You are starting to panic because you have been told you have asthma. Asthma has no cure, and as such the condition is chronic. Your life does not have to stop after you have been diagnosed with asthma. Keep reading to gain insight as to what you can do to keep this serious disease under control.
Avoid anything that is known to trigger your asthma. Some people have allergies that cause asthma, and allergens such as dust and pollen can cause an attack. Others may have attacks that are triggered by physical activity. Look for the trigger points in your life, so you can work around them.
You should avoid smoking at all costs and being exposed to vapors and perfumes if you suffer from asthma. This means you should stay away from all tobacco products and carefully consider the jobs you apply to, especially in factories, as you may be exposed to harmful smoke or vapors.
Exhale as hard as you can during an asthma attack. If you can’t breathe at all, go to the hospital; however, controlling your exhalation rate can sometimes help stop a less severe attack. Breathe out aggressively, as hard as you can. Exhale with maximum force! Inhale for three quick breaths, and then take one deep breath so that you can allow your lungs to fill with air, and then force the air out again. The breathing rhythm that you create by doing this will cause you to be aware of every breath you take. It will also empty your lungs of air, so that they’re ready to take in new, fresh air. Do not be alarmed if you cough or generate excess mucous; this is perfectly normal. Your only concern is to return your breathing to normal.
Figure out what type of asthma you are suffering with. Learning about your type of asthma will help you to deal with it. For instance, people with exercise-induced asthma would do well to carry an inhaler in their gym bag! You can actually start preventing asthma attacks if you are aware and mindful of any patterns that your symptoms present.
If you have asthma, you should keep away from any smoke from cigarettes. Never smoke a cigarette! Avoid exposure to chemical fumes or vapors. Chemical fumes will trigger asthma attacks that you won’t be able to put an end to. The minute you spot people smoking, immediately remove yourself from the area.
If you have any children who suffer from asthma, avoid smoking around them at all costs. There’s a long list of environmental asthma triggers, and secondhand smoke is at the top of it. You should also make sure your child is never in an environment where other people are smoking.
If allergy symptoms cause you to have moderate to severe asthma attacks, there is a medication available that can help for extended periods of time. 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.
If you suffer from asthma, it is critical that you not smoke. Smoking is terrible for everyone, but it lowers the oxygen supply in asthma patients who need as much oxygen as possible.
If you suffer from asthma, ensure that your diet contains adequate amounts of Vitamin E and Vitamin C. These vitamins help to control asthma symptoms and improve the function of your lungs. You can get both of these vitamins from eating certain foods, or by taking the vitamins in supplement form. These vitamins can boost immune systems, which helps you to avoid illnesses that can be a trigger for your asthma.
You need to avoid all of the asthma triggers that you know. For many, allergens like dust and pollen, can trigger their attacks. Or, you may need to avoid certain activities that overexert your body. You should know what causes asthma, so you can stay away from these things.
Asthmatics should avoid being exposed to smoke, regardless if you are a smoker. Tobacco smoke can bring on an asthma attack, especially within areas without good air flow. The smoke restricts the ability of your lungs to breathe, making an attack much more likely to occur.
Asthma Symptoms
Make sure you are aware of what triggers your asthma so you can avoid it or prepare properly. Some common asthma triggers include pet dander, pollen, and cigarette smoke. Do your best to avoid coming into contact with substances that you know will trigger your symptoms.
There are medications that can unknowingly cause asthma-like symptoms. Some anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, can flare up asthma symptoms. Additionally, beta blockers, a type of medication used for heart disease and hypertension, may cause asthma symptoms. If you’ve been diagnosed as asthmatic and are taking medications unrelated to your asthma, be sure your doctor is aware of them.
Even if you have not had any recent breathing problems, you should nonetheless schedule regular checkups. Medical science is constantly evolving, so the doctor might know about a new treatment for you. Besides, you can never be sure when another attack might come on, so it’s better to be checked out.
If the room that you’re in is dusty, do not turn on a fan. The fan will circulate the dust along with the air, which can cause it to get into your lungs and make your asthma worse. It’s better to open the window if you’re in need of fresh air.
