Asthma can be life threatening at its worst, while it still can completely restrict your lifestyle and your ability to do even the simplest things, like taking a walk outside. You should take all appropriate measures to try and manage the disease. Use these simple ideas to manage your asthma symptoms and regain your life.
Do you know what type of asthma you have? One of the best ways to combat asthma and its limiting effects on your life is to know and understand as much as you can about your specific condition. Those whose asthma is exacerbated by exercise will know to always have an inhaler on hand. Knowing when an asthma attack is likely to strike can help you avert disaster.
If you are an asthma patient, do not expose yourself to vapors, fumes and cigarette smoke. Decrease the effects of asthma by wearing a protective mask when pollution levels are especially high.
Smoking is a horrible habit, even deadly, for an asthma sufferer. Smoking is bad for everyone, but it’s particularly dangerous for an asthma sufferer, as it cuts off vital oxygen to the lungs.
Do you know the type of asthma that you suffer with? Being aware of your specific condition will help you combat the effects it has over your body day in and day out. For example, if you have exercise-induced asthma, you will want to always make sure you have an inhaler in your gym bag. You can avoid a crisis by knowing your symptoms’ patterns.
If you suffer from asthma, strong cleaning products should be avoided. Many chemicals contained in common cleaning products can aggravate your asthma, triggering an attack. If you are responsible for cleaning your residence, think about purchasing natural products, which are less likely to set off your asthma.
A great idea to help your child with asthmatic problems is to avoid smoking in any areas they frequent. Secondhand smoke is known to be a reason asthma happens. You also need to be sure that your child isn’t around those that choose to smoke.
Make proper use of your inhaler. An inhaler is most effective if used in a relaxed location and according to the maker’s instructions. You can inhale all you want, but it’s useless if the medication doesn’t make it to your lungs. You need to inhale air while spraying the requisite dosage in your mouth. Hold your breath still for ten seconds at least in order to let the mist with medicine fill your lungs.
Cleaning Products
Products with no scent are the safest and best option for an asthma sufferer. Simple everyday things such as air fresheners, incense and perfume can cause indoor air pollution levels to increase and trigger an attack. Freshly painted walls and brand-new carpet can also give off odors that cause irritation to airways. As much as possible, try to keep your home filled with fresh, pure air.
If you suffer with asthma, avoid cleaning products. A lot chemicals that are in these items can set off an asthma attack or aggravate other symptoms. There are many all-natural organic cleaning products available that may help eliminate asthmatic problems.
Be aware that your asthma medication may need to be adjusted if you are suffering from a cold, flu or hay fever. The side effects of many illnesses can flare up your asthma so bad that you have to have an increase in treatment. It is possible your doctor will want to add additional therapies to your treatment program until you are back on your feet.
Avoid those things that you know can trigger your asthma. For many people, allergens such as dust and pollen can induce an attack. For other people it may physical activities that will set them off. Try and figure out what gets your asthma started so you know what to avoid.
If you have asthma or you live with an asthma sufferer, you should ensure you receive an annual flu shot. Getting vaccinated yearly can help keep many of these illnesses at bay.
There are some medications that may contribute to asthma symptoms. Aspirin and other NSAIDs are known to be asthma triggers. This can also be caused by beta blockers, like medications that are used in managing high blood pressure or heart problems. Make sure your physician is aware of all of your chronic conditions and any medications you are on so they can treat your asthma appropriately.
Humidity in the home can create an environment that is ideal for mold and mildew to grow. Mold and mildew can easily cause severe asthma attacks. You should therefore try to keep your home dry. When you are using a heater in winter time, you can run a dehumidifier for help controlling humidity. In the summer, running your air conditioner will allow you to keep your humidity down.
Asthma is an ongoing disease and requires ongoing health management. You need to always take your medications for your everyday symptoms, and keep your quick relief medication with you in case you do have an attack. To determine the best options for you personally, consult your physician and an allergist.
Instead of sweeping your floors, clean them with a damp mop. The action of sweeping can swirl up a whole cloud of asthma-triggering particles. When you need to dust, do so with a damp rag instead of a feather duster so that you reduce spreading around anything that will trigger your asthma.
Vitamins E and C are beneficial to anyone with asthma. These particular vitamins are believed to better your lung function and help manage your symptoms of asthma. You are able to get these vitamins either from food or a supplement. Another great benefit of vitamin C is that it will help to strengthen your immune system overall.
When you are trying to prevent asthma, you should avoid smoke. Cigarette smoke will often trigger an asthma attack. Vapors, cigarette smoke, and chemical fumes should be avoided. All of these air-borne pollutants can greatly increase your asthma symptoms. Ask any smokers not to smoke in your presence.
