It is common to be scared when a doctor gives you a diagnosis of asthma. There is no cure for asthma, as it is a chronic disease. Life goes on after you have been diagnosed with asthma. You will gain some insights here on how to get control of asthma in an effective and manageable way.
If your child or another loved one suffers from asthma, you should be sure to never smoke cigarettes when you’re near them. Secondhand smoke is one of the leading culprits that causes asthma. Any place where smoking is allowed should be avoided if you have a child with asthma.
Do you know what type of asthma you have? Knowing as much as possible about your specific type of asthma will go an incredibly long way in helping you combat the day-to-day effects it has on you. For example, if your asthma is brought on by bronchitis, you should keep your rescue inhaler with you during times when you are sick. Knowing when an asthma attack is likely to strike can help you avert disaster.
Asthma is a continuous disease that needs ongoing management. Make certain you are doing the most you can each day to keep your symptoms under control. Take the proper medications needed for everyday symptoms, and always have quick relief medication by you at all times in the event an attack occurs. Speak to your physician and allergist to find out what medications are right for you.
Asthma Attacks
If you are having an asthma attack (mild or moderate), you need to try to force air out of the lungs. Force air out of your lungs with quick, powerful exhalations. Force your lungs to expel as much air as possible. Breathe in by taking three quick breaths, followed by one very deep breath. Doing this will fill your lungs completely, and allow you to expel the air forcefully again. This method forces you to pay close attention to your breathing and create a steady rhythm. It also expels air from your lungs so more can enter. You may generate sputum, but the primary goal is to start breathing regularly again.
Avoid harsh cleaning chemicals if you are an asthma sufferer. Asthma sufferers are often sensitive to chemical cleaners; using these products can sometimes trigger asthma attacks. Use natural cleaners instead of chemical cleaners to reduce your chances of asthma attacks after cleaning.
If you have asthma and suffer persistent attacks caused by allergy symptoms, an injectable medicine can be administered for extended relief. There are antibody medications used to control allergic reactions that come recommended by allergists.
Avoid the things that trigger your asthma. For many people, allergens such as dust and pollen can induce an attack. For others, attacks can be caused by physical activities. Determine what sets your asthma off so you can stay away from these things.
If you are having trouble preventing asthma attacks, you may find success with a leukotriene inhibitor. This prescription will prevent the product of leukotrines and help to abate the symptoms of asthma. Leukotriene is a substance that may cause inflammation. This can make a person have an asthma attack. If you get a leukotriene inhibitor, it can get rid of them in the air and help you with asthma symptoms.
If you’re someone who gets an asthma attack related to allergy like symptoms, there’s medication you can use to help. For example, Omalizumab can be used to keep your allergic reactions to a minimum and your asthma under control.
Make sure that everyone in your family, including you, gets annual flu shots. If you are afflicted with asthma, avoid getting any infections if possible. The easiest way to start is by performing routine hand-washing, limiting your touching of surfaces while in public places, and getting vaccinations recommended by your doctor.
A leukotriene inhibitor should be taken into consideration when asthma is a struggle. These medications prevent the production of leukotrienes. The inflammation caused by this substance can trigger the symptoms of asthma. Leukotriene is an oral therapy for the treatment of asthma, but it is not as effective as inhaled corticosteroids.
Make sure you are taking plenty of Vitamins E and C if you suffer from asthma. These vitamins can help improve your lung function, ultimately controlling asthma. You can take a supplement or consume these vitamins in food. The vitamins work to strengthen your immunities, thereby warding off sicknesses that tend to exacerbate asthma.
Social Worker
Think about getting a home dehumidifier if you have asthma. With less humidity, there will be fewer dust mites, and that means that there is less of a chance that your asthma will flare up. Dehumidifiers keep your home dry by keeping the humidity out.
Asthma patients without health insurance can get help by asking a social worker and getting access to programs with the resources asthma patients need. It is critical that every asthma sufferer have access to the proper medicines to keep the condition under control, and a social worker could help you locate a hospital or clinic that will provide you the necessary medication on a low or no-fee basis.
The use of multiple (more than four) household cleansers can cause an increase in asthma attacks. Choose natural and organic products which don’t have chemicals that will irritate your disease.
You may want to consider purchasing a dehumidifier for your home if you suffer from asthma. Not only will a dehumidifier decrease humidity, but it will also be helpful in controlling the dust mite population. Both are causative factors in asthma attacks. Dehumidifiers eliminate your home’s humidity, leaving dry air.
If you have asthma, avoid people who are smoking. When you inhale smoke, especially in close quarters, lung functioning is decreased, and it can trigger an attack.
If you have asthma, it is imperative that you stay away from smokers. When you inhale tobacco smoke, particularly in closeted areas, the functioning of your lungs can decrease, and you may suffer an attack.
For asthma sufferers, the unscented option is always the best choice among different products. Use of scented products, such as perfume, air fresheners and incense, increase the levels of indoor air pollution and can trigger an 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 have asthma, you should get a flu shot once per year. Get vaccinated every flu season to avoid a high number of infections.
When it’s colder, wear a shawl, scarf or muffler that will cover your mouth and nose to avoid asthma attacks. This helps warm the air prior to it entering your lungs. Breathing in the cold air has been shown to trigger asthma attacks, especially in younger children with moderate to severe asthma.
Be keenly aware of the triggers for your asthma attacks. If you know the cause, you can stay away to prevent asthma attacks. Common asthma triggers include pollen, smoke or dander. It is best to do all that is possible to avoid triggers that can cause attacks.
If you are taking your prescriptions with you on a flight, make sure to take your prescription. Having written documentation supporting this medically necessary item will eliminate any hassles when going through the security check point.
If you are dealing with asthma, a good idea is to use a pillow without feathers. Feathers can decrease lung function and cause asthma symptoms. It is also advisable to use hypoallergenic sheets and comforters for the same reason.
Someone suffering from asthma should avoid animals. Having an allergy to dander or animal hair could be possible asthma complications, even sufferers free of these kinds of allergies could still have an asthma attack that is caused by pollen and dust animals seem to carry around with them.
As you can read, the trick of managing asthma is preparing well. Knowing the kind of asthma you have and the different methods on how you can deal with it daily is necessary in order to avoid crises. By reading this article, you have taken an important step in gaining the understanding you need to keep your asthma in check.
Allergens and asthma triggers, such as dust and pollen can cling to your bed linens. It is important to wash your bed linens at least once per week in very hot water if you want to reduce or eliminate the potential aggravators. You’re less likely to have an asthma attack while asleep or upon first waking up if your bedding is fresh and clean.