Obviously, healthy lungs are essential, and when an illness like asthma causes problems with them, it has a major effect on your life. That doesn’t mean that there is no way to manage your condition and lead a normal life as asthma is not the end to living! With this advice, a life with asthma won’t be so much of a burden.
Asthma is a disease that is ongoing and must be attended to every day. Be certain that you are prescribed or using the appropriate medicine to manage your daily symptoms, and that you have an emergency medicine readily available in the event of an attack. Work with your allergist and doctor to find the right treatment program that makes you feel good and allows you to still do the things you want to do.
Avoid those things that you know can trigger your asthma. For many, allergens like dust and pollen, can trigger their attacks. It could also be some type of strenuous exercise. It is important to determine what triggers your asthma attacks so you can try to avoid those things.
If you are suffering from a moderate or mild attack, do your best to force as much air out of the lungs as possible. Make your exhalations quick and forceful. Push that air from your lungs with all that you’ve got! Then, follow three short intakes of breath with one longer inhalation until your lungs are filled with air, although not uncomfortably so. Finally, expel the air from your lungs with force again. This gives your breathing a rhythm, which makes you aware of how many breaths you take. It also expels air from your lungs so more can enter. This may cause you to cough or it may cause phlegm, but your breathing will be back to normal again.
The symptoms of asthma might not always be apparent, but for those that suffer from the disease, the condition never goes away entirely. 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. Talk to your doctor and allergist to see what is the best idea for you.
It is crucial that you stay away from all types of cigarette smoke if you suffer from asthma. Never smoke a cigarette! Avoid breathing chemical fumes and vapors. This may cause an asthma attack you can’t stop. If others are smoking and you are nearby, get away from them immediately.
Don’t turn on the fan if the dust in a room is aggravating your asthma. This will cause the dust to move around, which could cause an asthma attack. The better way would be to open a window to increase the airflow in the room.
When you are having a difficult time with asthma, you might want to use a leukotriene inhibitor. There are modern medicines that are highly effective at blocking leukotrienes. Leukotriene is a type of chemical substance which may cause inflammation and could cause an attack. By blocking the effects of leukotrienes, a leukotriene inhibitor can reduce the frequency and severity of your asthma attacks.
Asthmatics should avoid being exposed to smoke, regardless if you are a smoker. When you inhale tobacco smoke, you are severely increasing the likelihood of an asthma attack. This is especially true in small, confined areas with little to no ventilation.
Always use your inhaler in the proper manner. Find a good place and follow all of the directions that have been provided by the maker of the product. The only way the inhaler can help is if the medication can reach your lungs. Make sure that you spray the required dosage directly into your mouth, inhaling the medication into your lungs. Allow the mist to fill up your lungs by holding your breath at least ten seconds.
Buy products that are unscented if you suffer from asthma. Products that contain strong scents, like incense, perfume, or air freshener can trigger an asthma attack just by lingering in the air. Fresh paint and new carpeting give off odors that can irritate sensitive airways. Aim to keep the air as fresh as possible indoors.
If you’re having asthma problems, a dehumidifier is a beneficial purchase. When your home has less humidity, there are less dust mites, and that minimizes the chances of an asthma flare-up. Use a dehumidifier, and the air you breath will be much less likely to cause your asthma to flare up.
You need to know what the asthma triggers are so that they can be avoided or treated promptly. 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.
People suffering from asthma should stick to 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. Put down some new carpeting and throw up a coat of paint to get rid of indoor odors. Try to maintain fresh air inside your home.
If you are an asthma patient, you may want to sleep with a pillow that does not contain feathers. 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.
Keep your home free of dust and other triggers, especially where the person who suffers from asthma sleeps. Keep food consumption to the kitchen and the dining room, and never allow anyone to smoke in the house. When cleaning your home, try not to use products that contain harsh chemicals, such as bleach. You should also allow fresh air to thoroughly circulate throughout your home after you’re done cleaning it.
