Asthma is a condition that will give you a lifelong struggle. It can keep you from accomplishing even simplest tasks, such as going for a nice walk outdoors. There’s no cure for asthma, and keeping it under control can be challenging. The below article provides some advice on preventing your symptoms from getting too bad.
If you have any children who suffer from asthma, avoid smoking around them at all costs. Secondhand smoke is a leading cause of asthma, and it can also trigger an asthma attack. Any place where smoking is allowed should be avoided if you have a child with asthma.
People afflicted by asthma should make it a priority to always avoid exposure to smoke, vapors and fumes. You must abstain from using any tobacco products. Also, when job hunting, you need to take into consideration whether or not you will be exposed to anything detrimental to your condition while on the job.
If you suffer from asthma, it is vital that you avoid smoking; if you do, you should quit. Smoking isn’t healthy for anyone, but if you are afflicted with asthma, preventing oxygen from getting to your lungs is just begging for an attack.
Cleaning products should be avoided when you have asthma. Many chemicals contained in common cleaning products can aggravate your asthma, triggering an attack. Use natural cleaners instead of chemical cleaners to reduce your chances of asthma attacks after cleaning.
If you are suffering from asthma, stay away from any type of cigarette smoke. Never smoke yourself! Air pollution and fumes from harsh chemicals also increase asthma symptoms. This can trigger an unstoppable asthma attack. Leave a room if people smoke, or ask them to stop.
Asthma Triggers
Learn how to properly use your inhaler. Move to a quiet area, and then simply follow manufacturer’s instructions. You can inhale all you want, but it’s useless if the medication doesn’t make it to your lungs. Inhale air while spraying the necessary amount of medication into your mouth. Hold in your breath for 10 seconds so the medicine works properly.
Avoid being around any known asthma triggers. Asthma triggers will vary greatly between individuals. If you have allergy related asthma, you will want to avoid pollen and dust. For other people it may physical activities that will set them off. It is important to determine what triggers your asthma attacks so you can try to avoid those things.
If you have asthma and cannot get health insurance, see a social worker. It is crucial that you be able to pay for your asthma medications, and a social worker might be able to locate a hospital or clinic for you that offers medications at a much cheaper price.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma, you must avoid cigarette smoke at all costs. Never smoke yourself! It is also a good idea to stay away from the fumes or vapors from harsh chemicals, such as those used in cleaning. This can set off an Asthma attack that you might not be able to stop. If people smoke around you, you should get away form that area.
Get a flu shot every season and make sure your family does as well. It is a good idea to avoid all respiratory infections when you have asthma. This means that you should take all standard precautions to avoid illness, such as washing your hands, getting vaccinated and avoiding those who are sick.
If you are having trouble dealing with asthma, a leukotriene inhibitor might be of good use. Leukotriene inhibitors work to prevent leukotrienes. Leukotriene is a substance that may cause inflammation. This can make a person have an asthma attack. When used properly, an inhibitor can help reduce symptoms and prevent attacks.
A dehumidifier is a beneficial investment for anyone with asthma. Not only will a dehumidifier decrease humidity, but it will also be helpful in controlling the dust mite population. Both are causative factors in asthma attacks. Dehumidifiers reduce humidity and keep the air in your home dry.
You might want to purchase a dehumidifier to use at home if you have asthma. A dehumidifier will reduce attacks by taking extra humidity and, by extension, dust mites and other debris out of your air. A dehumidifying device reduces the moisture in the air.
When you are suffering from asthma and you have hay fever or a cold, you will most likely need an increase in your treatment. The effects of some illnesses can exacerbate the effects of your asthma, causing the need for more treatments. Your doctor may also add another treatment to your regimen until your illness gets better.
If you are an asthma patient, be sure to stay away from people who smoke, even if you are not a smoker yourself. Tobacco smoke causes your lung function to decrease, increasing the risk of a very severe attack, especially in enclosed rooms without much air flow or ventilation.
You need to know what the asthma triggers are so that they can be avoided or treated promptly. Most with asthma share common triggers, like pet dander, pollen or smoke. Make a special effort to avoid agents that bring on even minor asthma symptoms, much less a major attack.
You can help to prevent asthma attacks by maintaining a clean home, particularly the asthmatic’s bedroom. Food should be restricted to the kitchen, and smoking inside the home should never be permitted. Thoroughly air out your house after every cleaning, and stay away from bleach and similar harsh chemicals while cleaning indoors.
Make sure that your rescue medication is at hand at all times during your travels. The stress of travel may temporarily weaken your body and make you more vulnerable to attack triggers. You won’t be able to control factors in your environment, such as air quality, while are away from home. This also adds to the likelihood of an attack or more symptoms than you are used to at home.
Allergens, the common cold and influenza can increase your asthma symptoms. Adjusting your medication may be necessary to manage the symptoms of these and other illnesses. Your doctor may prescribe a new medicine or change the dose of your existing medication until the hay fever or cold passes.
Most of the triggers for attacks, and causes of asthma, are found inside the home. These include dust, mold and spores. To stay healthy and reduce the chance of asthma attacks, you should have an inspector visit your house yearly to remove these harmful agents. Conscientious house-cleaning can help prevent buildup of substances in your home that might trigger an asthma attack.
A support group can offer empathy and information about new treatments and medication. Extremely severe asthma can be debilitating and prevent one from living a full life. Also, other asthma sufferers can alert you to scientific breakthroughs and changes, such as new medications.
Protect yourself against breathing in cold air that aggravates your asthma by wearing a scarf that covers your nose and mouth. This will warm the air before it gets in your lungs. By breathing in cold air, it has been proven that it could trigger an asthma attack more so in children that are younger and suffer from severe to moderate asthma.
Asthma is a serious diagnosis, and it should never be taken lightly or ignored. Take all appropriate steps to reduce and prevent symptoms, and seek professional help when you think symptoms are getting out of control. If you use the above advice, you can make asthma something you only have to attend to occasionally rather than something that rules your life.
If traveling by plane with your asthma equipment or medications, always carry your written prescription with you to avoid problems. Having proof that it belongs to you and is medically necessary will make the security check easier.