Are you one of the millions of people of all ages who suffer from asthma related symptoms? The following article has simple advice for keeping asthma under control.
Always be very mindful of the type of medications you’re taking. Some meds out there might just trigger an asthma attack. Some of these include aspirin and NSAIDs. You should also pay attention to heart medications you may take, or ones that treat abnormal blood pressure. If you suffer from these conditions and also have asthma, be sure to let your doctor know.
You need to make sure that you do not smoke and that you stay away from a lot of fumes and vapors if you suffer from asthma. This means you need to keep away from tobacco products and only seek out jobs where you aren’t exposed to any harmful chemicals, smoke or vapors.
If you are suffering from a mild or moderate asthma attack, expel all the air from your lungs. Exhale quickly and forcefully. It can’t be said too strongly: you must force the air out! Take three breaths in succession. These breaths don’t have to be deep, just breathe a little. Then take a deep breath, pulling as much air as possible into your lungs. When your lungs are as full as you can stand, force the air out. Paying attention this way will help you stabilize your breathing and make it rhythmic. Expelling the air from your lungs in this fashion also allows you to breathe in deeper. If you cough or produce sputum, don’t worry. Just remain focused on your objective, which is to regain a normal rate of breathing.
There are medications that can unknowingly cause asthma-like symptoms. Aspirin is a common medication that can affect asthma sufferers. You should also pay attention to heart medications you may take, or ones that treat abnormal blood pressure. If you suffer from these conditions and also have asthma, be sure to let your doctor know.
Having a fast acting inhaler is vital to save asthmatics from experiencing severe symptoms. Talk to your physician and find out if a leukotriene inhibitor would be right for you. A leukotriene inhibitor prevents the formation of leukotrienes. Leukotriene, a chemical released by the body in response to an allergen, is responsible for inducing many of the symptoms of an asthma attack. If you use an inhibitor, you may find that the your asthma attacks significantly decrease.
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. Omalizumab is a mediation that is able to control allergic reaction symptoms.
Make certain that you and your loved ones receive annual flu shots. Do everything you can to avoid a respiratory infection if you have asthma. The easiest way to start is by performing routine hand-washing, limiting your touching of surfaces while in public places, and getting vaccinations recommended by your doctor.
Know how to use your inhaler correctly. Find a quiet secluded area so that you can calmly take the inhaler as directed by the instructions from the manufacturer. The inhaler only helps if the medication reaches your lungs. While inhaling air, spray the proper amount of inhalant into your mouth. You should keep your breath held for 10 seconds at a minimum to let the medicated mist fill up your lungs.
Make sure you are taking plenty of Vitamins E and C if you suffer from asthma. These vitamins can help improve your lung function, ultimately controlling asthma. You can find the vitamins you need in food or supplements. These vitamins will also provide a boost to your immune system. This will prevent respiratory illnesses that can trigger your asthma attacks.
Social Worker
Try to keep your home as clean as possible, especially the bedroom of the asthma sufferer, to reduce the risk of an asthma attack. 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.
If you are an asthma sufferer and are denied health insurance, talk to a social worker. It is crucial that you be able to pay for your asthma medications, and a social worker might be able to locate a hospital or clinic for you that offers medications at a much cheaper price.
Pay attention to your symptom triggers. The more aware of your triggers you become, the easier it will be to avoid them and reduce the number of attacks you suffer. Some common asthma triggers include pet dander, pollen, and cigarette smoke. Avoid these things when you can to breathe easier.
Both Vitamin C and Vitamin E are important if you suffer from asthma. These vitamins help reduce asthma flare-ups by improving lung function. It is possible to acquire the necessary amounts by eating foods or by taking dietary supplements. Getting enough vitamins is also a good way to prevent asthma attacks by boosting your immune system.
Avoid pillows stuffed with goosedown or other feathers if you have an asthma problem. The pillow feathers can cause asthma to flare up and minimize your lung function. Be sure to keep the same advice in mind for your bedclothes. They should be made from materials that do not increase allergy symptoms.
If you have asthma, a dehumidifier is something you should consider purchasing for you home. By bringing down the humidity level, it will reduce dust mites and reduce asthma flare-ups. Dehumidifiers work by pulling the moisture out of the air of your home.
Try joining an in-person or virtual asthma support group. Since severe asthma can be quite debilitating, it can have a huge impact on your everyday life. The individuals in this group could also provide you with new insights about medications that are out there, as well as other advice in dealing with asthma.
If you deal with asthma in your life, always choose products that are free of scents. Scented products should be avoided, such as air fresheners, perfume, and incense. These can increase the amount of air pollution in the home and even trigger an attack. Many things in the home release chemicals that irritate the lungs, such as newly installed carpet or fresh paint. Try keeping the air indoors as fresh as it can be.
