Asthma is a malady that may be uncontrollable if left untamed. Attacks can be serious, even fatal, unless they are controlled. You need to consult medical experts for advice, but when it is not enough, you must take the necessary steps yourself. Here are a few easy tips to help you get a handle on your asthma symptoms.
If you have received a diagnosis of asthma, you are not to smoke or be near vapors or other types of fumes. You must abstain from using any tobacco products. Also, when job hunting, you need to take into consideration whether or not you will be exposed to anything detrimental to your condition while on the job.
If asthma is something you suffer from, do not smoke or spend time around smokers, much less any source of vapors and fumes. 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.
Never smoke around a child with asthma, or you could kill them! Second-hand cigarette smoke is a leading cause of asthma. If your child is in an area where people are smoking, remove him quickly to avoid an asthma attack.
It is vital that neither you, nor anyone else, smoke around a child with asthma. Secondhand smoke is something that can lead to serious asthma. You should also make sure your child is never in an environment where other people are smoking.
Avoid the things that trigger your asthma. Allergens such as dust and pollen can bring on an asthma attack at any time. Some things, such as physical exertion, can cause an asthma attack. Determine what sets your asthma off so you can stay away from these things.
Common Medications
Prescriptions and over-the-counter medications can actually trigger an asthma attack. Some over the counter medications can irritate your asthma. 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.
There are some common medications that you could be using that will cause asthma symptoms. Aspirin along with other NSAIDs can have this effect. Common medications used for controlling high blood pressure often times contain beta blockers, which asthmatics may be more sensitive to. Talk to a doctor if you have any of these conditions along with asthma.
It is crucial that you stay away from all types of cigarette smoke if you suffer from asthma. Smoking is especially dangerous for asthmatics. Don’t breathe vapor or chemical fumes. This can cause an asthma attack, and you may be unable to bring it under control. Avoid secondhand smoke by leaving physical distance between yourself and the smoker.
Avoid using a fan in any room that has excessive dust. This could trigger an asthma attack because this will move the dust around. On smog-free, low pollen days, open your windows to improve airflow in the house.
Contact a social worker if you have asthma but do not meet the eligibility requirements for health insurance. If you cannot afford medicine for asthma, your social worker can help you locate someone that can help.
When you are having a difficult time with asthma, you might want to use a leukotriene inhibitor. These medications prevent the production of leukotrienes. Leukotriene, a chemical released by the body in response to an allergen, is responsible for inducing many of the symptoms of an asthma attack. By blocking the effects of leukotrienes, a leukotriene inhibitor can reduce the frequency and severity of your asthma attacks.
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 cleaning products should be selected due to their lack of irritating chemicals.
If you have asthma, it is imperative that you stay away from smokers. If you inhale the smoke, it will harm your lungs and increase the possibility of an asthma attack. Always be mindful of this, especially in small spaces that do not have very much air flowing.
When you are suffering from asthma and you have hay fever or a cold, you will most likely need an increase in your treatment. Make sure your doctor prescribes a fast acting inhaler for emergency situations. Your physician might also add more treatments to your regimen until your asthma is under control again.
Buy products that are unscented if you suffer from asthma. Products that contain strong scents, like incense, perfume, or air freshener can trigger an asthma attack just by lingering in the air. Fresh pain and new carpet also let off odors that are irritable to the airways. Try to maintain the air in your house as free from possible asthma triggers as possible.
If you have asthma, use a pillow that doesn’t have feathers in it. Feathers may trigger asthma symptoms by irritating your lungs. The same reasoning applies to all bedding – only purchase bed sheets and comforters that are manufactured from hypoallergenic materials.
Asthma is an uncurable disease, but that doesn’t mean that the symptoms are permanent and can’t go away. However, just like most things in life, overcoming your asthma symptoms takes time and effort. If you follow these easy tips, you’ll find that your symptoms will get better over time and you’ll be able to enjoy a healthier, more active lifestyle.
Even if you are feeling great, don’t skip your asthma check-ups. You can never tell when an attack will strike, or when your physician may have some better or safer advice for you to follow.