Asthma can be life threatening at its worst, while it still can completely restrict your lifestyle and your ability to do even the simplest things, like taking a walk outside. That is why it is important that you do whatever you can to control this condition. Apply these simple tips to reduce your symptoms and prevent it from taking over your life.
Do you know what sub-type of asthma you’re plagued with? If you identify your specific causes, you can be prepared to treat the symptoms when they appear during your daily routines. One example of this is exercise-induced asthma. This type of asthmatic will need to carry his inhaler with him when he goes for a run. You will be able to prevent asthma attacks if you can recognize symptoms.
People afflicted by asthma should make it a priority to always avoid exposure to smoke, vapors and fumes. 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.
If you are asthmatic, you absolutely must not subject yourself to any form of cigarette smoke. Smoking is bad for everyone, but it’s particularly dangerous for an asthma sufferer, as it cuts off vital oxygen to the lungs.
Asthmatics should not smoke. If you smoke – quit immediately. Smoking is unhealthy for anyone, regardless of their health; however, when you have asthma, smoking restricts the oxygen your lungs needs to breathe and function properly. If your lung function is affected, you run the risk of having more frequent attacks.
You should stay away from anything you might believe which can trigger an asthma attack. Some people have allergies that cause asthma, and allergens such as dust and pollen can cause an attack. For others, attacks can be caused by physical activities. Determine what sets your asthma off so you can stay away from these things.
Avoid the things that trigger your asthma. For some people, this is allergy related; things like pollen and dust can start an attack. For other people it may physical activities that will set them off. Try to figure out when your asthma began so it can be avoided.
There are some medications out there that you could be taking which will actually trigger your asthma symptoms. Believe it or not, something as seemingly innocuous as aspirin can actually trigger symptoms. The medication you take for high blood pressure can also cause asthma symptoms. Talk to a doctor if you have any of these conditions along with asthma.
If you find yourself having a mild asthma attack, force the air from your lungs until they are empty. Exhale quickly and forcefully. Forcefully push the air out from your lungs. Inhale in three short breaths and one fourth deeper breath so that your lungs are comfortably full of air, then exhale forcefully again. Pay attention to what you are doing and follow a regular rhythm. When air is forcefully exhaled, it allows a fresh intake of air to fill your lungs. It is okay to cough, even to generate sputum. Your ultimate goal is getting your breathing regulated.
It’s been proven that you should use no more than four cleaning products in the home. If you do it can increase the risk of asthma attacks. Try using organic cleaning products which don’t contain irritating chemicals.
If you are a person with asthma and have persistent attacks related to allergy symptoms, a medication that can be used for a long term effect is one that can be injected. One antibody medication available is called Omalizumab and can be prescribed by your doctor or allergist.
Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke because it is as dangerous to asthmatics as smoking a cigarette. When tobacco smoke is inhaled, especially in closed-in areas, your lung function can be drastically decreased, which can increase your chances of suffering from an attack.
Consider a leokotriene inhibitor if your asthma is not controlled by other methods. Leukotriene inhibitors are used to prevent things called leukotrienes. A leukotriene will cause inflammation in the respiratory system, causing an asthma attack. When used properly, an inhibitor can help reduce symptoms and prevent attacks.
Figure out your asthma triggers. Once you know what they are, you can change your lifestyle to prevent asthma attacks. If you can’t avoid a trigger, you can pack your inhaler, take allergy pills or engage in other preventive measures so you don’t have an attack. If you have asthma, it’s most likely triggered by things such as being around animals or pollen. Most asthmatics also can’t tolerate smoke. Avoid these things when you can to breathe easier.
Be certain to properly use your inhaler. Find a good place and follow all of the directions that have been provided by the maker of the product. The medicine in the inhaler only works if it actually makes it to your lungs. As you are inhaling air, spray the correct dosage in your mouth. After inhaling, it’s important that you hold the medication in by holding your breath for 10 seconds at the least.
Take your rescue inhaler and keep it handy when you travel. Traveling causes extra strain on your already stressed body, which makes your body more susceptible to bothersome asthma triggers. You can’t exert as much control over your environment when you travel, so you may have an asthma attack or exacerbation of symptoms under unfamiliar conditions.
If you have asthma and cannot afford health insurance or have no eligibility, bring up your situation with a social worker. Affording asthma medication is important for handling the illness, and social workers can find places the offer the medicine at low costs.
You must have regular asthma reviews, even if you are not having any problems. It is impossible to predict the next attack. Furthermore, newer or safer asthma medications may be approved in the time since you last visited your doctor.
An annual flu vaccination is highly recommended for yourself and your family. When you are afflicted with asthma, steer as clear as you can of all types of respiratory infections. It is important to do things like hand washing and receiving proper vaccinations.
