Asthma is a medical condition that can take over your life if you do not treat it. Asthma attacks are unpleasant, and in some cases, can be fatal. You should look for advice from doctors and medical experts, when it is not enough take the appropriate steps yourself. This article provides easy tips to help alleviate some asthma symptoms and to help you to better treat your asthma.
If you have any children who suffer from asthma, avoid smoking around them at all costs. There’s a long list of environmental asthma triggers, and secondhand smoke is at the top of it. Keep your child away from cigarette smoke and any other kind of fumes.
You should not smoke or be anywhere near smoke if you suffer from asthma. This means avoidance of all tobacco products, as well as taking into consideration any smoke or vapors you might be exposed to in a prospective workplace.
Know situations and conditions that cause asthma attacks for you, and stay away from them in the future as much as possible. This can vary from person to person, as small particles like dust can cause asthma attacks. For others, it may be linked to physical exertion. Know your asthma causes so you can avoid putting yourself in a situation where you may suffer from an attack.
Do all you can to learn not just about asthma, but your particular asthma. If you know as much as you can about the kind of asthma that you have, you can find out how to battle it day-by-day. If people who have asthma suffer attacks triggered by exercise, they should bring an inhaler with them when they work out. Knowing the patterns related to your symptoms could aid you in avoiding crises.
If you are an asthmatic who also has allergies, injected allergy medication may be just the thing you need to get relief. Your allergist may recommend a variety of medications to control your reactions and the onset of asthma.
You may be unaware that certain medications you might be on could cause asthma symptoms. Some NSAIDs and aspirin might do this. You should also pay attention to heart medications you may take, or ones that treat abnormal blood pressure. Let your doctor know about your asthma and what prescriptions you’re taking.
Properly use the inhaler every time you must use it. An inhaler is most effective if used in a relaxed location and according to the maker’s instructions. The medicine in the inhaler only works if it actually makes it to your lungs. You need to inhale air while spraying the requisite dosage in your mouth. Hold your breath at least ten seconds, so that the medicated mist can fill your lungs.
Make sure if you have an inhaler that you are using it the right way. Find a good place and follow all of the directions that have been provided by the maker of the product. Remember that using an inhaler is only going to help you if the medication contained within makes its way to the lungs. While taking a deep breath, spray in the recommended dosage. You should keep your breath held for 10 seconds at a minimum to let the medicated mist fill up your lungs.
If you suffer from asthma and you are not eligible for health insurance, speak with a social worker. It is critical that every asthma sufferer have access to the proper medicines to keep the condition under control, and a social worker could help you locate a hospital or clinic that will provide you the necessary medication on a low or no-fee basis.
If you suffer from asthma, ensure that your diet contains adequate amounts of Vitamin E and Vitamin C. They help to increase the function of the lungs and control the overall symptoms of asthma. You can take a supplement or consume these vitamins in food. These vitamins can boost immune systems, which helps you to avoid illnesses that can be a trigger for your asthma.
Make sure that you and your loved ones get a flu vaccination yearly. If you are afflicted with asthma, avoid getting any infections if possible. Take the right steps to stop yourself from getting sick, wash your hands and get the right vaccines.
If you use any more than four kinds of cleaning product around your home, then the risk of an asthma attack is increased. Use organic cleaning products since they don’t have irritating chemicals.
If you are dealing with asthma, make sure you take lots of Vitamins E and C. Both vitamins improve lung function, helping you to better resist asthma attacks and other negative symptoms. Many foods have these vitamins in abundance, but you can also use a supplemental pill. Another great benefit of vitamin C is that it will help to strengthen your immune system overall.
It is best to use products that are unscented in the home with someone who is asthmatic. Scented products such as air fresheners, incense and perfume heighten the degree of indoor air impurities and may possibly contribute to an attack. Fresh paint and new carpeting give off odors that can irritate sensitive airways. Keep the air inside your house as fresh as you can.
It has been shown that use of four or more different kinds of cleaning products can raise the risk of asthma attacks. Organic cleaning products should be selected due to their lack of irritating chemicals.
Be prepared for your asthma treatment to be increased if you have a cold or hay fever. Many of these illnesses will worsen your asthma symptoms bad enough to require more treatments than you typically need. Your physician might also work an additional treatment into your therapy until such time as you are healthier.
You need to know what the asthma triggers are so that they can be avoided or treated promptly. Common triggers among asthma sufferers are smoke, pollen, or pet dander. Try to avoid these items as much as humanly possible so as to not trigger a full attack.
If you or your child suffer from asthma, it is important that you receive a flu shot every year. Getting vaccinated yearly can help keep many of these illnesses at bay.
When taking asthma medications on a plane trip, bring written medical prescriptions provided by your doctor. Carrying written prescription information will help you to avoid security hassles, and you won’t have to worry about your medication being confiscated.
Be certain you are aware of all your asthma attack triggers so you know both how to steer clear of them and also be ready to take care of your symptoms. Most with asthma share common triggers, like pet dander, pollen or smoke. Avoid these things when you can to breathe easier.
Make sure you count how many times, within a week, you have 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. The frequency of use of your inhaler can give you an idea about your surroundings and the need to watch them.
If you are asthmatic, it may be a good idea to use a pillow that is not filled with feathers. The pillow feathers can cause asthma to flare up and minimize your lung function. Same thing with bedding – purchase sheets and a comforter that are constructed from hypoallergenic materials.
Allergens, pollen, dust and some other asthma aggravators can collect in your bed linens. You can eliminate or reduce these inducers by washing your pillowcases and sheets weekly in hot water. These fresh bed linens will let you breathe easier when sleeping.
Support Group
If the pollen count is rising, stay indoors when possible. Asthma’s not an allergy, but many things that irritate allergies also irritate asthma. The air quality information should be used to find out when it is better to stay indoors to avoid irritants present in the air.
You can join an online or offline support group. Asthma can be an extremely debilitating health issue and can stop you from participating in life the way you want to. Being a part of a support group can help provide you with honest information about products and helpful hints, as well as medical news.
If you experience an asthma attack, stay calm. Wait thirty seconds to try your inhaler after using it the first time. If the attack gets worse doesn’t get better, then get help immediately. Ask someone to drive you to the closest hospital or call an ambulance. Inhaling and exhaling into a paper bag can slow your breathing while en route.
Keep track of the number of times per week you use your rescue inhaler. Using it more often than twice weekly means that you should have your asthma assessed by a doctor. The frequency of your inhaler use is a good way to remember to check out your environmental surroundings and be mindful of all factors relating to your asthma regimen.
If you want to paint something, get a mask to protect yourself from the fumes. Asthma is strongly irritated by paint, so a mask will put a shield between you and it, and lessen the problem. Don’t use certain chemicals and substances that could aggravate your asthma.
Asthma is an uncurable disease, but that doesn’t mean that the symptoms are permanent and can’t go away. However, just like most things in life, overcoming your asthma symptoms takes time and effort. If you follow these easy tips, you’ll find that your symptoms will get better over time and you’ll be able to enjoy a healthier, more active lifestyle.
A support group for those with asthma can really help, and so can simply talking to people about your condition. They will provide tips on how to deal with asthma, or what to do in certain situations that may be new to you. Support from those you are around is crucial.