Asthma is a serious condition that can affect people of any age or gender. Along with seeing your doctor, you need to also be aware of the warning signs that can make your symptoms worse. The information provided in this article should help you learn to live a more fulfilled life with less asthma attacks.
If you have asthma, you should definitely avoid smoking or being exposed to any kind of fumes or vapors. 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.
Avoid harsh cleaning chemicals if you are an asthma sufferer. It is very possible that one might bring on an asthma attack with some chemicals used for cleaning. Use natural cleaners instead of chemical cleaners to reduce your chances of asthma attacks after cleaning.
Asthma is a chronic condition that is ongoing over time, and as such, will require a continual treatment and management regimen. Make certain you are doing the most you can each day to keep your symptoms under control. Take the proper medications needed for everyday symptoms, and always have quick relief medication by you at all times in the event an attack occurs. Speak to your physician and allergist to find out what medications are right for you.
You may be unaware that certain medications you might be on could cause asthma symptoms. Aspirin along with other NSAIDs can have this effect. Some medications can cause your asthma to be worse such as beta blockers for high blood pressure or heart disease. Tell your doctor if you are an asthmatic and you are using these medications.
During an attack that isn’t severe, force all air from your lungs. Breathe out hard and fast. Try hard to push the air out from your lungs! Take in three breaths, and then a deeper breath until your lungs are full of air. Then exhale with force again. Doing this means breathing in a conscious rhythm that makes you mindful of your breathing. When air is forcefully exhaled, it allows a fresh intake of air to fill your lungs. It is okay that you cough up some sputum, you really want to breathe right again.
If you’re in a room that has a lot of dust in it, don’t turn on a fan. An asthma attack can be easily triggered by the moving dust. Encourage air to flow throughout the room by just opening a nearby window or door.
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. Your allergist may recommend a variety of medications to control your reactions and the onset of asthma.
If your asthma attacks are severe, you may want to speak with your doctor about a long lasting injection of medication to control your symptoms. Omalizumab is one such medication, and can control the allergic symptoms you may be experienced. An allergist will be able to tell you if this is a good option.
Try a leukotriene inhibitor if you have asthma. As its name suggests, this inhibitor works by preventing the release and build-up of leukotriene. The inflammation caused by this substance can trigger the symptoms of asthma. When used properly, an inhibitor can help reduce symptoms and prevent attacks.
Leukotriene Inhibitor Helps
Everyone in your family, including you, should get the flu vaccination every year. If you have asthma, you can protect your health by taking all steps possible to avoid any type of cold, flu or other upper respiratory infection. To do this you must take extra precautions against getting sick, like washing your hands often and getting vaccinated every year.
If you suffer from asthma, try seeing if a leukotriene inhibitor helps. A leukotriene inhibitor helps to prevent leukotrienes. Leukotrienes are molecules that cause the tracheal muscles to contract; having too many leukotrienes makes asthma attacks more likely. This inhibitor can prevent leukotrienes, which makes you less likely to have an asthma attack.
Consider supplementing your diet with Vitamins E and C when you suffer from asthma. It is thought that these vitamins will help increase lung function and will help control asthma symptoms. It doesn’t matter if you get the vitamins for food or a supplement; just get them. These vitamins can also boost the immune system and help prevent asthma attacks.
An annual flu vaccination is recommended for you as well as other members of your family. Do everything you can to avoid a respiratory infection if 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.
Keep all your doctors appointments even if your asthma symptoms aren’t bothering you. A flare up can come at any time and your doctor can always look into safer medications for your particular symptoms.
Stay away from cigarette smoke, even if it’s secondhand. Inhaled smoke from tobacco can drastically reduce lung function, increasing your chances of an asthma attack. This is especially true in closed-in areas.
Bundle up during winter weather if you have asthma. Covering your nose and mouth with a scarf or muffler helps prevent asthma attacks. You can help warm the air with these things before they bring any harm to your lungs. Breathing cold air can set off an asthma attack, particularly in small children who have have somewhat severe asthma.
Asthma treatment dosages will need to be increased if you are sick with a cold or are dealing with hay fever. A lot of illnesses can cause your asthma to flare up very badly, resulting in the necessity to increase asthma treatment. Your doctor could add another treatment into your regimen until the illness is better.
Asthma typically develops over a long time, and sometimes the symptoms aren’t very obvious. Sometimes, a person can die from their first asthma attack without actually knowing they had the disease to begin with! So, if you have a lingering cough or instances of troubled breathing, you should see a doctor to see if you might have asthma and determine whether you may need medication to either prevent or treat asthma.
You should know what triggers your asthma attacks; this will allow you to either avoid them or be ready to manage the symptoms. Most asthma sufferers have a few common triggers such as smoke, pet dander or pollen. Avoid your asthma triggers as much as you can to prevent 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. Having proof that it belongs to you and is medically necessary will make the security check easier.
