Living through a bout of asthma is quite unsettling, as is the knowledge that the disease will never entirely go away. Luckily, there are many things that you can do to make living with your asthma easier. The tips in the next few paragraphs detail different methods for treating asthma.
If you suffer from asthma, don’t smoke or expose yourself to smoke, fumes or vapors. You should not smoke and consider which jobs are appropriate for you, especially if you are thinking about working in a factory.
People afflicted by asthma should make it a priority to always avoid exposure to smoke, vapors and fumes. Stay far away from any tobacco products. You should also consider where you work, as factories may expose you to harmful vapors or smoke.
Cleaning products should be avoided when you have asthma. Many of the chemicals in cleaning products can trigger asthma symptoms or attacks. It is advisable to consider using products that have an organic base when cleaning.
Do you know which type of asthma you suffer from? Being fully informed about the specific type of asthma you have is very important. An example would be to bring in your gym bag an inhaler if you happen to have exercise-induced asthma. Knowing symptom patterns will help you prevent emergencies.
Know situations and conditions that cause asthma attacks for you, and stay away from them in the future as much as possible. For some people, this can be pollen or other allergy triggers. For others, it may be linked to physical exertion. Look for the trigger points in your life, so you can work around them.
It is vital that neither you, nor anyone else, smoke around a child with asthma. Secondhand smoke is a leading cause of asthma, and it can also trigger an asthma attack. Any place where smoking is allowed should be avoided if you have a child with asthma.
Some medications are known to cause asthma symptoms. Some of these include aspirin and NSAIDs. Common medications used for controlling high blood pressure often times contain beta blockers, which asthmatics may be more sensitive to. Make sure you consult with your doctor concerning your asthma and possible drug reactions.
Cleaning Products
During a mild to moderate attack, force all of the air out of your lungs. Breath out as hard and fast as you can. Try to force the air out of your lungs! 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 will create a rhythm and will help you be aware of the way you are breathing. Expelling the air from your lungs in this fashion also allows you to breathe in deeper. You may generate sputum or cough but that is alright, since your main objective is getting you to breathe normally again.
If you suffer from asthma, strong cleaning products should be avoided. Cleaning products are often full of chemicals, and breathing those chemicals in can irritate your lungs. There are many all-natural organic cleaning products available that may help eliminate asthmatic problems.
Use the inhaler properly. Discover a location that is peaceful, and ensure you follow all the instructions that are given by the manufacturer. The only way the inhaler can help is if the medication can reach your lungs. While inhaling air, spray required dosage in your mouth. Hold in your breath for 10 seconds so the medicine works properly.
Avoid anything that could trigger your asthma. Certain asthma sufferers experience attacks when they around around allergy triggers, such as dust or pollen. Some people get attacks after being physically active. Do your best to understand and figure what exactly triggers your asthma so that you know what you need to avoid.
If you use more than four cleaning products, you are increasing the risks of an asthma attack. Choose instead organic products that are not filled with harmful chemicals.
Asthma Symptoms
Those with asthma should always opt for unscented items because they are safest. Products that contain strong scents, like incense, perfume, or air freshener can trigger an asthma attack just by lingering in the air. Fresh pain and new carpet also let off odors that are irritable to the airways. Try to maintain the air in your house as free from possible asthma triggers as possible.
There are some medications that may contribute to asthma symptoms. Examples of medications that may contribute to asthma are aspirin and other NSAIDs. Many medications for heart disease and hypertension can also cause asthma symptoms. If you’ve been diagnosed as asthmatic and are taking medications unrelated to your asthma, be sure your doctor is aware of them.
If you are an asthma patient, you may want to sleep with a pillow that does not contain feathers. Feathers in a pillow can bring on the symptoms of asthma and decrease lung function. The same it true for bedding, try purchasing sheets and comforters that are created from hypoallergenic materials.
Avoid using a fan in any room that has excessive dust. This could trigger an asthma attack because this will move the dust around. Open a window instead to get the air flowing.
Humidity in the home can create an environment that is ideal for mold and mildew to grow. These fungi are both common triggers for asthma attacks. Thus, keep the air in your home as moisture-free as possible to avoid asthma-related problems. When you are heating your home during the winter months, a dehumidifier can be used to control the humidity. In the summer, use an air conditioner to maintain dry air.
Make sure that everyone in your family gets their flu shot. Asthma patients should try their best to avoid getting respiratory infections. Take the right steps to stop yourself from getting sick, wash your hands and get the right vaccines.
