Do not let your asthma become too heavy of a burden for you. However, if you know how to deal with the asthma, you can improve your quality of life drastically. Keep reading to learn some specific strategies that can help you live a full life despite your asthma.
Avoid being around any known asthma triggers. For many people, allergens such as dust and pollen can induce an attack. Some things, such as physical exertion, can cause an asthma attack. Look for the trigger points in your life, so you can work around them.
What kind of asthma do you have? When you know in-depth information about your asthma, you can figure out how to fight against it. A perfect example is that if you have asthma caused by exercise you should put a inhaler in your locker or gym bag. Knowing symptom patterns will help you prevent emergencies.
There are some medications that may contribute to asthma symptoms. Aspirin is an example of a widely used medicine that can cause asthma problems. Common medications used for controlling high blood pressure often times contain beta blockers, which asthmatics may be more sensitive to. If you’ve been diagnosed as asthmatic and are taking medications unrelated to your asthma, be sure your doctor is aware of them.
Smoking is extremely harmful if you suffer from asthma. If you are not already a smoker, don’t start, and if you are, quit as soon as possible. Smoking is, of course, unhealthy for anyone. The habit is even more dangerous for asthma patients, however, because anything that reduces the amount of oxygen reaching the lungs can trigger an attack.
If you’re suffering from an asthma attack that’s moderate or mild, then work to force all the air you can from your lungs. Exhale quickly and forcefully. You have to force the air out. Inhale in three short breaths and one fourth deeper breath so that your lungs are comfortably full of air, then exhale forcefully again. Using this strategy provides your breathing with a rhythm that forces you to focus on it. In addition, it repeatedly empties your lungs of air, so that you can draw in more oxygen-rich air. You might cough hard or create mucus, but its just a sign your breathing is getting back to normal.
Actually Trigger
Never use a fan in a dirty, dust-filled room. Dust blown around by fans can cause your asthma to rear up. Encourage air to flow throughout the room by just opening a nearby window or door.
There are some medications out there that you could be taking which will actually trigger your asthma symptoms. 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 and these other conditions, let your physician know.
A leukotriene inhibitor can be helpful if you have asthma. It works to prevent leukotrienes. Leukotriene, a chemical substance, can provoke an inflammation that causes an asthma attack. The inhibitor prevents leukotrienes, and that can decrease the number of asthma attacks you deal with.
Anyone suffering from asthma or asthma-like symptoms needs to stay clear of cigarette smoke, whether you smoke yourself, or even if you’re breathing secondhand smoke. Smoking is especially dangerous for asthmatics. Avoid fumes and vapors of any kind. These can trigger a severe asthma attack that can be difficult to get under control. If people smoke around you, you should get away form that area.
When you are traveling, be sure to carry your rescue inhaler with you at all times. Traveling can put additional strain on your body, making you more susceptible to asthma triggers. The change in environment can also have a negative impact, since it is impossible to control. This can lead to more frequent attacks or attacks with symptoms that are worse than normal.
Don’t turn on any fans if you see that your room is dusty. Turning on a fan is going to cause the dust to leave its surface and begin filling the air of your environment. It would be better to just open a window if you are needing to get some airflow.
Look into becoming a part of a support group. There are many to choose from both online and offline. Asthma, especially the more severe forms, cause many problems that interfere with the quality of life and present many challenges. Also, communicating with other people with asthma will keep you in the know about changes in how the condition is understood and treated.
If you are a person with asthma and have persistent attacks related to allergy symptoms, a medication that can be used for a long term effect is one that can be injected. One antibody medication available is called Omalizumab and can be prescribed by your doctor or allergist.
Some of the major causes of asthma, and triggers for asthma attacks, can exist right in the home. These causes can include dust, spores and mold. In order to remain healthy and lessen any chances of having an asthma attack, it is recommended you have your home inspected yearly to have these harmful triggers removed. In addition, regularly cleaning the home can stop these things from building up.
Immune System
Be sure you understand how to use the medication you’re given for asthma properly, especially your rescue medication. 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 an illness that is chronic in nature, so it is imperative to take the management medicine as directed and only using the rescue inhaler when necessary.
If you are dealing with asthma, make sure you take lots of Vitamins E and C. These vitamins help to control asthma symptoms and improve the function of your lungs. You can get these vitamins from food or take a supplement. Vitamins C and E are necessary for a healthy immune system. If your immune system isn’t healthy, it won’t be able to fight off illnesses that cause asthma attacks.
