Asthma is a disease that can easily go out of control if left unchecked. The attacks can be life threatening in some instances. Consulting a medical professional is the first step in any treatment plan. Beyond that, however, you must take an active role in maintaining your health. The following article will give you advice to help control your asthma.
You need to make sure that you do not smoke and that you stay away from a lot of fumes and vapors if you suffer from asthma. This includes all tobacco products, and you also need to be careful if you are going to apply for a job in a factory or where you have the potential to be exposed to vapors and harmful smoke.
Do all you can to learn not just about asthma, but your particular asthma. You can learn to combat the life changing effects of asthma by understanding your specific type. A perfect example is that if you have asthma caused by exercise you should put a inhaler in your locker or gym bag. Knowing the patterns of your symptoms will help you avoid crises.
Second hand smoke can cause asthma to develop in children, and can trigger an asthma attack if they already suffer from asthma. Secondhand smoke can actually cause asthma to appear. Also, do not let your child around others who smoke.
If you suffer from asthma and you smoke, it’s crucial that you quit. Smoking is unhealthy for anyone, regardless of their health; however, when you have asthma, smoking restricts the oxygen your lungs needs to breathe and function properly. If your lung function is affected, you run the risk of having more frequent attacks.
If you find yourself in a room that is dusty, don’t turn on any kind of fan. This will move all the dust around, and can easily trigger an asthma attack. If you need airflow, simply opening a window would be better.
Cleaning Products
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 excellent antibody medication that works well to control asthma symptoms, brought on by allergic reactions is called Omalizumab, and can be administered by your allergist.
When you have asthma, it is vital that you avoid cleaning products. Many of the harsh chemicals inside cleaning products might trigger symptoms or even a full blown asthma attack. If you must do the cleaning in your home, opt for natural products with lower chemical content.
If you are having trouble dealing with asthma, a leukotriene inhibitor might be of good use. A leukotriene inhibitor helps to prevent leukotrienes. Leukotrienes has a hand in causing swelling and inflammation in your lungs, and may trigger a asthma attack. If you get a leukotriene inhibitor, it can get rid of them in the air and help you with asthma symptoms.
There are some common medications that you could be using that will cause asthma symptoms. Believe it or not, something as seemingly innocuous as aspirin can actually trigger symptoms. Beta blockers can also have this affect, as well as other medications for controlling high blood pressure and heart disease. Make sure you consult with your doctor concerning your asthma and possible drug reactions.
Learn how to use an inhaler in the correct manner if you do not already know. Find a peaceful spot, and make sure to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer. The medicine must go to your lungs for it to work. As you are inhaling air, spray the correct dosage in your mouth. Make sure you hold your breath for 10 seconds or more to get the medications into your lungs.
Contact a social worker if you have asthma but do not meet the eligibility requirements for health insurance. Asthma patients need their medications, and a social worker might be able to hook you up with programs to help you such as clinics and programs through pharmaceutical companies.
You may want to consider purchasing a dehumidifier for your home if you suffer from asthma. By bringing down the humidity level, it will reduce dust mites and reduce asthma flare-ups. Dehumidifiers eliminate your home’s humidity, leaving dry air.
Asthma Attacks
If you use any more than four kinds of cleaning product around your home, then the risk of an asthma attack is increased. Choose organic products, and stick to as few products as possible.
Be keenly aware of the triggers for your asthma attacks. If you know the cause, you can stay away to prevent asthma attacks. Generally, it is found that items such as smoke and pollen can trigger attacks in those that suffer with asthma. When possible, stay away from these triggers that cause symptoms or ultimately, full-blown attacks.
If you have asthma, avoid people who smoke. When you breathe in smoke, particularly in an enclosed area, your lungs cannot function as well, and it increases your risk of having an asthma attack.
Regardless of whether your asthma has been flaring up, don’t neglect routine checkups. Your health care provider may have new prescriptions that could benefit you in case the need arises.
Receiving a flu shot annually is very important if you or a loved one are asthmatic. Get yearly vaccinations to keep these potential infections at bay.
A handful of primary initiators of asthma, and its attack triggers, lie right in your residence. Some triggers include spores, dust and mold. Have your home inspected for and cleaned of these things to reduce the occurrence of asthma attacks. Conscientious house-cleaning can help prevent buildup of substances in your home that might trigger an asthma attack.
If you are dealing with asthma, a good idea is to use a pillow without feathers. Feather can decrease lung function and trigger asthma symptoms. The same can be said for bedding, try to get hypoallergenic comforters and sheets.
Humidity in your home causes an environment where mildew and mold are more likely to grow. Both of these allergens can be contributing factors in asthma attacks. So try your best to make your home as dry as possible. During the cold, winter months, a dehumidifier can help. In the summer, an air conditioner naturally takes out a lot of the humidity in the air.
Even if you are feeling great, never skip your regular asthma checkup. You don’t know when you could have another flare-up, or if there are better or safer medications available.
Asthma sufferers need to know which types of animals and breeds won’t trigger their asthma attacks. Though dander allergies are often seen in conjunction with asthma, even asthmatics who are not allergic may have attacks that are triggered by the ancillary irritants transported by animals, including pollen and dust.
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.
Those with asthma should remain inside as much as they can when the pollen count rises. Asthma itself may not be an allergy, many of the same things that affect allergy sufferers also affect those with asthma. 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.
During times that pollen counts are high, asthma sufferers should try to stay indoors. While asthma and allergies are separate illnesses, you’ll find that the triggers for one tend to be mirrored in the other. Asthma suffers can now minimize exposure to outdoor pollutants and irritants by checking online for current air quality in their areas.
To improve your asthmatic condition, use a clean humidifier or vaporizer while you sleep. Bacteria can build up in the moisture of these machines, and get relayed into the very environment that you are attempting to make more conducive to your condition.
Remain calm in the event of an asthma attack. Use your rescue inhaler, rest for a half to one minute, then use the inhaler again. If you feel your ashtma attack worsening, get immediate help. Go to the hospital immediately or call 911. Try breathing in a paper bag to slow your breathing on the way there.
Asthma is an uncurable disease, but that doesn’t mean that the symptoms are permanent and can’t go away. However, just like most things in life, overcoming your asthma symptoms takes time and effort. If you follow these easy tips, you’ll find that your symptoms will get better over time and you’ll be able to enjoy a healthier, more active lifestyle.
Knowing how to appropriately and safely use your inhaler is essential if you are afflicted with asthma. It’s not enough to spray a little into your mouth and breathe softly. You must breathe deeply for at least a few seconds when using your inhaler. Failing to do so will mean that the medicine will not be able to help open up your breathing.