look for signs of an allergic reaction to food in your children. You should test your children for a food allergy if they experience any strange symptoms such as hives when they eat something in particular. Any food allergy might serve as a warning sign of future asthma.
Asthmatics should always wear a mask when dealing with the harsh chemicals in fresh paint. You can bother your asthma a lot by painting, if you use a mask it can help protect you. Do not go use certain chemicals that will make your asthma worse.
A clean, dry environment is going to help you reduce the amount of attacks that are suffered in the home. You can manage the moisture level in your home by regularly running a dehumidifier. If you keep humidity steady, you will be able to lessen the number of attacks that occur seasonally.
Now that you know the basic treatment options for asthma, you can either ask your doctor about them yourself or support a loved one in his or her search for effective treatment. Asthma is not a terminal illness nor is it guaranteed to cause you suffering, so work hard on controlling it and enjoy your life!
If a child younger than five is in your home and suffers from asthma, keep a watchful eye out for pending attacks that could mean a sudden trek to the emergency room. Some symptoms to watch for include: an inability to inhale adequate air, difficulty making sounds and speaking, extreme concavity of the abdomen while inhaling and gasping for breath. If your child is showing any of these signs, they need urgent medical attention.