Asthma can be very scary, whether you have it or someone you care about does. You need to be aware of the things asthma could do and what it entails, in order to be able to properly manage asthma. You need to know what and when you are to expect it. The guidelines here will really be useful.
If you are an asthma sufferer, it is crucial that you don’t smoke. Smoking is a bad habit for everyone, but patients that suffer from asthma are negatively affected by smoke as it cuts the oxygen supply off and induces an asthma attack.
Do you know what type of asthma you have? Particular cases of asthma can respond differently to the same treatment, so you need to know all that you can about your case to treat it most effectively. One example of this is exercise-induced asthma. This type of asthmatic will need to carry his inhaler with him when he goes for a run. Knowing the patterns of your symptoms will help you avoid crises.
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that requires constant management. Be sure you are practicing proper self-care, and make sure you have your inhaler ready to go in case you suffer a full-blown attack. Find out from your allergist and your doctor what is best for you.
Stay away from anything that you are aware of that may trigger your asthma. For some people, this is allergy related; things like pollen and dust can start an attack. Some people get attacks after being physically active. 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.
If you have asthma, you may wish to consider installing a dehumidifier in your home. Not only will a dehumidifier decrease humidity, but it will also be helpful in controlling the dust mite population. Both are causative factors in asthma attacks. Dehumidifiers cause the air in your home to become dry, which means less humidity.
Don’t turn on the fan if the dust in a room is aggravating your asthma. Dust blown around by fans can cause your asthma to rear up. Open a window to bring clean, cool air inside instead.
It has been shown that use of four or more different kinds of cleaning products can raise the risk of asthma attacks. To limit the chemicals in the air, look for organic cleaning alternatives.
Though it is easy to postpone or avoid, get those annual flu vaccinations. If you have asthma, it’s important to prevent all respiratory infections, if at all possible. 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.
Buy products that are unscented if you suffer from asthma. Simple everyday things such as air fresheners, incense and perfume can cause indoor air pollution levels to increase and trigger an attack. Put down some new carpeting and throw up a coat of paint to get rid of indoor odors. Try to maintain fresh air inside your home.
If you have asthma, get a dehumidifier for your home. Lowering humidity will reduce the amount of dust mites in your home, and help your asthma improve. Dehumidifiers reduce attacks in your home by making the air cleaner and drier.
To lower the chances of an asthma attack, keep your house as clean as can be, especially the bedroom. Don’t smoke indoors, or allow any junk food in your home. Thoroughly air out your house after every cleaning, and stay away from bleach and similar harsh chemicals while cleaning indoors.
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.
Your asthma treatments will likely increase when you suffer from hay fever or a cold. The effects of some illnesses can exacerbate the effects of your asthma, causing the need for more treatments. Your physician might also add more treatments to your regimen until your asthma is under control again.
Allergens, the common cold and influenza can increase your asthma symptoms. These illnesses have side effects that can cause asthma to flare up and make an increase in medication necessary. 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 suffer from asthma, it’s best to avoid pillows full of feathers. Feathers can decrease lung function and cause asthma symptoms. The same reasoning applies to all bedding – only purchase bed sheets and comforters that are manufactured from hypoallergenic materials.
If you have asthma or you live with an asthma sufferer, you should ensure you receive an annual flu shot. Get vaccinated every flu season to avoid a high number of infections.
You should use your inhaler everyday regularly; however, be forewarned that the medicine can potentially lead to mouth infections, especially around your gums and teeth. To prevent these issues, brush and use mouthwash immediately after inhaler usage.
Avoid using a feather or down pillow if you have asthma. Feathers can decrease lung function and cause asthma symptoms. This applies to bedding, as well. Purchase sheets and comforters that are made of hypoallergenic materials.
Monitor how often, each week, you need your rescue inhaler. If you are using it more than twice, your asthma may not be as well-controlled as you think or you may be experiencing unusual circumstances bringing on more frequent attacks. How frequently you need to use the inhaler can help you recognize any environmental changes you need to make.
Support Group
Any time that pollen counts go up, anyone suffering from asthma would be wise to keep their outdoors time to a minimum. Asthma is not considered an allergy, but elements that cause allergies usually trigger asthma attacks too. These days, information about the quality of local air is readily available, so people with asthma can avoid spending time outside when the air is full of things that irritate their lungs.
Think about becoming a member of a support group, whether it is online or somewhere local. Asthma can be an extremely debilitating health issue and can stop you from participating in life the way you want to. By joining a support group, you will be able to discuss new scientific breakthroughs or treatment alternatives with those who are interested.
Keep yourself as calm as possible when having an asthma attack. You should immediately use your inhaler and use the inhaler again 30 seconds later. Seek help if your attack gets worse. Have someone call an ambulance for you, or have them bring you to a hospital. Breathe into a paper bag for assistance in slowing your breathing during the trip to the hospital.
There are many things that you need to know about asthma. This article has provided you with quite a few tips to help you manage asthma, whether it’s you or a loved one. Working in tandem, it is possible for you to greatly ameliorate the effects of asthma on your daily existence.
Knowing the correct way to use an inhaler is essential. Spraying it into your mouth and then inhaling doesn’t work. Make sure when you spray your inhaler that you take in deep breaths for short periods of time. Neglecting to learn how to use your inhaler correctly will cause your symptoms to worsen significantly.