Wear scarves, shawls and mufflers to cover your noise and mouth during colder weather. Bundling up puts heat between the air and your lungs, which can help lessen your risk of an asthma attack. Young children are especially at risk for an asthma attack if the air they breathe is too cold, but this problem can affect anybody with asthma.
Annual Flu Shot
When flying and bringing along asthma medications and equipment, be sure to pack your prescriptions. This is especially true for large items like a nebulizer. The written prescription will help you get through security without difficulty, because it establishes that your nebulizer and supplies are medically necessary.
If you have asthma or you live with an asthma sufferer, you should ensure you receive an annual flu shot. This annual flu shot will prevent infectious damage to your lungs.
Those with asthma should minimize time with pets and animals. Animals are a danger to asthma sufferers who are already allergic to them, but pets also carry a wide array of dust particles and pollen, so avoiding them is a good move for anyone dealing with asthma.
If you plan to take a trip, you must always keep your rescue medication with you at all times. When you travel, you sometimes strain your body a little more than you think, which can make you a bit more susceptible to having asthma attacks. You also have little control over your environment when traveling, which can make you more susceptible to an attack and symptoms of greater severity.
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. Pulmonologists, allergists, asthma centers and nutritionists can help you take advantage of the many treatments available to those with asthma.
To stay out in front of your asthma, make sure that you see the doctor to receive regular checkups. You can never tell when an attack will strike, or when your physician may have some better or safer advice for you to follow.
Avoid smoking and people who are smokers. Smoking is one of the worst things a person with asthma can do. Asthmatics have sensitive lungs and tobacco smoke is very, very irritating. Smoke is so bad, that asthmatics should never allow themselves to be in the same vicinity as someone who is smoking.
If your home is damp, it can encourage the growth of mildew and mold. These things can trigger asthma attacks very easily. Keeping a home dry and mold-free is important. You can maintain a dry home by using a dehumidifier and heater in the colder months, and air conditioning when it is warm.
Don’t panic when you have an asthma attack. Wait thirty seconds to try your inhaler after using it the first time. If the attack you are experiencing starts getting worse, seek assistance. Have someone call emergency services or drive you to the nearest hospital. Inhaling and exhaling into a paper bag can slow your breathing while en route.
You can wear warm things like a shawl, muffler or scarf, which can help cover your nose and mouth in the colder months. This will warm the air that you breathe before it enters your lungs. Inhalation of cold air is proven to initiate asthma attacks, and younger kids afflicted with asthma of moderate or severe proportions are especially at risk.
If you suffer from asthma attacks, familiarize yourself with how to properly use your inhaler. You should not just stick it between your lips and spray. Make sure when you spray your inhaler that you take in deep breaths for short periods of time. A rescue inhaler will not help you if you aren’t breathing it in correctly.
Make sure you understand the correct way to use your asthma medication, especially any rescue medication. A typical asthma treatment plan is daily medication backed up with an emergency inhaler. Since asthma is chronic in nature, appropriate application and use of both management and rescue medicines is vital.
If you are going to paint your home, purchase a mask beforehand so that you will not breath the fumes. Paint can trigger asthma-related issues, but wearing a mask will provide a protective barrier to circumvent these issues. Do not go use certain chemicals that will make your asthma worse.
Keep track of the number of times per week you use your rescue inhaler. If your records start to show you need the inhaler more than two times weekly, your environment might be causing you problems or your asthma is not being controlled as well as it could be. The frequency of use of your inhaler can give you an idea about your surroundings and the need to watch them.
Closely monitor the frequency of your asthma attacks. If you have more than two asthma attacks in a week, it may be time to change medications. Two asthma attacks a week or more is very avoidable danger to your overall health.
As you can see, the trick to living with asthma is simply being prepared. By understanding this disease and how to manage it, you can keep it from escalating into a crisis situation. You may just find the contents of this article makes a useful contribution to your fund of asthma knowledge.
Hurry to the hospital if you see any symptoms of a dangerous asthma attack. Some signs of an attack that is very serious include blue-ish or gray fingernails and lips and increased medication use with diminished or no effect. Also, the person suffering the attack may be having issues talking.