Having asthma can completely change your life. At its worst, this condition can be life-threatening. And, even having mild asthma can greatly restrict the things you love to do in life. It’s important that you take all steps necessary in order to properly manage this affliction. Use these tips to get rid of symptoms and not let it take over!
Smoking is a horrible habit, even deadly, for an asthma sufferer. Smoking is a terrible habit but it’s even worse for someone who suffers from asthma as it decreases the amount of oxygen that gets to your lungs.
There are some common medications that you could be using that will cause asthma symptoms. Examples of medications that may contribute to asthma are aspirin and other NSAIDs. Beta blockers can also have this affect, as well as other medications for controlling high blood pressure and heart disease. Talk to a doctor if you have any of these conditions along with asthma.
Avoid exposing yourself to any of your known asthma triggers. For many, allergens like dust and pollen, can trigger their attacks. It could also be some type of strenuous exercise. Do your best to understand and figure what exactly triggers your asthma so that you know what you need to avoid.
Avoid using a fan in any room that has excessive dust. An asthma attack can be easily triggered by the moving dust. Open a window to bring clean, cool air inside instead.
When suffering a mild or even moderate asthma attack, attempt to push all air from your lungs. Breathe out aggressively, as hard as you can. This will force the air from your lungs. Take three breaths in succession. These breaths don’t have to be deep, just breathe a little. Then take a deep breath, pulling as much air as possible into your lungs. When your lungs are as full as you can stand, force the air out. Pay attention to what you are doing and follow a regular rhythm. It also pushes the air out of your lungs, so that more air can come in. This breathing technique may cause some coughing or sputum, but it can help regulate your breathing and reduce the attack.
If you have asthma and have frequent attacks that are related to allergies, there are medicines that can be injected to provide you with long-term relief. Omalizumab can effectively control allergy symptoms you may be experiencing and can be suggested by your local allergist if it fits your needs.
If you have asthma, you need to avoid any kind of tobacco smoke. Avoid smoking altogether. Avoid fumes and vapors of any kind. Doing so can cause an asthma attack you might not have the ability to stop. If you are around others who are smoking, remove yourself.
Asthma Attacks
An annual flu vaccination is recommended for you as well as other members of your family. When you are afflicted with asthma, steer as clear as you can of all types of respiratory infections. Take standard precautions against any kind of illness, and start washing those hands and getting vaccinations that will protect you from getting very sick.
Try a leukotriene inhibitor if you have asthma. As its name suggests, this inhibitor works by preventing the release and build-up of leukotriene. Leukotrienes are inflammation-causing chemicals that can bring on asthma attacks. The inhibitor prevents leukotrienes, and that can decrease the number of asthma attacks you deal with.
Vitamins C and E can greatly assist you in fighting asthma attacks. Both vitamins improve lung function, helping you to better resist asthma attacks and other negative symptoms. You can get both of these vitamins from eating certain foods, or by taking the vitamins in supplement form. Another great benefit of vitamin C is that it will help to strengthen your immune system overall.
Be sure you and your family members get a yearly flu vaccination. You do not want to have a respiratory infection if you have asthma. It is important to do things like hand washing and receiving proper vaccinations.
Keep your home meticulously clean to reduce attack potential if there is an asthma sufferer living there, especially the bedroom. Food must only be allowed in the kitchen area, and there should be no smoking in the house at all. Air the house out thoroughly after cleaning and avoid the use of bleach and other harsh chemicals indoors.
In order to minimize the chance of an asthma attack, be sure to keep your living area very clean, most definitely the bedroom area. Avoid smoking inside, and only let people eat in the kitchen. Bypass chemicals when cleaning your home if at all possible, and be sure to open doors and windows afterwards.
You should know what triggers your asthma attacks; this will allow you to either avoid them or be ready to manage the symptoms. Those who experience asthma are susceptible to some common things like pet dander, smoke, or pollen. Make a special effort to avoid agents that bring on even minor asthma symptoms, much less a major attack.
An annual flu shot is crucial if you have asthma or have an asthmatic child. Keep yourself safe from these outbreaks by getting a yearly shot.
Even if you seem to be fine, see your doctor regularly for your asthma checkups. A flare-up can occur at any time, and your physician may have learned of a prescription medication that can treat your symptoms more safely and effectively.
If you are an asthma patient, you may want to sleep with a pillow that does not contain feathers. Pillow feathers force the lungs to work harder and can exacerbate asthma problems. The same it true for bedding, try purchasing sheets and comforters that are created from hypoallergenic materials.
