Dealing with asthma is difficult, but if you manage it properly you can lead a fulfilled life. There are a number of ways to make sure that asthma doesn’t interfere with your life. This article will show you how you can live your life to the fullest in spite of asthma.
A leukotriene inhibitor should be taken into consideration when asthma is a struggle. A leukotriene inhibitor stops the release of a chemical that causes the inflammation that is responsible for some asthma attacks. Leukotriene is a type of chemical substance which may cause inflammation and could cause an attack. Using an inhibitor will counteract the negative effects of leukotriene, thereby decreasing the occurrence of asthma attacks.
If you are an asthma sufferer, you need to avoid smoking and exposure to fumes or vapors of any kind. That means you have to avoid all tobacco, and seriously consider think about what jobs you take; for example, factories are probably not a healthy place for you because of all the vapors and smoke.
Make certain that all members of your family get their annual flu shot. If you have asthma, try to avoid getting respiratory infections if you can. This includes taking standard precautions against illness, like hand washing, as well as getting vaccinations that can keep you from getting sick.
If you have any children who suffer from asthma, avoid smoking around them at all costs. Secondhand smoke is a leading cause of asthma. Try to keep your children out of environments that are smokey to ensure the health of their lungs.
Make sure you are taking plenty of Vitamins E and C if you suffer from asthma. These vitamins help reduce asthma flare-ups by improving lung function. Get these nutrients through supplements or food. These vitamins can improve your immune system to prevent asthma triggers.
You should stay away from anything you might believe which can trigger an asthma attack. This could be something you’re allergic to like pollen or dust. Or, you may need to avoid certain activities that overexert your body. Knowing exactly what sets off your asthma is thus, very important.
If you suffer from asthma, it is best to buy unscented products. Use of scented products, such as perfume, air fresheners and incense, increase the levels of indoor air pollution and can trigger an attack. Fresh pain and new carpet also let off odors that are irritable to the airways. Take all necessary measures to ensure that your home is always filled with fresh, clean air.
Asthma is a disease that is continuous. As such, it requires long-term health management. Be certain that you are using the right maintenance medicines to control your asthma and that you also have a rescue or emergency medication when you have an acute asthma attack. To determine the best options for you personally, consult your physician and an allergist.
Take your rescue inhaler and keep it handy when you travel. Traveling is hard on your body, opening you up to an asthma attack. It is also hard to predict what will come up or to control your environment when you travel, which increases the chances of experiencing more severe symptoms or an attack.
If you are prone to asthma attacks, avoid any cigarette or other tobacco smoke. Never smoke yourself! Avoid exposure to chemical fumes or vapors. This can cause your asthma to flare up, causing an attack that may be uncontrollable. If you find yourself in a situation where you are around smokers, remove yourself as quickly as possible.
Mold and mildew can thrive in a humid home environment. These substances are prime triggers for asthma attacks. Therefore, you should always strive to maintain a dry home. In the winter months, use a dehumidifier in order to get rid of moisture. Your air conditioner will keep it dry in the summer.
Dust will make you have an attack, so keep the air calm in dirty rooms. While it may seem smart to get the air circulating, in reality this will only stir up the dust, making it easier to inhale and trigger an attack. If you feel you need airflow, open a window instead.
In the winter, prevent attacks by wearing shawls, mufflers and scarves that cover the nose and mouth. This will warm the air that you breathe before it enters your lungs. In multiple studies, breathing cold air is linked to increased asthma attacks. This link is especially pronounced in younger children.
If you have asthma and have frequent attacks that are related to allergies, there are medicines that can be injected to provide you with long-term relief. One antibody medication available is called Omalizumab and can be prescribed by your doctor or allergist.
Know the right way to take your asthma medication, and above all any rescue medication. When you have asthma, you should be on a maintenance medication and have an emergency medicine for asthma attacks. Usually this is in the form of an inhaler. It’s crucial that medication for management of asthma is taken regularly, and that rescue medication is also used when appropriate.
Social Worker
When preventing asthma, stay away from smoke. Smoke is one of the primary triggers of asthma. Make sure to stay away from chemical fumes and cigarette smoke whenever possible. Things like this can make your asthma worse. Ask any smokers not to smoke in your presence.
If you have asthma that is not covered by health insurance, contact someone in a government agency, like a social worker. It is important that you are able to afford your asthma medications, so a social worker may be able to find you a clinic or hospital that offers your medication at little to no cost.
Bed linens attract things that cause asthma attacks. To reduce the chance that your bed linens will induce an asthma attack, wash your sheets every week in hot water. Fresh, laundered bedding will help you sleep that much easier at night.
As you can see, there are several ways for you to control or stop asthma from interfering with 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.
Get a second opinion. While your primary care physician should be your go-to source for asthma help, consider making an appointment with a specialist or two. Pulmonologists, allergists, asthma centers and nutritionists can help you take advantage of the many treatments available to those with asthma.