Asthma can make your life difficult, frustrating and sad. Taking an outside walk, for example, might become impossible if you suffer with asthma. Unfortunately, there is no actual cure for asthma, but there are indeed treatments. The below article provides some advice on preventing your symptoms from getting too bad.
Are you informed about what type of asthma you suffer from? Before you can develop a self-care plan for your asthma symptoms, you need to know the specific cause of your symptoms. 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. If you are familiar with your symptoms and their patterns, you will be better able to avoid emergencies.
Cleaning Products
Do not smoke around your children if they have asthma. There’s a long list of environmental asthma triggers, and secondhand smoke is at the top of it. Also, do not let your child around others who smoke.
It is imperative that you do your best to avoid cleaning chemicals if you are asthmatic. Cleaning products are often full of chemicals, and breathing those chemicals in can irritate your lungs. There are many all-natural organic cleaning products available that may help eliminate asthmatic problems.
If you suffer from asthma and you smoke, it’s crucial that you quit. Smoking is bad for everyone, but it’s particularly dangerous for an asthma sufferer, as it cuts off vital oxygen to the lungs.
Avoid being around any known asthma triggers. For many, allergens like dust and pollen, can trigger their attacks. Others have asthma attacks when they participate in physical activities. Figure out what sets off your asthma so you can avoid it.
Asthma is a chronic disease that requires ongoing, consistent management and care. 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. Speak with an allergist or your doctor to determine the best care for you.
If you are someone who suffers from asthma, you should consider buying a dehumidifier for your home. Dust mites are a major source of asthma attacks, and dehumidifiers are great at getting rid of the little buggers. Dehumidifiers work by taking the humidity out of the air.
Asthmatics should have a flu shot every year to prevent contracting a serious respiratory infection. If you have asthma, try to avoid getting respiratory infections if you can. Common method of avoiding illnesses can be very effective. Keep your vaccinations up to date and wash your hands frequently.
You should always have your rescue medication with you when you are traveling. Traveling can make you more likely to suffer from attacks due to the extra strain and stress on your body. 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.
Asthmatics should avoid being exposed to smoke, regardless if you are a smoker. When you inhale tobacco smoke, particularly in small areas without much ventilation, lung function may be severely impacted, and you have a higher chance of having an attack.
Make regular asthma checkups with your doctor, even if you are not having any issues come up. You never know when you might suffer another flare-up, or when your doctor might have a better or safer medication to prescribe for your symptoms.
Products with no scent are the safest and best option for an asthma sufferer. Products with fragrance, such as perfumes, colognes, and air fresheners, introduce irritants into the air around you and can cause asthma attacks. Other asthma irritants include fresh paint fumes and new carpeting. Keep the air inside your home clean and fresh, and free of any asthma triggers.
A support group can offer empathy and information about new treatments and medication. Asthma can be quite debilitating, especially if the asthma is severe, and this condition can interfere with daily life. If you know other asthma sufferers, you can stay up to date on the latest medicines and treatment options.
If you or your child suffer from asthma, it is important that you receive a flu shot every year. Regular vaccinations will help you and your children to avoid lung infections.
Use your inhaler when you need to, but be aware that this product can cause infections near your gums and teeth. You can prevent any of these mouth issues by brushing your teeth and gargling mouthwash as soon as you use the inhaler.
Keep all your regularly scheduled asthma appointments, regardless of how you are feeling. A flare up can come at any time and your doctor can always look into safer medications for your particular symptoms.
Monitor how often, each week, you need your rescue inhaler. If you are using it more than twice, your asthma may not be as well-controlled as you think or you may be experiencing unusual circumstances bringing on more frequent attacks. How often an inhaler is used can help to monitor the environment.
Wear a covering over your mouth and nose when you go outdoors in the colder weather. A shawl, scarf or muffler would work well. This way, the air will be warm before entering your lungs. Studies have consistently shown that cold air can cause your throat and lungs to constrict, triggering asthma attacks. Children are especially susceptible to cold-induced asthma.
Don’t use a humidifier unless it’s been cleaned thoroughly if you suffer from asthma or allergies. Bacteria can breed inside the moist machine and you would be releasing them along with the humid air.
If you’re flying and bringing along your asthma medications, bring a doctor’s written prescription with you. The written prescription will help you get through security without difficulty, because it establishes that your nebulizer and supplies are medically necessary.
Be sure you know exactly how to properly use your inhaler if you do have asthma. Spraying it inside your mouth and inhaling is not all it takes. Every time you use your inhaler, be sure to breathe deeply and slowly. When your doctor prescribes your inhaler, ask him for detailed instructions in using it correctly.
Monitor how often, each week, you need your rescue inhaler. If you find that you are relying on it more than two times a week, your asthma is possibly not being well-controlled. The frequency of your inhaler use is a good way to remember to check out your environmental surroundings and be mindful of all factors relating to your asthma regimen.
If you’re finding that you need to use your inhaler 3 or more times a week, it’s best to talk to your doctor about switching medications. This might mean that your inhaler isn’t working enough for you. This is also true if you find yourself refilling the inhaler prescription more than twice in a calendar year.
Someone suffering from asthma should avoid animals. Even people that do not have allergies are prone to suffer an asthma attack from the pollen and dust on animals.
Finding out as much as you can about asthma is a good way to help you manage your asthma. Knowledge is power, and enlightened proactive steps yield immeasurable dividends in your treatment and management regimen. Keep up with trends and new treatment methods, and ensure that the medical professionals on your team are working hard to help you. The only way to know this is to learn about your condition and your treatment options.
Talk with your physician if you find that you need your inhaler more often than a couple of times weekly. It means the medication used to calm acute attacks is either ineffective or not effective enough. Similarly, if you need to purchase refill inhalers more than twice a year, your medication is ineffective.
As was previously stated, asthma is a condition whose affects should not be taken lightly. Do what you can to prevent symptoms, and get professional help if you think it may be beyond your control. Don’t let asthma control your life, rather use these suggestions to get away from your symptoms.
If you have asthma, visit your doctor every three or four months so that they can help you monitor your health. Frequent check-ups help your doctor evaluate the effectiveness of your current treatment plan and revise the plan as needed. Although your doctor is there to help you stay healthy and manage your asthma, your health is your responsibility. Make and keep regular doctor’s appointments so that you can keep asthma under control.