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 proof in writing from a doctor that states the item is a medical necessity can eliminate security hassles.
Using four or more cleaners in your home can contribute to asthma attacks. Try using organic cleaning products which don’t contain irritating chemicals.
When you clean your floors, do so with a wet mop instead of a broom. If you are sweeping, you can trigger an asthma attack by stirring up a lot of allergens into the air. When you dust, try dampening a rag, instead of a feather duster, to avoid spreading things that can trigger your asthma.
Using a preventative inhaler is important, but you need to know the side effects it can cause such as mouth infections. A good way to prevent these complications and side effects is to brush your teeth and gargle immediately after using your inhaler.
When you are making an effort to control asthma, do not smoke. Inhaling smoke can trigger an asthma attack. Avoid smoke of any kind, including cigarette smoke, if you’ve got asthma. Exposing yourself to these pollutants can have a significant effect on your asthma symptoms. If you are being exposed to things that may irritate your asthma, remove yourself from the situation as quickly as possible.
If you suffer from asthma, avoid being around smoke. Smoke and chemicals have been known to trigger asthma attacks. You should stay far away from smoke of any kind, chemicals and vapors. All of these air-borne pollutants can greatly increase your asthma symptoms. If you live with or near a smoker, find a way to politely ask that they not smoke around you or your living spaces.
To make sure all of your medical needs are being met, you will need to consult at least two doctors. You may use your primary physician for most things, but a specialist can be very helpful as well. Asthma doctors, allergists, and pulmiologists are the people who you want to consult with to help with asthma.
Bed Linens
If asthma does strike, don’t lose your cool. You should immediately use your inhaler and use the inhaler again 30 seconds later. Should your asthma get even worse, seek medical attention immediately. Get someone to call an ambulance or get you to a hospital. Slow your breathing by inhaling and exhaling into a paper bag while you are waiting for help.
Allergens and asthma triggers, such as dust and pollen can cling to your bed linens. Wash sheets on a weekly basis to rid them of allergens. Use hot water to wash the sheets. You should also wash pillowcases. Sleeping with fresh bed linens will ensure you can breathe easy when you sleep.
If you suffer from asthma attacks, familiarize yourself with how to properly use your inhaler. Don’t just breathe normally or shallowly after spraying inhaled medication into your mouth. Make sure when you spray your inhaler that you take in deep breaths for short periods of time. An inhaler is not of much use if you aren’t taking it correctly.
Stop smoking. Although bad for everyone, cigarettes can cause greater problems for those with asthma. Smoking is very bad for people who suffer from asthma, be sure not to smoke, but not to be around people that smoke.
Take the time to learn all there is to know about your affliction. The greater your knowledge base regarding asthma, the more involved you can be in determining treatment plans. Stay as current as you can to ensure you get the best possible care. You can easily know this information by further developing your knowledge about your condition, as well as, discovering treatment options.
If asthma does strike, don’t lose your cool. Calmly use the inhaler. Use it again after 30 seconds has elapsed. If the attack gets worse doesn’t get better, then get help immediately. Have some one call for an ambulance or take you to the hospital. Try breathing in a paper bag to slow your breathing on the way there.
Go to your doctor a few times every year to check up on your asthma, and ensure that it is being managed effectively. Your physician can assess if there’s been any changes in your condition, and adjust your treatment plan accordingly. It is up to you to work with your doctor at regular appointments to keep your treatment plan working.
If you suffer from asthma attacks, familiarize yourself with how to properly use your inhaler. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that it’s as easy as pumping lightly into your mouth. Make sure when you spray your inhaler that you take in deep breaths for short periods of time. When your doctor prescribes your inhaler, ask him for detailed instructions in using it correctly.
If repainting a room is in your future, purchase a quality mask first to protect your lungs from paint fumes. Not surprisingly, paint fumes are a known irritant for asthma. Specially designed masks can filter out these fumes. Avoid specific substances and chemicals that will worsen your asthma.
If you suffer form asthma, it is very important that you understand the best ways to manage it. If you arm yourself with knowledge about your asthma, you can learn to live with it easily. The advice from above can surely help you live a better life with asthma.
The causative factors in asthma range from environmental factors to genetic factors. Most of the time, both environment and genetics play a role in determining whether you will be impacted by this disease. If someone in your family has asthma, pay extra attention to any asthma-like symptoms from yourself and your children. Many environmental factors like smoke, pollution, dust and mold spores are known to cause asthma; it is best to avoid these hazards when possible.