Asthma is considered to be a very serious medical condition which can hinder your ability to enjoy and live your life. However, you should be aware that many of the symptoms of asthma can be manageable if you use several methods of dealing with your disease, in addition to taking your prescribed medication. This article gives you many of these kinds of strategies.
You should avoid smoking and any type of fumes if you suffer from asthma. 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.
Stay away from smoking, or being around any smoke, vapors or fumes. Thus, you need to avoid cigarettes and cigars and be vigilant about steering clear of environmental or workplace exposure to smoke.
What kind of asthma do you have? Particular cases of asthma can respond differently to the same treatment, so you need to know all that you can about your case to treat it most effectively. 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. Treating asthma is less difficult if you and your physician are aware of the triggers that bring on an attack.
Some asthmas are specific to certain triggers, so identify what kind you have. Knowing as much as possible about your specific type of asthma will go an incredibly long way in helping you combat the day-to-day effects it has on you. If your asthma is triggered by exercise, throw an inhaler into your gym bag. Knowing symptom patterns will help you prevent emergencies.
There are medications that can unknowingly cause asthma-like symptoms. Among these medications are aspirin and other NSAIDs. Many medications for heart disease and hypertension can also cause asthma symptoms. Let your doctor know about your asthma and what prescriptions you’re taking.
Suffer from asthma? It is vital that you not smoke tobacco; if you do, quit. Smoking is unhealthy for anyone, but it is especially dangerous for someone with asthma. This is because your lungs and airway are already compromised by your condition.
If you have asthma, you need to avoid any kind of tobacco smoke. Never smoke yourself! Air pollution and fumes from harsh chemicals also increase asthma symptoms. 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.
It is imperative that you do your best to avoid cleaning chemicals if you are asthmatic. 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’re in a room that has a lot of dust in it, don’t turn on a fan. While it may seem smart to get the air circulating, in reality this will only stir up the dust, making it easier to inhale and trigger an attack. It would be better to just open a window if you are needing to get some airflow.
Stay away from anything that you are aware of that may trigger your asthma. Certain asthma sufferers experience attacks when they around around allergy triggers, such as dust or pollen. Some people get attacks after being physically active. It is important to determine what triggers your asthma attacks so you can try to avoid those things.
If you’re having asthma problems, a dehumidifier is a beneficial purchase. By bringing down the humidity level, it will reduce dust mites and reduce asthma flare-ups. Dehumidifiers work by taking the humidity out of the air.
If the room that you’re in is dusty, do not turn on a fan. When you turn on the fans they will move the dust in the room around and this can trigger your asthma very easily. If possible, open a window to increase the flow of air into the room.
Asthmatics should avoid being exposed to smoke, regardless if you are a smoker. When you inhale tobacco smoke, the lung’s function can be decreased, and you will increase the chance you have an asthma attack. Smaller areas without proper ventilation make you even more susceptible to an attack.
Leukotriene Inhibitor
Look for a support group, such as an online community or a local group. Asthma can be severe enough to keep you away from social activiites. On top of that, an asthma support group will keep you apprised of the latest developments in asthma medication and other significant medical breakthroughs.
Having a fast acting inhaler is vital to save asthmatics from experiencing severe symptoms. Talk to your physician and find out if a leukotriene inhibitor would be right for you. A leukotriene inhibitor stops the release of a chemical that causes the inflammation that is responsible for some asthma attacks. Inhibiting this chemical can lead to a decrease in asthma symptoms. Using an inhibitor will counteract the negative effects of leukotriene, thereby decreasing the occurrence of asthma attacks.
Be sure you understand how to use your asthma medication, especially emergency medication. Asthma is a condition traditionally treated with a combination of a regular medicine and an emergency medicinal inhaler. Asthma doesn’t go away, so it’s important to be vigilant about taking your daily medication and using your rescue inhaler when an attack occurs.
If you suffer from asthma and you are not eligible for health insurance, speak with a social worker. If you cannot afford medicine for asthma, your social worker can help you locate someone that can help.
If you’re flying with asthma medications, be sure you get a prescription from your physician. If you have written proof about the item you have,and that it is medically necessary, there will be less hassles going through security.
An annual flu vaccination is recommended for you as well as other members of your family. If you have asthma, it’s important to prevent all respiratory infections, if at all possible. This includes preventive measures against sickness, such as practicing good hygiene and getting all recommended vaccinations.
Use your inhaler when you need to, but be aware that this product can cause infections near your gums and teeth. Brushing or gargling immediately after use can help reduce the risk of infection and other problems.
A dehumidifier is an excellent investment for asthma sufferers. Lowering the level of humidity present in your home can reduce the numbers of dust mites, a prime trigger of asthma. Dehumidifiers cause the air in your home to become dry, which means less humidity.
Keep in mind that mopping your floors with a wet mop will cause less asthma problems than sweeping will. Sweeping stirs up dust and other things that can trigger your asthma. Dust will adhere to a wet towel instead of being loose in the air like feather dusters do where it can aggravate your asthma.
If you are an asthma patient, be sure to stay away from people who smoke, even if you are not a smoker yourself. Inhaled smoke from tobacco can drastically reduce lung function, increasing your chances of an asthma attack. This is especially true in closed-in areas.
Try to avoid the seasonal pollen that may trigger an asthma attack. Asthma symptoms are not the same as allergic reactions, but allergies and asthma attacks have many common triggers. The air quality information should be used to find out when it is better to stay indoors to avoid irritants present in the air.
You should be ready to increase asthma treatments if you suffer from hay fever or a cold. Many of these illnesses will worsen your asthma symptoms bad enough to require more treatments than you typically need. The doctor may choose to pursue additional treatment options during your illness as well.
If you experience a sudden asthma attack, staying calm is extremely important. Take your first dose of your inhaler and then wait thirty seconds. You can use your inhaler again after that. If your attack continues to worsen, seek help. Go to the emergency room, or call an ambulance if it’s extreme. While heading to the hospital, breathe into a paper bag; it will slow your breathing rate and help reduce the attack.
The introduction lets you know that asthma can kill you if you don’t take the proper steps to bring it under control. You have to protect yourself and always carry an emergency inhaler; be aware of air pollution and allergens as well. Use the tips laid out here to conquer your asthma, and stop it from cramping your freedom.
If inhaler use happens more than two times in each of your weeks, you must schedule an appointment with your doctor about this and possibly adjust your medication. This frequency of inhaler use means that your inhaler medication is not functioning effectively. In addition, if you must change the cartridge in the inhaler more than two times in a year, you may need to see your doctor regarding a medication switch.