Are you stressed about asthma and how it’s ruining your life? Remember you’re not the only one experiencing this. A lot of people want to learn more about asthma; however, they do not know how to go about it. Read on to get a firm foundation of knowledge about your asthma, and find some tips and techniques you might not already know.
Can you identify the exact type of asthma you’re dealing with? Being aware of your specific condition will help you combat the effects it has over your body day in and day out. An example would be to bring in your gym bag an inhaler if you happen to have exercise-induced asthma. When you know what triggers your asthma, you will be more prepared to stop attacks before they begin.
Smoking is extremely harmful if you suffer from asthma. If you are not already a smoker, don’t start, and if you are, quit as soon as possible. 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.
Avoid being around any known asthma triggers. For some people, it may be related to allergies, such as a reaction to dust or pollen. For others, physical activities can cause them. You need to determine what your triggers are so that you can avoid them.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma, you should avoid cleaning products. The chemicals in these products make you more prone to an asthma attack. While anyone responsible for cleaning their home can’t avoid cleaning products altogether, it’s best to only use natural products.
Certain prescription medications have the potential to cause asthma symptoms. Aspirin and some other NSAIDs may do this. This can also be caused by beta blockers, like medications that are used in managing high blood pressure or heart problems. It is important for your doctor to know your complete medical history, including any medications you are currently taking, so they can best treat your asthma.
There are some common medications that you could be using that will cause asthma symptoms. Among these medications are aspirin and other NSAIDs. Other medications that may have an effect on the respiratory system include beta blockers used to treat high blood pressure. If you suffer from these conditions and also have asthma, be sure to let your doctor know.
Properly use the inhaler every time you must use it. Find a good place and follow all of the directions that have been provided by the maker of the product. You can inhale all you want, but it’s useless if the medication doesn’t make it to your lungs. Spray the dosage into the mouth while you inhale air. Continue holding your breath for approximately 10 seconds. This way, the medication will soak into the cells of your lungs.
If you are suffering from a mild or moderate asthma attack, expel all the air from your lungs. Make your exhalations quick and forceful. This will force the air from 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 gives your breathing a rhythm and makes you focus on your breathing. It will also help to get the air to come out of the lungs so more can come in. It is okay that you cough up some sputum, you really want to breathe right again.
Make certain that all members of your family get their annual flu shot. If you have asthma, try to avoid getting respiratory infections if you can. 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.
If the room you are in appears to be dusty, refrain from turning on any fans. The fan will circulate the dust along with the air, which can cause it to get into your lungs and make your asthma worse. If you feel you need airflow, open a window instead.
When suffering from asthma, there are vitamins that can help, including E and C. It is thought that these vitamins will help increase lung function and will help control asthma symptoms. You can take a supplement or consume these vitamins in food. The vitamins work to strengthen your immunities, thereby warding off sicknesses that tend to exacerbate asthma.
If you suffer from asthma and allergy attacks, ask your doctor for a long-lasting allergy injection. Known as Omalizumab, this antibody medicine can control the body’s allergic senses and lower the symptoms or reactions that asthma patients suffer.
A dehumidifier is a beneficial investment for anyone with asthma. Lowering the level of humidity present in your home can reduce the numbers of dust mites, a prime trigger of asthma. Use a dehumidifier, and the air you breath will be much less likely to cause your asthma to flare up.
Make sure you use the inhaler in the proper, prescribed method. Get to a place out of the way, and read the directions before starting. Your inhaler will only help if you breathe very deeply. While taking a deep breath, spray in the recommended dosage. Allow the mist to fill up your lungs by holding your breath at least ten seconds.
Take notes of what can trigger your asthma attacks so that you can be prepared for a future attack or learn how to avoid them all together. Common asthma triggers include pollen, smoke or dander. Do your best to avoid coming into contact with substances that you know will trigger your symptoms.