If you’re having asthma problems, a dehumidifier is a beneficial purchase. A reduction in humidity will also lessen the amount of dust mites in your home. This lessens the chance of an asthma flare up. Dehumidifiers keep the air in your home dry by eliminating humidity.
Bed linens attract things that cause asthma attacks. The easiest way to get rid of these triggering agents is by washing all of your bedding using your washer’s hot setting every Sunday. Fresh, laundered bedding will help you sleep that much easier at night.
Unscented products are the safest option for those who suffer from asthma. Using products in your home such as incense, perfume or air fresheners can increase the amount of microscopic pollutants indoors and trigger asthma attacks. Irritating odors are also given off by new carpeting and paints. Try to keep the indoor air as clean and fresh as possible.
See more than one doctor. Your PCP can be the person you go to for help with asthma, but it’s also a good idea to talk to a specialist. Asthma doctors, allergists, and pulmiologists are the people who you want to consult with to help with asthma.
To minimize the chances of triggering a bout of asthma, keep your house extra clean, particularly rooms where asthma patients sleep. Food should only be eaten in the kitchen area, and whatever you do, please don’t smoke. Air the house out thoroughly after cleaning and avoid the use of bleach and other harsh chemicals indoors.
Add more vitamin B6 to your diet. Known as pyridoxine, vitamin B6 has been proven to reduce the intensity and frequency of asthma attacks. This substance helps your body produce the molecules needed to relax the tissues of the bronchial tubes. A banana is a great food that is rich in vitamin B6.
Asthma Attacks
Identifying your personal triggers is one of the best ways you can learn to stop an asthma attack before it occurs. A daily journal can be a powerful tool to help you pinpoint frequent triggers and it can also help your doctor to prescribe the treatment that is right for you. Once you’ve figured out what your triggers are, work to remove them from your environmental and avoid them in your day to day life.
Some common catalysts of asthma attacks regularly occur in the home. These generally include dust, mold and spores. To keep your body healthy and to cut down the frequency of asthma attacks, it is important to have your house professionally inspected and cleaned to remove these harmful substances. Regularly cleaning your house can also contribute to preventing buildup of these substances.
Avoid allergens and consult your doctor if your current medication fails to limit your asthma attacks to less than three each week. Medical professionals generally consider two or more allergy attacks weekly to be dangerous, but completely preventable.
You need to know how to properly use asthma medications that are prescribed to you, especially your rescue medication, so that you are prepared if you need to use it during an emergency. Most people treat their asthma with regular daily medication, and carry supplemental emergency medication in the form of a rescue inhaler. Asthma is an illness that is chronic in nature, so it is imperative to take the management medicine as directed and only using the rescue inhaler when necessary.
Monitor your child’s asthma symptoms to see whether they should be going to the hospital or not. Two common symptoms of an unusually serious asthma attack are asthma medication having no effect and lips and extremities that are blue or gray in color. Also, you kid might have difficulty with speech.
Pay attention to how often you reach for your asthma inhaler each week. If you use it more than two times, your asthma might not be well-controlled or you may have unusual occurrences causing those frequent attacks. The number of times you use your inhaler can serve as a good reminder to monitor your environment and other aspects of your asthma management plan.
Watch carefully for any signs of food allergies in your children. If you see any development of hives, or difficulty in breathing after they have consumed a specific food, you should have the doctor test them for allergies. These allergic reactions could be a precursor of asthma.
When you are making an effort to control asthma, do not smoke. Smoking can actually trigger an asthma attack. Stay away from cigarette smoke, fumes, and vapors as much as you can. These can increase symptoms of asthma. When anyone lights up a cigarette or cigar in your presence, politely inform them that you have asthma and ask them not to smoke beside you.
Lower you chance of getting the flu by getting a vaccination every year. Even if you are not affected by the flu or colds, it’s still safer to get the vaccination against them. People who suffer from asthma are more likely to have respiratory infections, sinus infections, or the flu.
Many people underestimate asthma, or at least think that they can’t do anything about it since it is an incurable disease. However, you’ll be amazed at how much difference you can make simply by following these simple steps to try and relieve symptoms and reduce the sources of asthma attacks.
If your toddler has asthma, be sure to be vigilant of symptoms that may necessitate professional emergency care. The symptoms of a pending attack include: gasping for air, struggling to breathe, a difficulty speaking, and frenetic, panicked behavior. If you notice any of these signs, get your child immediate medical care.