Do you deal with the struggles that asthma stimulates, but with little or no information on the issue? You are not isolated with your health issues. Many sufferers want to learn all they can about asthma, but don’t know where to start. The following article is written to be a helpful source of information and advice in how to control asthma and get on with living.
What type of asthma are you having to deal with? Particular cases of asthma can respond differently to the same treatment, so you need to know all that you can about your case to treat it most effectively. 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. Knowing when an asthma attack is likely to strike can help you avert disaster.
Avoid harsh cleaning chemicals if you are an asthma sufferer. Many chemicals that are in these products can cause the triggering of asthma attacks. If you must do the cleaning in your home, opt for natural products with lower chemical content.
Cigarette smoke and asthma do not mix. Do not smoke! Inhaling the chemical-laden fumes and even the vapors from cigarettes can be extremely harmful. Chemical fumes will trigger asthma attacks that you won’t be able to put an end to. If others are smoking nearby, leave that area as quickly as you can.
Asthma Symptoms
Be certain to properly use your inhaler. Find a spot that is peaceful, and then follow the instructions given by the manufacturer. The inhaler is only useful if the medication within it actually gets to your lungs. While inhaling air, spray required dosage in your mouth. Hold in your breath for 10 seconds so the medicine works properly.
You may be unaware that certain medications you might be on could cause asthma symptoms. Some of these include aspirin and NSAIDs. Many medications for heart disease and hypertension can also cause asthma symptoms. It is important to let your doctor know if you suffer from asthma together with any of these conditions.
If you have asthma that is not covered by health insurance, contact someone in a government agency, like a social worker. Asthma patients need their medications, and a social worker might be able to hook you up with programs to help you such as clinics and programs through pharmaceutical companies.
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that requires constant management. Be sure to take the correct medicines to keep your daily asthma symptoms under control, and always have emergency medication available in case an attack occurs. See your doctor or allergist to find out which treatment plan is best for your situation.
Asthma attacks have been found to be more likely in homes where four or more different cleaning products are in use. Try using organic cleaning products which don’t contain irritating chemicals.
If you suffer from asthma and allergy attacks, ask your doctor for a long-lasting allergy injection. Omalizumab is one such medication, and can control the allergic symptoms you may be experienced. An allergist will be able to tell you if this is a good option.
When dealing with hay fever or a cold, you will notice an increase in your asthma symptoms. An increase in treatment is necessary sometimes because side effects of other sicknesses can cause your asthma symptoms to flare up. You might even get a new treatment added onto our existing program until the illness subsides.
Leukotriene Inhibitor
If you have asthma or you live with an asthma sufferer, you should ensure you receive an annual flu shot. Getting vaccinated yearly can help keep many of these illnesses at bay.
A leukotriene inhibitor should be taken into consideration when asthma is a struggle. A leukotriene inhibitor prevents the formation of leukotrienes. Leukotrienes has a hand in causing swelling and inflammation in your lungs, and may trigger a asthma attack. Using an inhibitor will counteract the negative effects of leukotriene, thereby decreasing the occurrence of asthma attacks.
Humidity in your home causes an environment where mildew and mold are more likely to grow. Mold and mildew can easily cause severe asthma attacks. Therefore, you should always strive to maintain a dry home. When it’s cold, a dehumidifier can keep moisture to a minimum; in hot months, your A/C unit will do the same thing.
Contact a social worker if you have asthma but do not meet the eligibility requirements for health insurance. It’s vital that you stay on medication, so there may be programs available to help you get them at a discount.
If traveling by plane with your asthma equipment or medications, always carry your written prescription with you to avoid problems. Carrying your prescriptions along with written proof that they are medically necessary, will cut down on potential problems at the airport checkpoints.
Everyone in your family, including you, should get the flu vaccination every year. If you have asthma, it’s important to prevent all respiratory infections, if at all possible. This means you should also be sure to wash your hands frequently and get vaccinated.
Pay attention to how often you reach for your asthma inhaler each week. You should not have to rely on a rescue inhaler more than twice per week. If you find yourself needing it more often, it could be a sign that your asthma is not being controlled well or that there is a new environmental factor causing attacks more frequently. Counting how many times you reach for your inhaler can be a good aid to remind you of what environments you need to control and what else you may need to manage.
An increased propensity for asthma attacks has been linked with the utilization of multiple cleaning products. The more you use, the greater the risk of an attack. To limit the chemicals in the air, look for organic cleaning alternatives.
Avoiding smoke is one of the best asthma-prevention tips out there. Smoking can trigger a person who has asthma to have an attack. Avoid triggers like vapors, chemical fumes, and cigarette smoke as much as you can. They can easily increase your asthma symptoms. If someone smokes around you, ask them politely if they could smoke when you are not around.
Wear scarves, shawls and mufflers to cover your noise and mouth during colder weather. This way, the air will be warm before entering your lungs. Cool air has been known to trigger an asthma attack, particularly in very young children who have severe or moderate asthma.
