Any medical condition that makes it difficult to breathe–especially asthma–has the potential to be absolutely terrifying. You could get an asthma attack at any time and must always be prepared. This article empowers you to treat your asthma by helping you understand how and why it happens, and what to do when it does.
Never turn on a fan when the room you are in is very dusty. If you do, the dust will move around, and you can trigger your asthma. If you need airflow, simply opening a window would be better.
Avoid those things that you know can trigger your asthma. For some people, this is allergy related; things like pollen and dust can start an attack. For others, physical activities can cause them. Know your asthma causes so you can avoid putting yourself in a situation where you may suffer from an attack.
When struggling with asthma, consider using a leukotriene inhibitor. A leukotriene inhibitor is for the prevention of leukotrienes. Leukotriene is a substance that can bring about inflammation, resulting in an asthma attack. This inhibitor can prevent leukotrienes, which makes you less likely to have an asthma attack.
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that requires constant management. Be sure you are practicing proper self-care, and make sure you have your inhaler ready to go in case you suffer a full-blown attack. Speak with an allergist or your doctor to determine the best care for you.
Everyone in your family, including you, should get the flu vaccination every year. If you have asthma, it’s important to prevent all respiratory infections, if at all possible. You can start by taking simple precautions, such as washing your hands and getting proper vaccinations when due.
If you are suffering from a moderate or mild attack, do your best to force as much air out of the lungs as possible. Exhale quickly and forcefully. Force all the air out of the lungs! Inhale in a series of three, or three shallow breaths and one deep breath. After your lungs are filled with air, forcefully exhale again. Not only will you breathe in rhythm, but you’ll focus more intently on how you are breathing and become aware of breathing problems. It will also empty your lungs of air, so that they’re ready to take in new, fresh air. You may generate sputum or cough but that is alright, since your main objective is getting you to breathe normally again.
People who have asthma should stick to using unscented products. Products that contain fragrance, such as perfumes, colognes, or air fresheners, fill the air with irritants that can trigger an asthma attack. You should also avoid fresh paints or new carpets, as they give off fumes that can irritate the airway. Try keeping the air indoors as fresh as it can be.
If you suffer from asthma and allergies that result in attacks, you can get injections of long-lasting medication for relief. An antibody medicine under the name Omalizumab can be used to reduce these symptoms caused by allergies and might be prescribed by your allergist.
To minimize the chances of triggering a bout of asthma, keep your house extra clean, particularly rooms where asthma patients sleep. Food should not be eaten outside of the kitchen, and there should be no indoor smoking. Try to avoid using any harsh chemicals or bleach in the home while cleaning; and, once the home is cleaned, air it out.
Ask everyone in your family to get a flu shot every year. You do not want to have a respiratory infection if you have asthma. This includes taking standard precautions against illness, like hand washing, as well as getting vaccinations that can keep you from getting sick.
If you have hay fever or a cold, you will probably need increased treatment of your asthma. Many illnesses have side effects which can cause your asthma to get much worse, leading your doctor to increase treatment. Your regular medication may also need to be combined with other treatments your doctor may recommend.
If you have asthma, avoid people who are smoking. 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.
Have your rescue inhaler with you at all times, especially when on vacation. Traveling to places can strain your body, and it is more vulnerable to asthma triggers when it is under strain. Traveling can make asthma symptoms worse, and it is difficult, nearly impossible to control environmental triggers during travel.
Sleep with a feather-less 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. This extends to the rest of your bedding, as well. There are hypoallergenic comforters and sheets you can use to limit asthma symptoms.
Even if your asthma is not acting up, attend all of your doctor’s appointments. You can never tell when an attack will strike, or when your physician may have some better or safer advice for you to follow.
Even if you have not had any recent breathing problems, you should nonetheless schedule regular checkups. You cannot be certain when you will next have an issue with your asthma, or when there may be a better medication available to utilize for your condition.
A lot of the main causes, and triggers, of asthma may exist right in your home. Some triggers include spores, dust and mold. 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. On top of that, doing housecleaning regularly can prevent build up of these particles.
A humid home environment is a healthy environment for mildew and mold to develop. Protect yourself against allergens, dust mites and fungus to avoid exacerbating your asthma symptoms. Therefore, it can benefit you to ensure your home stays as dry as possible. In the winter, use a dehumidifier along with your heater, and in the summer months, you can use your air conditioner to help control the amount of water in the air within your home.
If you are going on a plane trip with asthma medications, make sure to bring your written prescription along with you. Written proof of needing your equipment can help you with any issues you might have in the security line.
It is essential that you learn the proper ways to use all of your asthma medications, especially those used in rescue situations. Typical asthma treatment includes regular medicine supplemented by a rescue inhaler. It’s crucial that medication for management of asthma is taken regularly, and that rescue medication is also used when appropriate.
Bed linens are a magnet for nasty allergens and asthma triggers, including dust and pollen. You can eliminate or reduce these inducers by washing your pillowcases and sheets weekly in hot water. You will breathe easier at night when you have freshly washed and clean bed linens.
It can be fatal, too, if not controlled or treated. The information in this article should have shed some light on what methods of management are available to asthmatics and what you need to do to be able to live a healthy and happy life with asthma.
If you have asthma and you’re also an allergy sufferer, you must only use a vaporizer or humidifier that’s been cleaned thoroughly. Bacteria can grow inside the machine because of the moist environment, and you will be releasing that right into the air if you are using it.