Asthma is an illness that can spiral out of control when left unchecked. Not only can asthma attacks prove severe, some are flat out fatal. You should always seek advice from medical experts, but when that’s not enough, you need to take active steps yourself. Here are a few easy tips to help you get a handle on your asthma symptoms.
A great idea to help your child with asthmatic problems is to avoid smoking in any areas they frequent. Secondhand smoke can actually cause asthma to appear. You should also make sure your child is never in an environment where other people are smoking.
There are many different types of asthma. Learning about your type of asthma will help you manage its impact on your life. People who suffer from exercise-induced asthma should consider carrying an emergency inhaler in their bag. You can avoid any future crisis by knowing and figuring out patterns of the symptoms you have.
Asthmatics should not smoke. If you smoke – quit immediately. Smoking is unhealthy for anyone, but it is especially dangerous for someone with asthma. This is because your lungs and airway are already compromised by your condition.
Ensure your child is never around smoke to handle their asthma. It has been medically proven that smoking can cause asthma or make existing symptoms worse. Also, do not let your child around others who smoke.
Asthma doesn’t just go away, so you can’t just stop managing it. 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. See your doctor or allergist to find out which treatment plan is best for your situation.
Avoid anything that is known to trigger your asthma. Certain outdoor areas may be off-limits because they cause allergies to flare up. Others have asthma attacks when they participate in physical activities. Do your best to understand and figure what exactly triggers your asthma so that you know what you need to avoid.
Injections are available to people who suffer from asthma related to allergies, to help give them some long term relief. For example, Omalizumab can be used to keep your allergic reactions to a minimum and your asthma under control.
If you suffer from asthma, ensure you consume lots of Vitamins E and C. These vitamins make lungs function better and keep symptoms of asthma under control. You can take a supplement in order to get these vitamins if there is not enough of them in your food. The vitamins can help to boost the immune system, which will help you to stay healthy and less ill, which means you will have less asthma attacks.
A leukotriene inhibitor can be helpful if you have asthma. As its name suggests, this inhibitor works by preventing the release and build-up of leukotriene. Inhibiting this chemical can lead to a decrease in asthma symptoms. Get the inhibitor to prevent the leukotrienes, and your asthma attacks may drop in number.
You might want to purchase a dehumidifier to use at home if you have asthma. A dehumidifier will reduce attacks by taking extra humidity and, by extension, dust mites and other debris out of your air. Dehumidifiers work by taking the humidity out of the air.
If you have asthma and do not have health insurance, you should consider seeing a social worker. A social worker can possibly help you with finding treatment and low-cost medications.
In order to minimize the chance of an asthma attack, be sure to keep your living area very clean, most definitely the bedroom area. Never allow anyone to smoke in the home of an asthmatic, and consider using plastic to cover your mattress and pillows. Harsh chemicals, like bleach and ammonia, can trigger asthma.
It’s been proven that you should use no more than four cleaning products in the home. If you do it can increase the risk of asthma attacks. Organic products are preferable to more chemically loaded, commercially produced cleaning products.
If you or someone in your family has asthma, all family members need to get flu shots every year. Prevent these infections from occurring by going to get vaccinated each year.
It is best to use products that are unscented in the home with someone who is asthmatic. Scented products such as air fresheners and perfumes can trigger an asthma attack. Other asthma irritants include fresh paint fumes and new carpeting. Keep your indoor air clean and free of pollutants to stay healthy.
Support Group
To lower the chances of an asthma attack, keep your house as clean as can be, especially the bedroom. Never allow anyone to smoke in the home of an asthmatic, and consider using plastic to cover your mattress and pillows. Don’t use bleach or harsh chemicals inside, and air out the house as much as possible after cleaning.
A support group can offer empathy and information about new treatments and medication. Asthma, particularly if it is severe, can incapacitate you and keep you from going about your daily activities. By joining a support group, you will be able to discuss new scientific breakthroughs or treatment alternatives with those who are interested.
Be certain you are aware of all your asthma attack triggers so you know both how to steer clear of them and also be ready to take care of your symptoms. A lot of asthma sufferers have some triggers in common, like pollen, smoke and pet dander. When possible, stay away from triggers of asthma symptoms in an effort to prevent a severe attack.
It is crucial that you know how to properly use your asthma treatments, particularly rescue inhalers. Most people treat their asthma with regular daily medication, and carry supplemental emergency medication in the form of a rescue inhaler. Because asthma can be a lifelong issue, it is vital to take both regular and rescue medications according to the instructions.
Even if your asthma is not acting up, attend all of your doctor’s appointments. Your doctor may be able to prescribe more effective treatments and you may be suffering symptoms you’re not aware are related to your asthma.
Asthma is an uncurable disease, but that doesn’t mean that the symptoms are permanent and can’t go away. However, just like most things in life, overcoming your asthma symptoms takes time and effort. If you follow these easy tips, you’ll find that your symptoms will get better over time and you’ll be able to enjoy a healthier, more active lifestyle.
In the winter, prevent attacks by wearing shawls, mufflers and scarves that cover the nose and mouth. This warms the air before you bring it into your lungs. Breathing in air that’s cold can trigger an attack, particularly in younger children that have moderate or severe asthma.