Living with asthma poses a unique set of challenges, many of which can be overcome with proper management techniques, leading to the resumption of a healthy and active lifestyle. Advice is plentiful; you just have to use it in your own life to reap the rewards. Read on to find some helpful tips and techniques to take back your life despite the diagnosis of asthma!
You should stay away from anything you might believe which can trigger an asthma attack. For many people, allergens such as dust and pollen can induce an attack. While in other people, all it takes is physical activity and an attack can trigger. Knowing exactly what sets off your asthma is thus, very important.
Always be very mindful of the type of medications you’re taking. Some meds out there might just trigger an asthma attack. NSAIDs and aspirin are known for their ability to cause symptoms. Beta blockers, such as those used to control high blood pressure or heart disease may also have this effect. If you suffer from any of these conditions along with your asthma, make sure you tell your doctor.
If the room you are in appears to be dusty, refrain from turning on any fans. The fan will cause the dust to circulate through the air, which can cause you to suffer an asthma attack. On smog-free, low pollen days, open your windows to improve airflow in the house.
Exhale Forcefully
You may want to consider purchasing a dehumidifier for your home if you suffer from asthma. Decreasing the humidity in the house decreases dust mites, which decreases asthma flare ups. A dehumidifier works to dry the air by removing moisture.
If you have moderate asthma attacks, exhale forcefully, so that you force air from your lungs. Exhale quickly and hard. This will force the air from your lungs. Inhale in three short breaths and one fourth deeper breath so that your lungs are comfortably full of air, then exhale forcefully again. This will make your breathing rhythmic and help you pay more attention to it. It will also empty your lungs of air, so that they’re ready to take in new, fresh air. This may cause you to cough or it may cause phlegm, but your breathing will be back to normal again.
When suffering from asthma, make sure to choose products that are unscented. Using products with scents, like perfume, incense and air fresheners, boosts the amount of air pollution indoors and can bring on an attack. Other asthma irritants include fresh paint fumes and new carpeting. Strive to maintain an indoor environment that is free from these pollutants, keeping the air fresh.
Though it should go without saying, do not turn on any fans or circulation systems when in a room containing visible dust that has yet to be cleaned. The wind will move dust around and get into your airways causing an attack. Open a window instead to get the air flowing.
If you suffer with asthma, get a flu shot each year. Therefore, it is very important to avoid as many infections to the lungs as possible by getting a vaccine each year.
Properly use the inhaler every time you must use it. A lot of people use inhalers improperly, so be sure that you’re adhering to the manufacturer’s suggested instructions. The inhaler is only useful if the medication within it actually gets to your lungs. Spray the dosage into the mouth while you inhale air. Holding your breath for a minimum of 10 seconds gives the medicinal mist from the inhaler time to spread itself throughout your lungs.
Realize what triggers your attacks, and you can avoid or manage these situations. The majority of people suffering from asthma have several common triggers, like pet dander, smoke or pollen. Whenever you can, just steer clear of these triggers when you know what they would result in.
If you use more than four types of chemical cleaning agents in your house the risk of your child having an asthma attack increases. Try to use organic based cleaning products that are not harmful to asthma sufferers.
Avoid pillows with feathers if you have asthma. The pillow feathers can cause asthma to flare up and minimize your lung function. This applies to bedding, as well. Purchase sheets and comforters that are made of hypoallergenic materials.
Stay away from cigarette smoke, even if it’s secondhand. 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.
While traveling, always keep emergency asthma medication on hand and close by. Travel adds stress on your physical body, and it might increase your chances of falling prey to asthma triggers. While on the road, it is also hard to control the environment you are in, which also makes an attack more likely.
Make sure that your rescue medication is at hand at all times during your travels. It’s easy to get thrown off your regular eating and sleeping routine while traveling, which strains your body and increases your vulnerability to asthma attack triggers. It is also hard to predict what will come up or to control your environment when you travel, which increases the chances of experiencing more severe symptoms or an attack.
Most of the triggers for attacks, and causes of asthma, are found inside the home. These triggers include dust, spores and mold. To stay healthy and reduce the chance of asthma attacks, you should have an inspector visit your house yearly to remove these harmful agents. Furthermore, thorough and frequent cleaning will ensure that allergens and other possible triggers do not accumulate in your home.
