Asthma, when left uncontrolled, has the ability to limit the way you live your life, making even a simple walk outside a dangerous prospect. It is important to do everything you can to keep this disease under control. Apply these simple tips to reduce your symptoms and prevent it from taking over your life.
Asthmatics should not smoke. If you smoke – quit immediately. Although smoking is terrible for everyone, it is even worse for an asthma sufferer due to less oxygen supply in the lungs and that can trigger an attack.
If you are an asthma sufferer, you should refrain from smoking or being around any vapors or fumes. This includes all tobacco products, and you also need to be careful if you are going to apply for a job in a factory or where you have the potential to be exposed to vapors and harmful smoke.
If you suffer with asthma, avoid cleaning products. Cleaning products contain a plethora of chemicals that are triggers to exacerbating symptoms related to asthma, as well as the attacks themselves. When you are tidying your home consider using natural products that are effective for cleaning rather than traditional cleansers.
If you have any children who suffer from asthma, avoid smoking around them at all costs. Secondhand smoke is a leading cause of asthma. Ensure that your child is not around other people that smoke, either.
There are some medications that may contribute to asthma symptoms. Some NSAIDs and aspirins will do this for you. Also, beta blockers, such as medicines used to control heart disease and high blood pressure. 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.
Cleaning Products
If your asthma attacks are severe, you may want to speak with your doctor about a long lasting injection of medication to control your symptoms. Your allergist might recommend Omalizumab, which is an antibody type medicine that can regulate your symptoms of allergic reactions.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma, you should avoid cleaning products. Many of the chemicals in cleaning products can trigger asthma symptoms or attacks. If you are responsible for cleaning your residence, think about purchasing natural products, which are less likely to set off your asthma.
Leukotriene inhibitors may be helpful to you if you suffer from asthma. This prescription will prevent the product of leukotrines and help to abate the symptoms of asthma. Inhibiting this chemical can lead to a decrease in asthma symptoms. Using an inhibitor will counteract the negative effects of leukotriene, thereby decreasing the occurrence of asthma attacks.
If you are dealing with asthma, keep far away from cigarette smoke. Asthma creates breathing problems by constricting airways, and cigarette smoking only exacerbates the problem. Avoid breathing in any of the vapors or other chemical fumes. This could trigger a serious asthma attack, and you may have trouble preventing it from happening. If people are smoking around you, remove yourself from that area quickly.
Know how to use your inhaler correctly. A lot of people use inhalers improperly, so be sure that you’re adhering to the manufacturer’s suggested instructions. You can inhale all you want, but it’s useless if the medication doesn’t make it to your lungs. While inhaling air, spray required dosage in your mouth. After inhaling, it’s important that you hold the medication in by holding your breath for 10 seconds at the least.
Make certain that all members of your family get their annual flu shot. If you suffer from asthma, it is best to avoid respiratory infections of any type as much as possible. The preventative measures you can take against such sickness range from simple habits of hand washing to getting your annual flu shot.
Asthma patients without health insurance can get help by asking a social worker and getting access to programs with the resources asthma patients need. Social workers are trained to help people find resources for affording health care, particularly on debilitating conditions such as asthma.
If you are someone who suffers from asthma, you should consider buying a dehumidifier for your home. If you lessen your humidity in the house, you will stave off dust mites that may make your asthma flare. Dehumidifiers work by taking the humidity out of the air.
You should ensure that every family member in your household gets a flu vaccine yearly. If you have asthma, try to avoid getting respiratory infections if you can. Take standard precautions against any kind of illness, and start washing those hands and getting vaccinations that will protect you from getting very sick.
Unscented products are the safest option for those who suffer from asthma. Scented products such as air fresheners, incense and perfume heighten the degree of indoor air impurities and may possibly contribute to an attack. Put down some new carpeting and throw up a coat of paint to get rid of indoor odors. Try to make it your goal to keep the indoor air as fresh and allergen free as possible.
Using more than 4 different kinds of cleaning products for your house has been known to increase risks associated to asthma attacks. Choose organic products, and stick to as few products as possible.
Feather pillows can be bad for those with asthma. Feathers can aggravate symptoms of asthma and lower lung function. The same reasoning applies to all bedding – only purchase bed sheets and comforters that are manufactured from hypoallergenic materials.
When dealing with hay fever or a cold, you will notice an increase in your asthma symptoms. Illnesses like this can often worsen your asthma symptoms, which may require that you up your dosage of certain medications. It is possible that your doctor will decide to modify your treatment, or even add additional treatments, until you are back on your feet.
Asthma Attacks
When traveling, make sure to have your rescue medication handy at all times. Traveling is hard on your body, opening you up to an asthma attack. You won’t be able to control factors in your environment, such as air quality, while are away from home. This also adds to the likelihood of an attack or more symptoms than you are used to at home.
When the weather starts to turn colder, wear a scarf or shawl that covers your mouth and nose to help prevent asthma attacks. You can inhale warmer air into your body with these. Studies have indicated that asthma attacks are sometimes triggered when cold air is inhaled. This is especially true for young children who have asthma that is moderate to severe.
Regardless of whether your asthma has been flaring up, don’t neglect routine checkups. It is important to make sure your condition isn’t worsening, and your doctor may want to prescribe a different medication.
When you clean your floors, do so with a wet mop instead of a broom. Sweeping stirs up dust and other things that can trigger your asthma. When you dust, try dampening a rag, instead of a feather duster, to avoid spreading things that can trigger your asthma.
Take the time to understand the proper usage of your asthma medication, particularly any that is labelled as rescue medication. A typical asthma treatment plan is daily medication backed up with an emergency inhaler. Asthma lasts a lifetime, so you must manage your treatment and lifestyle to ensure you’re taking the best care of yourself.
Many people underestimate asthma, or at least think that they can’t do anything about it since it is an incurable disease. However, you’ll be amazed at how much difference you can make simply by following these simple steps to try and relieve symptoms and reduce the sources of asthma attacks.
If you are going on a trip on a plane and need to take your asthma medicine, take your prescription with you! Carrying your prescriptions along with written proof that they are medically necessary, will cut down on potential problems at the airport checkpoints.