Asthma is a little scary to deal with because it creates trouble with the way you breathe. An asthma attack can happen suddenly, asthma can limit your daily activities, and in some cases asthma has been fatal. This article can aid you in understanding the reasons why some people suffer from asthma attacks and pinpoint ways you can handle the stress that comes with them.
If you are afflicted with asthma, it is critical that you don’t smoke. Smoking is unhealthy for anyone, regardless of their health; however, when you have asthma, smoking restricts the oxygen your lungs needs to breathe and function properly. If your lung function is affected, you run the risk of having more frequent attacks.
If you have asthma, you should definitely avoid smoking or being exposed to any kind of fumes or vapors. Stay away from jobs that would expose you to toxic or heavy vapors, and refrain from any tobacco use.
You should stay away from anything you might believe which can trigger an asthma attack. This can vary from person to person, as small particles like dust can cause asthma attacks. Others may need to avoid certain physical activities to keep from suffering an attack. Figure out what sets off your asthma so you can avoid it.
Do you know the type of asthma that you suffer with? Learning about your type of asthma will help you manage its impact on your life. One example of this is exercise-induced asthma. This type of asthmatic will need to carry his inhaler with him when he goes for a run. Treating asthma is less difficult if you and your physician are aware of the triggers that bring on an attack.
Some medications that you may take unknowingly can cause you to have asthma symptoms. Aspirin and some other NSAIDs may do this. Many medications for heart disease and hypertension can also cause asthma symptoms. If you have any of these conditions along with your asthma, make sure you tell your doctor.
Resist the urge to turn on a fan if you find yourself in a room filled with dust. When you turn on the fans they will move the dust in the room around and this can trigger your asthma very easily. Open a window to bring clean, cool air inside instead.
If you are suffering from a mild or moderate asthma attack, expel all the air from your lungs. Exhale hard and fast. Push that air from your lungs with all that you’ve got! Take three breaths in succession. These breaths don’t have to be deep, just breathe a little. Then take a deep breath, pulling as much air as possible into your lungs. When your lungs are as full as you can stand, force the air out. This creates a rhythm to your breathing, making you pay attention to the breaths you take. It also helps to push air out from your lungs so new air can come back in. This breathing technique may cause some coughing or sputum, but it can help regulate your breathing and reduce the attack.
Know how to use your inhaler properly! A lot of people use inhalers improperly, so be sure that you’re adhering to the manufacturer’s suggested instructions. Remember that using an inhaler is only going to help you if the medication contained within makes its way to the lungs. As you are inhaling air, spray the correct dosage in your mouth. Hold your breath still for ten seconds at least in order to let the mist with medicine fill your lungs.
Injections are available to people who suffer from asthma related to allergies, to help give them some long term relief. Omalizumab is one such medication, and can control the allergic symptoms you may be experienced. An allergist will be able to tell you if this is a good option.
Consider supplementing your diet with Vitamins E and C when you suffer from asthma. There is some evidence that these two vitamins can improve breathing and lower the frequency of asthma attacks. Vitamin C is available in multiple forms. You can find it in citrus fruits, supplements, and in many other places. Loading up on these vitamins will energize your immune system, aiding your body in preventing the illnesses that worsen or trigger asthma.
Make proper use of your inhaler. Find a relaxing spot, and be sure that you follow the directions that the manufacturer provided. Remember that the medication must reach your lungs if the inhaler is to work properly. As you are inhaling air, spray the correct dosage in your mouth. Hold in your breath for 10 seconds so the medicine works properly.
It is best to use products that are unscented in the home with someone who is asthmatic. Products that contain fragrance, such as perfumes, colognes, or air fresheners, can pollute the air triggering your asthma. New carpet and fresh paint can also emit odors that can irritate the airways. Clean your indoor air and keep it as fresh as you can.
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. Affording asthma medication is important for handling the illness, and social workers can find places the offer the medicine at low costs.
You can help to prevent asthma attacks by maintaining a clean home, particularly the asthmatic’s bedroom. Keep food in a kitchen or on the dining room table, and avoid cigarette smoking inside. If you clean with any harsh chemicals or bleach, make sure to ventilate thoroughly afterwards.
Make sure that you and your loved ones get a flu vaccination yearly. Make sure you do your best in avoiding respiratory infections at all costs 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.
