Asthma is a hard condition to have to live with. It diminishes your capacity for normal activities, like taking a simple walk. To make matters worse, there is no cure for asthma, and it is hard to manage the symptoms. This article provides some methods of preventing your asthma symptoms for taking over your life.
If you suffer from asthma, don’t smoke, and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke. This does mean avoiding all tobacco products as well as being mindful of sources of employment, with special attention to factories that might provide exposure to smoke and vapors.
If you have an asthmatic child, do not allow anyone to smoke around him. Secondhand smoke is known to be a reason asthma happens. Also, do not let your child around others who smoke.
An important tip to help protect your asthma-afflicted children is to always refrain from smoking around them. Secondhand smoke is a huge health risk and directly plays a role in why people develop asthma. Any place where smoking is allowed should be avoided if you have a child with asthma.
Avoid anything that could trigger your asthma. Certain asthma sufferers experience attacks when they around around allergy triggers, such as dust or pollen. For others, it may be linked to physical exertion. Try to figure out when your asthma began so it can be avoided.
There are some medications that may contribute to asthma symptoms. Aspirin is a common medication that can affect asthma sufferers. Other medications that may have an effect on the respiratory system include beta blockers used to treat high blood pressure. If you suffer from these conditions and also have asthma, be sure to let your doctor know.
If you are having an asthma attack (mild or moderate), you need to try to force air out of the lungs. Blow your breath out as hard and fast as you can. Force all the air out of the lungs! Then, follow three short intakes of breath with one longer inhalation until your lungs are filled with air, although not uncomfortably so. Finally, expel the air from your lungs with force again. This will make your breathing rhythmic and help you pay more attention to it. Expelling the air from your lungs in this fashion also allows you to breathe in deeper. You may generate sputum or cough but that is alright, since your main objective is getting you to breathe normally again.
If allergy symptoms cause you to have moderate to severe asthma attacks, there is a medication available that can help for extended periods of time. One antibody medication available is called Omalizumab and can be prescribed by your doctor or allergist.
Resist the urge to turn on a fan if you find yourself in a room filled with dust. The fan will circulate the dust along with the air, which can cause it to get into your lungs and make your asthma worse. It could be better to open the window if you need to get airflow.
If you are having trouble dealing with asthma, a leukotriene inhibitor might be of good use. These inhibitors can prevent leukotrienes. Leukotriene are chemicals that may cause your lungs to get inflamed which can lead to an asthma attack. By blocking the effects of leukotrienes, a leukotriene inhibitor can reduce the frequency and severity of your asthma attacks.
Leukotriene Inhibitor
It is always a problem if you have asthma and don’t have health insurance, but talking to a social worker may help you resolve this issue. A social worker can possibly help you with finding treatment and low-cost medications.
You may want to use a leukotriene inhibitor if your asthma is being particularly problematic. A leukotriene inhibitor helps to prevent leukotrienes. Leukotrienes are inflammation-causing chemicals that can bring on asthma attacks. If you get a leukotriene inhibitor, it can get rid of them in the air and help you with asthma symptoms.
Be sure to take plenty of Vitamins C and E if you have asthma. These vitamins are thought to help improve lung function and control asthma symptoms. Either find a good vitamin supplement to take, or change your diet to include more foods rich in Vitamins E and C. These vitamins can also boost the immune system and help prevent asthma attacks.
If you have asthma, you may wish to consider installing a dehumidifier in your home. Reducing the amount of humidity in your home reduces the number of dust mites, which in turn reduces the chances of your asthma flaring up. A dehumidifier makes the air in your home dry by keeping humidity to a minimum.
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. Try using organic cleaning products which don’t contain irritating chemicals.
Be aware that your asthma medication may need to be adjusted if you are suffering from a cold, flu or hay fever. Some illnesses create issues that make it necessary to increase medication temporarily. It is possible your doctor will want to add additional therapies to your treatment program until you are back on your feet.
Hay fever and colds can worsen asthma symptoms so prepare to need increased treatments. Many illnesses have side effects which can cause your asthma to get much worse, leading your doctor to increase treatment. It is possible your doctor will want to add additional therapies to your treatment program until you are back on your feet.
Figure out your asthma triggers. Once you know what they are, you can change your lifestyle to prevent asthma attacks. If you can’t avoid a trigger, you can pack your inhaler, take allergy pills or engage in other preventive measures so you don’t have an attack. There are some quite common triggers that can invoke an attack in asthma sufferers, for example cigarette smoke, pollen, or pet hair and dander. When possible, stay away from these triggers that cause symptoms or ultimately, full-blown attacks.
Pay attention to your symptom triggers. The more aware of your triggers you become, the easier it will be to avoid them and reduce the number of attacks you suffer. A lot of people who suffer from asthma have the same triggers, pet dander, smoke, or pollen. Whenever possible, avoid those substances that trigger either symptoms or full-blown attacks.
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 warms the air before you bring it into your lungs. Breathing cold air can trigger severe asthma attacks. This is especially true for young children with asthma.
Avoid pillows stuffed with goosedown or other feathers if you have an asthma problem. Feathers can trigger asthma symptoms and reduce lung function. Be sure to keep the same advice in mind for your bedclothes. They should be made from materials that do not increase allergy symptoms.
Rescue Medication
A support group can offer empathy and information about new treatments and medication. Suffering from asthma can mean many days are spent at home with your condition stopping you from participating in a full and fulfilling lifestyle. Also, other asthma sufferers can help keep you aware of new medications or other medical treatments.
Make sure you understand the correct way to use your asthma medication, especially any rescue medication. Asthma is typically treated with a regular medication supplemented by rescue medicine, such as an inhaler. Because asthma is a chronic condition, it is important to take management medication properly and to use rescue medication appropriately.
Most of the triggers for attacks, and causes of asthma, are found inside the home. Three triggers comprise the asthma triad of doom: spores, dust and mold. To keep these triggers out of your home, have a professional inspector come to your home each year to remove these nasties from your home. If you clean your house regularly, you can minimize the risk of these substances accumulating in your dwelling.
Anyone with asthma should stay far away from smoke. Smoke can trigger an asthma attack. Avoid any kind of chemical fumes, vapors, and tobacco smoke as much as you can. These can increase symptoms of asthma. If someone smokes around you, ask them politely if they could smoke when you are not around.
Bundle up during winter weather if you have asthma. Covering your nose and mouth with a scarf or muffler helps prevent asthma attacks. You can help warm the air with these things before they bring any harm to your lungs. Inhalation of cold air is proven to initiate asthma attacks, and younger kids afflicted with asthma of moderate or severe proportions are especially at risk.
Asthma should not be taken lightly. Take the steps you need to to prevent asthma symptoms and seek professional help when you are having a potentially dangerous asthma attack. Use these suggestions to help you prevent asthma symptoms all of your life!
Asthma is a disease that effects the respiratory system, and can take many years to develop, often times going undetected. There are some cases reported that were so severe that a person died from one asthma attack when they didn’t even know they were considered at risk. If you find yourself with a constant cough or have trouble breathing, consult your doctor, so he can tell you if you have asthma and if you need medication. He might even have suggestions on how to prevent it from worsening.