Some common catalysts of asthma attacks regularly occur in the home. These include mold, dust and spores. An annual visit by a professional inspector can help keep your home free from these agents, and reduce the likelihood of an attack. Furthermore, thorough and frequent cleaning will ensure that allergens and other possible triggers do not accumulate in your home.
If you are flying with your asthma medications, especially a large piece of equipment such as a nebulizer, be sure to bring along a written prescription from your doctor. If you’ve got written proof, it’ll save you a lot of hassle when you’re at a security check.
A humid home environment is a healthy environment for mildew and mold to develop. These can very easily cause an attack. Thus, keep the air in your home as moisture-free as possible to avoid asthma-related problems. In the winter months, use a dehumidifier in order to get rid of moisture. Your air conditioner will keep it dry in the summer.
If you are working to prevent asthma, it is best not to smoke. Smoke and chemicals have been known to trigger asthma attacks. You should stay far away from smoke of any kind, chemicals and vapors. All of these will increase your asthma symptoms. If there’s smoke around you, ask politely for the person to stop smoking.
When it’s colder, wear a shawl, scarf or muffler that will cover your mouth and nose to avoid asthma attacks. This way, the air will be warm before entering your lungs. Studies have indicated that asthma attacks are sometimes triggered when cold air is inhaled. This is especially true for young children who have asthma that is moderate to severe.
Asthma sufferers should minimize their contact with animals and pets. Even sufferers not allergic to a certain animal need to remember that dust and pollen on the animals can still trigger an attack.
Monitor how often, each week, you need your rescue inhaler. Using it two times or may may mean that your asthma is not as controlled as you may think it is. It could also mean that something else is bringing on these frequent attacks. The frequency of your inhaler usage should remind you to monitor the environmental conditions around you and other issues relating to the way you manage your asthma.
Avoid aggravating your asthma condition while sleeping by covering your mattress and pillows with plastic before putting clean linens on. You can cut down on these irritants or eliminate them altogether by washing your bedding and pillow cases in very hot water once a week. The freshly laundered linens will make it easier for you to breath when you are sleeping.
For people with serious asthma, exposure to household pets should be limited. Asthmatics can be affected by the dander or pollen that comes from the animals, even if they have no allergies to them. This can be a very risky situation to put yourself in and should be avoided.
People who suffer from asthma should stay inside as much as they can when the pollen count is up. Even though asthma is not considered to be an allergy, asthma is triggered by the same things that cause allergies. Now that local air quality information is available in most areas, asthma sufferers can minimize their outdoor exposure when potential irritants are in the air.
If you have asthma, you must know how to use your inhaler properly. Simply spraying it into your mouth with just a light inhale will not get the job done. Breath deeply each time you push your inhaler button. Properly using your asthma inhaler is one of the most important ways you, as a person with asthma, can protect your health.
Make sure you keep calm if you are having an asthma attack. Use your inhaler, wait 30 seconds and use it again. If the inhaler does not provide immediate help, get medical help right away. Ask a family member or friend to call for ambulatory help or to drive you to the emergency room. Try breathing into a paper bag in order to slow down your breathing while on the way to the hospital.
If you are planning on painting a room in your house, buy a mask in advance to protect you from breathing in fumes. Asthma is strongly irritated by paint, so a mask will put a shield between you and it, and lessen the problem. Avoid specific chemicals and substances that could worsen your asthma.
Learn as much as possible about asthma. Knowledge is power, and enlightened proactive steps yield immeasurable dividends in your treatment and management regimen. Keep yourself up to date about new findings and find a good doctor. You can only achieve this by researching your condition, as well as, the treatment options available to you.
Speaking to your peers, who also suffer from asthma, can be an eye-opening and life-changing experience. The other members can give you valuable advice on how to cope with the everyday challenges of living with asthma, and how to handle specific situations. Support from other people is so important.
Check in with your doctor regularly to ensure that you are maintaining your asthma condition correctly and successfully. Your physician must check you out regularly to see if you need to do anything differently with your treatment. Your doctor is busy, so it’s on you to set and keep your appointments.
Up your intake of vitamin B6. Research has shown that pyridoxine, commonly referred to as vitamin B6, can lower the number of asthma events and lessen their intensity. Pyridoxine is instrumental in producing certain molecules that help to relax bronchial tissue. Foods that are rich in B6 include the easy-to-find banana.
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.
You will want to get stronger, and gradually work to expand your lung capacity. Never tempt an attack by starting a grueling workout when you know you cannot finish it because of asthma.