Asthma is more common than ever, so more people require treatment. Thankfully, there are a lot of different and effective medications on the market that may help reduce asthma symptoms. It is more likely than ever that you will find a therapy that works for you. Here are some tips that you can use to get you started with finding the help you need.
People afflicted by asthma should make it a priority to always avoid exposure to smoke, vapors and fumes. This means avoidance of all tobacco products, as well as taking into consideration any smoke or vapors you might be exposed to in a prospective workplace.
Some medications that you may take unknowingly can cause you to have asthma symptoms. A couple of common culprits that do this are aspirin and NSAIDs. There are some beta blockers that are given to those trying to control their heart disease or who have high blood pressure that may be harmful to an asthmatic, as well. Make sure your doctor knows if you are taking such medicine and also have asthma.
Can you identify the exact type of asthma you’re dealing with? 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 you have exercised-induced asthma, for example, you’ll want to bring your inhaler with you to the gym or other locations where you might be involved in physical activity. Learn what activities trigger your symptoms, and prepare accordingly so that you’re never caught without your inhaler during an asthma attack.
Keep rooms free of dust, and do not turn on a fan if you do have dusty rooms. A fan will spread dust and debris all over. This can very easily aggravate your asthma, and cause serious symptoms. Open a window instead to get the air flowing.
If you suffer from asthma, it is vital that you avoid smoking; if you do, you should quit. Although smoking is terrible for everyone, it is even worse for an asthma sufferer due to less oxygen supply in the lungs and that can trigger an attack.
If you have asthma and find yourself having frequent attacks caused by alleries, it may be time to consider a long-lasting medication. Omalizumab, an antibody medicine, might be suggested by an allergist and controls allergic reactions.
Be aware of certain medications that can lead to asthma problems. Some of these include aspirin and NSAIDs. Common medications used for controlling high blood pressure often times contain beta blockers, which asthmatics may be more sensitive to. Talk to a doctor if you have any of these conditions along with asthma.
If you have asthma, it is imperative that you stay away from smokers. Inhaled smoke from tobacco can drastically reduce lung function, increasing your chances of an asthma attack. This is especially true in closed-in areas.
If you’re having an asthma attack, a great way to handle this is to immediately evacuate the air from your lungs. Blow your breath out as hard and fast as you can. Push that air from your lungs with all that you’ve got! Inhale for three quick breaths, and then take one deep breath so that you can allow your lungs to fill with air, and then force the air out again. Breathing in this rhythmic manner helps you to concentrate on the breaths you’re taking. Expelling the air from your lungs in this fashion also allows you to breathe in deeper. You might cough or produce sputum, but that is fine; you are trying to get breathing under control again.
If you are dealing with asthma, a good idea is to use a pillow without feathers. Feathers can have a negative effect on the lungs and can worsen asthma symptoms. This also goes for bedding; use sheets, comforters and blankets that are crafted from hypoallergenic materials.
When you are dealing with asthma, try getting a lekotriene inhibitor. It works to prevent leukotrienes. Leukotrienes are molecules that cause the tracheal muscles to contract; having too many leukotrienes makes asthma attacks more likely. Taking an inhibitor blocks the receptors that leukotrienes normally interact with and leaves your throat less inflamed and attack-prone.
Rescue Inhaler
Use the inhaler properly. Find a good place and follow all of the directions that have been provided by the maker of the product. The inhaler will only work if the medicine reaches your lungs. While inhaling, spray the dosage in your mouth. Hold in your breath for 10 seconds so the medicine works properly.
It is crucial that you know how to properly use your asthma treatments, particularly rescue inhalers. Most people treat their asthma with regular daily medication, and carry supplemental emergency medication in the form of a rescue inhaler. Because asthma does not get cured, those afflicted with it must continue to take their regular medication and use their rescue inhaler when needed.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma, you should avoid smoking or even being in the presence of smokers. When you breathe in smoke, especially in small spaces, it diminishes breathing ability, which greatly increases the probability of an asthma attack.
Monitor your weekly inhaler use and tally how many times you need to use it to control an attack. If you use it three or more times each week, your treatment plan may not be working effectively or else an atypical situation may be triggering an increased number of attacks. How often you use your rescue inhaler should serve as a reminder that your environment needs to be monitored.
Unscented products are best for asthma sufferers. Use of scented products, such as perfume, air fresheners and incense, increase the levels of indoor air pollution and can trigger an attack. Be aware that fresh paint and new carpet also can emit harmful odors that irritate sensitive airways. Try to maintain the air in your house as free from possible asthma triggers as possible.