Feather pillows can be bad for those with asthma. Feathers can trigger asthma symptoms and reduce lung function. Be sure to keep the same advice in mind for your bedclothes. They should be made from materials that do not increase allergy symptoms.
Using more than four different types of cleaning products in your home has been shown to increase the risk of an asthma attack. Use organic products as often as possible, as these contain fewer harsh chemicals.
If you plan to take a trip, you must always keep your rescue medication with you at all times. Being in odd environments can cause undue stress on your body, which makes you more prone 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.
It is best to use products that are unscented in the home with someone who is asthmatic. Products with fragrance, such as perfumes, colognes, and air fresheners, introduce irritants into the air around you and can cause asthma attacks. Fresh paint and new carpeting also produce smells that can cause irritation to the airways. Try to see that the air inside your home remains as fresh as possible.
Asthma Attacks
If you or someone in your family has asthma, all family members need to get flu shots every year. A yearly vaccination will help minimize the number of infections your children have to deal with.
During cold months, you could avoid asthma attacks by constantly wearing a shawl, muffler or a scarf that covers both your mouth and nose. Filtering and warming air before you inhale it can help prevent asthma attacks. Breathing in cold air tends to start asthma attacks, especially with younger children that have severe or moderate asthma.
Asthma sufferers should have minimal contact with animals including pets. Animals carry pollen and dust with them and can trigger serious asthma attacks.
When taking asthma medications on a plane trip, bring written medical prescriptions provided by your doctor. If you’ve got written proof, it’ll save you a lot of hassle when you’re at a security check.
Attending asthma support group meetings, or even talking to a few chosen people with the condition, can do wonders for you. People who have to live with the disease will be able to share their own experiences, and give you tips on how to cope. Support from people who understand your situation is key.
When you are cleaning your home, it is always better to use a wet mop rather than sweeping your floors. Sweeping stirs up dust and other things that can trigger your asthma. Dusting with a damp cloth rather than a feather duster can be a considerable help in reducing the amount of dust and other things that might start an attack.
One thing that you must do is figure out what triggers your asthma attacks. A daily journal can be a powerful tool to help you pinpoint frequent triggers and it can also help your doctor to prescribe the treatment that is right for you. Once you know your triggers, do what you can to eliminate them from where you are, as much as possible.
Bed linens attract things that cause asthma attacks. These threats can be reduced or even eliminated by keeping your bed linens laundered every week using hot water. Sleeping with fresh bed linens will ensure you can breathe easy when you sleep.
Make sure your space is clean. Washing sheets, blankets or pillows regularly can also help. Cleaning will prevent dust and mites from building up, lessening the risk of asthma attacks. When dust builds, the air becomes much more irritating to those with asthma and can raise the chances of an attack.
Asthma Treatment
Try to take your time as you build your strength, this will also allow you to gradually increase the capacity of your lungs as well. Don’t bring on an asthma attack by beginning a strenuous workout that you can’t complete due to asthma.
You should have a team of medical professionals to help you craft your asthma treatment. While your asthma treatment should start with your primary care doctor, visiting one or two asthma specialists can make a real difference in how well you understand and manage your condition. You’ll want to visit an asthma center, or consult with a pulmonologist to get additional help improving your lung function. In addition, you should get tested for allergies so that you can avoid allergic reactions that trigger asthma attacks.
Hurry to the hospital if you see any symptoms of a dangerous asthma attack. Increased usage of medication to no avail of relief and fingernails and lips turning bluish-gray are indications of a severe asthma attack. During these severe attacks, it may be difficult for your child to speak.
Those with asthma should remain inside as much as they can when the pollen count rises. Asthma’s not an allergy, but many things that irritate allergies also irritate asthma. Check the local air quality report online to determine whether to stay indoors and keep irritant exposure to a minimum.
If you do not have your controller medication with you and you experience an asthma attack, trying to get some caffeine quickly. Many people have found that consuming black tea, coffee or chocolate may lessen the effects of an attack. This opens up your airways.
It can be fatal, too, if not controlled or treated. When you follow the advice from this article, you will manage your asthma through better breathing and improved activity.
Get those flu shots. Even if you do not normally get affected by the cold or flu seasons, you should still get your flu vaccination just in case. It is easy for an asthma sufferer to develop a sinus or respiratory illness, which can create serious complications.