Are you among the many people who have asthma? The tips you will find below will help you control these annoying symptoms.
If your asthma attacks are severe, you may want to speak with your doctor about a long lasting injection of medication to control your symptoms. It is called omalizumab, and it is an antibody medicine used to control allergic reaction symptoms. You will need to speak to your allergist to find out if this would be helpful to you.
It is vital that neither you, nor anyone else, smoke around a child with asthma. Secondhand smoke is a huge health risk and directly plays a role in why people develop asthma. If your child is in an area where people are smoking, remove him quickly to avoid an asthma attack.
Unscented products are best for asthma sufferers. Scented products such as air fresheners, incense and perfume heighten the degree of indoor air impurities and may possibly contribute to an attack. New carpet and fresh paint can also emit odors that can irritate the airways. As much as possible, try to keep your home filled with fresh, pure air.
Suffer from asthma? It is vital that you not smoke tobacco; if you do, quit. Smoking is, of course, unhealthy for anyone. The habit is even more dangerous for asthma patients, however, because anything that reduces the amount of oxygen reaching the lungs can trigger an attack.
You will need to keep your residence really clean, especially the bedroom where the asthma sufferer sleeps in order to help lessen the chances of an attack. Also, you should keep food confined to the kitchen, and opt to smoke outdoors only. After you clean, let the house air out completely, and stay away from using any harsh chemicals (especially bleach) inside.
Asthma Attack
If you have hay fever or a cold, chances are your asthma treatment will be increased. The effects of some illnesses can exacerbate the effects of your asthma, causing the need for more treatments. Your physician might also work an additional treatment into your therapy until such time as you are healthier.
Any type of smoke can bring on a serious asthma attack. Do not smoke! Avoid exposure to chemical fumes or vapors. Doing so can cause an asthma attack you might not have the ability to stop. If people smoke around you, you should get away form that area.
Avoid using a feather or down pillow if you have asthma. The feathers from a pillow can cause asthma symptoms and decrease your lung function. You should also look into hypoallergenic materials when buying sheets and a comforter.
Avoid using a fan in any room that has excessive dust. The fan will cause the dust to circulate through the air, which can cause you to suffer an asthma attack. It’s better to open the window if you’re in need of fresh air.
When you are traveling, be sure to carry your rescue inhaler with you at all times. Traveling adds strain on the body and increases your susceptibility to asthma triggers. It’s hard to have much control over your environment when you travel, which makes it more likely you will have some sort of symptoms or an asthma attack.
When suffering from asthma, there are vitamins that can help, including E and C. Since both of these have been attributed to better function of the lungs, they also help to control the symptoms of asthma. It is possible to acquire the necessary amounts by eating foods or by taking dietary supplements. Another great benefit of vitamin C is that it will help to strengthen your immune system overall.
Even if your asthma seems like it is under control, always keep your asthma appointments with the doctor. A new flare-up may be just around the corner, or your doctor may have news of a more effective new medication you can try.
If you’ve been diagnosed with asthma, be sure to get flu shots every year. This is doubly important for asthmatic children. Get yearly vaccinations to keep these potential infections at bay.
Humidity is a problem in the home, because it creates conditions that are perfect for mildew and mold growth. These fungi are both common triggers for asthma attacks. So try your best to make your home as dry as possible. When you use the heater in the winter, be sure to have a dehumidifier control the humidity in your home. During the summer time, be sure to use the air conditioner to maintain a dry home.
Asthma Attacks
Be sure to thoroughly understand how to utilize asthma medication correctly, particularly any rescue medication. A treatment made up of a daily medication plus a rescue inhaler can help to keep asthma under control. Asthma is considered a chronic condition. For this reason, you should take the management of it very seriously.
Be keenly aware of the triggers for your asthma attacks. If you know the cause, you can stay away to prevent asthma attacks. Some common asthma triggers include pet dander, pollen, and cigarette smoke. If able, avoid anything that results in symptoms of asthma or an asthma attack.
Monitor how often, per week, you find it necessary to use your inhaler. If you use it more than two times a week, your asthma may need to be better controlled, or you are going through an usual period that brings on more regular attacks. This number can help you monitor your environment for asthma triggers and let you determine if your treatment plan is working properly.
If you are asthmatic, it may be a good idea to use a pillow that is not filled with feathers. Pillow feathers force the lungs to work harder and can exacerbate asthma problems. The same goes for bedding – try to buy a comforter and sheets that are made from hypoallergenic materials.
For a deeper and more thorough cleaning, mop your floors instead of simply sweeping them. The action of sweeping can swirl up a whole cloud of asthma-triggering particles. Dust will adhere to a wet towel instead of being loose in the air like feather dusters do where it can aggravate your asthma.
