Asthma is a very serious issue in people of all ages, from teenagers to seniors. You should always get professional help, and avoid the things that cause your asthma attacks. The following paragraphs will give you the information you need to deal with asthma attacks, and more importantly, reduce the frequency of future attacks.
If you are asthmatic, you absolutely must not subject yourself to any form of cigarette smoke. Although smoking causes health problems for everyone, it is even more dangerous to asthma sufferers because the smoke causes airway swelling that cuts off oxygen to your lungs, and can trigger an attack.
Do you know the type of asthma that you suffer with? One of the best ways to combat asthma and its limiting effects on your life is to know and understand as much as you can about your specific condition. If people who have asthma suffer attacks triggered by exercise, they should bring an inhaler with them when they work out. Knowing the patterns of your symptoms will help you avoid crises.
Cleaning products should be avoided when you have asthma. A lot of the cleaning products have certain chemicals in them which can trigger asthma attacks. If you are the person in your house who does the cleaning, there natural product solutions which are safe for you to use.
If you have an asthmatic child, do not allow anyone to smoke around him. Secondhand smoke is a leading cause of asthma. Also, do not let your child around others who smoke.
Exhale as hard as you can during an asthma attack. If you can’t breathe at all, go to the hospital; however, controlling your exhalation rate can sometimes help stop a less severe attack. Exhale quickly and forcefully. Force all the air out of the lungs! Take three short breaths, and then take a fourth, deeper breath to fill your lungs comfortably; then, breathe out with force again. This technique develops a breathing rhythm, allowing you to notice the breaths that you take in. It also will push all of your air out of the lungs so that you can get more air in. You may generate sputum or cough but that is alright, since your main objective is getting you to breathe normally again.
It is imperative that you do your best to avoid cleaning chemicals if you are asthmatic. Asthma sufferers are often sensitive to chemical cleaners; using these products can sometimes trigger asthma attacks. If you have the job of cleaning your house, you should safer, natural products.
If you are suffering from asthma, stay away from any type of cigarette smoke. If you smoke, try quitting. Stay away from vapors and chemical fumes, too. Inhaling these substances may trigger an unstoppable asthma attack. Leave a room if people smoke, or ask them to stop.
Never use a fan in a dirty, dust-filled room. This can move the dust around and can trigger an attack easily. Open a window to bring clean, cool air inside instead.
If you suffer from asthma, try seeing if a leukotriene inhibitor helps. These inhibitors can prevent leukotrienes. Leukotriene is a chemical substance that can lead to inflammation that can cause an asthma attack. Taking an inhibitor will reduce the amount of this substance your body produces, which should decrease the number of attacks you experience.
Everyone in your family, including you, should get the flu vaccination every year. Asthma sufferers need to be careful and guard against any upper-resperatory illnesses. This means that you should take all standard precautions to avoid illness, such as washing your hands, getting vaccinated and avoiding those who are sick.
An annual flu shot is crucial if you have asthma or have an asthmatic child. Make sure your child’s vaccinations are up-to-date to avoid as many infections as possible.
Consider buying a dehumidifier for the home if you have asthma. Decreasing the humidity in the house decreases dust mites, which decreases asthma flare ups. Dehumidifiers work by taking the humidity out of the air.
If you are on the road, be certain to travel with your inhaler at all hours. Traveling is hard on your body, and you might have an asthma attack easier because your body is more likely to respond to triggers. The change in environment can also have a negative impact, since it is impossible to control. This can lead to more frequent attacks or attacks with symptoms that are worse than normal.
If you suffer from asthma and do not smoke, make sure to avoid people who do smoke. If you inhale the smoke, it will harm your lungs and increase the possibility of an asthma attack. Always be mindful of this, especially in small spaces that do not have very much air flowing.
Even if you are feeling great, don’t skip your asthma check-ups. Flare-ups can occur at any time; plus, your doctor may have a new medication that he or she can offer you that will make your treatment safer and more effective.
People who have asthma should stick to using unscented products. Using products with scents, like perfume, incense and air fresheners, boosts the amount of air pollution indoors and can bring on an attack. In addition, paint that is fresh or carpet that is new release odors that can cause breathing irritations that lead to an asthma attack. Try keeping the air indoors as fresh as it can be.
Humidity in the home can create an environment that is ideal for mold and mildew to grow. Mold and mildew can have a hand in making you suffer a asthma attack! Therefore, it can benefit you to ensure your home stays as dry as possible. One way to control the humidity in the house is to employ a dehumidifier to pull out the excess moisture.
A humid home will cause mold or mildew to appear. These can very easily cause an attack. You will benefit greatly from keeping the moisture out of your home’s air. During winter time, use a dehumidifier if necessary to control humidity while running your heater, and use your air conditioner during summer months to keep air dry.
