It is common to be scared when a doctor gives you a diagnosis of asthma. Asthma, being a chronic condition, has no cure. However, this does not mean that life stops after a diagnosis of asthma. You will gain some insights here on how to get control of asthma in an effective and manageable way.
Cleaning products should be avoided when you have asthma. A lot of the cleaning products have certain chemicals in them which can trigger asthma attacks. It is advisable to consider using products that have an organic base when cleaning.
It is crucial for asthma sufferers not to smoke. Smoking is, of course, unhealthy for anyone. The habit is even more dangerous for asthma patients, however, because anything that reduces the amount of oxygen reaching the lungs can trigger an attack.
Avoid exposing yourself to any of your known asthma triggers. Some people have allergies that cause asthma, and allergens such as dust and pollen can cause an attack. It could also be some type of strenuous exercise. Try and figure out what gets your asthma started so you know what to avoid.
Avoid anything that is known to trigger your asthma. For some people, it may be related to allergies, such as a reaction to dust or pollen. While in other people, all it takes is physical activity and an attack can trigger. Determine what your trigger is so you can easily avoid an attack.
Try a leukotriene inhibitor if you have asthma. Leukotriene inhibitors block the effects 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. Leukotriene is an oral therapy for the treatment of asthma, but it is not as effective as inhaled corticosteroids.
Be aware of certain medications that can lead to asthma problems. Some NSAIDs and aspirin might do this. Beta blockers that are used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease can develop asthma like symptoms. 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 use any more than four kinds of cleaning product around your home, then the risk of an asthma attack is increased. Use organic cleaning products since they don’t have irritating chemicals.
Asthma is a chronic condition, requiring constant health management. Take the proper medications for controlling your asthma daily, and keep quick relief medication somewhere on you just in case you have a sudden attack. Work with your allergist and doctor to find the right treatment program that makes you feel good and allows you to still do the things you want to do.
If you deal with asthma in your life, always choose products that are free of scents. Using products with scents, like perfume, incense and air fresheners, boosts the amount of air pollution indoors and can bring on an attack. Fresh paint and new carpeting can also irritate the airway. Try keeping the air indoors as fresh as it can be.
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. There are antibody medications used to control allergic reactions that come recommended by allergists.
You will need to keep your residence really clean, especially the bedroom where the asthma sufferer sleeps in order to help lessen the chances of an attack. Don’t smoke indoors, or allow any junk food in your home. Don’t use bleach or harsh chemicals inside, and air out the house as much as possible after cleaning.
Try to keep your home as clean as possible, especially the bedroom of the asthma sufferer, to reduce the risk of an asthma attack. Do not allow smoking in your house, and keep food in your kitchen. Don’t use strong cleaners or bleach and air out the house immediately following cleaning.
You should know what triggers your asthma attacks; this will allow you to either avoid them or be ready to manage the symptoms. The majority of people suffering from asthma have several common triggers, like pet dander, smoke or pollen. Try to avoid these items as much as humanly possible so as to not trigger a full attack.
You should be ready to increase asthma treatments if you suffer from hay fever or a cold. An increase in treatment is necessary sometimes because side effects of other sicknesses can cause your asthma symptoms to flare up. Your physician may even recommend that you take additional medication until you recover.
Whenever you travel, always keep your rescue inhaler or other fast-acting medication by your side at all times. Traveling to places can strain your body, and it is more vulnerable to asthma triggers when it is under strain. You also have little control over your surroundings as you travel, and this may result in an increase in symptoms or frequency of attacks.
Take your rescue inhaler and keep it handy when you travel. Traveling can put additional strain on your body, making you more susceptible to asthma triggers. 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.
Mildew and mold grow best in a home with high humidity. Mold and mildew can have a hand in making you suffer a asthma attack! Try, then, to ensure your home is dry. When you use the heater in the winter, be sure to have a dehumidifier control the humidity in your home. During the summer time, be sure to use the air conditioner to maintain a dry home.
Asthma Attacks
Know exactly how any asthma medication you take or may take works. For most asthma cases, an emergency treatment option, such as an inhaler, is used to supplement day-to-day management medication. Because you will have asthma for the rest of your life, it is important that you take your maintenance medication properly, and that you use your emergency medication correctly.
During the colder months, avoid asthma attacks by wearing a scarf, shawl or muffler that covers the mouth and nose. This way, the air will be warm before entering your lungs. Breathing cold air can trigger severe asthma attacks. This is especially true for young children with asthma.