Emergency Medication
Allergens, pollen, dust and some other asthma aggravators can collect in your bed linens. A weekly wash cycle using hot water can eliminate these potential triggers for asthma attacks. Clean bed linens that are washed frequently will help you breathe easier every time your head hits the pillow.
Be sure you understand how to use your asthma medication, especially emergency medication. A treatment made up of a daily medication plus a rescue inhaler can help to keep asthma under control. Because asthma has no cure, you must treat it carefully by taking your maintenance medication every day and using your emergency medication responsibly.
Smoking cigarettes is not a choice that should be made. While smoking is a dangerous habit in general, it is far more damaging to those who have asthma. An asthmatic’s lungs are more vulnerable than those of a healthy individual, which makes it especially important to abstain from smoking and avoid secondhand smoke.
If you are going to be flying and are bringing your asthma medicine with you, take written prescriptions from your physician with you, especially if you will be taking large equipment like a nebulizer. Having written documentation supporting this medically necessary item will eliminate any hassles when going through the security check point.
Sufferers from asthma should stay indoors when the pollen count rises. While asthma and allergies are separate illnesses, you’ll find that the triggers for one tend to be mirrored in the other. The same air quality reports available in the local news for allergy problems can also help those with asthma issues stay indoors on particularly hazardous days.
Rescue Inhaler
If you are an asthma sufferer, it is crucial that you are using your inhaler the proper way. Simply spraying it and then inhaling in a shallow manner will negate the inhaler’s benefits. Whenever you spray your inhaler, inhale deeply for multiple seconds. Using the inhaler in a proper manner can make all the difference for those who deal with asthma.
Keep track of the number of times per week you use your rescue inhaler. You should not have to rely on a rescue inhaler more than twice per week. If you find yourself needing it more often, it could be a sign that your asthma is not being controlled well or that there is a new environmental factor causing attacks more frequently. The number of times you use your inhaler can serve as a good reminder to monitor your environment and other aspects of your asthma management plan.
Eat more foods that are rich in B6 vitamins. Studies have found that vitamin B6, which is sometimes referred to as pyridoxine, can make asthma attacks less frequent and less intense. Pyridoxine produces molecules that facilitate the relaxation of bronchial tissues. Chicken and carrots, as well as bananas, are two good food sources which contain vitamin B6.
If you are cleaning, you should use a mop that is damp instead of a dry broom. Those particles that can trigger asthma attacks are stirred up when you sweep. In the same vein, choose a damp rag as opposed to a feather duster when dusting, as this prevents dust from flying about.
Finding out what causes your asthma attacks can be the most effective way to prevent them. A journal is a good way to identify what has triggered an attack and provides you with a simple way to keep your doctor informed. After you figure out what your triggers are, do everything in your power to avoid exposure to them.
Have more than one medical professional look at your asthma problems. Your primary care doctor should be the first person you go to, but think about seeing a few specialists. Allergists, asthma centers, pulmonologists, and even nutritionists can work with you to make sure you are taking advantage of all avenues of treatment.
Asthma is sometimes caused by genetics, and sometimes by environmental causes. If a member of your family suffers from asthma, you should pay close attention to any symptoms of asthma that you and your children display. Protect your children and yourself from the many common pollutants in the air, such as mold, dust and pollen to prevent or reduce asthma symptoms.
People with asthma should not smoke. Most people know how dangerous smoking is, but for someone afflicted with asthma, the dangers are ten times more serious. Smoke greatly irritates the sensitive lungs of the person with asthma, so in addition to not smoking, someone with asthma should avoid people that are smoking.
Maintain a living area that is swept and well cleaned. Keeping your bedding clean and washed regularly can really make a difference when trying to control your asthma. This can reduce dust buildup and dust mite populations, which are both known to cause asthma attacks. Built up dust makes the air irritating and increases the chances of an asthma attack.
When pollen counts begin to rise, then anyone who suffers from asthma should just stay inside as much as they can. While asthma isn’t a type of allergy, those with asthma are frequently bothered by the same kinds of irritants that cause problems for allergy sufferers. Air quality levels for specific pollutants are now readily available and it is possible to use this information to limit exposure on high level days.
Target gradual strength training and increase the capacity of your lungs. Do not attempt a strenuous workout that will end up triggering an asthma attack.
Th above article provided you with advice to keep your asthma at bay. But of course, the advice is only useful if applied with diligence and regularity. Asthma will come back very quickly if you ignore the warning signs for as little as a short time. Ensure that you are always protected by committing yourself to the task of controlling your condition.
If you do not have your inhaler or medication present when you have an asthma attack, find some caffeine. It’s best to use a fast acting inhaler to end your asthma attack but caffeine can relieve asthma symptoms until you are able to get to your inhaler. The caffeine constricts your blood vessels and leads to the opening of your airways.