Make sure you understand the correct way to use your asthma medication, especially any rescue medication. Asthma is a condition traditionally treated with a combination of a regular medicine and an emergency medicinal inhaler. Because asthma can be a lifelong issue, it is vital to take both regular and rescue medications according to the instructions.
If you are going on a trip on a plane and need to take your asthma medicine, take your prescription with you! When you have written proof that these items are necessary it can help speed along the security procedures.
See a specialist. While your asthma treatment should start with your primary care doctor, visiting one or two asthma specialists can make a real difference in how well you understand and manage your condition. Think about going to a pulmonologist, an allergist or even a nutritionist, depending on what is triggering your attacks.
When housecleaning, it is better to clean your floors with a damp mop than sweeping them with a broom. Sweeping stirs up dust and other things that can trigger your asthma. Dusting can actually just move the dust around, sending particles into the air, and into your lungs triggering an asthma attack, so try wiping things down with a damp cloth to minimize the amount of allergens you are exposed to.
Refrain from smoking. People know that smoking is dangerous, but it is even more dangerous to those with asthma. Smoke irritates the lungs of an asthma sufferer, so avoid the presence of people who smoke if you have asthma.
See multiple doctors to keep asthma under control. Your PCP can be the person you go to for help with asthma, but it’s also a good idea to talk to a specialist. Asthma doctors, allergists, and pulmiologists are the people who you want to consult with to help with asthma.
Asthma sufferers need to stay inside as much as they can when the air’s pollen content is high. Even though asthma is not technically an allergy, those who suffer from allergies often find their condition is exacerbated by the same irritants and triggers that those afflicted with asthma are affected by as well. The same air quality reports available in the local news for allergy problems can also help those with asthma issues stay indoors on particularly hazardous days.
Educate yourself as much as you can about the asthma. The greater your knowledge base regarding asthma, the more involved you can be in determining treatment plans. Stay up to date with current treatments and make sure you have the best care possible. The only way to know this is to learn about your condition and your treatment options.
If inhaler use happens more than two times in each of your weeks, you must schedule an appointment with your doctor about this and possibly adjust your medication. This might mean that your inhaler isn’t working enough for you. Similarly, if you need to purchase refill inhalers more than twice a year, your medication is ineffective.
Have your asthma situation checked out by a doctor every so often, so that you are not blindsided by changes in your condition. Your doctor should be recording your current state as a benchmark, and making necessary changes to improve your situation if needed. You should always keep your appointments so that your doctor can follow up on your treatment plans, and work with you to maintain your health.
You will get a lot of support for your asthma if you join a group or just by talking with other people who have asthma. They can offer you tips about handling different situations and help you manage your asthma. Support given by those around you who are also afflicted with asthma can really make all the difference.
When painting, you should buy a protective mask if you suffer from asthma. Asthma is strongly irritated by paint, so a mask will put a shield between you and it, and lessen the problem. Avoid specific chemicals and substances that could worsen your asthma.
Know the symptoms of a severe asthma attack so you will know when to seek immediate medical attention for your child. Two common symptoms of an unusually serious asthma attack are asthma medication having no effect and lips and extremities that are blue or gray in color. If your child is having difficultly talking normally, this may also be an indication of a life threatening attack.
If you experience three or more allergy attacks in a week, it’s likely that the medication you’re taking isn’t proper. Most medical professionals concur that it may be harmful to endure two or more attacks on a weekly basis, and that it is completely preventable with the right medications.
If you do not have your inhaler with you and you are experiencing an asthma attack, take a quick caffeine shot! Strong black tea, coffee or chocolate can aid in mitigating asthma attack symptoms. It works because it opens your airways by constricting your blood vessels.
Try to strengthen yourself, and increase your lung capacity gradually. The last thing you should do is a frenetic workout. You will surely trigger an attack. Start slow and build your stamina.
Monitor your children closely for any indication of food allergies. If you see signs of breathing problems or hives in your children after they eat, seek medical attention. Food allergies can be a precursor to asthma.
Monitor your child’s asthma symptoms to see whether they should be going to the hospital or not. If the usual doses of asthma medication, including the emergency inhaler, fail to have an effect on wheezing symptoms, the attack is considered serious. Other signs of a severe attack include a bluish tint to the lips, fingernails, or fingertips, as a result of lack of oxygen intake. Your child may also not be able to talk very well.
If you have asthma, make sure that you do warm-ups before doing any strenuous exercise, and also cool down once you are finished. Doing both of these things will help prevent you from having a serious asthma attack during your exercise or after it.
Do not neglect your condition. Keep your asthma under control and have a fast-acting inhaler to avoid a possibly fatal asthma attack. For instance, always carry around an emergency inhaler, and try to reduce the amount of airborne dust and allergens in your house. If you use them, you may find that you can reduce your symptoms and feel better.
If you need to use your rescue inhaler frequently, especially at night, this may be a sign that you need to switch to a new asthma medication. Consult your doctor before making any changes to your medication.