If you experience a sudden asthma attack, staying calm is extremely important. Wait thirty seconds to try your inhaler after using it the first time. If you feel your ashtma attack worsening, get immediate help. If there is someone nearby, have them call an ambulance or drive you to the nearest hospital. Grab a paper bag and breathe inside it, as that can help to slow down your breathing.
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. Food should only be eaten in the kitchen area, and whatever you do, please don’t smoke. After you clean, let the house air out completely, and stay away from using any harsh chemicals (especially bleach) inside.
It is important to become as knowledgeable as possible about asthma. The more you know, the more proactive you’ll be in your own treatment. Keep yourself up to date about new findings and find a good doctor. To know these things, you must keep learning about your disease and the options available for treatment.
When you travel, your rescue medication should be with you all the time. Traveling adds strain on the body and increases your susceptibility 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.
Schedule regular appointments with your physician to keep tabs on your asthma. Your physician can assess if there’s been any changes in your condition, and adjust your treatment plan accordingly. You should always keep your appointments so that your doctor can follow up on your treatment plans, and work with you to maintain your health.
To stay out in front of your asthma, make sure that you see the doctor to receive regular checkups. Your health care provider may have new prescriptions that could benefit you in case the need arises.
Always wear a face mask, if you are going to do any painting, in order to protect your airways from the fumes. Paint could irritate asthma greatly, but using a mask will act as a protective shield needed to fight this issue. Take similar steps to avoid any chemical or other substance that tends to trigger your asthma attacks.
You can join an online or offline support group. Left untreated, asthma can be very debilitating and prevent you from enjoying your normal activities. If you know other asthma sufferers, you can stay up to date on the latest medicines and treatment options.
Vitamin B6
During cold months, you could avoid asthma attacks by constantly wearing a shawl, muffler or a scarf that covers both your mouth and nose. That way the air is warmed before it enters your lungs. Breathing cold air can set off an asthma attack, particularly in small children who have have somewhat severe asthma.
Make sure you consume more foods with vitamin B6. Recent research has shown that vitamin B6 , widely known as pyridoxine, is effective at reducing the occurrence of asthma attacks. Through this research, it has been proven that pyridoxine helps produce molecules that aid in relaxing the bronchial tissue. You can find a good supply of vitamin B6 in natural foods such as bananas.
Find out how you are supposed to use your asthma medication and rescue treatments. For most asthma cases, an emergency treatment option, such as an inhaler, is used to supplement day-to-day management medication. Asthma is considered a chronic condition. For this reason, you should take the management of it very seriously.
One thing that you must do is figure out what triggers your asthma attacks. You may even want to keep an asthma trigger journal so you can discuss this with your doctor. Once they are known, do whatever it takes to prevent triggers from going off, and if possible, just wipe them out of your life and environment completely.
Asthma takes a long time to develop and doesn’t yield obvious symptoms. There are many cases where people have died from their first asthma attack, without even being aware that they were at risk. Always consult with a doctor to see if a persistent cough or difficulty breathing is a sign that you require treatment for asthma. There may even be things you can do to prevent it from getting worse.
Possible sources that cause asthma include a either genes, environmental aspects or a mix of the two. If asthma has occurred in your family, be aware of any symptoms of asthma you or your children may exhibit. Irritants in the environment, including smoke, pollution, dust and mold, can also contribute to asthma development, so you should minimize your family’s exposure to these substances.
Clean your home with a wet mop instead of a broom. If you choose to sweep, you’re swirling up a tornado of dust and allergens, both of which are common triggers for asthma symptoms. A moist rag chosen over a feather duster is the best choice for an asthmatic.
Strengthen your core and gradually increase lung capacity. Do not try to start with a hard workout that you will not be able to finish because your asthma will get in the way.
Avoid smoking. A lot of people know smoking is bad, but with asthma, it can be even worse. Sensitive asthmatic lungs are easily irritated by smoke, so they need to avoid smoking and to avoid situations where there are people who smoke.
Clearly, people with asthma today have many more choices than those who suffered from asthma in the past. It is crucial that you find an effective treatment. The article above is full of useful information to help you treat your asthma. Following the tips you have learned here is a great start to help you achieve better lung function.
If you decide to paint a room in your house, purchase a mask in order to keep yourself from inhaling fumes. Paint could irritate asthma greatly, but using a mask will act as a protective shield needed to fight this issue. Substances and chemicals which have the power to trigger asthma should be widely avoided.