Dealing with asthma presents a number of challenges, but it does not have to reduce your quality of life. Many solutions can be efficient in your situation. Here you will find tips on making the most out of your life with asthma.
What kind of asthma do you have? Being aware of your particular asthma condition can help you to effectively treat it on a daily basis. For example, if your asthma is induced by exercise, it might be wise to always have an inhaler in your gym bag. Knowing the patterns of your symptoms will help you avoid crises.
If you find yourself having a mild asthma attack, force the air from your lungs until they are empty. Make your exhalations quick and forceful. This will force the air from your lungs. Follow this by breathing in three times quickly, and a fourth time deeply to ensure your lungs are filled to capacity, then exhale again as forcefully as possible. Not only will you breathe in rhythm, but you’ll focus more intently on how you are breathing and become aware of breathing problems. By repeatedly forcing air out, you make room for new air so that your breathing can get back on track. You may cough or generate sputum, this is okay, your main goal is to get your breathing back on track again.
Smoking should never be done around children, especially a child who suffers from asthma. Secondhand smoke is a leading cause of asthma, and it can also trigger an asthma attack. Also, do not let your child around others who smoke.
Cigarette Smoke
Asthma can cause increased sensitivity to the ingredients contained in many cleaning products. The complex list of ingredients on many cleaning products makes it difficult know which ones have the chemical compounds that might aggravate asthma symptoms or even initiate an attack. While anyone responsible for cleaning their home can’t avoid cleaning products altogether, it’s best to only use natural products.
It is crucial that you stay away from all types of cigarette smoke if you suffer from asthma. Asthma creates breathing problems by constricting airways, and cigarette smoking only exacerbates the problem. Inhaling the chemical-laden fumes and even the vapors from cigarettes can be extremely harmful. These irritants can be a trigger for a severe asthma attack. Do everything you can to avoid cigarette smoke, air pollution, allergens and harsh chemical fumes to keep your asthma symptoms under control.
Never take medications without getting your doctor’s approval so you don’t wind up taking one that has a side effect of exacerbating asthma.. Some of these include aspirin and NSAIDs. You can also use medications that can control high blood pressure and heart disease, things like beta blockers. If you’ve been diagnosed as asthmatic and are taking medications unrelated to your asthma, be sure your doctor is aware of them.
If you have asthma and have frequent attacks that are related to allergies, there are medicines that can be injected to provide you with long-term relief. It is called omalizumab, and it is an antibody medicine used to control allergic reaction symptoms. You will need to speak to your allergist to find out if this would be helpful to you.
If allergies lead to constant attacks from your asthma, there has been a recent solution that is administered via injection that provides long term care! Your allergist might recommend Omalizumab, which is an antibody type medicine that can regulate your symptoms of allergic reactions.
Asthma Attacks
Be sure you and your family members get a yearly flu vaccination. If you are afflicted with asthma, avoid getting any infections if possible. This means you should also be sure to wash your hands frequently and get vaccinated.
Talk to your doctor about getting a leukotriene inhibitor if you have asthma. Leukotriene inhibitors are used to prevent things called leukotrienes. A leukotrienes is a type of chemical that causes inflammation, which leads to asthma attacks. The inhibitor prevents leukotrienes, and that can decrease the number of asthma attacks you deal with.
A dehumidifier can significantly reduce the asthma attacks experienced by you or other afflicted members of your household. Lowering humidity will reduce the amount of dust mites in your home, and help your asthma improve. Dehumidifiers keep your home dry by keeping the humidity out.
Think about buying a dehumidifier if your asthma symptoms are bad. If you lessen your humidity in the house, you will stave off dust mites that may make your asthma flare. A dehumidifier makes the air in your home dry by keeping humidity to a minimum.
If you suffer from asthma, avoid smokers, even if you do not smoke yourself. When you inhale tobacco smoke, you are severely increasing the likelihood of an asthma attack. This is especially true in small, confined areas with little to no ventilation.
Lower the chances of asthma attacks by keeping a spotless home, particularly in the areas where you sleep. Only permit food in designated eating areas, such as the kitchen or dining room, and don’t allow smoking inside the house at all. Harsh chemicals, like bleach and ammonia, can trigger asthma.
If you suffer from asthma, it is best to buy unscented products. Products that contain fragrance, such as perfumes, colognes, or air fresheners, introduce irritants into the air around you that can trigger your asthma. Be aware that fresh paint and new carpet also can emit harmful odors that irritate sensitive airways. As much as possible, try to keep your home filled with fresh, pure air.
If you have asthma, you should get a flu shot once per year. Make sure your child’s vaccinations are up-to-date to avoid as many infections as possible.
Avoid pillows stuffed with goosedown or other feathers if you have an asthma problem. People are often allergic to these natural products that can affect breathing and bring on asthma symptoms. Same thing with bedding – purchase sheets and a comforter that are constructed from hypoallergenic materials.
Understand what things make your asthma flare and avoid these things or manage the symptoms. The majority of asthma sufferers suffer attacks when exposed to some common trigger, including allergens or cigarette smoke. When it is possible avoid substances that make you have symptoms or attacks.
When traveling, make sure to have your rescue medication handy at all times. Traveling to different places might expose you to unexpected triggers, as your body is put under more strain when you travel. You also have little control over your environment when traveling, which can make you more susceptible to an attack and symptoms of greater severity.
Don’t miss your appointment for an asthma checkup simply because you aren’t currently having any problems with your condition. 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.
During the colder months, avoid asthma attacks by wearing a scarf, shawl or muffler that covers the mouth and nose. This warms the air before you bring it into your lungs. Breathing cold air can trigger severe asthma attacks. This is especially true for young children with asthma.
Humidity is a problem in the home, because it creates conditions that are perfect for mildew and mold growth. These can very easily cause an attack. Therefore, it is important to make sure your home is dry. A dehumidifier can be used in the winter, and in the summer, many air conditioner models also help strip moisture from the air.
It is crucial that you know how to properly use your asthma treatments, particularly rescue inhalers. Typically, asthma is treated using normal medications along with rescue medication, like an inhaler, for emergency situations. Asthma is a serious, chronic health condition, and it’s vital that you take medicine to manage the disease properly and use the rescue medications as directed.
Rescue Medication
If you are cleaning, you should use a mop that is damp instead of a dry broom. Sweeping sends dust and dander back into the air and could trigger an asthma attack. When you dust, use a damp cloth instead of a feather duster which can spread these triggers.
Understand how to properly use your own asthma medication, particularly the rescue medication. Typically, asthma is treated using normal medications along with rescue medication, like an inhaler, for emergency situations. Because asthma is a chronic condition, it is important to take management medication properly and to use rescue medication appropriately.
When you are making an effort to control asthma, do not smoke. Breathing in smoke can trigger an asthma attack. You should avoid cigarette smoke, vapors, and chemical fumes as much as possible. All of these will increase your asthma symptoms. If you know someone who smokes, politely ask that they do not smoke in your presence.
In conclusion, there are a number of methods you can try to prevent asthma from controlling your life. A diagnosis of asthma is not terminal, so get down to work crafting your treatment and return to a fulfilling life!
Asthma sufferers should avoid coming into contact with both domestic and farm animals. While asthma can be triggered from an animal hair allergy, those free of these allergies can have an attack by the pollen and dust that the animals carry.