Life as an asthmatic can be frustrating, but once you find methods to manage asthma you can live an active, healthy life. There are a lot of ways you can prevent your asthma from having any interference in your life. Read on for tips and suggestions to make the most of your life and struggles with asthma.
It is important that you try to stay clear of cleaning products if you have asthma. A lot chemicals that are in these items can set off an asthma attack or aggravate other symptoms. Instead of relying on harsh cleaners, check out some organic solutions. They might cost a few dollars more, but the difference is well worth it.
If you suffer from asthma, you should not smoke or expose yourself to any type of vapors or 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.
Avoid anything that can trigger your asthma. This could be something you’re allergic to like pollen or dust. For other people it may physical activities that will set them off. You should know what causes asthma, so you can stay away from these things.
If you have any children who suffer from asthma, avoid smoking around them at all costs. Second-hand cigarette smoke is a leading cause of asthma. Ensure that your child is not around other people that smoke, either.
There are some medications out there that you could be taking which will actually trigger your asthma symptoms. NSAIDs and aspirin are known for their ability to cause symptoms. Some medications for blood pressure and heart disease – those referred to as beta blockers – can also exacerbate asthma problems. If you suffer from asthma, be sure that your medical professional is aware of this.
If you suffer from asthma, it is vital that you avoid smoking; if you do, you should quit. Smoking isn’t good for anyone, but it’s worse for those with asthma. It cuts off the oxygen supply that your lungs need to function properly to keep away the asthma attacks.
Because asthma is a continuing condition, you have to continually manage your health. Make sure that your daily routine includes taking appropriate medication to keep you free of asthma symptoms, along with additional medication to treat you for any sudden asthma attacks. Talk to your doctor and allergist to see what is the best idea for you.
Avoid harsh cleaning chemicals if you are an asthma sufferer. Many of the harsh chemicals inside cleaning products might trigger symptoms or even a full blown asthma attack. Instead of relying on harsh cleaners, check out some organic solutions. They might cost a few dollars more, but the difference is well worth it.
If you find that you are in a dusty room, do not put on any type of fan. When you turn on the fans they will move the dust in the room around and this can trigger your asthma very easily. Instead, you should consider opening a window to get some fresh clean air going through your lungs.
If the room you are in appears to be dusty, refrain from turning on any fans. This will cause the dust to move around, which could cause an asthma attack. A fan will just blow around dust without providing fresh air, so opening a window is a better option as it brings in fresh air and ventilation.
You may want to use a leukotriene inhibitor if your asthma is being particularly problematic. Leukotriene inhibitors are used to prevent things called leukotrienes. Leukotriene is a chemical substance that can lead to inflammation that can cause an asthma attack. Get the inhibitor to prevent the leukotrienes, and your asthma attacks may drop in number.
If you have hay fever or a cold, you will probably need increased treatment of your asthma. These kinds of illness can inflame you asthma to a degree that a treatment increase is necessary. It is possible that your doctor will decide to modify your treatment, or even add additional treatments, until you are back on your feet.
Think about buying a dehumidifier if your asthma symptoms are bad. With less humidity, there will be fewer dust mites, and that means that there is less of a chance that your asthma will flare up. Air is kept dry by dehumidifiers by sucking the humidity out of it.
Asthma Attacks
Regular flu shots are important if you or one of your children suffer from asthma. Avoid these infections by making sure your and your child’s vaccines are up to date.
Know what causes your asthma attacks, as this will enable you to work around them or prepare to treat the asthma attacks that result. The majority of individuals afflicted with asthma know there are common irritants like pollen, pet dander and smoke. Whenever you can, stay away from these agents that can trigger symptoms or cause full-blown asthma attacks.
Realize what triggers your attacks, and you can avoid or manage these situations. Some common asthma triggers include pet dander, pollen, and cigarette smoke. Try to avoid these items as much as humanly possible so as to not trigger a full attack.
Sleep with a feather-less pillow if you have asthma. The feathers can make asthma worse and take away from your ability to breathe. The same can be said for bedding, try to get hypoallergenic comforters and sheets.
Feather pillows can be bad for those with asthma. Feathers can aggravate symptoms of asthma and lower lung function. Same thing with bedding – purchase sheets and a comforter that are constructed from hypoallergenic materials.
Even if your asthma seems like it is under control, always keep your asthma appointments with the doctor. 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.