Bed linens are a magnet for nasty allergens and asthma triggers, including dust and pollen. Clean your linen and pillow case every week to prevent asthma attacks. Clean bed linens will help you breathe better while you sleep.
Asthma usually takes an extended interval of time to fully develop, and the warning signs are rarely obvious. There have been a few cases where a person dies from their first attack, because they didn’t know they suffered from the condition. If you often have difficulty breathing or a persistent cough, it would be wise to make an appointment with your physician, so he or she can confirm whether you have asthma. If you do, your doctor can then prescribe medications to manage or treat it.
If you are suffering from an asthma attack, try to remain calm and do not panic. Wait thirty seconds to try your inhaler after using it the first time. Should your asthma get even worse, seek medical attention immediately. Go to the hospital. If the attack is particularly bad, have a friend take you or call 911. Grab a paper bag and breathe inside it, as that can help to slow down your breathing.
If you are traveling by plane and taking along your asthma medications, make sure to have with you any written doctors prescriptions, especially when carrying some large asthma equipment like a nebulizer. Carrying your prescriptions along with written proof that they are medically necessary, will cut down on potential problems at the airport checkpoints.
You need to be educated in properly using your inhaler if you suffer from asthma. Simply spraying it and then inhaling in a shallow manner will negate the inhaler’s benefits. You must breathe deeply for at least a few seconds when using your inhaler. The medicine will not be able to do its job if you aren’t taking the time to take it the right way.
Keep track of the number of times per week you use your rescue 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. If you notice an increased use in your inhaler, reexamine your management plan and check for any changes in your surroundings that may be triggering the asthma.
If you’re finding that you need to use your inhaler 3 or more times a week, it’s best to talk to your doctor about switching medications. Frequent asthma attacks indicate that your inhaled medication isn’t keeping your asthma under control. Having to restock your inhaler more frequently than once every six months is also a concern.
Asthma sufferers need to know which types of animals and breeds won’t trigger their asthma attacks. 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.
Schedule regular appointments with your physician to keep tabs on your asthma. Your doctor can check to see if your condition has changed, and if it has, update your treatment plan. It is up to you to be proactive about your health and set up regular appointments with your asthma doctor to allow him or her to work with you to keep you healthy and feeling well.
Educate Yourself
Asthmatics should always wear a mask when dealing with the harsh chemicals in fresh paint. Asthma is strongly irritated by paint, so a mask will put a shield between you and it, and lessen the problem. Stay away from any chemicals or substance that could worsen your condition.
Do all you can to educate yourself about asthma. Having the right information can enable you to choose the treatments that are right for you, and help reduce symptoms. Do your research, and keep current on available treatment information so you can be sure you’re doing all you can to feel well. The best thing you can do is educate yourself about asthma and its treatment.
Speaking to your peers, who also suffer from asthma, can be an eye-opening and life-changing experience. They are there to help you win this battle with asthma through great tips and well planned ideas. Support given by those around you who are also afflicted with asthma can really make all the difference.
Always use an appropriately-designed mask when painting to guard against breathing paint fumes. You can bother your asthma a lot by painting, if you use a mask it can help protect you. In fact, you should stay vigilant here and avoid any and all chemicals that may trigger an asthma attack.
Asthma has numerous potential causes, including both genetic and environmental factors. If anyone in your family suffers from asthma, beware of any symptoms that are suggestive of asthma in you or your children. The air is full of pollutants and other debris that can trigger an asthma attack in you or your affected children, so be very careful to protect your family from these factors.
Vitamin B6
It is important to eliminate cigarette smoking anywhere an asthma sufferer is likely to be. Additionally, smokers should be asked to smoke nowhere near the house or the asthma sufferer. Heavy smokers may trigger an asthma attack just by carrying the scent of smoke on their clothing.
Eat more foods that contain vitamin B6. Pyridoxine or vitamin B6 has been demonstrated to reduce the number of asthma attacks in various studies. This substance helps your body produce the molecules needed to relax the tissues of the bronchial tubes. One excellent source of vitamin B6 is bananas.
If you require the use of a quick-relief inhaler more than a time or two each week, or if asthma attacks wake you up at night, you may need to switch asthma medications. Talk to your doctor.
Being curious about your asthma is key in becoming a part of your treatment team. What you’ve learned here can be applied in your life, helping to control your disease and keep stress at a minimum. Make use of this information in your everyday life, and you will soon realize that asthma is not such a difficult thing to deal with after all.
For people suffering from asthma, it is vital that the home environment is clean in order to promote good health. Giving your carpets and rugs a vacuum regularly is an important component of home allergen control. It is advised that asthma sufferers should install central vacuuming system that will remove any allergens from the house. Most central vacuuming systems vent directly to the outside, helping to remove allergens from the air.