Have you been diagnosed with asthma and wonder what this means? Many people have the need for some common sense tips about this illness. There are lots of people who’d like to learn about asthma, but they are unsure of where to look for information. You may find some of the facts delineated below surprising, but they can be extremely helpful in allowing you to control this condition.
Resist the urge to turn on a fan if you find yourself in a room filled with dust. All this does is circulate the dust, which is an invitation to triggering an otherwise avoidable asthma attack. Instead, you should consider opening a window to get some fresh clean air going through your lungs.
Stay away from smoking, or being around any smoke, vapors or fumes. Decrease the effects of asthma by wearing a protective mask when pollution levels are especially high.
When suffering from asthma, there are vitamins that can help, including E and C. These vitamins can help improve your lung function, ultimately controlling asthma. Either find a good vitamin supplement to take, or change your diet to include more foods rich in Vitamins E and C. These vitamins are great for your immune system, and a strong immune system wards off illnesses that can trigger asthma attacks.
Do you know what sub-type of asthma you’re plagued with? Being fully informed about the specific type of asthma you have is very important. A perfect example is that if you have asthma caused by exercise you should put a inhaler in your locker or gym bag. When you know what triggers your asthma, you will be more prepared to stop attacks before they begin.
IF you have asthma, you should consider buying a dehumidifier. Cutting down the humidity in the house will lower the amount dust mites in the air, and that will mean fewer asthma flare-ups. Dehumidifiers remove the humidity by drying out the air that flows through your house.
Do not smoke around a child with asthma. Secondhand smoke is a trigger for asthma attacks, not to mention the myriad of other diseases it can cause. While making sure to never light up around your children, it is also vital that you make sure your kids are not around others who do not show the same courtesy.
If you suffer from asthma, it is best to buy unscented products. Using scented products, like air fresheners and perfume, will increase the level of air pollution and is likely to trigger an attack. Irritating odors are also given off by new carpeting and paints. Try to see that the air inside your home remains as fresh as possible.
Asthma is a chronic disease that requires ongoing, consistent management and care. Make certain you are doing the most you can each day to keep your symptoms under control. Take the proper medications needed for everyday symptoms, and always have quick relief medication by you at all times in the event an attack occurs. Find out from your allergist and your doctor what is best for you.
In order to minimize the chance of an asthma attack, be sure to keep your living area very clean, most definitely the bedroom area. Never allow anyone to smoke in the home of an asthmatic, and consider using plastic to cover your mattress and pillows. Make sure that the home is properly ventilated and aired out, especially after cleaning with harsh products, like bleach or ammonia.
If you suffer from asthma, try seeing if a leukotriene inhibitor helps. Leukotriene inhibitors are used to prevent things called leukotrienes. Leukotriene is a substance that may cause inflammation. This can make a person have an asthma attack. The inhibitor will block leukotrienes from getting into your lungs and lessen the chances of you suffering an asthma attack.
Feather pillows can be bad for those with asthma. The feathers can make asthma worse and take away from your ability to breathe. The same goes for bedding – try to buy a comforter and sheets that are made from hypoallergenic materials.
Social Worker
Regardless of whether your asthma has been flaring up, don’t neglect routine checkups. You can not predict when an attack might hit you, or if your doctor has found a different medication that is safer and will help your symptoms more.
If you have asthma and cannot afford health insurance or have no eligibility, bring up your situation with a social worker. A social worker can possibly help you with finding treatment and low-cost medications.
You may want to join an online or offline support group. Asthma is a terrible condition that can prevent you from engaging in simple daily activities. If you know other asthma sufferers, you can stay up to date on the latest medicines and treatment options.
Make certain that all members of your family get their annual flu shot. If you suffer from asthma, it is best to avoid respiratory infections of any type as much as possible. The preventative measures you can take against such sickness range from simple habits of hand washing to getting your annual flu shot.
