Asthma can be worrisome, no matter if it’s a loved one or you that is affected by it. The golden rule requires that you learn the details of how it effects you and manage your activities with those details in mind. These tips should be helpful to you in figuring out what to expect from your asthma and when.
Do you know what type of asthma you have? Being aware of your specific condition will help you combat the effects it has over your body day in and day out. If you have exercised-induced asthma, for example, you’ll want to bring your inhaler with you to the gym or other locations where you might be involved in physical activity. If you know and understand your asthma triggers, you can better avoid and handle attacks.
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. You must abstain from using any tobacco products. Also, when job hunting, you need to take into consideration whether or not you will be exposed to anything detrimental to your condition while on the job.
Never smoke around a child with asthma, or you could kill them! As far as triggers that cause asthma attacks or causes of the condition in general, secondhand cigarette smoke ranks right up there. Any place where smoking is allowed should be avoided if you have a child with asthma.
If you are an asthma sufferer, it is crucial that you don’t smoke. Smoking is not recommended for anyone, but it creates worse complications for asthma patients by cutting off part of the oxygen supply needed to breathe properly.
A lot of medications can trigger an asthma attack without you knowing. Aspirin along with other NSAIDs can have this effect. You can also use beta blockers, which will help you manage blood pressure. Talk to a doctor if you have any of these conditions along with asthma.
There are medicines out there that may increase your chance of triggering asthma symptoms. Some over the counter medications can irritate your asthma. 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.
If you are prone to asthma attacks, avoid any cigarette or other tobacco smoke. Asthma creates breathing problems by constricting airways, and cigarette smoking only exacerbates the problem. Avoid breathing in vapors from smoke or other chemical-type fumes. This can cause your asthma to flare up, causing an attack that may be uncontrollable. Leave a room if people smoke, or ask them to stop.
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that requires constant management. Be certain that you are using the right maintenance medicines to control your asthma and that you also have a rescue or emergency medication when you have an acute asthma attack. Have a discussion with your doctor or allergist to determine what the best plan for you might be.
If your health insurance situation cannot help you with your asthma, talk to a social worker. Having the financial ability to purchase your asthma medications is essential, and a social worker can help you locate a hospital or clinic that can provide you with these medications for free or at a significantly reduced rate.
Exhale Forcefully
Vitamins E and C are beneficial to anyone with asthma. They help to increase the function of the lungs and control the overall symptoms of asthma. You can gain vitamins from supplements or the old fashioned way, from food! These vitamins are great for your immune system, and a strong immune system wards off illnesses that can trigger asthma attacks.
If you have moderate asthma attacks, exhale forcefully, so that you force air from your lungs. Exhale quickly and with power. Forcefully push the air out from your lungs. Then take three small breaths in, followed by a deeper breath to fill your lungs comfortably. Next, exhale forcefully again. Pay attention to what you are doing and follow a regular rhythm. It also voids your lungs of old air so that new air can enter. You may cough or generate sputum, this is okay, your main goal is to get your breathing back on track again.
If you have asthma, you may wish to consider installing a dehumidifier in your home. Lowering humidity will reduce the amount of dust mites in your home, and help your asthma improve. Use a dehumidifier, and the air you breath will be much less likely to cause your asthma to flare up.
If you have asthma and have frequent attacks that are related to allergies, there are medicines that can be injected to provide you with long-term relief. One antibody medication available is called Omalizumab and can be prescribed by your doctor or allergist.
Travel with your rescue medication on your person at all times. It’s easy to get thrown off your regular eating and sleeping routine while traveling, which strains your body and increases your vulnerability to asthma attack triggers. It is often hard to maintain the right kind of environment when you are traveling, and this may heighten the risk of an asthma attack or worsening symptoms.
If you are an asthma sufferer and are denied health insurance, talk to a social worker. It is essential that you can buy your asthma medicine, and a social worker might help you find a hospital or clinic that can provide your medicine at reduced cost, or free.
Even if you seem to be fine, see your doctor regularly for your asthma checkups. You never know when you might suffer another flare-up, or when your doctor might have a better or safer medication to prescribe for your symptoms.
Unscented products are the safest option for those who suffer from asthma. Products that contain fragrance, such as perfumes, colognes, or air fresheners, can pollute the air triggering your asthma. Certain things in the home, such as newly installed carpet or fresh paint, can also release chemical irritants. Try keeping the air indoors as fresh as it can be.
If you are going on a trip on a plane and need to take your asthma medicine, take your prescription with you! Carrying written prescription information will help you to avoid security hassles, and you won’t have to worry about your medication being confiscated.
There are many things you should be aware of when dealing with asthma. This article has only some of the tips that you can use to manage your asthma, or help others cope with this condition. Together, you can minimize the impact that asthma has in your life.
See a specialist. While your primary care physician should be your go-to source for asthma help, consider making an appointment with a specialist or two. Think about going to a pulmonologist, an allergist or even a nutritionist, depending on what is triggering your attacks.