When traveling, make sure to have your rescue medication handy at all times. Traveling tends to put extra stain on the body, and you’re more susceptible to your asthma triggers under these conditions. You can’t control the weather or the environment when you travel, so keep in mind you are more vulnerable to symptoms and attacks when you go to a new area.
Support Group
Mold and mildew will often grow in a humid home. Mold and mildew can easily cause severe asthma attacks. Therefore, try and keep the home dry. When you use the heater in the winter, be sure to have a dehumidifier control the humidity in your home. During the summer time, be sure to use the air conditioner to maintain a dry home.
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. Being a part of a support group can help provide you with honest information about products and helpful hints, as well as medical news.
Using your preventative inhaler should be done daily. It’s important to know, though, that it can cause sores and infections near your gums and teeth. To best method to prevent these side effects and complications is by brushing your teeth, then gargling directly after using the inhaler.
Take note of how often, from a weekly standpoint, you use the rescue inhaler. Your medication may need to be adjusted or an alternative treatment considered if you find that you need to use it 3 or more times per week. How often you use your rescue inhaler should serve as a reminder that your environment needs to be monitored.
When you are making an effort to control asthma, do not smoke. Inhaling smoke makes it harder for you to breathe and might result in an asthma attack. You should avoid cigarette smoke, vapors, and chemical fumes as much as possible. All of these air-borne pollutants can greatly increase your asthma symptoms. If there are smokers around you, you may want to ask them if they will smoke in another area.
Have more than one medical professional look at your asthma problems. Your usual doctor will be able to help you, but you should also consider seeing a specialist. There are a number of different approaches used to treat asthma. See what a pulmonololist, an allergist or a nutritionist has to say about your asthma problems.
Don’t use humidifiers or vaporizers in your home until they have been rigorously cleaned, if you suffer from either asthma, allergies or both. Bacteria can build up in the moisture of these machines, and get relayed into the very environment that you are attempting to make more conducive to your condition.
If asthma does strike, don’t lose your cool. You should use your inhaler immediately upon the first signs of an attack. Once you have used it, use it again 30 seconds later. If this does not lessen the attack, get help quickly. Gesture to someone to call 911 if you can’t speak, or have them drive you to the nearest hospital. You can slow your breathing by placing a paper bag over your mouth and nose to slow your breathing until you get medical attention.
You have to know the proper way to use an inhaler if you suffer from asthma. You should not just stick it between your lips and spray. Every time you spray the inhaler, be sure to breathe the mist in deeply and hold it for a a few moments. Proper techniques with your inhaler will keep your symptoms from increasing out of control.
Asthma support groups can also provide moral support to help you deal with difficult times and the frustration of asthma. They can offer you tips about handling different situations and help you manage your asthma. Support from other people is so important.
If you are planning on painting a room in your house, buy a mask in advance to protect you from breathing in fumes. Paint can trigger asthma-related issues, but wearing a mask will provide a protective barrier to circumvent these issues. Learn what type of chemicals trigger your asthma and try to stay away from them.
An asthma journal can help you quickly ascertain what triggers your asthma. Consider keeping a journal to help you identify possible asthma triggers and discuss the results with your doctor. Many people have success controlling their asthma by eliminating known asthma triggers.
Talking to other asthma sufferers, or attending a formal support group, can be a very effective way to cope with asthma. Other asthma sufferers often have the best tricks for dealing with dangerous situations, and fighting the battle against asthma. Support from people who understand your situation is key.
Asthma may be the result of genetics or something in the environment, or perhaps a bit of both. If you have a family history of asthma, be especially attentive when asthma like symptoms manifest in another family member. You should try to prevent yourself and your children from being exposed to potentially hazardous environmental elements that can trigger asthma attacks, such as smoke, pollution, dust and mold spores.
An asthma journal can help you quickly ascertain what triggers your asthma. Write down anything that triggers an asthma attack, then share what you’ve written with your asthma specialist. Many people have success controlling their asthma by eliminating known asthma triggers.
As you see, you can use several methods in controlling or preventing asthma from overtaking your life. Asthma doesn’t have to ruin your life; make some plans on how you can effectively live with it.
If you are experiencing 3 or more asthma attacks per week, it is a serious signal that you may need to adjust your medication. That many attacks in a week can be dangerous, and does not even need to happen according to medical professionals.