Think about signing up for a support group locally or online. Since severe asthma can be quite debilitating, it can have a huge impact on your everyday life. Also, communicating with other people with asthma will keep you in the know about changes in how the condition is understood and treated.
If you are using a lot of different cleaners around your house you can trigger a asthma attack. Use organic products as often as possible, as these contain fewer harsh chemicals.
Mold and mildew can thrive in a humid home environment. Both of these allergens can be contributing factors in asthma attacks. You will benefit greatly from keeping the moisture out of your home’s air. Whenever you use a heater, you should use a dehumidifier, and air conditioning will help in the summer.
If someone in your home has asthma, make sure to keep a clean house, especially their bedroom so that the risk of an attack is reduced. Only allow food in the kitchen, and never smoke indoors. Air the house out thoroughly after cleaning and avoid the use of bleach and other harsh chemicals indoors.
Asthma is a disease that can develop slowly over time, making it sometimes difficult to spot the symptoms. There are many cases where people have died from their first asthma attack, without even being aware that they were at risk. Given that fact, if you have any kind of consistent cough or respiratory ailments, consulting a physician for testing is a good idea, since you want to know if you are suffering from asthma and if so, what to do about it.
Asthma Treatment
If traveling by plane with your asthma equipment or medications, always carry your written prescription with you to avoid problems. The written prescription will help you get through security without difficulty, because it establishes that your nebulizer and supplies are medically necessary.
Be prepared for your asthma treatment to be increased if you have a cold or hay fever. Side effects that are associated with most illnesses can serve as triggers for asthma and may cause an increase in your asthma treatment. Your physician might also work an additional treatment into your therapy until such time as you are healthier.
Try using a inhaler that prevents asthma every day, but you should know that one of the side effects is mouth infections of teeth and gums. To best method to prevent these side effects and complications is by brushing your teeth, then gargling directly after using the inhaler.
Make sure you get a flu shot once a year if you suffer from asthma. This annual flu shot will prevent infectious damage to your lungs.
When preventing asthma, stay away from smoke. Smoking can actually trigger an asthma attack. You should attempt to minimize your contact with cigarette smoke, chemical fumes, and noxious vapors. Any inhalant, which is irritating, can trigger an asthma attack! Ask any smokers not to smoke in your presence.
Don’t skip appointments for your checkups, even if you haven’t had any recent asthma attacks. Medical science is constantly evolving, so the doctor might know about a new treatment for you. Besides, you can never be sure when another attack might come on, so it’s better to be checked out.
Dust and other allergens often accumulate in bed sheets. These threats can be reduced or even eliminated by keeping your bed linens laundered every week using hot water. You’re less likely to have an asthma attack while asleep or upon first waking up if your bedding is fresh and clean.
Asthma Attack
Asthma sufferers should definitely stay indoors more when pollen increases. Despite being different conditions, asthma and allergies can be triggered by the same kinds of irritants. Air quality readings are often available locally, and utilizing this information is key in minimizing exposure to harmful airborne irritants.
Asthma is a disease that effects the respiratory system, and can take many years to develop, often times going undetected. Some people have even died from having an asthma attack, and they didn’t even know they had asthma. 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.
Try to consume foods that are rich in B6 vitamins. Studies have found that vitamin B6, which is sometimes referred to as pyridoxine, can make asthma attacks less frequent and less intense. Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) is instrumental in the production of specific molecules which help the bronchial tissue to relax. Chicken and carrots, as well as bananas, are two good food sources which contain vitamin B6.
You may want to consider having numerous doctors treat your asthma. You want to see your primary doctor for asthma help, though you should also see some specialists. Asthma centers, pulmonologists, nutritionists and allergists can all work with you, making sure you are getting all the treatment you need.
Finding out what causes your asthma attacks can be the most effective way to prevent them. A notebook is a good idea for finding specific triggers, so you can talk about them with your physician. After you figure them out, try to stay away from your triggers, and take them out of your environment if you can.
Many people underestimate asthma, or at least think that they can’t do anything about it since it is an incurable disease. However, you’ll be amazed at how much difference you can make simply by following these simple steps to try and relieve symptoms and reduce the sources of asthma attacks.
Know what asthma symptoms are an indicator of a life threatening attack that requires a trip to the hospital emergency room for your child. If the usual doses of asthma medication, including the emergency inhaler, fail to have an effect on wheezing symptoms, the attack is considered serious. Other signs of a severe attack include a bluish tint to the lips, fingernails, or fingertips, as a result of lack of oxygen intake. During these severe attacks, it may be difficult for your child to speak.