Are you someone who has to deal with asthma? This article is filled with a variety of insightful, informative guidelines for managing asthma symptoms.
Stay away from smoking, or being around any smoke, vapors or fumes. This means avoiding tobacco products, and making sure that you do not choose any kind of job that could expose you to harmful vapors or smoke, such as factory work.
Never smoke around a child with asthma, or you could kill them! Secondhand smoke is a trigger for asthma attacks, not to mention the myriad of other diseases it can cause. You should take care to also make sure your child does not get exposed to other environments where people might be smoking.
Asthma is a chronic condition, requiring constant health management. Always be very sure that you’re taking the right type of medication for your condition if you hope to control it. It’s also important to have a quick-relief medication available. Work with your allergist and doctor to find the right treatment program that makes you feel good and allows you to still do the things you want to do.
Quit smoking or avoid smoke if you suffer from asthma. When smoke enters your lungs it cuts off your oxygen supply, and if you suffer from asthma it can make breathing extremely difficult, and result in an increased number of attacks.
Use your inhaler as directed. Find a relaxing spot, and be sure that you follow the directions that the manufacturer provided. The inhaler can only help you if the medication actually reaches the lungs. Spray the stated dose of medicine into your mouth as you inhale. Make sure you hold your breath for 10 seconds or more to get the medications into your lungs.
Unfortunately, asthma sufferers must realize that their condition is chronic which requires ongoing treatment. Be sure you are practicing proper self-care, and make sure you have your inhaler ready to go in case you suffer a full-blown attack. Have a discussion with your doctor or allergist to determine what the best plan for you might be.
An annual flu vaccination is highly recommended for yourself and your family. If you have asthma, you can protect your health by taking all steps possible to avoid any type of cold, flu or other upper respiratory infection. It is important to do things like hand washing and receiving proper vaccinations.
If you have mild to moderate asthma attack, breathe out forcefully to get every bit of air out from your lungs. Blow your breath out as hard and fast as you can. Expel the air in your lungs with great force! Take three breaths in succession. These breaths don’t have to be deep, just breathe a little. Then take a deep breath, pulling as much air as possible into your lungs. When your lungs are as full as you can stand, force the air out. Not only will you breathe in rhythm, but you’ll focus more intently on how you are breathing and become aware of breathing problems. In addition, it repeatedly empties your lungs of air, so that you can draw in more oxygen-rich air. It is okay to cough, even to generate sputum. Your ultimate goal is getting your breathing regulated.
The use of multiple (more than four) household cleansers can cause an increase in asthma attacks. Try to use organic based cleaning products that are not harmful to asthma sufferers.
If you’re in a dustier room, avoid turning on a fan. This could trigger an asthma attack because this will move the dust around. If possible, open a window to increase the flow of air into the room.
Stay away from any tobacco smoke, even people that are smoking tobacco. When you breathe in smoke, especially in small spaces, it diminishes breathing ability, which greatly increases the probability of an asthma attack.
Injections are available to people who suffer from asthma related to allergies, to help give them some long term relief. An antibody medicine known as omalizumab is very effective at countering asthma attacks related to allergies. Ask your allergist about it.
To cut the risk of an asthma attack, keep your house as clean as you can, particularly the bedroom of the person with asthma. Food should be restricted to the kitchen, and smoking inside the home should never be permitted. After using chemical to clean, air out the house.
Leukotriene Inhibitor
Hay fever and colds can worsen asthma symptoms so prepare to need increased treatments. An increase in treatment is necessary sometimes because side effects of other sicknesses can cause your asthma symptoms to flare up. It is possible your doctor will want to add additional therapies to your treatment program until you are back on your feet.
If you are having trouble dealing with asthma, a leukotriene inhibitor might be of good use. A leukotriene inhibitor helps to prevent leukotrienes. The chemical leukotriene is a common cause of inflammation in the lungs which in turn, can trigger asthma attacks. The inhibitor can prevent them and decrease your asthma attacks.
