A lifetime of having asthma could be really challenging, but by finding ways to manage it, you could find ways to have an active and healthy life. You have many options for treating your asthma and not letting it hinder your life. Here are some guidelines on how to live life to the fullest although experiencing asthma.
Cleaning products should be avoided when you have asthma. Many of the harsh chemicals inside cleaning products might trigger symptoms or even a full blown asthma attack. If you are the person in your house who does the cleaning, there natural product solutions which are safe for you to use.
Some asthmas are specific to certain triggers, so identify what kind you have. Learning about your type of asthma will help you manage its impact on your life. For example, if you have exercise-induced asthma, you will want to always make sure you have an inhaler in your gym bag. You can actually start preventing asthma attacks if you are aware and mindful of any patterns that your symptoms present.
Avoid anything that can trigger your asthma. For some, allergens such as dust and pollen can trigger an attack. For other people it may physical activities that will set them off. Keep a journal of your attacks so that you can start to learn what your triggers are so that you can prevent flareups before they begin.
Don’t smoke around your child if they have asthma; this could worsen their situation. Secondhand smoke is something that can lead to serious asthma. You should take care to also make sure your child does not get exposed to other environments where people might be smoking.
Asthma is a chronic condition that is ongoing over time, and as such, will require a continual treatment and management regimen. You need to keep taking your medications to control the asthma symptoms every day, and if an attack should occur, you should have quick relief medication at your disposal. Speak to an allergist and doctor to see what’s best for you.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma and you are a smoker, it is time to quit. Smoking is not recommended for anyone, but it creates worse complications for asthma patients by cutting off part of the oxygen supply needed to breathe properly.
If you’re a sufferer of asthma, stay away from cigarette smoke. Refrain from smoking! It is also a good idea to stay away from the fumes or vapors from harsh chemicals, such as those used in cleaning. These can trigger a severe asthma attack that can be difficult to get under control. If you see people smoking in your vicinity, you should get away from them as soon as possible.
Asthma is a continuous disease that needs ongoing management. Make sure to take the right medication for controlling everyday asthma symptoms, but also have quick relief medication with you in case of an attack. A variety of options are available for the treatment of asthmatic attacks. Consult your doctor and an allergist.
If you have asthma and do not have health insurance, you should consider seeing a social worker. It’s vital that you stay on medication, so there may be programs available to help you get them at a discount.
Asthma Attack
Make sure that everyone in your family, including you, gets annual flu shots. Do everything you can to avoid a respiratory infection if you have asthma. The preventative measures you can take against such sickness range from simple habits of hand washing to getting your annual flu shot.
Any type of smoke can bring on a serious asthma attack. Asthmatics should also never smoke. Avoid breathing in vapors from smoke or other chemical-type fumes. This can cause an asthma attack, and you may be unable to bring it under control. When you see people smoking in your area avoid them and move away.
Consider buying a dehumidifier for the home if you have asthma. By bringing down the humidity level, it will reduce dust mites and reduce asthma flare-ups. Try running a dehumidifier to dry up the air in your home.
Never turn on a fan when the room you are in is very dusty. Otherwise, the dust will fly into the air and could give you an attack. It’s better to open the window if you’re in need of fresh air.
People who have asthma should stick to using unscented products. Products that contain strong scents, like incense, perfume, or air freshener can trigger an asthma attack just by lingering in the air. Certain things around the home, such as newly installed carpet or fresh paint, can also release chemical irritants. Aim to make the air inside your home allergen free, and as fresh and clean as possible.
Make sure you are using your inhaler properly. Find a spot that is peaceful, and then follow the instructions given by the manufacturer. Remember that using an inhaler is only going to help you if the medication contained within makes its way to the lungs. Inhale air while spraying the necessary amount of medication into your mouth. Holding your breath for a minimum of 10 seconds gives the medicinal mist from the inhaler time to spread itself throughout your lungs.
Regular flu shots are important if you or one of your children suffer from asthma. A yearly vaccination will help minimize the number of infections your children have to deal with.
Social workers are there for your assistance if you live with asthma, yet can’t get approved for health insurance. It is essential that you can buy your asthma medicine, and a social worker might help you find a hospital or clinic that can provide your medicine at reduced cost, or free.
Don’t skip appointments for your checkups, even if you haven’t had any recent asthma attacks. You don’t know when another flare-up will happen, or when your physician can offer you safer or superior medicine for your symptoms.
The use of multiple (more than four) household cleansers can cause an increase in asthma attacks. Opt for organic cleaning products that do not contain irritating chemicals.
Many of the biggest triggers for asthma can, and do, exist in your home. These culprits include dust, spores and mold. Have an inspector who focuses on allergens and irritants come into your home once a year to help you detect what you have and learn how to remove it. Additionally, cleaning your home on a regular schedule prevents these unwanted visitors from taking residence en masse.
While traveling, always keep emergency asthma medication on hand and close by. Traveling to different places might expose you to unexpected triggers, as your body is put under more strain when you travel. Traveling can make asthma symptoms worse, and it is difficult, nearly impossible to control environmental triggers during travel.
During cold, winter months, asthma sufferers should wear a shawl, muffler, or scarf that will cover both their nose and mouth. This will keep you from breathing cold air. Breathing cold air can set off an asthma attack, particularly in small children who have have somewhat severe asthma.
Asthma Attacks
When you need to take your asthma supplies on an airplane, it is a good idea to bring your doctor’s prescription with you. When you have written proof that these items are necessary it can help speed along the security procedures.
During cold, winter months, asthma sufferers should wear a shawl, muffler, or scarf that will cover both their nose and mouth. Filtering and warming air before you inhale it can help prevent asthma attacks. Cold air can be a nuisance and breathing it has actually proven to trigger asthma attacks. This is especially true for younger children who have severe or moderate asthma.
Monitor how often, per week, you find it necessary to use your inhaler. You should not have to rely on a rescue inhaler more than twice per week. If you find yourself needing it more often, it could be a sign that your asthma is not being controlled well or that there is a new environmental factor causing attacks more frequently. Remembering the times you use the inhaler provides a good way to keep checking your environment, as well as other things in your plan to manage your asthma.
Bed linens attract things that cause asthma attacks. A weekly wash cycle using hot water can eliminate these potential triggers for asthma attacks. Fresh linens, washed regularly, can ensure you breathe better as you sleep.
If you find you need your inhaler too often, more than two times a week, talk to your doctor about changing your prescription. If you need to use your inhaler that often, the medicine in it isn’t working as well as it should. This is also true if you are refilling your rescue inhaler prescription more than twice a year.
Consult with multiple doctors. Of course your regular doctor will be the one you go to for help with your asthma, but you should also see a specialist. There are a number of different approaches used to treat asthma. See what a pulmonololist, an allergist or a nutritionist has to say about your asthma problems.
If you are planning on painting a room in your house, buy a mask in advance to protect you from breathing in fumes. Not surprisingly, paint fumes are a known irritant for asthma. Specially designed masks can filter out these fumes. Take similar steps to avoid any chemical or other substance that tends to trigger your asthma attacks.
There are a lot of ways you can control your asthma and stop it from hurting you. A diagnosis of asthma doesn’t mean you’re sentenced to a life of inactivity. An effective treatment plan for your asthma will help you lead an active and rewarding life.
Keep your living area swept and clean. Also, make sure to wash your pillows, blankets and sheets often. By doing this, you are preventing dust and the tiny dust mites that can cause asthma attacks from building up in your home. Built up dust makes the air irritating and increases the chances of an asthma attack.