Asthma can be terrifying, whether it’s a loved one or it’s you that is affected. You need to be aware of the things asthma could do and what it entails, in order to be able to properly manage asthma. A better understanding of asthma combined with the following asthma management advice can dramatically reduce the instance of asthma attacks.
If you’re in a dustier room, avoid turning on a fan. This will move all the dust around, and can easily trigger an asthma attack. A fan will just blow around dust without providing fresh air, so opening a window is a better option as it brings in fresh air and ventilation.
There are many different types of asthma. Gaining as much knowledge as you can about the type of asthma you have can make your day-to-day activities a little easier. One example of this is exercise-induced asthma. This type of asthmatic will need to carry his inhaler with him when he goes for a run. Knowing the patterns related to your symptoms could aid you in avoiding crises.
Having a fast acting inhaler is vital to save asthmatics from experiencing severe symptoms. Talk to your physician and find out if a leukotriene inhibitor would be right for you. As its name suggests, this inhibitor works by preventing the release and build-up of leukotriene. Inhibiting this chemical can lead to a decrease in asthma symptoms. Leukotriene is an oral therapy for the treatment of asthma, but it is not as effective as inhaled corticosteroids.
Blood Pressure
It has been shown that if you use multiple varieties of cleaning products around your house, it will increase the chance of an asthma attack. Choose natural and organic products which don’t have chemicals that will irritate your disease.
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.. Believe it or not, something as seemingly innocuous as aspirin can actually trigger symptoms. You should also pay attention to heart medications you may take, or ones that treat abnormal blood pressure. If you have asthma paired with heart disease or high blood pressure, tell your doctor.
If you suffer from asthma and do not smoke, make sure to avoid people who do smoke. The functionality of your lungs can be dramatically impaired if you inhale tobacco smoke, especially in areas with little ventilation, and you run a greater risk of attack.
Be sure to avoid cigarette smoke if you have asthma. Smoking is off limits. It is also a good idea to stay away from the fumes or vapors from harsh chemicals, such as those used in cleaning. A severe asthma attack can be life threatening. When you see people smoking in your area avoid them and move away.
It is best to use products that are unscented in the home with someone who is asthmatic. Products that contain fragrance, such as perfumes, colognes, or air fresheners, can pollute the air triggering your asthma. Fresh paint and new carpeting also produce smells that can cause irritation to the airways. Clean your indoor air and keep it as fresh as you can.
If you find that you are in a dusty room, do not put on any type of fan. This will move all the dust around, and can easily trigger an asthma attack. It’s better to open the window if you’re in need of fresh air.
Receiving a flu shot annually is very important if you or a loved one are asthmatic. Get vaccinated every flu season to avoid a high number of infections.
Make sure you are using your inhaler properly. Find a spot that is out of the way, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to the letter. The inhaler will only work if the medicine reaches your lungs. As you are inhaling air, spray the correct dosage in your mouth. Hold your breath at least ten seconds, so that the medicated mist can fill your lungs.
Sleep with a feather-less pillow if you have asthma. The feathers can make it harder to breathe right and trigger an attack. Your other bedding, such as sheets, blankets and comforters, should be hypoallergenic, too.
IF you have asthma, you should consider buying a dehumidifier. Decreasing the humidity in the house decreases dust mites, which decreases asthma flare ups. Try running a dehumidifier to dry up the air in your home.
Humidity in your home causes an environment where mildew and mold are more likely to grow. You can get asthma attacks because of these substances. It is best if you keep the air in your home as dry as possible. 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.
Products with no scent are the safest and best option for an asthma sufferer. Products that contain fragrance, such as perfumes, colognes, or air fresheners, can pollute the air triggering your asthma. Newly installed carpet or fresh paint in the home are both known to release chemical irritants. Keep your indoor air as clean as you can.
When it’s colder, wear a shawl, scarf or muffler that will cover your mouth and nose to avoid asthma attacks. This will warm the air up before you breathe it into your lungs. Breathing in the cold air has been shown to trigger asthma attacks, especially in younger children with moderate to severe asthma.
Be aware that your asthma medication may need to be adjusted if you are suffering from a cold, flu or hay fever. These illnesses have side effects that can cause asthma to flare up and make an increase in medication necessary. Your regular medication may also need to be combined with other treatments your doctor may recommend.
It’s a very good habit to use your asthma inhaler as a daily preventative, although the drug residue can cause issues for your gums and teeth. Always clean your teeth and rinse your mouth after you use your inhaler.
If your kid or you suffer from asthma, you should get a yearly flu shot. Stave off as many of these infections as possible by getting vaccinated every year.
Sufferers from asthma should stay indoors when the pollen count rises. Asthma’s not an allergy, but many things that irritate allergies also irritate asthma. Air quality levels for specific pollutants are now readily available and it is possible to use this information to limit exposure on high level days.
Asthmatic patients should avoid using feather pillows. Feathers can have a negative effect on the lungs and can worsen asthma symptoms. This applies to bedding, as well. Purchase sheets and comforters that are made of hypoallergenic materials.
If you have asthma attacks, remember to stay calm. Calmly use the inhaler. Use it again after 30 seconds has elapsed. If you feel your ashtma attack worsening, get immediate help. Have someone drive you directly to the hospital or call an ambulance for you. Breathe into a paper bag, which will reduce your breathing rate during the trip.
Even if you have not had any recent breathing problems, you should nonetheless schedule regular checkups. 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.
If you use an inhaler more than 2 times a week, talk to your doctor about a new medication potentially. Frequent need of an inhaler is an indication that the medication prescribed is not the right strength. This is also true if your inhaler needs refilling more than two times annually.
You may want to join an online or offline support group. Extremely severe asthma can be debilitating and prevent one from living a full life. Also, other asthma sufferers can help keep you aware of new medications or other medical treatments.
When you have asthma, it is very important to have regular check-ups with your doctor. Your physician must check you out regularly to see if you need to do anything differently with your treatment. Your doctor is busy, so it’s on you to set and keep your appointments.
Rescue Medication
When planning on painting an interior area of your home, make sure that you purchase a mask to protect your respiratory tract from the paint’s fumes. Paint can aggravate asthma, but a mask can combat the irritation because it forms a shield between your nose and the environment. Stay away from any chemicals or substance that could worsen your condition.
Understanding how to properly administer your asthma medications is important, particularly in regard to rescue medications. Asthma typically is treated so that the sufferer has a regular maintenance medication, but is also prescribed a rescue medication, like an inhaler. Asthma is a lifelong condition; you should correctly take your regular medication and use your rescue medication only as needed.
Know what your triggers are to safeguard yourself against asthma. Think about maintaining a journal or diary that you can review for recurring situations that led to an attack. These situations can help you detect your triggers. You can then pass this information on to your doctor. Once you know the causes of your asthma, do all you can to stay away from the triggers, and try, if possible, to remove them from your surroundings.
As suggested before, asthma can be broken down into numerous sub-topics. This article provides some of things you need to understand when caring for asthma, or when you are helping a family member deal with it. With their help, you can make asthma something you manage, rather than something that rules your life.
Asthma is a lung disease that is caused by environmental or genetic factors. If a member of your family suffers from asthma, you should pay close attention to any symptoms of asthma that you and your children display. Asthma can also be caused by repeated exposure to certain air quality problems, such as pollen, dust, mold, smoke and pollution. Stay away from such environmental contaminants and keep your children away from them, too.