When you’re having an asthma attack, you may have a lot of trouble breathing. This can terrify you even if you’ve had an attack before and know what’s going on. Asthma is very limiting for some because an attack can occur very suddenly, and could potentially become fatal. This article can help you to understand why asthma attacks happen and point you toward ways to handle it and reduce the limits that it puts on you.
Cleaning products can trigger an asthma attack, so try to keep your exposure to them to a minimum. Cleaning products are often full of chemicals, and breathing those chemicals in can irritate your lungs. If you must do the cleaning in your home, opt for natural products with lower chemical content.
If you suffer from asthma, it is critical that you not smoke. Smoking is horrible for people, it is really bad if asthma becomes worse and blocks oxygen to your body, you need oxygen to work and stave off asthma.
Contact a social worker if you have asthma but do not meet the eligibility requirements for health insurance. Social workers are trained to help people find resources for affording health care, particularly on debilitating conditions such as asthma.
Prescriptions and over-the-counter medications can actually trigger an asthma attack. Aspirin is a common medication that can affect asthma sufferers. Some medications can cause your asthma to be worse such as beta blockers for high blood pressure or heart disease. Make sure your physician is aware of all of your chronic conditions and any medications you are on so they can treat your asthma appropriately.
Everyone in your family, including you, should get the flu vaccination every year. If you have asthma, you can protect your health by taking all steps possible to avoid any type of cold, flu or other upper respiratory infection. This means taking every precaution possible, do things like getting vaccinated to prevent sickness to hand washing on a regular basis.
The symptoms of asthma might not always be apparent, but for those that suffer from the disease, the condition never goes away entirely. Be sure to take the correct medicines to keep your daily asthma symptoms under control, and always have emergency medication available in case an attack occurs. Consult with your physician and allergist to find out what is best for you.
You might want to purchase a dehumidifier to use at home if you have asthma. If you lessen your humidity in the house, you will stave off dust mites that may make your asthma flare. A dehumidifying device reduces the moisture in the air.
During a mild to moderate attack, force all of the air out of your lungs. Exhale quickly and forcefully. Force your lungs to expel as much air as possible. Follow this by breathing in three times quickly, and a fourth time deeply to ensure your lungs are filled to capacity, then exhale again as forcefully as possible. This creates a rhythm to your breathing, making you pay attention to the breaths you take. It will also help to get the air to come out of the lungs so more can come in. It is okay to cough, even to generate sputum. Your ultimate goal is getting your breathing regulated.
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. Use organic cleaning products since they don’t have irritating chemicals.
Never turn on a fan when the room you are in is very dusty. Otherwise, the dust will fly into the air and could give you an attack. Open some windows if you want fresh air.
Stay away from any tobacco smoke, even people that are smoking tobacco. When you inhale tobacco smoke, particularly in closeted areas, the functioning of your lungs can decrease, and you may suffer an attack.
Make proper use of your inhaler. Find a spot that is out of the way, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to the letter. The medicine in the inhaler only works if it actually makes it to your lungs. While inhaling air, spray the proper amount of inhalant into your mouth. You should keep your breath held for 10 seconds at a minimum to let the medicated mist fill up your lungs.
Your asthma medication may need to be adjusted if you become ill. These kinds of illness can inflame you asthma to a degree that a treatment increase is necessary. It is also possible that your physician will add an additional treatment to your routine until you recover from your illness.
Social Worker
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. Most with asthma share common triggers, like pet dander, pollen or smoke. Avoid your asthma triggers as much as you can to prevent attacks.
Talk to a social worker if you’re not eligible for any health insurance and you’re an asthma sufferer. It is critical that every asthma sufferer have access to the proper medicines to keep the condition under control, and a social worker could help you locate a hospital or clinic that will provide you the necessary medication on a low or no-fee basis.
If you suffer from asthma, it’s best to avoid pillows full of feathers. Feather can decrease lung function and trigger asthma symptoms. The same rule holds true for bedding. Choose sheets and a comforter that are constructed from materials known for being hypoallergenic.
If you suffer from asthma, taking enough Vitamin E and C can help you. They help to increase the function of the lungs and control the overall symptoms of asthma. Many foods have these vitamins in abundance, but you can also use a supplemental pill. These vitamins will also provide a boost to your immune system. This will prevent respiratory illnesses that can trigger your asthma attacks.
Consider joining a support group, either on or offline. Suffering from asthma can mean many days are spent at home with your condition stopping you from participating in a full and fulfilling lifestyle. In addition, a community of other asthma sufferers will let you know about changes in medications or other relevant scientific discoveries.
Consider buying a dehumidifier for the home if you have asthma. When your home has less humidity, there are less dust mites, and that minimizes the chances of an asthma flare-up. Dehumidifiers keep your home dry by keeping the humidity out.
It is crucial that you know how to properly use your asthma treatments, particularly rescue inhalers. When you have asthma, you should be on a maintenance medication and have an emergency medicine for asthma attacks. Usually this is in the form of an inhaler. Asthma lasts a lifetime, so you must manage your treatment and lifestyle to ensure you’re taking the best care of yourself.
Using over four kinds of cleaning products in the home can trigger asthma attacks. Try organic cleaners that are free of irritating chemicals.
Bed linens often collect asthma aggravators, such as pollen, dust and allergens. A weekly wash cycle using hot water can eliminate these potential triggers for asthma attacks. Clean bed linens that are washed frequently will help you breathe easier every time your head hits the pillow.
When suffering from asthma, make sure to choose products that are unscented. Scented products such as air fresheners and perfumes can trigger an asthma attack. Fresh paint and new carpeting give off odors that can irritate sensitive airways. Try to make it your goal to keep the indoor air as fresh and allergen free as possible.
Those with asthma should remain inside as much as they can when the pollen count rises. Despite being different conditions, asthma and allergies can be triggered by the same kinds of irritants. Since data on air quality is now widely published, those with asthma have the ability to avoid being outside when concentrations of irritants are high.
Asthma Attacks
If you have asthma and allergies, don’t use a vaporizer or humidifier if it has not been completely cleaned. The insides of these machines get really moist and provide great breeding grounds for bacteria, which means the machines would actually be filling the air in your home with the very allergens you are seeking to avoid.
Be keenly aware of the triggers for your asthma attacks. If you know the cause, you can stay away to prevent asthma attacks. The majority of individuals afflicted with asthma know there are common irritants like pollen, pet dander and smoke. Try to avoid the things that make your asthma flare up.
You need to be educated in properly using your inhaler if you suffer from asthma. Spraying it inside your mouth and inhaling is not all it takes. Every single time that you spray the inhaler into your mouth, you must, for a couple of seconds, breathe deeply. Failure to properly use your inhaler can lead to deadly effect.
It can also be fatal if not treated and controlled. If you follow the guidelines from this article, you will be better prepared to effectively manage the condition. Ultimately, you will be able to breathe easily and live a healthy life.
Ensure that you set up regular appointments with your physician every several months in order to be updated on your condition. This will give your doctor a chance to assess your current asthma condition, and make any needed adjustments to your medication. Your doctor is busy, so it’s on you to set and keep your appointments.