Even if you seem to be fine, see your doctor regularly for your asthma checkups. Your doctor may be able to prescribe more effective treatments and you may be suffering symptoms you’re not aware are related to your asthma.
It is important to use your maintenance inhaler daily as prescribed. However, understand that most types of inhalers contain ingredients which may make your mouth more susceptible to infections. A good way to prevent these complications and side effects is to brush your teeth and gargle immediately after using your inhaler.
Asthma is a disease that can develop slowly over time, making it sometimes difficult to spot the symptoms. Many individuals died from their very first asthma attack because they weren’t aware they had the risk factors for an attack. Therefore, if you find yourself having difficulties breathing or with a chronic cough, it is essential that you see a doctor and get tested for asthma. The sooner you get the needed treatment and medication, the better.
Monitor how often, per week, you find it necessary to use your inhaler. If the inhaler is used more than twice, the asthma problems you are suffering from may not be well-managed or something else might be causing additional attacks to come on. 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.
Asthma Attack
For a deeper and more thorough cleaning, mop your floors instead of simply sweeping them. When you are sweeping with a broom, you stir up triggers like dirt and dust mites that can cause you to go into an asthma attack. When you dust, use a damp cloth instead of a feather duster which can spread these triggers.
When cleaning your house, clean floors with a wet mop instead of a broom. Sweeping your floor can kick allergens into the air, triggering an asthma attack. Dusting can actually just move the dust around, sending particles into the air, and into your lungs triggering an asthma attack, so try wiping things down with a damp cloth to minimize the amount of allergens you are exposed to.
Smoke should always be avoided when you suffer from asthma. Smoke can induce an asthma attack. You should attempt to minimize your contact with cigarette smoke, chemical fumes, and noxious vapors. All of those things can trigger and aggravate asthma symptoms. If someone smokes around you, ask them politely if they could smoke when you are not around.
See a specialist. Your primary physician should always be your first stop when dealing with asthma, but you may find it helpful to add a specialist’s knowledge. Pulmonologists, allergists, asthma centers and also nutritionists can assist you in exploring every avenue of treatment for your asthma.
It is important to remain calm during an asthma attack. Use the inhaler, wait thirty seconds, and use once more. If the attack gets worse, then seek help immediately. Have someone drive you directly to the hospital or call an ambulance for you. On your way to the hospital, breath in and out in a paper bag in order to help calm yourself and get your breathing down to a normal pace.
Do not smoke cigarettes. There is a general awareness that smoking is not good for your health. But for the asthmatic, smoking can quickly have serious consequences. Your lungs could become very irritated if you smoke, and you should avoid being around others that are smoking.
Make sure your doctor sees you every two or three months for a check up to see how you are managing with your asthma condition. Your doctor can check to see if your condition has changed, and if it has, update your treatment plan. You are in charge of scheduling your visits with your physician in order for him or her to properly take care of you.
During times that pollen counts are high, asthma sufferers should try to stay indoors. While asthma and allergies are separate illnesses, you’ll find that the triggers for one tend to be mirrored in the other. Air quality levels for specific pollutants are now readily available and it is possible to use this information to limit exposure on high level days.
Speaking to your peers, who also suffer from asthma, can be an eye-opening and life-changing experience. People who have to live with the disease will be able to share their own experiences, and give you tips on how to cope. Support from people around you is key.
Educate yourself as much as you can about the asthma. Knowledge is power, and enlightened proactive steps yield immeasurable dividends in your treatment and management regimen. Keep up on what the most effective treatments are and ensure you are receiving the best treatments possible. The only way to know this is to learn about your condition and your treatment options.
Add more vitamin B6 to your diet. Getting increased amounts of B6, also called pyridoxine, has been scientifically shown to make asthma attacks less frequent. This substance helps your body produce the molecules needed to relax the tissues of the bronchial tubes. Bananas contain B6, as do many other delicious foods.
If repainting a room is in your future, purchase a quality mask first to protect your lungs from paint fumes. Paint could irritate asthma greatly, but using a mask will act as a protective shield needed to fight this issue. Avoid specific substances and chemicals that will worsen your asthma.
Sometimes food allergies can trigger an asthma attack in children. Pay attention to any allergy symptoms your child develops after eating. If your child develops hives or a breathing difficulty after eating certain foods, make an appointment for an allergy test with their pediatrician. These allergic reactions could be a precursor of asthma.
You should not take asthma lightly. Asthma can lead to serious medical complications and even death, which is why you should do everything you can to avoid attacks. Limit your exposure to allergens, smoke, pollution, and dust mites. Hopefully, with the help of the advice here, you can lessen your symptoms and get your asthma under control.
A home that is clean and dry will reduce the frequency of your asthma attacks. You should use a dehumidifier regularly in the home to control the moisture level. The number of seasonal asthma attacks that you suffer will drop if you can keep the humidity at a consistent level.