It is clear that one’s lungs are important and asthma can hinder their condition and one’s life gravely. Life can still go about as normally as it ever would, even with something as serious as asthma holding you back. In the following paragraphs, you’ll find suggestions on how to deal with your asthma.
It is important that you try to stay clear of cleaning products if you have asthma. It is very possible that one might bring on an asthma attack with some chemicals used for cleaning. If you enjoy cleaning, or are the sole cleaner in the household, you are sure to be able to find one of the many natural cleaners that will be safe for your use.
If you have asthma, it is crucial that you do not smoke, or quit if you do. Smoking is not recommended for anyone, but it creates worse complications for asthma patients by cutting off part of the oxygen supply needed to breathe properly.
You need to avoid all of the asthma triggers that you know. For some, allergens such as dust and pollen can trigger an attack. For others, it may be linked to physical exertion. You should know what causes asthma, so you can stay away from these things.
Cleaning Products
Prescriptions and over-the-counter medications can actually trigger an asthma attack. Aspirin is an example of a widely used medicine that can cause asthma problems. Some medications for blood pressure and heart disease – those referred to as beta blockers – can also exacerbate asthma problems. It is important to talk openly with your doctor about your asthma so that you do not take any medications that could be harmful to you.
If you suffer from asthma, strong cleaning products should be avoided. Many of the chemicals in cleaning products can trigger asthma symptoms or attacks. If you’re the one that cleans your home, try organic or natural cleaning solutions that are much less risky to your health.
When you suffer a medium-intensity attack, try and forcefully exhale all air from your lungs. Breathe out hard and fast. Expel the air in your lungs with great force! Follow this by breathing in three times quickly, and a fourth time deeply to ensure your lungs are filled to capacity, then exhale again as forcefully as possible. Not only will you breathe in rhythm, but you’ll focus more intently on how you are breathing and become aware of breathing problems. It also keeps air flowing out of the lung,s so that you can refill them. If you cough or produce sputum, don’t worry. Just remain focused on your objective, which is to regain a normal rate of breathing.
Avoid those things that you know can trigger your asthma. For some people, this is allergy related; things like pollen and dust can start an attack. For others, certain physical activities may be the trigger. It is important to determine what triggers your asthma attacks so you can try to avoid those things.
Anyone suffering from asthma or asthma-like symptoms needs to stay clear of cigarette smoke, whether you smoke yourself, or even if you’re breathing secondhand smoke. This cannot be emphasized enough: Stay away from cigarette smoke! Avoid breathing in vapors from smoke or other chemical-type fumes. Chemical fumes will trigger asthma attacks that you won’t be able to put an end to. If others are smoking and you are nearby, get away from them immediately.
If you are an asthmatic who also has allergies, injected allergy medication may be just the thing you need to get relief. Ask your allergist about omalizumab, an antibody drug that can reduce the severity of asthma symptoms and the frequency of attacks.
When you are having a difficult time with asthma, you might want to use a leukotriene inhibitor. A leukotriene inhibitor prevents the formation of leukotrienes. Leukotriene is a substance that can bring about inflammation, resulting in an asthma attack. Leukotriene is an oral therapy for the treatment of asthma, but it is not as effective as inhaled corticosteroids.
Asthma Patients
You should know what triggers your asthma attacks; this will allow you to either avoid them or be ready to manage the symptoms. The majority of individuals afflicted with asthma know there are common irritants like pollen, pet dander and smoke. Avoid your asthma triggers as much as you can to prevent attacks.
Asthma patients without health insurance can get help by asking a social worker and getting access to programs with the resources asthma patients need. Asthma patients need their medications, and a social worker might be able to hook you up with programs to help you such as clinics and programs through pharmaceutical companies.
If you suffer from asthma, you might want to use a pillow that doesn’t contain feathers. 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.
Everyone in your family, including you, should get the flu vaccination every year. Try to avoid getting any respiratory infections if you have asthma. Precautions include washing your hands and staying current with vaccinations.
In the winter, prevent attacks by wearing shawls, mufflers and scarves that cover the nose and mouth. This will warm the air before it enters your lungs. Inhalation of cold air is proven to initiate asthma attacks, and younger kids afflicted with asthma of moderate or severe proportions are especially at risk.
Immune System
Understanding how to properly administer your asthma medications is important, particularly in regard to rescue medications. Asthma treatment is generally two-pronged: Daily asthma treatment and additional emergency medicine to relieve attacks as they happen. Managing your medicine properly is important because asthma is a chronic health problem.
If you are dealing with asthma, make sure you take lots of Vitamins E and C. These vitamins can help improve your lung function, ultimately controlling asthma. Either find a good vitamin supplement to take, or change your diet to include more foods rich in Vitamins E and C. These vitamins are great for your immune system, and a strong immune system wards off illnesses that can trigger asthma attacks.
If you’re flying and bringing along your asthma medications, bring a doctor’s written prescription with you. When you can prove that an item is medically necessary, it can save a lot of time and hassle while working through airport security.
Try to keep your home as clean as possible, especially the bedroom of the asthma sufferer, to reduce the risk of an asthma attack. Only permit food in designated eating areas, such as the kitchen or dining room, and don’t allow smoking inside the house at all. Thoroughly air out your house after every cleaning, and stay away from bleach and similar harsh chemicals while cleaning indoors.
For asthma sufferers having contact with pets or other animals need to be minimized. 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.
