Your doctor has just informed you that you have asthma, and you feel very worried about what to do next. It is a severe chronic condition, and that means it lasts a lifetime. However, this does not mean that life stops after a diagnosis of asthma. You will gain some insights here on how to get control of asthma in an effective and manageable way.
Never smoke around a child with asthma, or you could kill them! Secondhand smoke is something that can lead to serious asthma. Make sure you keep your child away from other people who are smoking, too.
Asthma Symptoms
Asthmatics should not smoke. If you smoke – quit immediately. Smoking is bad for everyone, but it’s particularly dangerous for an asthma sufferer, as it cuts off vital oxygen to the lungs.
There are certain medications that cause or exacerbate asthma symptoms. Not everyone knows this. Aspirin and some other NSAIDs may do this. The medication you take for high blood pressure can also cause asthma symptoms. Make sure you consult with your doctor concerning your asthma and possible drug reactions.
If you have moderate asthma attacks, exhale forcefully, so that you force air from your lungs. Breathe out fast and hard. Exhale with maximum force! Take in three breaths, and then a deeper breath until your lungs are full of air. Then exhale with force again. This gives your breathing a rhythm and makes you focus on your breathing. It pushes air from your lungs so you can breathe more in. You may cough or generate sputum, this is okay, your main goal is to get your breathing back on track again.
Should you wind up inside a really dusty room, don’t activate any fans. If you do, the dust will move around, and you can trigger your asthma. 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.
Don’t turn on any fans if you see that your room is dusty. All this does is circulate the dust, which is an invitation to triggering an otherwise avoidable asthma attack. If you feel you need airflow, open a window instead.
If you are having trouble dealing with asthma, a leukotriene inhibitor might be of good use. As its name suggests, this inhibitor works by preventing the release and build-up of leukotriene. 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.
If you have asthma and find yourself having frequent attacks caused by alleries, it may be time to consider a long-lasting medication. Omalizumab is one such medication, and can control the allergic symptoms you may be experienced. An allergist will be able to tell you if this is a good option.
Social Worker
A leukotriene inhibitor can be helpful if you have asthma. It works to prevent leukotrienes. A leukotriene will cause inflammation in the respiratory system, causing an asthma attack. This inhibitor can prevent leukotrienes, which makes you less likely to have an asthma attack.
If you have asthma and cannot get health insurance, see a social worker. It is essential that you can buy your asthma medicine, and a social worker might help you find a hospital or clinic that can provide your medicine at reduced cost, or free.
Make sure you are using your inhaler properly. Find a spot that is peaceful, and then follow the instructions given by the manufacturer. Remember that using an inhaler is only going to help you if the medication contained within makes its way to the lungs. As you are inhaling air, spray the correct dosage in your mouth. Be sure to hold the mist in your lungs for about ten seconds.
An annual flu vaccination is recommended for you as well as other members of your family. Asthma sufferers need to be careful and guard against any upper-resperatory illnesses. It’s important to take the standard precautions against these illnesses, such as hand washing and vaccinations.
An annual flu vaccination is recommended for you as well as other members of your family. If you suffer from asthma, it is best to avoid respiratory infections of any type as much as possible. This includes preventive measures against sickness, such as practicing good hygiene and getting all recommended vaccinations.
Consider supplementing your diet with Vitamins E and C when you suffer from asthma. These vitamins help reduce asthma flare-ups by improving lung function. You can take a supplement in order to get these vitamins if there is not enough of them in your food. The vitamins will help improve the immune system, which will help you fight off illnesses that cause asthma.
To minimize the chances of triggering a bout of asthma, keep your house extra clean, particularly rooms where asthma patients sleep. Food should not be eaten outside of the kitchen, and there should be no indoor smoking. After you clean, let the house air out completely, and stay away from using any harsh chemicals (especially bleach) inside.
Consider buying a dehumidifier for the home if you have asthma. Lowering humidity will reduce the amount of dust mites in your home, and help your asthma improve. Dehumidifiers reduce humidity and keep the air in your home dry.
Be certain you are aware of what triggers an asthma attack so you can avoid it, or at least be prepared to handle the symptoms. Some common asthma triggers include pet dander, pollen, and cigarette smoke. It is best to do all that is possible to avoid triggers that can cause attacks.
People who have asthma should stick to using unscented products. Products that contain strong scents, like incense, perfume, or air freshener can trigger an asthma attack just by lingering in the air. Freshly painted walls and brand-new carpet can also give off odors that cause irritation to airways. Try to maintain the air in your house as free from possible asthma triggers as possible.
Avoid using a feather or down pillow if you have asthma. Feathers can aggravate symptoms of asthma and lower lung function. Same thing with bedding – purchase sheets and a comforter that are constructed from hypoallergenic materials.
If you have hay fever or a cold, chances are your asthma treatment will be increased. These illnesses have side effects that can cause asthma to flare up and make an increase in medication necessary. The doctor may choose to pursue additional treatment options during your illness as well.
A lot of the main causes, and triggers, of asthma may exist right in your home. Three triggers comprise the asthma triad of doom: spores, dust and mold. To stay healthy and reduce the chance of asthma attacks, you should have an inspector visit your house yearly to remove these harmful agents. If you clean your house regularly, you can minimize the risk of these substances accumulating in your dwelling.
Take your rescue inhaler and keep it handy when you travel. Traveling can make you more likely to suffer from attacks due to the extra strain and stress on your body. It’s also hard to control the environment you’re in when traveling, which is another reason you might experience more symptoms or have an attack.
Mildew and mold grow best in a home with high humidity. Both mold and mildew are associated with asthma attacks. Therefore, try and keep the home dry. Using a dehumidifier during cold weather and turning on your air conditioner when the weather gets hot again can help keep humidity out of your home to ensure your asthma is under control.
As you can read, the trick of managing asthma is preparing well. You can avoid the serious complications of an asthma attack by managing your symptoms properly. By reading this article, you have taken an important step in gaining the understanding you need to keep your asthma in check.
Understanding how to properly administer your asthma medications is important, particularly in regard to rescue medications. Asthma is generally treated with a rescue medication, usually an inhaler, in addition to a regularly-taken maintenance medication. Because asthma is a chronic condition, it is important to take management medication properly and to use rescue medication appropriately.