So, you have just received an asthma diagnosis, and you feel stressed and panicky. No cure exists for asthma. Your life shouldn’t come to a standstill once you are diagnosed with asthma. The following article will advise you of some of the measures you can take to get the symptoms of asthma under control.
If asthma is something you suffer from, do not smoke or spend time around smokers, much less any source of vapors and fumes. Because of this, you should avoid any kind of tobacco smoke and take any job that you want to apply for into consideration; factories could expose you to a variety of smoke, vapors and dust.
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 means you should stay away from all tobacco products and carefully consider the jobs you apply to, especially in factories, as you may be exposed to harmful smoke or vapors.
It is crucial for asthma sufferers not to smoke. Smoking is horrible for people, it is really bad if asthma becomes worse and blocks oxygen to your body, you need oxygen to work and stave off asthma.
Smoking should never be done around children, especially a child who suffers from asthma. Secondhand smoke is a huge health risk and directly plays a role in why people develop asthma. Always ensure your child is in a smoke-free area.
If you suffer with asthma, avoid cleaning products. A lot chemicals that are in these items can set off an asthma attack or aggravate other symptoms. If you clean the home, there are many natural products that are safe to use.
Cleaning Products
A lot of medications can trigger an asthma attack without you knowing. Among these medications are aspirin and other NSAIDs. This can also be caused by beta blockers, like medications that are used in managing high blood pressure or heart problems. Let your doctor know about your asthma and what prescriptions you’re taking.
If you suffer from asthma, you should avoid cleaning products that have strong odors. Cleaning products may contain chemicals which can trigger an asthmatic episode, such as ammonia. Use natural cleaners instead of chemical cleaners to reduce your chances of asthma attacks after cleaning.
If you’re in a room that has a lot of dust in it, don’t turn on a fan. All this does is circulate the dust, which is an invitation to triggering an otherwise avoidable asthma attack. Encourage air to flow throughout the room by just opening a nearby window or door.
Avoid anything that could trigger your asthma. Many asthma suffers find that dust or pollen can trigger an attack. Some things, such as physical exertion, can cause an asthma attack. Figure out what sets off your asthma so you can avoid it.
Those with asthma should always opt for unscented items because they are safest. Products that contain fragrance, such as perfumes, colognes, or air fresheners, fill the air with irritants that can trigger an asthma attack. Irritating odors are also given off by new carpeting and paints. Keep the air inside as fresh as you can.
As a chronic disease, asthma must be managed continuously. Make sure to take the right medication for controlling everyday asthma symptoms, but also have quick relief medication with you in case of an attack. Discuss treatment strategies with both your primary care physician and your allergist.
Even if your asthma is not acting up, attend all of your doctor’s appointments. Flare-ups can occur at any time; plus, your doctor may have a new medication that he or she can offer you that will make your treatment safer and more effective.
If you are suffering from asthma, stay away from any type of cigarette smoke. Don’t smoke! Avoid breathing chemical fumes and vapors. A severe asthma attack can be life threatening. When you see people smoking in your area avoid them and move away.
Your home can be the cause of your asthma and its triggers. These are dust, mold and spores. Have an inspector come visit your house to remove any harmful agents that you have so that you can stay healthy and lower your risk for an asthma attack. Additionally, cleaning your home on a regular schedule prevents these unwanted visitors from taking residence en masse.
Make sure if you have an inhaler that you are using it the right way. Get to a place out of the way, and read the directions before starting. The only way the inhaler will work is if your lungs get the proper amount of medication. Spray the required dosage into your mouth while inhaling air. Allow the mist to fill up your lungs by holding your breath at least ten seconds.
Understanding how to properly administer your asthma medications is important, particularly in regard to rescue medications. Asthma typically is treated so that the sufferer has a regular maintenance medication, but is also prescribed a rescue medication, like an inhaler. Since asthma is chronic in nature, appropriate application and use of both management and rescue medicines is vital.
Social Worker
If traveling by plane with your asthma equipment or medications, always carry your written prescription with you to avoid problems. Without a written prescription stating that the item is medically necessary, you may experience frustration and delays at security checkpoints.
If you have asthma that is not covered by health insurance, contact someone in a government agency, like a social worker. It is important that you are able to afford your asthma medications, so a social worker may be able to find you a clinic or hospital that offers your medication at little to no cost.
Use your maintenance or preventative inhaler every day. However, you should know that the drug may cause mouth infections near your gums and teeth. You may be able to avoid this problem by brushing your teeth or rinsing your mouth thoroughly after each use of the inhaler.
If you are dealing with asthma, make sure you take lots of Vitamins E and C. It is thought that these vitamins will help increase lung function and will help control asthma symptoms. Vitamin C is available in multiple forms. You can find it in citrus fruits, supplements, and in many other places. These vitamins are great for your immune system, and a strong immune system wards off illnesses that can trigger asthma attacks.