While using an inhaler can potentially cause mouth or gum sores, it is still important to use it daily if you suffer from severe asthma. A good way to prevent these complications and side effects is to brush your teeth and gargle immediately after using your inhaler.
Think about getting a home dehumidifier if you have asthma. By decreasing the humidity you have in your home, it will decrease the dust mites, which will then decrease your asthma from flaring up. Dehumidifiers work by taking the humidity out of the air.
See how many times a week you typically use the 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 number of times you use your inhaler can serve as a good reminder to monitor your environment and other aspects of your asthma management plan.
Unscented products are the safest option for those who suffer from asthma. Products that contain strong scents, like incense, perfume, or air freshener can trigger an asthma attack just by lingering in the air. Many things in the home release chemicals that irritate the lungs, such as newly installed carpet or fresh paint. Aim to keep the air as fresh as possible indoors.
Bed linens attract things that cause asthma attacks. It is important to wash your bed linens at least once per week in very hot water if you want to reduce or eliminate the potential aggravators. You’re less likely to have an asthma attack while asleep or upon first waking up if your bedding is fresh and clean.
While everyone appreciates the look and feel of a clean house, asthma sufferers in particular benefit from a healthy environment as it can decrease the risk of asthma attacks, especially in a sleeping area. Only permit food in designated eating areas, such as the kitchen or dining room, and don’t allow smoking inside the house at all. After using chemical to clean, air out the house.
During spring or other high-pollen times, don’t go outside unless you have to so that you can avoid a pollen-triggered asthma attack. While asthma isn’t an allergy, many allergy irritants can affect it. Now there’s information on local air quality available so you can monitor whether you’re going to be exposed to hard to breath air.
Hay Fever
If you suffer from asthma or allergies, avoid using a vaporizer or humidifier unless it is consistently and thoroughly cleaned. Bacteria can breed inside of the machine due to the moisture, which can exaggerate your allergies or asthma.
Your asthma treatments will likely increase when you suffer from hay fever or a cold. The side effects of many illnesses can flare up your asthma so bad that you have to have an increase in treatment. Your doctor may prescribe a new medicine or change the dose of your existing medication until the hay fever or cold passes.
When dealing with an asthma attack, it is important to stay calm. Calmly use the inhaler. Use it again after 30 seconds has elapsed. If this procedure does not stop your attack, seek immediate treatment from a healthcare professional. Have someone call an ambulance for you, or have them bring you to a hospital. Try to breathe into a paper bag so that you can calm your breathing when you’re on the way.
If you have asthma, you should get a flu shot once per year. Prevent these infections from occurring by going to get vaccinated each year.
Proper use of an inhaler is crucial if you suffer from asthma. You can’t just spray into your mouth and softly inhale. Make sure when you spray your inhaler that you take in deep breaths for short periods of time. Holding it in will allow the medicine to open up your bronchial passages and relieve your attack.
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. A lot of asthma sufferers have some triggers in common, like pollen, smoke and pet dander. Whenever you can, avoid the things that trigger your asthma.
You should visit your doctor regularly throughout the year, so they can keep you apprised on the status of your asthma. Your doctor will evaluate your condition and make any changes as they see fit. You need to stay on top of scheduling doctor visits. Otherwise, your condition might deteriorate suddenly.
When traveling, make sure to have your rescue medication handy at all times. Traveling is hard on your body, and you might have an asthma attack easier because your body is more likely to respond to triggers. You also have little control over your environment when traveling, which can make you more susceptible to an attack and symptoms of greater severity.
Get a breathing mask before painting in your house, so you can avoid breathing the fumes. Wearing the mask will keep the irritants away from your lungs and esophagus, keeping your asthma under control. In fact, you should stay vigilant here and avoid any and all chemicals that may trigger an asthma attack.
Knowing how to properly manage your asthma is very important. The burden of asthma will grow lighter as you find out more about how to deal with it successfully. Thankfully, you’ve learned a lot about asthma and this article’s advice can change your life.
Going to an asthma support group or just talking to people who also have asthma can really help out. By talking to fellow sufferers, you will learn more about asthma and what you should do in case of an attack. Surround yourself with people who understand asthma and support your fight against it.