Find out how you are supposed to use your asthma medication and rescue treatments. Typically, asthma is treated using normal medications along with rescue medication, like an inhaler, for emergency situations. Asthma is considered a chronic condition. For this reason, you should take the management of it very seriously.
Receiving a flu shot annually is very important if you or a loved one are asthmatic. Stave off these infections immediately by getting your vaccinations yearly.
Asthma Attack
To stay out in front of your asthma, make sure that you see the doctor to receive regular checkups. You can never tell when an attack will strike, or when your physician may have some better or safer advice for you to follow.
Asthma is a medical condition that tends to slowly develop over time, and the symptoms are not always that obvious. A few people have even died from an asthma attack without knowing they even had this dangerous condition. It is advised that you seek out a medical professional if you ever have shortness of breath or experience constant coughing; this may be a sign that you suffer from asthma and need proper medication to prevent an asthma attack and keep your condition under control.
Think about the benefits of joining an online or in-person support group. Asthma is a terrible condition that can prevent you from engaging in simple daily activities. On top of that, an asthma support group will keep you apprised of the latest developments in asthma medication and other significant medical breakthroughs.
If you have asthma, clean your floors with a wet mop, instead of sweeping with a traditional broom. Sweeping stirs up dust and other things that can trigger your asthma. Using a damp rag instead of a feather duster when you dust will lessen the spread of these triggers.
Mildew and mold grow best in a home with high humidity. They are a nuisance for people with asthma; the asthma attacks they trigger require you to eliminate them. A dry home will help you out a lot more. In the winter months, use a dehumidifier in order to get rid of moisture. Your air conditioner will keep it dry in the summer.
Bed linens often trap allergens, dust, pollen and other things that can aggravate asthma. Wash sheets on a weekly basis to rid them of allergens. Use hot water to wash the sheets. You should also wash pillowcases. Sleeping with fresh bed linens will ensure you can breathe easy when you sleep.
Asthma is a medical condition that tends to slowly develop over time, and the symptoms are not always that obvious. In a lot of cases, people die from an asthma attack because they didn’t know they had the condition. Because of this, if you notice that you have trouble breathing or are constantly coughing, you may want to visit your doctor. They can tell you if you have asthma and if there is a medication that you should be taking. Your doctor can also tell you if there is something you can do to prevent asthma from developing.
If you are suffering from asthma, you should learn how to utilize your inhaler the right way. It is not as simple as spraying it into your mouth and breathing in. Every time you spray the inhaler, be sure to breathe the mist in deeply and hold it for a a few moments. Properly using your asthma inhaler is one of the most important ways you, as a person with asthma, can protect your health.
If you are taking your prescriptions with you on a flight, make sure to take your prescription. Having proof that it belongs to you and is medically necessary will make the security check easier.
Treatment Plan
Someone suffering from asthma should avoid animals. Even if they are not allergic to the animals, the pollen and dust that animals attract can trigger an asthma attack.
Have your asthma situation checked out by a doctor every so often, so that you are not blindsided by changes in your condition. Your physician needs to have the opportunity to see what is happening with you, and alter your treatment plan if necessary. It is up to you to work with your doctor at regular appointments to keep your treatment plan working.
When dealing with an asthma attack, it is important to stay calm. Use the inhaler, wait thirty seconds, and use once more. If your attack worsens, get help. Have some one call for an ambulance or take you to the hospital. Try breathing into a paper bag in order to slow down your breathing while on the way to the hospital.
Fighting asthma is a life long battle, but it can become easier with each day if you follow good advice, such as that given here or from your doctor. Your asthma can be under control, but at the same time you can be on the look out for new, more effective treatments.
Going to an asthma support group or just talking to people who also have asthma can really help out. They can help you with advice on what you can do in some situations, and they can also help you with information on how to to fight your asthma. Having support from other people in the same situation as you are is an amazing help to your treatment and state of mind.