From the very young to the very old, asthma is an extremely serious condition regardless of age. You must be vigilant regarding your symptoms, and be certain to consult good doctors in regards to your condition. This article will give you some suggestions on how to make your asthma easier to deal with.
It is imperative that you do your best to avoid cleaning chemicals if you are asthmatic. Many of the chemicals in cleaning products can trigger asthma symptoms or attacks. It is advisable to consider using products that have an organic base when cleaning.
When you have asthma, you need to be careful around chemical cleaning products. Asthma sufferers are often sensitive to chemical cleaners; using these products can sometimes trigger asthma attacks. If you have the job of cleaning your house, you should safer, natural products.
Avoid the things that trigger your asthma. For some people, it may be related to allergies, such as a reaction to dust or pollen. Others have asthma attacks when they participate in physical activities. Knowing exactly what sets off your asthma is thus, very important.
A lot of medications can trigger an asthma attack without you knowing. Aspirin and some other NSAIDs may do this. Some medications for blood pressure and heart disease – those referred to as beta blockers – can also exacerbate asthma problems. If you’ve been diagnosed as asthmatic and are taking medications unrelated to your asthma, be sure your doctor is aware of them.
If allergy symptoms cause you to have moderate to severe asthma attacks, there is a medication available that can help for extended periods of time. Omalizumab is one such medication, and can control the allergic symptoms you may be experienced. An allergist will be able to tell you if this is a good option.
If you are experiencing a moderately severe attack, try to first exhale completely. Exhale quickly and with power. You want to force all of the air from your lungs. Do your inhalations in triple bursts of short breaths, and then follow with final deep inhalation so that you fill your lungs comfortably, before exhaling with vehemence once more. This technique develops a breathing rhythm, allowing you to notice the breaths that you take in. It also keeps air flowing out of the lung,s so that you can refill them. Do not be alarmed if you cough or generate excess mucous; this is perfectly normal. Your only concern is to return your breathing to normal.
If you have asthma that is not covered by health insurance, contact someone in a government agency, like a social worker. You will need asthma medications, and if you are unable to afford them, a social worker can find a hospital or clinic that can offer you medication for free or for a little cost.
If your asthma attacks are severe, you may want to speak with your doctor about a long lasting injection of medication to control your symptoms. It is called omalizumab, and it is an antibody medicine used to control allergic reaction symptoms. You will need to speak to your allergist to find out if this would be helpful to you.
If you have asthma, you may wish to consider installing a dehumidifier in your home. By decreasing the humidity you have in your home, it will decrease the dust mites, which will then decrease your asthma from flaring up. Dehumidifiers keep the air in your home dry by eliminating humidity.
Immune System
Lower the chances of asthma attacks by keeping a spotless home, particularly in the areas where you sleep. Do not allow smoking in your house, and keep food in your kitchen. Don’t use bleach or harsh chemicals inside, and air out the house as much as possible after cleaning.
When suffering from asthma, there are vitamins that can help, including E and C. There is some evidence that these two vitamins can improve breathing and lower the frequency of asthma attacks. It is possible to acquire the necessary amounts by eating foods or by taking dietary supplements. Vitamins C and E are necessary for a healthy immune system. If your immune system isn’t healthy, it won’t be able to fight off illnesses that cause asthma attacks.
Asthma treatment dosages will need to be increased if you are sick with a cold or are dealing with hay fever. Many illnesses have side effects that could cause your asthma to flare up so badly that you need to have an increase in treatment. Your family doctor may recommend adding another treatment or medication to your current regimen until you recover from your illness.
Scented products could cause averse reactions to asthma sufferers. It is safest to use unscented products when possible. Using products with scents, like perfume, incense and air fresheners, boosts the amount of air pollution indoors and can bring on an attack. Be aware that fresh paint and new carpet also can emit harmful odors that irritate sensitive airways. Keep your indoor air as clean as you can.
If you have asthma, use a pillow that doesn’t have feathers in it. Feathers can decrease lung function and cause asthma symptoms. This applies to bedding, as well, so it’s best to make sure that everything on your bed is hypoallergenic.
Be prepared for your asthma treatment to be increased if you have a cold or hay fever. Make sure your doctor prescribes a fast acting inhaler for emergency situations. Your physician might also work an additional treatment into your therapy until such time as you are healthier.
There is good reason to make sure you have your rescue medicine for asthma in a convenient, easy to reach place. Traveling to places can strain your body, and it is more vulnerable to asthma triggers when it is under strain. You also have less control of your surroundings while you are away from home, so it is difficult to avoid potential triggers and to maintain control over your attack.
Make sure you are aware of what triggers your asthma so you can avoid it or prepare properly. Most asthma sufferers have a few common triggers such as smoke, pet dander or pollen. It is best to do all that is possible to avoid triggers that can cause attacks.
If you or a loved one suffers from asthma, a support group may help. You can find support groups online or in your community. Asthma can be an extremely debilitating health issue and can stop you from participating in life the way you want to. Furthermore, these groups will keep you informed about any changes in medicines or any other scientific discoveries that are relevant.
Avoid pillows with feathers if you have asthma. The feathers from a pillow can cause asthma symptoms and decrease your lung function. You should also look into hypoallergenic materials when buying sheets and a comforter.
If you are traveling by plane and must bring inhalers or nebulizers on board, you should bring a written prescription for the equipment. Written proof of needing your equipment can help you with any issues you might have in the security line.
Mold and mildew can grow in your home where there is humidity. These fungi are both common triggers for asthma attacks. Therefore, it is important to maintain a dry 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.
A preventative inhaler should be used every day, but you should know that this can cause infections near the teeth and gums in your mouth. One way to reduce the probability of such infections is to immediately brush and gargle after inhaling the medicine.
In the winter, prevent attacks by wearing shawls, mufflers and scarves that cover the nose and mouth. You can inhale warmer air into your body with these. Breathing in cold air tends to start asthma attacks, especially with younger children that have severe or moderate asthma.
Asthma sufferers should avoid coming into contact with both domestic and farm animals. Even if they are not allergic to the animals, the pollen and dust that animals attract can trigger an asthma attack.
Asthma generally takes a long time to develop, and the symptoms may be vague at first, making it difficult to diagnose the problem. There are lots of cases where people die of an asthma attack without knowing they had asthma. Therefore, if you have trouble breathing or a constant cough, you may want to seek a medical professional to determine if you have asthma. Your physician can also determine whether you need medication for either asthma prevention or asthma treatment.
Educate yourself about asthma. The more you know about the condition, the better you can help yourself. In order to ensure that you are always getting the best possible care, stay abreast of new developments and up-to-date treatments. You can do this only if you learn all about your condition plus the treatment options available to you.
Asthma is no joke. Asthma attacks can be lethal, so you should take measures to reduce the chances of your asthma going out of control. For example, always keep with you an inhaler which is good should you suffer from an attack. Also, lessen the amount of allergens and airborne dust in your home. By implementing this advice, your symptoms may improve and you can keep your asthma under control.
If you are planning on painting a room in your house, buy a mask in advance to protect you from breathing in fumes. The fumes from the pain can irritate your asthma. By using a mask, you will keep yourself from inhaling the majority of these fumes. Avoid chemicals, substances and scents that aggravate your asthma.