Consider joining a support group, either on or offline. Asthma can be devastating and lead to lethargy and withdrawal from normal life – especially if it is quite severe. If you know other asthma sufferers, you can stay up to date on the latest medicines and treatment options.
Contact a social worker if you have asthma but do not meet the eligibility requirements for health insurance. 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.
Mold and mildew can grow in your home where there is humidity. Asthma attacks are easily triggered by these substances. So, it makes sense to keep dry air in your 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.
Increase Asthma
When the weather starts to turn colder, wear a scarf or shawl that covers your mouth and nose to help prevent asthma attacks. This will warm the air that you breathe before it enters your lungs. By breathing in cold air, it has been proven that it could trigger an asthma attack more so in children that are younger and suffer from severe to moderate asthma.
You should be ready to increase asthma treatments if you suffer from hay fever or a cold. A lot of illnesses can cause your asthma to flare up very badly, resulting in the necessity to increase asthma treatment. Your doctor may also add another treatment to your regimen until your illness gets better.
If you are going on a trip on a plane and need to take your asthma medicine, take your prescription with you! Having proof that it belongs to you and is medically necessary will make the security check easier.
Figure out your asthma triggers. Once you know what they are, you can change your lifestyle to prevent asthma attacks. If you can’t avoid a trigger, you can pack your inhaler, take allergy pills or engage in other preventive measures so you don’t have an attack. If you have asthma, it’s most likely triggered by things such as being around animals or pollen. Most asthmatics also can’t tolerate smoke. When possible, stay away from these triggers that cause symptoms or ultimately, full-blown attacks.
When cleaning your house, clean floors with a wet mop instead of a broom. Sweeping your floor can kick allergens into the air, triggering an asthma attack. When dusting, use a damp cloth, as feather dusters just move dust around.
Take your rescue inhaler and keep it handy when you travel. Traveling is hard on your body, and you might have an asthma attack easier because your body is more likely to respond to triggers. You can’t control the weather or the environment when you travel, so keep in mind you are more vulnerable to symptoms and attacks when you go to a new area.
During spring or other high-pollen times, don’t go outside unless you have to so that you can avoid a pollen-triggered asthma attack. Asthma itself may not be an allergy, many of the same things that affect allergy sufferers also affect those with asthma. Air quality readings are often available locally, and utilizing this information is key in minimizing exposure to harmful airborne irritants.
Make sure you understand the correct way to use your asthma medication, especially any rescue medication. Most people treat their asthma with regular daily medication, and carry supplemental emergency medication in the form of a rescue inhaler. Since asthma is chronic in nature, appropriate application and use of both management and rescue medicines is vital.
Attending a support group of asthma sufferers, or just sharing with people who have this condition, can really benefit you. They can offer you tips about handling different situations and help you manage your asthma. You need a strong support system!
If you are traveling by plane and must bring inhalers or nebulizers on board, you should bring a written prescription for the equipment. If you have the proof that this is a medical necessity, it can cause less hassles during the security check.
Keep your home is clean, and sweep often. Washing sheets, blankets or pillows regularly can also help. Washing your bedding regularly keeps dust mites away; dust mites are a trigger of attacks for many asthmatics. Dust build-up causes the air to become more irritating to people who have asthma, which therefore increases the risk that your airways will be compromised.
If you read this article, you’ll learn some ways you can keep your asthma under better control. These tips, however, are only effective when you persistently apply them. Even if you have applied some of these tips, your symptoms can still return unless you’re vigilant in working to subdue them. Be diligent and protect yourself when you implement the ideas from this article to manage your asthma.
Know what asthma symptoms are an indicator of a life threatening attack that requires a trip to the hospital emergency room for your child. The symptoms of a severe attack include reduced efficacy of medication, even in higher doses, along with gray or blue lips and fingernails. Also, your child could have difficulty talking.