When housecleaning, it is better to clean your floors with a damp mop than sweeping them with a broom. If you choose to sweep, you’re swirling up a tornado of dust and allergens, both of which are common triggers for asthma symptoms. When dusting, try to use a damp rag rather than a feather duster to cut down on the spread of the triggers.
Avoiding smoke is one of the best asthma-prevention tips out there. Sometimes smoke can cause an asthma attack. Stay away from chemical fumes, vapors, and cigarette smoke at all times. These can increase symptoms of asthma. If a person is smoking around you, politely ask him to smoke at times when you are somewhere else.
Dust and other allergens often accumulate in bed sheets. You can reduce or eliminate these potential asthma attack inducers by laundering your sheets and pillowcases in hot water every week. Fresh linens, washed regularly, can ensure you breathe better as you sleep.
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. A pulmonologist, allergist, nutritionist and the staff at asthma centers can discuss a variety of treatments with you, to help you be sure you are following up on every possible good treatment available.
Avoid smoking and people who are smokers. The dangers surrounding smoking are well documented, but for asthma sufferers the issues can be much more serious. An asthmatic’s lungs are more vulnerable than those of a healthy individual, which makes it especially important to abstain from smoking and avoid secondhand smoke.
If you suffer from asthma and have to use your inhaler in excess of two or three times per week, you should see a doctor and ask about changing your medication. Increased reliance on your inhaler may be an indication that the medication is no longer working well enough. Having to restock your inhaler more frequently than once every six months is also a concern.
If you are dealing with asthma it is critical you understand how to properly use an inhaler. You cannot just spray it in your mouth and lightly inhale. Whenever you spray your inhaler, inhale deeply for multiple seconds. Failing to do so will mean that the medicine will not be able to help open up your breathing.
Make sure your doctor sees you every two or three months for a check up to see how you are managing with your asthma condition. Your physician needs to have the opportunity to see what is happening with you, and alter your treatment plan if necessary. You should always keep your appointments so that your doctor can follow up on your treatment plans, and work with you to maintain your health.
Make certain you have checkups scheduled with your physician every few months so you keep on top of your asthma. This will allow your doctor to stay updated on your condition as it improves or weakens, and make the necessary changes to your treatments. You are the one who needs to make sure that these appointments happen to stay healthy.
Asthmatics should always wear a mask when dealing with the harsh chemicals in fresh paint. Not surprisingly, paint fumes are a known irritant for asthma. Specially designed masks can filter out these fumes. In fact, you should stay vigilant here and avoid any and all chemicals that may trigger an asthma attack.
Always use an appropriately-designed mask when painting to guard against breathing paint fumes. Paint chemicals are a powerful irritant that can cause an asthma attack if inhaled without a mask. Avoid substances and chemicals which can worsen your asthma.
It can help out to meet and talk with others who have asthma. People who have experience with the same disease as you can often provide a number of suggestions or tricks that work in specific situations – all of which can make your battle with asthma a little earlier. Surround yourself with people who understand asthma and support your fight against it.
Eat more foods rich in vitamin B6. Studies have shown that pyridoxine, also known as vitamin B6, can reduce the severity and frequency of asthma attacks. Pyridoxine is essential because it produces certain substances that relax bronchial tissues. Bananas are one of many good sources of vitamin B6.
Add more vitamin B6 to your diet. B6, another name for pyridoxine, has been proven to lessen the frequency and severity of attacks related to asthma. Pyridoxine can produce specific molecules which can relax your bronchial tissue. Bananas are a wonderful source of Vitamin B6.
Knowing what triggers your asthma is an extremely important thing to know in order to prevent your attacks. Consider keeping a journal to help you identify possible asthma triggers and discuss the results with your doctor. After you identify your triggers, make every effort to stay away from them.
Dealing with asthma is rather like being a Boy Scout; the important part is to be prepared. Once you know how to effectively care for yourself and your asthma problems, you will be able to avoid big problems. This article can help you build some knowledge to fight it.
The cause of asthma can be hereditary or it can be induced by environmental factors. Sometimes both factors have a role in the disease. If you have a family member with asthma, keep a close watch on your children and yourself for any asthma related symptoms. Environmental factors such as pollution, smoke, mold spores and excess dust can cause asthma, so make sure to keep yourself and little ones away from these hazards.