Make sure you get a flu shot each year if you have asthma or if your child does. You can ward off a great number of these infections by having annual vaccinations.
During times that pollen counts are high, asthma sufferers should try to stay indoors. While asthma and allergies are separate illnesses, you’ll find that the triggers for one tend to be mirrored in the other. Air quality levels for specific pollutants are now readily available and it is possible to use this information to limit exposure on high level days.
Realize what triggers your attacks, and you can avoid or manage these situations. Most asthma sufferers have a few common triggers such as smoke, pet dander or pollen. When it is possible avoid substances that make you have symptoms or attacks.
Don’t use humidifiers or vaporizers in your home until they have been rigorously cleaned, if you suffer from either asthma, allergies or both. The moist environment of a humidifier can become a breeding ground for bacteria, which can irritate allergies or trigger an asthma attack.
For many people, their homes can be triggering their asthma, or even causing their asthma in the first place. Some triggers include spores, dust and mold. Have your home inspected for and cleaned of these things to reduce the occurrence of asthma attacks. Additionally, cleaning your home on a regular schedule prevents these unwanted visitors from taking residence en masse.
Make certain you have checkups scheduled with your physician every few months so you keep on top of your asthma. This person needs to have the ability to look at your current situation so that they can make any changes as necessary. It is up to you to work with your doctor at regular appointments to keep your treatment plan working.
Mold and mildew will often grow in a humid home. These fungi are both common triggers for asthma attacks. Try, then, to ensure your home is dry. When it’s cold, a dehumidifier can keep moisture to a minimum; in hot months, your A/C unit will do the same thing.
Buy a mask to keep yourself from breathing in harmful fumes if you plan on painting in your home. Paint can trigger asthma-related issues, but wearing a mask will provide a protective barrier to circumvent these issues. Use proper safety equipment to protect yourself from chemicals that can agitate your asthma condition.
If you are going on a trip on a plane and need to take your asthma medicine, take your prescription with you! Having proof in writing from a doctor that states the item is a medical necessity can eliminate security hassles.
It is important to keep the space you are living in clean and well kept. Keeping your bedding clean and washed regularly can really make a difference when trying to control your asthma. By keeping these items clean, you avoid any dust buildup which attracts dust mites, a typical trigger of asthma attacks. If dust increases, the air is more likely to irritate the lungs of asthma sufferers. This can quickly turn into an asthma attack.
If you have asthma, don’t stop using your inhaler unless your doctor tells you to. However, watch for infections in your gums or other mouth discomfort after using your inhaler. You can prevent any of these mouth issues by brushing your teeth and gargling mouthwash as soon as you use the inhaler.
Ease yourself into more difficult regiments by regulating your breathing. Make sure you are able to breathe in and out, and receive enough air to take on your current task. Never tempt an attack by starting a grueling workout when you know you cannot finish it because of asthma.
Asthma sufferers should avoid close contact with all animals. Though dander allergies are often seen in conjunction with asthma, even asthmatics who are not allergic may have attacks that are triggered by the ancillary irritants transported by animals, including pollen and dust.
Monitor your child’s asthma symptoms to see whether they should be going to the hospital or not. Some symptoms of a dangerous attack include blue or gray nails and lips and a lack of response to medications. He may have difficulty saying anything, as well.
Avoid Smoking
Make sure that smoking does not ever occur near an asthma sufferer. Additionally, smokers should be asked to smoke nowhere near the house or the asthma sufferer. Cigarette smoke can quickly trigger someone who suffers from asthma to have an attack, from just the smell being on the smokers clothes.
Asthmatics should avoid smoking tobacco products whenever possible. Most people know how dangerous smoking is, but for someone afflicted with asthma, the dangers are ten times more serious. Sensitive asthmatic lungs are easily irritated by smoke, so they need to avoid smoking and to avoid situations where there are people who smoke.
Lower you chance of getting the flu by getting a vaccination every year. Even if you’re not affected by flu seasons, you should still get a vaccine. Upper-respiratory infections or sinus infections can cause a significant increase in symptoms if you are at risk of asthma attacks.
Knowing the correct way to use an inhaler is essential. You can’t just spray into your mouth and softly inhale. Every time you spray the inhaler, deeply inhale for a couple seconds. Properly using your asthma inhaler is one of the most important ways you, as a person with asthma, can protect your health.
If your child is under age five and has asthma, know the warning signs that could require an emergency room visit. These signs include: having difficulty when speaking because air intake is insufficient, sucking in the stomach in an attempt to breathe and gasping for air. These signs mean that your child needs medical attention right away.
Learn as much as you can about asthma. Education is a priceless tool in finding the proper treatment for your asthma. Stay up to date with current treatments and make sure you have the best care possible. You can do this only if you learn all about your condition plus the treatment options available to you.
While exercise can be great for asthmatics, you should never work out in places that are cold and dry. If your bronchial airways experience this type of weather, it can trigger an asthma attack. Always be sure that the weather is somewhat humid and warm before exercising strenuously outdoors.
While some people grow out of their asthma as children, others find it a lifelong battle. It can be controlled with some sound advice and following a doctor’s orders. There are always breakthroughs in medicines and methods so soon, there will be an easy treatment for asthma.
If you are an asthma sufferer, a good tip is to begin by warming up with some stretching before any strenuous exercise, and then make sure you properly cool down as soon as you are finished exercising. Doing so can help prevent an asthma attack from occurring during or after your exercise.