You should ensure that every family member in your household gets a flu vaccine yearly. Keep yourself healthy, and without respiratory infections as best you can. This includes taking standard precautions against illness, like hand washing, as well as getting vaccinations that can keep you from getting sick.
When traveling, make sure to have your rescue medication handy at all times. Traveling tends to put extra stain on the body, and you’re more susceptible to your asthma triggers under these conditions. Controlling your environment is harder when traveling, so this makes it much more probable that you experience worsening symptoms or an attack.
If you are dealing with asthma, you would benefit from buying a dehumidifier. Though you may not be aware of it, high levels of humidity in indoor spaces can increase dust mites, which then can affect asthma. Dehumidifiers work by pulling the moisture out of the air of your home.
Even if you are feeling great, never skip your regular asthma checkup. Medical science is constantly evolving, so the doctor might know about a new treatment for you. Besides, you can never be sure when another attack might come on, so it’s better to be checked out.
Unscented products are best for asthma sufferers. Products that contain fragrance, such as perfumes, colognes, or air fresheners, can pollute the air triggering your asthma. Newly installed carpet or fresh paint in the home are both known to release chemical irritants. Aim to keep the air as fresh as possible indoors.
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. Always clean your teeth and rinse your mouth after you use your inhaler.
Keep your medication with you, especially when you are traveling. The stress of travel may temporarily weaken your body and make you more vulnerable to attack triggers. 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.
Contact with animals and pets should be avoided for asthma sufferers. Though dander allergies are often seen in conjunction with asthma, even asthmatics who are not allergic may have attacks that are triggered by the ancillary irritants transported by animals, including pollen and dust.
Rescue Inhaler
Don’t use a humidifier unless it’s been cleaned thoroughly if you suffer from asthma or allergies. Permitting bacteria to grow inside the appliance will result in irritants being dispersed into the air you breathe.
Know the right way to use any asthma medication you are taking, in particular your rescue medication. A treatment made up of a daily medication plus a rescue inhaler can help to keep asthma under control. Asthma doesn’t go away, so it’s important to be vigilant about taking your daily medication and using your rescue inhaler when an attack occurs.
If you are suffering from an asthma attack, try to remain calm and do not panic. Use the inhaler, pause for 30 seconds then use it again. Don’t suffer in silence or wait it out if your breathing gets worse instead of better after using your inhaler. You need immediate medical attention if this happens. Have someone phone an ambulance or drive you to a hospital. Try to breathe into a paper bag so that you can calm your breathing when you’re on the way.
If you’re flying with asthma medications, be sure you get a prescription from your physician. When you can prove that an item is medically necessary, it can save a lot of time and hassle while working through airport security.
Make sure you consume more foods with vitamin B6. Vitamin B6, known as pyridoxine, reduces the risks of getting an asthma attack. Pyridoxine produces molecules that facilitate the relaxation of bronchial tissues. You can find good reserves of vitamin B6 in bananas.
Have more than one medical professional look at your asthma problems. It’s true your primary doctor should be your main source for all your asthma help, but it may be wise to see one or two asthma specialists. Asthma centers, pulmonologists, allergists or even nutritionists will be able to work with you, make certain that you check out all outlets offering treatment.
Ensure your house is clean and tidy. Also, wash sheets, pillows and blankets frequently. This can reduce dust buildup and dust mite populations, which are both known to cause asthma attacks. When you have a build-up of dust in the air, your lungs will suffer and that can set off an attack.
In sum, it’s normal for patients with asthma to want to learn more about managing their condition. The purpose of the article above, was to give you crucial asthma information that you can use, to help ease the stresses of having this condition. Put the points from the preceding paragraphs into play, and you are sure to find that living with asthma is quite tolerable and manageable.
Keep track of how often allergies trigger asthma attacks. If you experience two or more asthma attacks a week after taking allergy medicine, switch to a different allergy medication. Medical professionals generally agree that when asthma is under control, there should be no more that two attacks in one week.