You may be scared after finding out that you have asthma. Asthma is known to be a chronic condition, which means there is no known cure. However, this does not mean that life stops after a diagnosis of asthma. Research your asthma symptoms and the treatments for each of them.
People afflicted by asthma should make it a priority to always avoid exposure to smoke, vapors and 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.
There are medications that can unknowingly cause asthma-like symptoms. Some over the counter medications can irritate your asthma. Some medications can cause your asthma to be worse such as beta blockers for high blood pressure or heart disease. If you have asthma paired with heart disease or high blood pressure, tell your doctor.
Do you know the type of asthma that you suffer with? If you know as much as you can about the kind of asthma that you have, you can find out how to battle it day-by-day. A perfect example is that if you have asthma caused by exercise you should put a inhaler in your locker or gym bag. Knowing your symptoms’ patterns can help you avoid big problems.
Should you wind up inside a really dusty room, don’t activate any fans. When you turn on the fans they will move the dust in the room around and this can trigger your asthma very easily. If you need airflow, simply opening a window would be better.
Don’t smoke around your child if they have asthma; this could worsen their situation. Secondhand smoke is a huge health risk and directly plays a role in why people develop asthma. Any place where smoking is allowed should be avoided if you have a child with asthma.
Allergy Symptoms
Quit smoking or avoid smoke if you suffer from asthma. Smoking is bad for everyone, but it’s particularly dangerous for an asthma sufferer, as it cuts off vital oxygen to the lungs.
If allergy symptoms cause you to have moderate to severe asthma attacks, there is a medication available that can help for extended periods of time. Omalizumab can effectively control allergy symptoms you may be experiencing and can be suggested by your local allergist if it fits your needs.
Learn what triggers your asthma so that you can avoid it. This is different for everyone, but some people, things like dust or pollen can trigger an attack. For other people it may physical activities that will set them off. Determine what your trigger is so you can easily avoid an attack.
A leukotriene inhibitor can be helpful if you have asthma. These inhibitors can prevent leukotrienes. Inhibiting this chemical can lead to a decrease in asthma symptoms. Using an inhibitor will counteract the negative effects of leukotriene, thereby decreasing the occurrence of asthma attacks.
Asthma is a disease that is continuous. As such, it requires long-term health management. Make sure that your daily routine includes taking appropriate medication to keep you free of asthma symptoms, along with additional medication to treat you for any sudden asthma attacks. Find out from your allergist and your doctor what is best for you.
Studies show that using a variety of cleaning products in the home can actually increase the odds of triggering an asthma attack. Opt for organic cleaning products that do not contain irritating chemicals.
Cigarette smoke will make your asthma worse. Never smoke yourself! Avoid breathing in the vapors and any other types of chemical fumes. Doing so can cause an asthma attack you might not have the ability to stop. If you see people smoking in your vicinity, you should get away from them as soon as possible.
Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke because it is as dangerous to asthmatics as smoking a cigarette. Tobacco smoke causes your lung function to decrease, increasing the risk of a very severe attack, especially in enclosed rooms without much air flow or ventilation.
Should you wind up inside a really dusty room, don’t activate any fans. An asthma attack can be easily triggered by the moving dust. Open a window instead to get the air flowing.
People suffering from asthma should stick to unscented products. Use of scented products, such as perfume, air fresheners and incense, increase the levels of indoor air pollution and can trigger an attack. Fresh paint and new carpeting can also irritate the airway. Keep the air inside as fresh as you can.
If your asthma attacks are severe, you may want to speak with your doctor about a long lasting injection of medication to control your symptoms. 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. Refrain from smoking inside the home, and keep edibles inside your kitchen. Try to avoid using any harsh chemicals or bleach in the home while cleaning; and, once the home is cleaned, air it out.
If you suffer from asthma and you are not eligible for health insurance, speak with a social worker. Affording asthma medication is important for handling the illness, and social workers can find places the offer the medicine at low costs.
If you’ve been diagnosed with asthma, be sure to get flu shots every year. This is doubly important for asthmatic children. Avoid these infections by making sure your and your child’s vaccines are up to date.
If you suffer from asthma, make sure that you consume enough Vitamin C and Vitamin E. These vitamins make lungs function better and keep symptoms of asthma under control. You are able to get these vitamins either from food or a supplement. Another great benefit of vitamin C is that it will help to strengthen your immune system overall.
If you suffer from asthma, consider using a feather-free pillow to sleep. Feathers can decrease lung function and cause asthma symptoms. You should also look into hypoallergenic materials when buying sheets and a comforter.
If you are flying with your asthma medications, especially a large piece of equipment such as a nebulizer, be sure to bring along a written prescription from your doctor. Having written proof that the item in question is in fact medically necessary can cut down on hassles at the security check.
Rescue Medication
You can use the preventative inhaler daily, but know that it can cause mouth infections near your gums and teeth. Prevent these unnecessary side effects by gargling and brushing your teeth right after you use the inhaler.
You need to know how to properly use asthma medications that are prescribed to you, especially your rescue medication, so that you are prepared if you need to use it during an emergency. Typically, asthma is treated using normal medications along with rescue medication, like an inhaler, for emergency situations. Asthma is considered a chronic condition. For this reason, you should take the management of it very seriously.
Use a mop that’s wet to clean your floors instead of a broom. If you are sweeping, you can trigger an asthma attack by stirring up a lot of allergens into the air. Using a damp rag instead of a feather duster when you dust will lessen the spread of these triggers.
Asthma generally takes a long time to develop, and the symptoms may be vague at first, making it difficult to diagnose the problem. Many individuals died from their very first asthma attack because they weren’t aware they had the risk factors for an attack. That is why it is important to check regularly with your doctor and always point out if you are having any kind of breathing problems or related symptoms. With the proper medical attention, you can prevent attacks and keep asthma under control.
Someone suffering from asthma should avoid animals. Asthmatics can be affected by the dander or pollen that comes from the animals, even if they have no allergies to them. This can be a very risky situation to put yourself in and should be avoided.
Smoke should always be avoided when you suffer from asthma. Smoke can trigger an asthma attack. Stay away from all types of fumes as well as cigarette smoke. Any one of these things can aggravate asthma symptoms and cause an episode. If there is someone who always smokes around you, you should politely ask this person to smoke when you aren’t present.
If you use an inhaler more than 2 times a week, talk to your doctor about a new medication potentially. Frequent use of the rescue inhaler means that your management medicine is not working as it should. If you must refill your inhaler over two times a year, then it’s time to inquire with your doctor about a medication switch as well.
Preparation and forethought are at the foundation of any asthma plan. You can avoid the serious complications of an asthma attack by managing your symptoms properly. Hopefully, this article will leave you better informed and well prepared to effectively combat this very serious and potentially life changing disease.
It’s important to know absolutely everything you possibly can about your disease. When you’re knowledgeable about your condition, you’ll be able to advocate for yourself and seek out the best possible treatment. Keep yourself up to date about new findings and find a good doctor. The best possible way to really understand your condition and treatment options is to educate yourself.