Asthma sufferers should minimize their contact with animals and pets. Having an allergy to dander or animal hair could be possible asthma complications, even sufferers free of these kinds of allergies could still have an asthma attack that is caused by pollen and dust animals seem to carry around with them.
Your asthma medication may need to be adjusted if you become ill. Side effects that are associated with most illnesses can serve as triggers for asthma and may cause an increase in your asthma treatment. Your physician might also add more treatments to your regimen until your asthma is under control again.
Go to several doctors. Your primary physician should always be your first stop when dealing with asthma, but you may find it helpful to add a specialist’s knowledge. Asthma doctors, allergists, and pulmiologists are the people who you want to consult with to help with asthma.
If you or someone in your family has asthma, all family members need to get flu shots every year. Make sure your child’s vaccinations are up-to-date to avoid as many infections as possible.
If you frequently use your inhaler (more than two to three times per week), you should talk to your doctor about alternative methods of treatment or a different prescription. It means the medication used to calm acute attacks is either ineffective or not effective enough. Additionally, if your inhaler needs refills more often than about every six months, you are in the same situation and should see your physician.
Don’t skip appointments for your checkups, even if you haven’t had any recent asthma attacks. A new flare-up may be just around the corner, or your doctor may have news of a more effective new medication you can try.
Talking to other asthma sufferers, or attending a formal support group, can be a very effective way to cope with asthma. They can give you pointers and tips on what to do in certain situations, and can help you in your fight against asthma. Having supportive people that care about you is imperative.
Mold and mildew can thrive in a humid home environment. Mold and mildew can easily cause severe asthma attacks. Thus, keep the air in your home as moisture-free as possible to avoid asthma-related problems. During winter time, use a dehumidifier if necessary to control humidity while running your heater, and use your air conditioner during summer months to keep air dry.
Keeping your home neat, clean, and regularly swept can really help to reduce the number of asthma attacks you have. Additionally, you will want to wash your blankets, pillows and sheets often. This will eradicate dust mites, which can cause asthma attacks. Of course you sleep with your face literally touching your bedding, so a build up of dust can quickly trigger an attack, which is why it is so important to keep your bed dust-free.
If you are traveling by plane and taking along your asthma medications, make sure to have with you any written doctors prescriptions, especially when carrying some large asthma equipment like a nebulizer. You’ll speed up the process of going through security if you have written proof that shows that the items are necessary.
Try to strengthen yourself, and increase your lung capacity gradually. Never induce an asthma attack by attempting a workout when you aren’t sure if you will be able to complete it because of your asthma.
Cigarette Smoke
You can help slow down an asthma attack by drinking the equivalent of two Coca Colas worth of caffeine. Only use this as an emergency measure if your asthma inhaler is not close by during an attack. It’s best to use a fast acting inhaler to end your asthma attack but caffeine can relieve asthma symptoms until you are able to get to your inhaler. This works by opening up your air passages and constricting blood vessels.
If you’d like to avoid asthma attacks, avoid cigarette smoke as much as possible. Inhaling smoke can trigger an asthma attack. Stay away from chemical fumes, vapors, and cigarette smoke at all times. Exposure to these substances can worsen your asthma considerably. If someone is smoking near you, either ask them to stop or remove yourself from the situation.
There should be absolutely no smoking around family members with asthma. People who want to smoke should do so outside, away from the house and away from the person with asthma. A heavy smoker can trigger someone’s asthma attack simply because they are carrying a heavy smoke scent on their clothing.
Refrain from smoking. Most people are aware of the dangers of smoking, but for someone with asthma, the consequences are even more serious. A person with asthma has sensitive lungs that can react adversely to smoke, causing an asthmatic attack. So an asthmatic should not even be in a room where other people are smoking.
Sometimes food allergies can trigger an asthma attack in children. Pay attention to any allergy symptoms your child develops after eating. If they develop hives or have difficulty breathing after consuming a specific food, have their pediatrician test them for that allergy. These allergies could be indicative of a predisposition to asthma.
Try to avoid the seasonal pollen that may trigger an asthma attack. Even though asthma is not technically an allergy, those who suffer from allergies often find their condition is exacerbated by the same irritants and triggers that those afflicted with asthma are affected by as well. Information about local air quality is available in many areas so that those with asthma can reduce their outdoor exposure if irritants are within the air.
Asthmatics should not go outside and engage in a workout if the air does not have a lot of moisture and is cold. When your bronchial airways become dry and cool, this can lead to an asthma attack. If you are going to be exercising rigorously, you should first make certain that the air outside is warm and humid.
Preparation and forethought are at the foundation of any asthma plan. A good knowledge of how to prevent asthma attacks and how to manage your symptoms will make living with asthma easier. This article will help you build your knowledge so you can effectively combat asthma.
If you have asthma and need to use your emergency inhaler a lot, or you are getting asthma attacks at night, you need to speak to your doctor about your medication. Inquire with your doctor!