Life as an asthmatic can be frustrating, but once you find methods to manage asthma you can live an active, healthy life. There are many ways to control or prevent asthma from interfering with your life. Here you will find tips on making the most out of your life with asthma.
If you are an asthma sufferer, you need to avoid smoking and exposure to fumes or vapors of any kind. 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.
What type of asthma do you suffer from? Particular cases of asthma can respond differently to the same treatment, so you need to know all that you can about your case to treat it most effectively. An example would be to bring in your gym bag an inhaler if you happen to have exercise-induced asthma. Knowing your symptoms’ patterns can help you avoid big problems.
What kind of asthma do you have? Gaining as much knowledge as you can about the type of asthma you have can make your day-to-day activities a little easier. Those whose asthma is exacerbated by exercise will know to always have an inhaler on hand. When you know what triggers your asthma, you will be more prepared to stop attacks before they begin.
If your child or another loved one suffers from asthma, you should be sure to never smoke cigarettes when you’re near them. Secondhand smoke is one of the leading culprits that causes asthma. Try to keep your children out of environments that are smokey to ensure the health of their lungs.
Keep clear of anything that you know to be a trigger for your asthma. For many, allergens like dust and pollen, can trigger their attacks. For others, physical activities can cause them. Try and figure out what gets your asthma started so you know what to avoid.
If you are afficted with asthma, it is critical to quit smoking and avoid the use of any other tobacco products. Smoking is a bad habit for everyone, but patients that suffer from asthma are negatively affected by smoke as it cuts the oxygen supply off and induces an asthma attack.
If you are having an attack that is not severe, push as much air out of the lungs as possible. Exhale quickly and forcefully. It can’t be said too strongly: you must force the air out! Inhale in a series of three, or three shallow breaths and one deep breath. After your lungs are filled with air, forcefully exhale again. This gives your breathing a rhythm, which makes you aware of how many breaths you take. It also voids your lungs of old air so that new air can enter. You may generate sputum, but the primary goal is to start breathing regularly again.
Keep away from any and everything that you know triggers your asthma attacks. This is different for everyone, but some people, things like dust or pollen can trigger an attack. Others may have attacks that are triggered by physical activity. Determine what sets your asthma off so you can stay away from these things.
If you find yourself in a room that is dusty, don’t turn on any kind of fan. When you turn on the fans they will move the dust in the room around and this can trigger your asthma very easily. Open some windows if you want fresh air.
Avoid using a fan in any room that has excessive dust. This will cause the dust to move around, which could cause an asthma attack. It could be better to open the window if you need to get airflow.
Consider a leokotriene inhibitor if your asthma is not controlled by other methods. A leukotriene inhibitor is for the prevention of leukotrienes. A leukotriene will cause inflammation in the respiratory system, causing an asthma attack. The inhibitor prevents leukotrienes, and that can decrease the number of asthma attacks you deal with.
Leukotriene inhibitors can help control the symptoms of asthma. A leukotriene inhibitor prevents the formation of leukotrienes. A leukotrienes is a type of chemical that causes inflammation, which leads to asthma attacks. When used properly, an inhibitor can help reduce symptoms and prevent attacks.
An annual flu vaccination is highly recommended for yourself and your family. 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. Take the right steps to stop yourself from getting sick, wash your hands and get the right vaccines.
If you’re having asthma problems, a dehumidifier is a beneficial purchase. By bringing down the humidity level, it will reduce dust mites and reduce asthma flare-ups. Dehumidifiers reduce humidity and keep the air in your home dry.
Think about buying a dehumidifier if your asthma symptoms are bad. Lowering humidity will reduce the amount of dust mites in your home, and help your asthma improve. Dehumidifiers reduce humidity and keep the air in your home dry.
Always choose unscented products for your home if you have asthma. Use of scented products, such as perfume, air fresheners and incense, increase the levels of indoor air pollution and can trigger an attack. Certain things in the home, such as newly installed carpet or fresh paint, can also release chemical irritants. Keep the air inside as fresh as you can.
If you use more than four cleaning products, you are increasing the risks of an asthma attack. Try using organic cleaning products that are not comprised of irritating chemicals.
Avoid pillows with feathers if you have asthma. The feathers can make asthma worse and take away from your ability to breathe. Be sure to keep the same advice in mind for your bedclothes. They should be made from materials that do not increase allergy symptoms.
Always choose unscented products for your home if you have asthma. Products with fragrance, such as perfumes, colognes, and air fresheners, introduce irritants into the air around you and can cause asthma attacks. In addition, paint that is fresh or carpet that is new release odors that can cause breathing irritations that lead to an asthma attack. Try to maintain the air in your house as free from possible asthma triggers as possible.
