Living with asthma is a challenge you have to face everyday. You need the proper tools to do this. You have many options for treating your asthma and not letting it hinder your life. Here are some suggestions that can help you live with asthma.
You should not smoke or be anywhere near smoke if you suffer from asthma. This means you need to keep away from tobacco products and only seek out jobs where you aren’t exposed to any harmful chemicals, smoke or vapors.
Never smoke around a child with asthma, or you could kill them! As far as triggers that cause asthma attacks or causes of the condition in general, secondhand cigarette smoke ranks right up there. Always ensure your child is in a smoke-free area.
Avoid harsh cleaning chemicals if you are an asthma sufferer. Many of the chemicals in cleaning products can trigger asthma symptoms or attacks. There are many all-natural organic cleaning products available that may help eliminate asthmatic problems.
Quit smoking or avoid smoke if you suffer from asthma. Smoking is unhealthy for anyone, but it is especially dangerous for someone with asthma. This is because your lungs and airway are already compromised by your condition.
Avoid the things that trigger your asthma. For some people, this is allergy related; things like pollen and dust can start an attack. Others have asthma attacks when they participate in physical activities. Pay attention to what causes your attacks so you can prevent them from happening.
Asthma is ongoing. Therefore, it also requires continual management of your health. It is crucial that you have the proper medications for controlling asthma, as well as medication, such as a rescue inhaler to treat sudden attacks. To determine the best options for you personally, consult your physician and an allergist.
Some medications are known to cause asthma symptoms. Believe it or not, something as seemingly innocuous as aspirin can actually trigger symptoms. Many medications for heart disease and hypertension can also cause asthma symptoms. It is important for your doctor to know your complete medical history, including any medications you are currently taking, so they can best treat your asthma.
If you find yourself having a mild asthma attack, force the air from your lungs until they are empty. Exhale quickly and with power. Really force that air out of your lungs! Inhale three times with short breaths, and then on the fourth one take a deeper breath so your lungs are full of air but still comfortable. Then breath out as hard as you can again. This will create a rhythm and will help you be aware of the way you are breathing. This is a good way to empty your lungs and let more air come in. You might start coughing, and some sputum may come up, but this is no problem and your focus is to get back into a relaxed, rythmic breathing pattern again.
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that requires constant management. It is crucial that you have the proper medications for controlling asthma, as well as medication, such as a rescue inhaler to treat sudden attacks. Talk to your doctor and allergist to see what is the best idea for you.
Properly use the inhaler every time you must use it. Find a spot that is peaceful, and then follow the instructions given by the manufacturer. You can inhale all you want, but it’s useless if the medication doesn’t make it to your lungs. Inhale the air and spray the right amount down your throat. You should keep your breath held for 10 seconds at a minimum to let the medicated mist fill up your lungs.
When you suffer a medium-intensity attack, try and forcefully exhale all air from your lungs. Exhale in a hard and fast manner. Force your lungs to expel as much air as possible. Then take three small breaths in, followed by a deeper breath to fill your lungs comfortably. Next, exhale forcefully again. Paying attention this way will help you stabilize your breathing and make it rhythmic. This technique also forces the air from your lungs to enable more air to come in. You might cough hard or create mucus, but its just a sign your breathing is getting back to normal.
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If you have asthma, avoid cigarette smoke of all kinds. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, stop. Never breathe in chemical fumes or vapors. Inhaling these substances may trigger an unstoppable asthma attack. If you are around others who are smoking, remove yourself.
If you have asthma and lack the health insurance coverage to deal with asthma treatment, talk to a social worker. It is essential that you can buy your asthma medicine, and a social worker might help you find a hospital or clinic that can provide your medicine at reduced cost, or free.
Dust will make you have an attack, so keep the air calm in dirty rooms. Otherwise, the dust will fly into the air and could give you an attack. It is much better to open a window when you are in need of some air flow.
Everyone in your family, including you, should get the flu vaccination every year. If you are afflicted with asthma, avoid getting any infections if possible. This includes preventive measures against sickness, such as practicing good hygiene and getting all recommended vaccinations.
If you have asthma and cannot get health insurance, see a social worker. If you cannot afford medicine for asthma, your social worker can help you locate someone that can help.
There are certain types of household cleaning products that can trigger asthma attacks, and using multiple products is particularly dangerous. Choose instead organic products that are not filled with harmful chemicals.
