Your lungs are pretty important for healthy body function, so it’s not all surprising that a condition like asthma can put a damper on activities of daily living. There are still ways to manage a normal life and remain safe, so do not think asthma means the end to fun and good health. You can control your asthma with medication, treatments and by listening to the advice of your doctor.
You need to make sure that you do not smoke and that you stay away from a lot of fumes and vapors if you suffer from asthma. This means avoidance of all tobacco products, as well as taking into consideration any smoke or vapors you might be exposed to in a prospective workplace.
Asthma can cause increased sensitivity to the ingredients contained in many cleaning products. A lot of these products contain harsh chemicals such as ammonia. These chemicals wreak havoc on you and can trigger an attack. While anyone responsible for cleaning their home can’t avoid cleaning products altogether, it’s best to only use natural products.
There are many different types of asthma. Understanding the specifics of your asthma will help you to avoid attack triggers in your day-to-day life. For example, if you have exercise-induced asthma, you will want to always make sure you have an inhaler in your gym bag. Knowing your symptoms’ patterns can help you avoid big problems.
Never use a fan in a dirty, dust-filled room. 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. On smog-free, low pollen days, open your windows to improve airflow in the house.
Keep clear of anything that you know to be a trigger for your asthma. This can vary from person to person, as small particles like dust can cause asthma attacks. Others experience an attack from physical activities. It is important to determine what triggers your asthma attacks so you can try to avoid those things.
A leukotriene inhibitor may be an excellent way for you to deal with asthma. It works to prevent leukotrienes. The inflammation caused by this substance can trigger the symptoms of asthma. The inhibitor will block leukotrienes from getting into your lungs and lessen the chances of you suffering an asthma attack.
There are some medications out there that you could be taking which will actually trigger your asthma symptoms. Various NSAIDs and aspirin have been reported to do this. You can also use medications that can control high blood pressure and heart disease, things like beta blockers. Make sure your physician is aware of all of your chronic conditions and any medications you are on so they can treat your asthma appropriately.
Using more than four different types of cleaning products in your home has been shown to increase the risk of an asthma attack. Use organic products as often as possible, as these contain fewer harsh chemicals.
Anyone suffering from asthma or asthma-like symptoms needs to stay clear of cigarette smoke, whether you smoke yourself, or even if you’re breathing secondhand smoke. Smoking is especially dangerous for asthmatics. Avoid all fumes of chemical products or breathing harmful vapors. This can trigger an asthma attack, which may be difficult to stop. If you are around people who smoke, leave the area very fast.
If you have hay fever or a cold, you will probably need increased treatment of your asthma. 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 physician might also add more treatments to your regimen until your asthma is under control again.
If you have asthma, you may wish to consider installing a dehumidifier in your home. Cutting down the humidity in the house will lower the amount dust mites in the air, and that will mean fewer asthma flare-ups. Dehumidifiers reduce attacks in your home by making the air cleaner and drier.
Those who have asthma should avoid down pillows. Feather can decrease lung function and trigger asthma symptoms. The same rule holds true for bedding. Choose sheets and a comforter that are constructed from materials known for being hypoallergenic.
If you use more than four types of chemical cleaning agents in your house the risk of your child having an asthma attack increases. Try using organic cleaning products which don’t contain irritating chemicals.
When traveling, make sure to have your rescue medication handy at all times. It’s easy to get thrown off your regular eating and sleeping routine while traveling, which strains your body and increases your vulnerability to asthma attack triggers. While on the road, it is also hard to control the environment you are in, which also makes an attack more likely.
It is best to use products that are unscented in the home with someone who is asthmatic. Products that contain fragrance, such as perfumes, colognes, or air fresheners, introduce irritants into the air around you that can trigger your asthma. Certain things in the home, such as newly installed carpet or fresh paint, can also release chemical irritants. Take all necessary measures to ensure that your home is always filled with fresh, clean air.
Even if you have not had any recent breathing problems, you should nonetheless schedule regular checkups. It is important to make sure your condition isn’t worsening, and your doctor may want to prescribe a different medication.
To cut the risk of an asthma attack, keep your house as clean as you can, particularly the bedroom of the person with asthma. Food should not be eaten outside of the kitchen, and there should be no indoor smoking. After you clean, let the house air out completely, and stay away from using any harsh chemicals (especially bleach) inside.
Mildew and mold grow best in a home with high humidity. These substances can easily trigger asthma attacks. Therefore, try and keep the home dry. You can maintain a dry home by using a dehumidifier and heater in the colder months, and air conditioning when it is warm.
Know the right way to use any asthma medication you are taking, in particular your rescue medication. Asthma is generally treated with a rescue medication, usually an inhaler, in addition to a regularly-taken maintenance medication. Asthma doesn’t go away, so it’s important to be vigilant about taking your daily medication and using your rescue inhaler when an attack occurs.
Asthma Attacks
Track how often you use your inhaler during each week. Your medication may need to be adjusted or an alternative treatment considered if you find that you need to use it 3 or more times per week. You can use your frequency of inhaler use to gauge the effectiveness of your asthma treatment plan and make modifications when necessary.
During the colder months, avoid asthma attacks by wearing a scarf, shawl or muffler that covers the mouth and nose. Proper winter wear can keep cold air from agitating your lungs. Inhalation of cold air is proven to initiate asthma attacks, and younger kids afflicted with asthma of moderate or severe proportions are especially at risk.
When housecleaning, it is better to clean your floors with a damp mop than sweeping them with a broom. The action of sweeping can swirl up a whole cloud of asthma-triggering particles. When dusting, try to use a damp rag rather than a feather duster to cut down on the spread of the triggers.
When housecleaning, it is better to clean your floors with a damp mop than sweeping them with a broom. When you sweep, you are stirring up asthma triggers that can cause you to have an asthma attack. A damp rag should be used when dusting because a feather duster can cause dust to kick up and lead to an asthma attack.
Bed linens often trap allergens, dust, pollen and other things that can aggravate asthma. Use fresh linens to make up your bed on a regular basis. Clean bed linens that are washed frequently will help you breathe easier every time your head hits the pillow.
Asthma sufferers should minimize their contact with animals and pets. While allergies from animals can complicate asthma, those without allergies can get asthma attacks from dust or pollen that the animals carry.
Do not use a vaporizer or humidifier unless you are sure it’s been thoroughly cleaned. Bacteria can breed inside the moist machine and you would be releasing them along with the humid air.
If you have asthma, don’t smoke. People know that smoking is dangerous, but it is even more dangerous to those with asthma. Smoking is very bad for people who suffer from asthma, be sure not to smoke, but not to be around people that smoke.
Learn everything you can about your condition. Knowledge is power, and enlightened proactive steps yield immeasurable dividends in your treatment and management regimen. Keep up to date on the different treatments and always be sure to have the best possible care for yourself. The best thing to do is learn and research as much as you can about this condition and the treatment options that would be best for you.
Managing your asthma is a lifelong task, but it gets easier every day as long as you stay informed and follow good advice and habits, from your doctor or the tips contained here. Because of a constantly evolving set of treatments, asthma and the suffering related thereto will soon be a thing of the past.
Schedule regular visits with your doctor to check up on your asthma. Ideally these should occur every few months. This will give your doctor a chance to assess your current asthma condition, and make any needed adjustments to your medication. It is up to you to schedule these visits with the doctor so he or she can monitor your progress, and work to keep you healthy.