You may want to think about joining support groups you can find both online and offline. Asthma can be quite debilitating, especially if the asthma is severe, and this condition can interfere with daily life. In addition, a community of other asthma sufferers will let you know about changes in medications or other relevant scientific discoveries.
To lower the chances of an asthma attack, keep your house as clean as can be, especially the bedroom. Food should only be eaten in the kitchen area, and whatever you do, please don’t smoke. Air the house out thoroughly after cleaning and avoid the use of bleach and other harsh chemicals indoors.
Mold and mildew will often grow in a humid home. Protect yourself against allergens, dust mites and fungus to avoid exacerbating your asthma symptoms. You should therefore try to keep your home dry. When you are heating your home during the winter months, a dehumidifier can be used to control the humidity. In the summer, use an air conditioner to maintain dry air.
You may have to take more asthma medicine if you suffer from seasonal hay fever or catch a cold. Illnesses like this can often worsen your asthma symptoms, which may require that you up your dosage of certain medications. Your family doctor may recommend adding another treatment or medication to your current regimen until you recover from your illness.
Asthma Attacks
If you suffer from asthma, consider using a feather-free pillow to sleep. The feathers from a pillow can cause asthma symptoms and decrease your 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.
In the winter, prevent attacks by wearing shawls, mufflers and scarves that cover the nose and mouth. Filtering and warming air before you inhale it can help prevent asthma attacks. 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.
During the months that are colder, wear a shawl, muffler or scarf that will cover your nose and mouth to help you avoid asthma attacks. Filtering and warming air before you inhale it can help prevent asthma attacks. Studies have consistently shown that cold air can cause your throat and lungs to constrict, triggering asthma attacks. Children are especially susceptible to cold-induced asthma.
When you fly, make sure to take along prescriptions or doctors’ notes for all of your asthma equipment and medications, especially if they are unusual. Having proof in writing from a doctor that states the item is a medical necessity can eliminate security hassles.
It is crucial that you know how to properly use your asthma treatments, particularly rescue inhalers. A typical asthma treatment plan is daily medication backed up with an emergency inhaler. Asthma doesn’t go away, so it’s important to be vigilant about taking your daily medication and using your rescue inhaler when an attack occurs.
It is important to use your maintenance inhaler daily as prescribed. However, understand that most types of inhalers contain ingredients which may make your mouth more susceptible to infections. You can prevent any of these mouth issues by brushing your teeth and gargling mouthwash as soon as you use the inhaler.
Keep notes on how often you are compelled to use your inhaler each week. You should not have to rely on a rescue inhaler more than twice per week. If you find yourself needing it more often, it could be a sign that your asthma is not being controlled well or that there is a new environmental factor causing attacks more frequently. You are able to judge how the environment around you effects your body by how many times you need to use your inhaler.
During spring or other high-pollen times, don’t go outside unless you have to so that you can avoid a pollen-triggered asthma attack. Asthma is not considered an allergy, but elements that cause allergies usually trigger asthma attacks too. The same air quality reports available in the local news for allergy problems can also help those with asthma issues stay indoors on particularly hazardous days.
Contact with pets and other animals should be minimized for the asthma sufferer. While an allergy to animal hair or dander is a possible asthma complication, even those sufferers free of such allergies can experience an asthma attack caused by the dust and pollen all animals tend to carry along with them.
If you have asthma attacks, remember to stay calm. You should use your inhaler immediately upon the first signs of an attack. Once you have used it, use it again 30 seconds later. If this procedure does not stop your attack, seek immediate treatment from a healthcare professional. Have someone call an ambulance for you, or have them bring you to a hospital. Slow your breathing by inhaling and exhaling into a paper bag while you are waiting for help.
Go to several doctors. Your primary physician should always be your first stop when dealing with asthma, but you may find it helpful to add a specialist’s knowledge. Think about going to a pulmonologist, an allergist or even a nutritionist, depending on what is triggering your attacks.
So, as you have read, your options for a great lifestyle are not limited. Having asthma does not automatically prevent you from enjoying your life. When you monitor and treat your condition properly, you can live a great life.
If you are suffering from an asthma attack, try to remain calm and do not panic. Use the inhaler, pause for 30 seconds then use it again. If the inhaler does not provide immediate help, get medical help right away. Get someone to call an ambulance or get you to a hospital. Breathe into a paper bag for assistance in slowing your breathing during the trip to the hospital.