Asthma can be a frightening thing to go through, whether you are suffering from it or it is someone you love. Know all that you can about your asthma so that you know what to expect in all situations. Read on for some advice designed to help you understand the way asthma works and what symptoms to expect.
Do you know what sub-type of asthma you’re plagued with? Before you can develop a self-care plan for your asthma symptoms, you need to know the specific cause of your symptoms. People who suffer from exercise-induced asthma should consider carrying an emergency inhaler in their bag. Knowing when an asthma attack is likely to strike can help you avert disaster.
If you suffer from asthma, don’t smoke or expose yourself to smoke, fumes or vapors. 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.
Ensure your child is never around smoke to handle their asthma. It has been medically proven that smoking can cause asthma or make existing symptoms worse. Never allow anyone to smoke around your child, and teach them not to smoke as an adult themselves.
Avoid those things that you know can trigger your asthma. Many asthma suffers find that dust or pollen can trigger an attack. While in other people, all it takes is physical activity and an attack can trigger. You need to determine what your triggers are so that you can avoid them.
If you’re suffering from asthma, it helps if you can avoid any harsh cleaning products out there. Many chemicals that are in these products can cause the triggering of asthma attacks. If you enjoy cleaning, or are the sole cleaner in the household, you are sure to be able to find one of the many natural cleaners that will be safe for your use.
Asthma is a disease that is ongoing and must be attended to every day. Make sure to take the right medication for controlling everyday asthma symptoms, but also have quick relief medication with you in case of an attack. See your doctor or allergist to find out which treatment plan is best for your situation.
Prescriptions and over-the-counter medications can actually trigger an asthma attack. Some anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, can flare up asthma symptoms. Many medications for heart disease and hypertension can also cause asthma symptoms. It is important to let your doctor know if you suffer from asthma together with any of these conditions.
Dust will make you have an attack, so keep the air calm in dirty rooms. While it may seem smart to get the air circulating, in reality this will only stir up the dust, making it easier to inhale and trigger an attack. It’s better to open the window if you’re in need of fresh air.
Unfortunately, asthma sufferers must realize that their condition is chronic which requires ongoing treatment. Make sure to take the right medication for controlling everyday asthma symptoms, but also have quick relief medication with you in case of an attack. A variety of options are available for the treatment of asthmatic attacks. Consult your doctor and an allergist.
Asthma sufferers should take Vitamins E and C. These vitamins help reduce asthma flare-ups by improving lung function. You can find the vitamins you need in food or supplements. Loading up on these vitamins will energize your immune system, aiding your body in preventing the illnesses that worsen or trigger asthma.
If you suffer from asthma, and have many attacks that are related to your allergy symptoms, there is a medication that is injected and provides long term effects. An excellent antibody medication that works well to control asthma symptoms, brought on by allergic reactions is called Omalizumab, and can be administered by your allergist.
Asthma attacks have been found to be more likely in homes where four or more different cleaning products are in use. Organic cleaners are also a safer choice since they contain fewer chemical irritants.
You may want to use a leukotriene inhibitor if your asthma is being particularly problematic. These work by preventing the formation of leukotrienes. Leukotriene, a chemical released by the body in response to an allergen, is responsible for inducing many of the symptoms of an asthma attack. This inhibitor can prevent leukotrienes, which makes you less likely to have an asthma attack.
For asthma sufferers, the unscented option is always the best choice among different products. Scented products such as air fresheners and perfumes can trigger an asthma attack. New carpet and fresh paint can also emit odors that can irritate the airways. Aim to keep the air as fresh as possible indoors.
Know how to use your inhaler correctly. Get to a place out of the way, and read the directions before starting. Remember that the medication must reach your lungs if the inhaler is to work properly. Breathe in through your mouth while you’re pressing the spray button. After inhaling, it’s important that you hold the medication in by holding your breath for 10 seconds at the least.
Keep your home dust-free and get rid of any carpet in your house to help prevent asthma attacks, especially in a bedroom. Keep food in a kitchen or on the dining room table, and avoid cigarette smoking inside. Don’t use bleach or harsh chemicals inside, and air out the house as much as possible after cleaning.
A dehumidifier is an excellent investment for asthma sufferers. Lowering humidity will reduce the amount of dust mites in your home, and help your asthma improve. Air is kept dry by dehumidifiers by sucking the humidity out of it.
Support Group
If you suffer from asthma and do not smoke, make sure to avoid people who do smoke. 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.
Think about the benefits of joining an online or in-person support group. Asthma, especially the more severe forms, cause many problems that interfere with the quality of life and present many challenges. On top of that, an asthma support group will keep you apprised of the latest developments in asthma medication and other significant medical breakthroughs.
Products with no scent are the safest and best option for an asthma sufferer. Products with fragrance, such as perfumes, colognes, and air fresheners, introduce irritants into the air around you and can cause asthma attacks. Certain things in the home, such as newly installed carpet or fresh paint, can also release chemical irritants. Try keeping the air indoors as fresh as it can be.
Most homes are full of common asthma triggers. Some of these irritants include dust, mold and spores. Have an inspector come visit your house to remove any harmful agents that you have so that you can stay healthy and lower your risk for an asthma attack. Cleaning the house on a regular basis will also help prevent the buildup of these hazardous substances.
Stand ready for a boost to your asthma treatment should you suffer from illnesses like colds or hay fever. The effects of an illness can cause the severity of your asthma to temporarily increase, which necessitates a change in treatment. Your doctor may also add another treatment to your regimen until your illness gets better.
This article should have shown you that there is much to learn about asthma. The advice in the article above is just a starting point to help yourself or a loved one to reduce the symptoms and cope with asthma. With the sound advice above, you can work with your doctor to create a plan that is right for you.
Avoid using a feather or down pillow if you have asthma. The feathers contained in the pillow could trigger the symptoms related to asthma and it could prevent your lungs from functioning efficiently. The same can be said for bedding, try to get hypoallergenic comforters and sheets.