You may be scared after finding out that you have asthma. Asthma is generally accepted to be a chronic disease that currently has no cure. Believe it or not, however, life does go on even after you are diagnosed with this condition. This article is like a virtual library full of information on asthma symptoms and treatments.
Quit smoking or avoid smoke if you suffer from asthma. Smoking is unhealthy for everyone, however it is especially bad for asthmatics. Your lungs are already compromised from the asthma and adding smoke to that will cut off the vital oxygen supply your lungs need to breathe.
Never smoke around a child with asthma, or you could kill them! One of the primary causes of asthma is secondhand smoke. Ensure that your child is not around other people that smoke, either.
Asthma is a continuous disease that needs ongoing management. Ensure you’re taking the proper medications to manage common symptoms of asthma. In case of an attack, you need to have in your possession a medication that will provide almost instant relief. Discuss treatment strategies with both your primary care physician and your allergist.
Avoid exposing yourself to any of your known asthma triggers. This is different for everyone, but some people, things like dust or pollen can trigger an attack. For others, certain physical activities may be the trigger. You need to determine what your triggers are so that you can avoid them.
If you are having an asthma attack (mild or moderate), you need to try to force air out of the lungs. Breathe out aggressively, as hard as you can. Truly pump all air from your lungs! Take three short breaths, and then take a fourth, deeper breath to fill your lungs comfortably; then, breathe out with force again. Breathing in this rhythmic manner helps you to concentrate on the breaths you’re taking. In addition, it repeatedly empties your lungs of air, so that you can draw in more oxygen-rich air. You might cough or produce sputum, but that is fine; you are trying to get breathing under control again.
Never take medications without getting your doctor’s approval so you don’t wind up taking one that has a side effect of exacerbating asthma.. A couple of common culprits that do this are aspirin and NSAIDs. You should also pay attention to heart medications you may take, or ones that treat abnormal blood pressure. If you suffer from any of these conditions along with your asthma, make sure you tell your doctor.
If the room you are in appears to be dusty, refrain from turning on any fans. A fan will spread dust and debris all over. This can very easily aggravate your asthma, and cause serious symptoms. If you need airflow, simply opening a window would be better.
As a chronic disease, asthma must be managed continuously. 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. Speak to your physician and allergist to find out what medications are right for you.
If you’re having asthma problems, a dehumidifier is a beneficial purchase. When your home has less humidity, there are less dust mites, and that minimizes the chances of an asthma flare-up. Dehumidifiers keep the air in your home dry by eliminating humidity.
When you suffer a medium-intensity attack, try and forcefully exhale all air from your lungs. Breathe out quick and forcefully. Exhale with maximum force! Follow this by breathing in three times quickly, and a fourth time deeply to ensure your lungs are filled to capacity, then exhale again as forcefully as possible. This creates a rhythm to your breathing, making you pay attention to the breaths you take. It pushes air from your lungs so you can breathe more in. There may be periods of harsh coughing and a substantial generation of sputum, but this is actually what you want in order to get the airways opened and the breathing back on a regular pattern.
If you suffer from asthma, you should refrain from sleeping on a pillow that contains feathers. Pillow feathers force the lungs to work harder and can exacerbate asthma problems. Be sure to keep the same advice in mind for your bedclothes. They should be made from materials that do not increase allergy symptoms.
If you are suffering from asthma, stay away from any type of cigarette smoke. Do not smoke! Avoid vapors and chemical fumes from cigarettes. This could trigger a serious asthma attack, and you may have trouble preventing it from happening. When you see people smoking in your area avoid them and move away.
Make regular asthma checkups with your doctor, even if you are not having any issues come up. A flare-up can occur at any time, and your physician may have learned of a prescription medication that can treat your symptoms more safely and effectively.
Consider getting injections of medications to treat your asthma if you are prone to attacks induced by allergy symptoms. Your allergist might recommend Omalizumab, which is an antibody type medicine that can regulate your symptoms of allergic reactions.
Join an online or offline support group. Asthma is a disease that can affect your everyday life and prove debilitating in so many ways. Being a part of a support group can help provide you with honest information about products and helpful hints, as well as medical news.
Use your inhaler as directed. Find a comfy spot, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The only way the inhaler will work is if your lungs get the proper amount of medication. You need to inhale air while spraying the requisite dosage in your mouth. Holding your breath for a minimum of 10 seconds gives the medicinal mist from the inhaler time to spread itself throughout your lungs.
Mold and mildew thrive in homes with high humidity levels. Both of these allergens can be contributing factors in asthma attacks. You should do your best to maintain a dry home. During the winter, you can use a dehumidifier to control humidity when using a heater, and an air conditioner during the summer will help keep your home dry.
Make certain that all members of your family get their annual flu shot. When you are afflicted with asthma, steer as clear as you can of all types of respiratory infections. This means you should also be sure to wash your hands frequently and get vaccinated.
During cold, winter months, asthma sufferers should wear a shawl, muffler, or scarf that will cover both their nose and mouth. This will warm the air up before you breathe it into your lungs. In multiple studies, breathing cold air is linked to increased asthma attacks. This link is especially pronounced in younger children.
Vitamins C
Know the right way to take your asthma medication, and above all any rescue medication. Asthma typically is treated so that the sufferer has a regular maintenance medication, but is also prescribed a rescue medication, like an inhaler. Asthma lasts a lifetime, so you must manage your treatment and lifestyle to ensure you’re taking the best care of yourself.
If you are an asthma sufferer, be sure to get the recommended daily dose of Vitamins C and E. They are believed to aid respiratory function and to be instrumental in keeping your asthma in check. You can choose to ingest this vitamins by eating foods that are rich in the vitamins or through a supplement. Vitamins C and E are necessary for a healthy immune system. If your immune system isn’t healthy, it won’t be able to fight off illnesses that cause asthma attacks.
When taking asthma medications on a plane trip, bring written medical prescriptions provided by your doctor. Having evidence from a doctor that the medication is necessary for your health will greatly help with security at the airport.
To live with asthma, you have to be prepared. You can avoid the serious complications of an asthma attack by managing your symptoms properly. This guide is your initial step in building your knowledge on how to combat asthma effectively.
Use a mop that’s wet to clean your floors instead of a broom. Sweeping can stir up some asthmatic triggers that will exacerbate your symptoms. Use a dampened rag when dusting, instead of a feather duster, so as to prevent stirring up loose dust particles and other asthma triggers.