You can wear warm things like a shawl, muffler or scarf, which can help cover your nose and mouth in the colder months. Bundling up puts heat between the air and your lungs, which can help lessen your risk of an asthma attack. Inhalation of cold air is proven to initiate asthma attacks, and younger kids afflicted with asthma of moderate or severe proportions are especially at risk.
If you suffer from asthma, don’t expose yourself to secondhand smoke. When you breathe in smoke, especially in small spaces, it diminishes breathing ability, which greatly increases the probability of an asthma attack.
When you fly, make sure to take along prescriptions or doctors’ notes for all of your asthma equipment and medications, especially if they are unusual. If you have the proof that this is a medical necessity, it can cause less hassles during the security check.
Keep your home free of dust and other triggers, especially where the person who suffers from asthma sleeps. Keep food in a kitchen or on the dining room table, and avoid cigarette smoking inside. Harsh chemicals, like bleach and ammonia, can trigger asthma.
Try using a inhaler that prevents asthma every day, but you should know that one of the side effects is mouth infections of teeth and gums. Always brush and gargle as soon as you’ve finished using your inhaler to prevent mouth infections.
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. Smoke, pollen, or pet dander are common triggers. Try to avoid the things that make your asthma flare up.
Instead of sweeping your floors with a broom, it is preferable to clean using a wet mop. Vacuuming or wet-mopping are better than sweeping because they don’t stir up dust and debris that might induce an asthma attack. When dusting, try to use a damp rag rather than a feather duster to cut down on the spread of the triggers.
Asthma Attack
You should have limited contact with animals, as it can cause you to have an asthmatic reaction. A lot of times the hair or dander will cause an asthma attack, but even if you do not have an allergy to the pet itself they often carry pollen and dust with them.
Your home can be full of the major triggers leading to an asthma attack. These culprits include dust, spores and mold. In order to remain healthy and lessen any chances of having an asthma attack, it is recommended you have your home inspected yearly to have these harmful triggers removed. It also helps to clean your home frequently to prevent a buildup of these allergens.
Make sure you keep calm if you are having an asthma attack. You should immediately use your inhaler and use the inhaler again 30 seconds later. Seek help if your attack gets worse. Get somebody to phone for EMS or even transport you themselves to the nearest emergency medical facility. Grab a paper bag and breathe inside it, as that can help to slow down your breathing.
Asthma develops over an extended time period, and its symptoms aren’t always obvious. There are actually many people that have passed away from an asthma attack without ever knowing they were even at risk. If you have any trouble breathing or are coughing a lot, you need to see a doctor to determine what it is and if you need any medication or treatment for asthma prevention.
Knowing how to appropriately and safely use your inhaler is essential if you are afflicted with asthma. You can’t just spray into your mouth and softly inhale. You must breathe deeply in conjunction with the spray. Proper use of your inhaler is key when you have asthma.
Take note of how often, from a weekly standpoint, you use the rescue inhaler. If your records start to show you need the inhaler more than two times weekly, your environment might be causing you problems or your asthma is not being controlled as well as it could be. The number of times you use your inhaler can serve as a good reminder to monitor your environment and other aspects of your asthma management plan.
Take the time to learn all there is to know about your affliction. The more you educate yourself about your asthma condition, the more you are able to be proactive about your treatment. Keep current with treatments and ensure you have the greatest possible care that you can have. The best way to ensure this is to know as much as you can about asthma and your options for treatment.
It’s quite typical and healthy for those afflicted with asthma to yearn for more education and information about the disease that is affecting their life and health. Hopefully this article has provided you with some very useful advice that both explains, and advises on the intricacies of asthma. It may help you to face asthma from a whole new perspective.
Try to consume foods that are rich in B6 vitamins. Pyridoxine or vitamin B6 has been demonstrated to reduce the number of asthma attacks in various studies. Vitamin B6 is essential for producing chemicals that cause lung tissue to relax. Bananas are a great source of Vitamin B6.