A support group can offer empathy and information about new treatments and medication. Asthma, especially the more severe forms, cause many problems that interfere with the quality of life and present many challenges. Also, other asthma sufferers can help keep you aware of new medications or other medical treatments.
Avoid cold-induced asthma attacks by protecting your mouth and nose with a scarf. You can help warm the air with these things before they bring any harm to your lungs. Studies have indicated that asthma attacks are sometimes triggered when cold air is inhaled. This is especially true for young children who have asthma that is moderate to severe.
Many of the biggest triggers for asthma can, and do, exist in your home. These triggers include dust, spores and mold. To keep these triggers out of your home, have a professional inspector come to your home each year to remove these nasties from your home. In addition, cleaning the house regularly can greatly contribute to keeping these substances from building up.
Asthma typically develops over a long time, and sometimes the symptoms aren’t very obvious. There have been a few cases where a person dies from their first attack, because they didn’t know they suffered from the condition. If you have any trouble breathing or are coughing a lot, you need to see a doctor to determine what it is and if you need any medication or treatment for asthma prevention.
Wear a covering over your mouth and nose when you go outdoors in the colder weather. A shawl, scarf or muffler would work well. Filtering and warming air before you inhale it can help prevent asthma attacks. Inhaling cold air can elicit an asthma attack or create other serious respiratory problems.
When cleaning your house, clean floors with a wet mop instead of a broom. Sweeping stirs up irritants that can trigger an asthma attack. You can greatly reduce this by using a wet sponge, damp rag, or moist cloth instead of your old-fashioned feather duster.
If you are traveling by plane and must bring inhalers or nebulizers on board, you should bring a written prescription for the equipment. If you have written proof about the item you have,and that it is medically necessary, there will be less hassles going through security.
Avoid smoke to prevent asthma and asthma attacks. Smoke is a major cause of asthma attacks. Stay away from all types of fumes as well as cigarette smoke. Exposing yourself to these pollutants can have a significant effect on your asthma symptoms. 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.
Asthma sufferers should minimize their contact with animals and pets. An allergy to an animal will worsen asthma symptoms, and an animal can carry enough dust or pollen to trigger an attack.
For people with serious asthma, exposure to household pets should be limited. A lot of times the hair or dander will cause an asthma attack, but even if you do not have an allergy to the pet itself they often carry pollen and dust with them.
If you have asthma and allergies, do not use a vaporizer or humidifier unless you make sure that it has been cleaned thoroughly. If you allow bacteria to breed in the moist environment of the machine, you will just be pumping allergens into the air that you are trying to humidify.
To improve your asthmatic condition, use a clean humidifier or vaporizer while you sleep. Bacteria breeds in moist environments and can build up in dirty machines, pumping allergens into the air.
If you are suffering from asthma, you should learn how to utilize your inhaler the right way. It isn’t as simple as spraying your mouth with it and lightly inhaling air. Breath deeply each time you push your inhaler button. Without proper breathing techniques with your inhaler, your symptoms will worsen.
Be sure you know exactly how to properly use your inhaler if you do have asthma. You need to know that you can’t lightly inhale as you just spray it inside your mouth. Every time you spray the inhaler, deeply inhale for a couple seconds. Proper techniques with your inhaler will keep your symptoms from increasing out of control.
Learn as much as possible about asthma. The more educated you are about your asthma, the more proactive you can be about your treatment. Keep up with trends and new treatment methods, and ensure that the medical professionals on your team are working hard to help you. The best way to ensure this is to know as much as you can about asthma and your options for treatment.
If you need to use your inhaler more often than twice each week, this means your asthma isn’t adequately controlled and a medication change is required. Frequent use may be a signal that the medication is not effective. This is also true if you are refilling your rescue inhaler prescription more than twice a year.
There are a lot of ways you can control your asthma and stop it from hurting you. A diagnosis of asthma is not terminal, so get down to work crafting your treatment and return to a fulfilling life!
You should visit your doctor regularly throughout the year, so they can keep you apprised on the status of your asthma. Your doctor can check to see if your condition has changed, and if it has, update your treatment plan. Although your doctor is there to help you stay healthy and manage your asthma, your health is your responsibility. Make and keep regular doctor’s appointments so that you can keep asthma under control.