If you have asthma and you need help finding ways to manage it and cope with it, then this article has some good information for you. We have put together the best ways to devise a way to get a better life and make it easier to live.
What kind of asthma do you have? Being fully informed about the specific type of asthma you have is very important. 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 any future crisis by knowing and figuring out patterns of the symptoms you have.
Blood Pressure
If you have been diagnosed with asthma and you are a smoker, it is time to quit. Smoking is a terrible habit but it’s even worse for someone who suffers from asthma as it decreases the amount of oxygen that gets to your lungs.
Never take medications without getting your doctor’s approval so you don’t wind up taking one that has a side effect of exacerbating asthma.. Examples of medications that may contribute to asthma are aspirin and other NSAIDs. You should also pay attention to heart medications you may take, or ones that treat abnormal blood pressure. If you have asthma paired with heart disease or high blood pressure, tell your doctor.
There are some common medications that you could be using that will cause asthma symptoms. NSAIDs and aspirin are known for their ability to cause symptoms. Also, beta blockers, such as medicines used to control heart disease and high blood pressure. Make sure your doctor knows if you are taking such medicine and also have asthma.
If the room that you’re in is dusty, do not turn on a fan. This will move all the dust around, and can easily trigger an asthma attack. Open a window instead to get the air flowing.
Properly use the inhaler every time you must use it. Move to a quiet area, and then simply follow manufacturer’s instructions. The medicine in the inhaler only works if it actually makes it to your lungs. As you are inhaling air, spray the correct dosage in your mouth. Hold your breath at least ten seconds, so that the medicated mist can fill your lungs.
Learn how to properly use your inhaler. Get to a place out of the way, and read the directions before starting. Proper use delivers the medication to your lungs. Inhale air while spraying the necessary amount of medication into your mouth. Make sure you hold your breath for 10 seconds or more to get the medications into your lungs.
A dehumidifier is a beneficial investment for anyone with 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 cause the air in your home to become dry, which means less humidity.
If you suffer from asthma and you are not eligible for health insurance, speak with a social worker. Social workers are often able to locate a hospital or clinic that can offer free or low cost options to make sure you can fill your medication prescriptions.
Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke because it is as dangerous to asthmatics as smoking a cigarette. You can suffer an asthma attack if you are around cigarette smoke because it makes your lungs function poorly. You are even more exposed to an attack when the smoke is in a closed-in room or area.
Make certain that all members of your family get their annual flu shot. Do everything you can to avoid 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.
Regardless of whether your asthma has been flaring up, don’t neglect routine checkups. You can never tell when an attack will strike, or when your physician may have some better or safer advice for you to follow.
Vitamin C
Humidity is a problem in the home, because it creates conditions that are perfect for mildew and mold growth. These are harmful substances that can trigger asthma attacks. Therefore, it is important to maintain a dry home. You can maintain a dry home by using a dehumidifier and heater in the colder months, and air conditioning when it is warm.
If you suffer from asthma, ensure you consume lots of Vitamins E and C. Both vitamins improve lung function, helping you to better resist asthma attacks and other negative symptoms. Vitamin C is available in multiple forms. You can find it in citrus fruits, supplements, and in many other places. Another great benefit of vitamin C is that it will help to strengthen your immune system overall.
Asthma is a disease that effects the respiratory system, and can take many years to develop, often times going undetected. There have been a few cases where a person dies from their first attack, because they didn’t know they suffered from the condition. Given that fact, if you have any kind of consistent cough or respiratory ailments, consulting a physician for testing is a good idea, since you want to know if you are suffering from asthma and if so, what to do about it.
Those with asthma should always opt for unscented items because they are safest. Use of scented products, such as perfume, air fresheners and incense, increase the levels of indoor air pollution and can trigger an attack. Other asthma irritants include fresh paint fumes and new carpeting. Try to keep the indoor air as clean and fresh as possible.
It is important to use your maintenance inhaler daily as prescribed. However, understand that most types of inhalers contain ingredients which may make your mouth more susceptible to infections. Prevent these unnecessary side effects by gargling and brushing your teeth right after you use the inhaler.
Make sure you are aware of what triggers your asthma so you can avoid it or prepare properly. There are some quite common triggers that can invoke an attack in asthma sufferers, for example cigarette smoke, pollen, or pet hair and dander. When it is possible avoid substances that make you have symptoms or attacks.
Asthma sufferers should minimize their contact with animals and pets. While an allergy to animal hair or dander is a possible asthma complication, even those sufferers free of such allergies can experience an asthma attack caused by the dust and pollen all animals tend to carry along with them.
Keep your medication with you, especially when you are traveling. The stress of travel may temporarily weaken your body and make you more vulnerable to attack triggers. Influencing the environment around you is nearly impossible while on the road, which is another opportunity for deteriorating symptoms or attack triggers.
Make sure you are going to different doctors. Your usual doctor will be able to help you, but you should also consider seeing a specialist. You’ll want to visit an asthma center, or consult with a pulmonologist to get additional help improving your lung function. In addition, you should get tested for allergies so that you can avoid allergic reactions that trigger asthma attacks.
You must have regular asthma reviews, even if you are not having any problems. You don’t know when another flare-up will happen, or when your physician can offer you safer or superior medicine for your symptoms.
Do not smoke! The dangers surrounding smoking are well documented, but for asthma sufferers the issues can be much more serious. Asthmatics have sensitive lungs and tobacco smoke is very, very irritating. Smoke is so bad, that asthmatics should never allow themselves to be in the same vicinity as someone who is smoking.
Some of asthma’s major triggers can be right in your home. These triggers include dust, spores and mold. To ensure health and reduce the potential for asthma attacks, have a yearly inspection for the presence and removal of these hazards. Cleaning your house on a regular basis is one way to keep these substances from accumulating.
Try to avoid the seasonal pollen that may trigger an asthma attack. Asthma’s not an allergy, but many things that irritate allergies also irritate asthma. Now there’s information on local air quality available so you can monitor whether you’re going to be exposed to hard to breath air.
This information will help you deal with asthma to help you deal with asthma symptoms. Armed with this knowledge you have discovered within this article, you can participate in a more proactive lifestyle and make up all the things that you have missed out on.
Don’t panic when you have an asthma attack. You should use your inhaler immediately upon the first signs of an attack. Once you have used it, use it again 30 seconds later. Seek help if your attack gets worse. Ask someone to drive you to the closest hospital or call an ambulance. Try breathing into a paper bag in order to slow down your breathing while on the way to the hospital.