Many of the most common asthma triggers are found in the home. These include mold, dust and spores. Stay on top of your health and reduce the likelihood of attacks. You can do this by having it inspected every year to get rid of triggers. Cleaning your house on a regular basis is one way to keep these substances from accumulating.
Flu Shot
A preventative inhaler should be used every day, but you should know that this can cause infections near the teeth and gums in your mouth. A good way to prevent these complications and side effects is to brush your teeth and gargle immediately after using your inhaler.
If your child or yourself are asthma sufferers it is very important that you get the flu shot every single year. Prevent those flu infections before they happen by getting a flu shot each year.
Anytime you clean your house or apartment, wet mopping is superior to sweeping. Those particles that can trigger asthma attacks are stirred up when you sweep. When you dust, try dampening a rag, instead of a feather duster, to avoid spreading things that can trigger your asthma.
You need to know what the asthma triggers are so that they can be avoided or treated promptly. Most with asthma share common triggers, like pet dander, pollen or smoke. When possible, stay away from triggers of asthma symptoms in an effort to prevent a severe attack.
Have more than one medical professional look at your asthma problems. Of course your regular doctor will be the one you go to for help with your asthma, but you should also see a specialist. Asthma centers, pulmonologists, nutritionists and allergists can all work with you, making sure you are getting all the treatment you need.
Take your rescue inhaler and keep it handy when you travel. Traveling can make you more likely to suffer from attacks due to the extra strain and stress on your body. The change in environment can also have a negative impact, since it is impossible to control. This can lead to more frequent attacks or attacks with symptoms that are worse than normal.
Do not smoke! Most people are educated about how dangerous smoking is, but it is much more harmful for people who have asthma. 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.
Asthma takes a long time to develop and doesn’t yield obvious symptoms. Many individuals died from their very first asthma attack because they weren’t aware they had the risk factors for an attack. So, if you have a lingering cough or instances of troubled breathing, you should see a doctor to see if you might have asthma and determine whether you may need medication to either prevent or treat asthma.
If you are suffering from asthma, you should learn how to utilize your inhaler the right way. You should not just stick it between your lips and spray. Every single time that you spray the inhaler into your mouth, you must, for a couple of seconds, breathe deeply. When your doctor prescribes your inhaler, ask him for detailed instructions in using it correctly.
When you need to take your asthma supplies on an airplane, it is a good idea to bring your doctor’s prescription with you. Written proof of needing your equipment can help you with any issues you might have in the security line.
Talk to your doctor about adjusting your medication if you find yourself using the inhaler 3 or more times per week. It means the medication used to calm acute attacks is either ineffective or not effective enough. This same advice also goes for those who must refill their inhalers more frequently than every six months.
It’s a very good habit to use your asthma inhaler as a daily preventative, although the drug residue can cause issues for your gums and teeth. You may be able to avoid this problem by brushing your teeth or rinsing your mouth thoroughly after each use of the inhaler.
The mere act of discussing your asthma condition with other people can have a soothing and positive effect. People who have experience with the same disease as you can often provide a number of suggestions or tricks that work in specific situations – all of which can make your battle with asthma a little earlier. One of the keys to fighting asthma is having the support of the people in your life.
During the week, you should take note each time your rescue inhaler is used. Using it two times or may may mean that your asthma is not as controlled as you may think it is. It could also mean that something else is bringing on these frequent attacks. Focusing on how often you need your inhaler makes you aware of when you need to make changes to your plan for keeping asthma under control.
Asthma can be triggered by environmental factors such as allergens, or it could be genetic. If you have a family member with asthma, keep a close watch on your children and yourself for any asthma related symptoms. There are a lot of things in your home that can cause asthma, some of these are smoke, mold, dust and pollution.
When you are cleaning your home, it is always better to use a wet mop rather than sweeping your floors. Sweeping can cause the rise of dust and dander, which may trigger an asthma attack. Also, use damp rags instead of feather dusters to dust your furniture.
Over time you should work to strengthen your body and increase the capacity of your lungs. Don’t start an intense workout that you know you can’t get through due to your asthma.
Avoid smoke to prevent asthma and asthma attacks. Sometimes smoke can cause an asthma attack. The fumes from chemicals, or smoke from cigarettes, should be avoided at all costs. These can aggravate your asthma symptoms. If you know someone who smokes, politely ask that they do not smoke in your presence.
Pay close attention to any reactions your children have to food. If they develop hives or have difficulty breathing after consuming a specific food, have their pediatrician test them for that allergy. These allergic reactions could be a precursor of asthma.
This article is filled with useful tips for you. The most important thing to deal with is persistence. If you fail to heed warning signs and other factors, your asthma symptoms quickly take back over your life. By following the tips in this article, you will be able to manage asthma better.
Get those flu shots. Even if you rarely catch the flu, get your shot to avoid catching a respiratory infection that will greatly decrease your breathing ability. Anyone who suffers from asthma is more vulnerable to any respiratory or sinus infections that are associated with the flu.