Make sure you get a flu shot once a year if you suffer from asthma. Avoid these infections by making sure your and your child’s vaccines are up to date.
If you’re suffering from a cold or allergies, you should talk to your doctor about taking additional asthma medication. Side effects that are associated with most illnesses can serve as triggers for asthma and may cause an increase in your asthma treatment. Your physician may even recommend that you take additional medication until you recover.
Have your rescue inhaler with you at all times, especially when on vacation. 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.
Your home might harbor several of the major triggers of asthma attacks. Three triggers comprise the asthma triad of doom: spores, dust and mold. Have an inspector who focuses on allergens and irritants come into your home once a year to help you detect what you have and learn how to remove it. Keep your house clean to keep these asthma triggers out of your home.
Even if your asthma is not acting up, attend all of your doctor’s appointments. Your doctor may be able to prescribe more effective treatments and you may be suffering symptoms you’re not aware are related to your asthma.
Mildew and mold grow best in a home with high humidity. These can very easily cause an attack. So, it makes sense to keep dry air in your home. When you use the heater in the winter, be sure to have a dehumidifier control the humidity in your home. During the summer time, be sure to use the air conditioner to maintain a dry home.
Avoid cold-induced asthma attacks by protecting your mouth and nose with a scarf. You can inhale warmer air into your body with these. Cold air can trigger severe attacks, especially for young children.
Avoid cold-induced asthma attacks by protecting your mouth and nose with a scarf. This will warm the air before it gets in your lungs. Breathing cold air can set off an asthma attack, particularly in small children who have have somewhat severe asthma.
Be sure you understand how to use your asthma medication, especially emergency medication. Asthma is generally treated with a rescue medication, usually an inhaler, in addition to a regularly-taken maintenance medication. Since asthma is chronic in nature, appropriate application and use of both management and rescue medicines is vital.
If traveling by plane with your asthma equipment or medications, always carry your written prescription with you to avoid problems. Written proof of needing your equipment can help you with any issues you might have in the security line.
Keep in mind that mopping your floors with a wet mop will cause less asthma problems than sweeping will. Sweeping can trigger an asthma attack due to the copious clouds of minute asthma-triggering particles it kicks up. Also, use damp rags instead of feather dusters to dust your furniture.
When you are making an effort to control asthma, do not smoke. Breathing in smoke can trigger an asthma attack. Vapors, cigarette smoke, and chemical fumes should be avoided. All of these will increase your asthma symptoms. If you know someone who smokes, politely ask that they do not smoke in your presence.
Avoid smoke to prevent asthma and asthma attacks. Inhaling smoke makes it harder for you to breathe and might result in an asthma attack. Stay away from cigarettes, chemicals, and anything else that may emit smoke. These things can cause your asthma symptoms to greatly increase. If there are smokers around you, you may want to ask them if they will smoke in another area.
For people with serious asthma, exposure to household pets should be limited. Asthmatics can be affected by the dander or pollen that comes from the animals, even if they have no allergies to them. This can be a very risky situation to put yourself in and should be avoided.
Do not use a vaporizer or humidifier unless you are sure it’s been thoroughly cleaned. If it is not clean you end up getting bacteria growth in the damp interior of the machine, and that ends up flooding the air you want to humidify with allergens.
Allergens and asthma triggers, such as dust and pollen can cling to your bed linens. Clean your linen and pillow case every week to prevent asthma attacks. Having fresh bedding will let you breathe more easily and have a more restful night.
Don’t panic when you have an asthma attack. Use the inhaler, wait thirty seconds, and use once more. If your attack continues to worsen, seek help. Ask a family member or friend to call for ambulatory help or to drive you to the emergency room. While heading to the hospital, breathe into a paper bag; it will slow your breathing rate and help reduce the attack.
See more than one doctor. Although your primary doctor can treat your asthma, a specialist may be able to provide further help. Nutritionists, allergists, and pulmonologists are just some of the advisers who can change your life for the better.
If you suffer from asthma and have to use your inhaler in excess of two or three times per week, you should see a doctor and ask about changing your medication. 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.
As seen here, there are lots of ways that you can stop or control asthma from messing up your life. Asthma does not need to become the be all and end all of your life. Learn of ways to control it and your life will be most enjoyable.
If an asthma attack occurs, and you do not have your controller medications with you, try to ingest something that contains caffeine. Caffeine containing products aren’t a cure, but they can help reduce the symptoms you experience. Caffeine constricts blood vessels so that your airways can open.