Asthma can be an uncontrollable disease if it’s not checked. Asthma attacks can cause serious health problems, and even death. It is important that you seek professional medical advice, but it doesn’t mean that you should take your own steps to relief. The following tips will help you manage your asthma symptoms and live an active lifestyle.
If you suffer from asthma, avoid smoke, fumes and vapors. Stay away from jobs that would expose you to toxic or heavy vapors, and refrain from any tobacco use.
Prescriptions and over-the-counter medications can actually trigger an asthma attack. Aspirin is a common medication that can affect asthma sufferers. The medication you take for high blood pressure can also cause asthma symptoms. Make sure your doctor knows if you are taking such medicine and also have asthma.
It is crucial for asthma sufferers not to smoke. Smoking is unhealthy for everyone, however it is especially bad for asthmatics. Your lungs are already compromised from the asthma and adding smoke to that will cut off the vital oxygen supply your lungs need to breathe.
Utilize the inhaler correctly. Find a quiet secluded area so that you can calmly take the inhaler as directed by the instructions from the manufacturer. The inhaler only helps if the medication reaches your lungs. Inhale air while spraying the necessary amount of medication into your mouth. It is then necessary to hold the breath for about ten seconds to give the medication time to work in your lungs.
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’re the one who regularly cleans the house, look for natural cleaning products which are much safer to use.
If you have asthma, get a dehumidifier for your home. When your home has less humidity, there are less dust mites, and that minimizes the chances of an asthma flare-up. Dehumidifiers reduce attacks in your home by making the air cleaner and drier.
Keep clear of anything that you know to be a trigger for your asthma. Allergens such as dust and pollen can bring on an asthma attack at any time. It could also be some type of strenuous exercise. It is important to determine what triggers your asthma attacks so you can try to avoid those things.
If you have hay fever or a cold, chances are your asthma treatment will be increased. The side effects of many illnesses can flare up your asthma so bad that you have to have an increase in treatment. It is possible that your doctor will decide to modify your treatment, or even add additional treatments, until you are back on your feet.
If you have asthma, you need to avoid any kind of tobacco smoke. Avoid smoking altogether. Stay away from vapors and chemical fumes, too. A severe asthma attack can be life threatening. If you are around people who smoke, leave the area very fast.
Pay attention to your symptom triggers. The more aware of your triggers you become, the easier it will be to avoid them and reduce the number of attacks you suffer. A lot of people who suffer from asthma have the same triggers, pet dander, smoke, or pollen. Do your best to avoid coming into contact with substances that you know will trigger your symptoms.
If the room that you’re in is dusty, do not turn on a fan. All this does is circulate the dust, which is an invitation to triggering an otherwise avoidable asthma attack. The better way would be to open a window to increase the airflow in the room.
While traveling, always keep emergency asthma medication on hand and close by. Traveling tends to put extra stain on the body, and you’re more susceptible to your asthma triggers under these conditions. 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.
Contact a social worker if you have asthma but do not meet the eligibility requirements for health insurance. Affording asthma medication is important for handling the illness, and social workers can find places the offer the medicine at low costs.
To stay out in front of your asthma, make sure that you see the doctor to receive regular 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.
Stay away from any tobacco smoke, even people that are smoking tobacco. When you breathe in smoke, especially in small spaces, it diminishes breathing ability, which greatly increases the probability of an asthma attack.
Many of the biggest triggers for asthma can, and do, exist in your home. Such irritants include mold spores, dust, smoke and chemical fumes. To keep your body healthy and to cut down the frequency of asthma attacks, it is important to have your house professionally inspected and cleaned to remove these harmful substances. In addition, cleaning the house regularly can greatly contribute to keeping these substances from building up.
Be prepared for your asthma treatment to be increased if you have a cold or hay fever. Make sure your doctor prescribes a fast acting inhaler for emergency situations. Your doctor may also add another treatment to your regimen until your illness gets better.
Do not allow mold or mildew to grow in your home, because they can be extremely dangerous for asthma sufferers. This stuff can easily set off an asthma attack. Keeping a home dry and mold-free is important. Whenever you use a heater, you should use a dehumidifier, and air conditioning will help in the summer.
Understand what things make your asthma flare and avoid these things or manage the symptoms. Common asthma triggers include pollen, smoke or dander. Whenever you can, avoid the things that trigger your asthma.
Asthma takes a long time to develop and doesn’t yield obvious symptoms. A few people have even died from an asthma attack without knowing they even had this dangerous condition. Given that fact, if you have any kind of consistent cough or respiratory ailments, consulting a physician for testing is a good idea, since you want to know if you are suffering from asthma and if so, what to do about it.
Think about becoming a member of a support group, whether it is online or somewhere local. Suffering from asthma can mean many days are spent at home with your condition stopping you from participating in a full and fulfilling lifestyle. The individuals in this group could also provide you with new insights about medications that are out there, as well as other advice in dealing with asthma.
Try using a inhaler that prevents asthma every day, but you should know that one of the side effects is mouth infections of teeth and gums. To prevent complications from using a preventative inhaler, brush your teeth immediately after using it and use mouthwash as well.
Understanding how to properly administer your asthma medications is important, particularly in regard to rescue medications. Asthma is usually treated by using a regular medicine supplemented with a rescue medicine, like an inhaler. 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.
Instead of sweeping your floors with a broom, it is preferable to clean using a wet mop. Sweeping the floor kicks up dust and other debris that can set off an attack of your asthma. Dusting with a damp cloth rather than a feather duster can be a considerable help in reducing the amount of dust and other things that might start an attack.
Asthma is a health condition that usually develops over a period of time, and has symptoms that may not be obvious. In fact, some people who didn’t even realize they had asthma died as a result of their initial attack. Discuss with your doctor if you are having problems trying to catch your breath or have had a persistent cough for a while. There is the possibility that you have developed asthma, and if so, your doctor can tell you what the best method to treat it would be.
Asthma is an uncurable disease, but that doesn’t mean that the symptoms are permanent and can’t go away. However, just like most things in life, overcoming your asthma symptoms takes time and effort. If you follow these easy tips, you’ll find that your symptoms will get better over time and you’ll be able to enjoy a healthier, more active lifestyle.
If you are going to be flying and are bringing your asthma medicine with you, take written prescriptions from your physician with you, especially if you will be taking large equipment like a nebulizer. If you have written proof about the item you have,and that it is medically necessary, there will be less hassles going through security.