Do you count yourself amongst the millions who suffer from symptoms related to asthma? This article provides many easy tips that will help you be better able to control asthma symptoms.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma and you are a smoker, it is time to 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.
Do not smoke around your children if they have asthma. Secondhand smoke is a huge health risk and directly plays a role in why people develop asthma. If your child is in an area where people are smoking, remove him quickly to avoid an asthma attack.
You should stay away from anything you might believe which can trigger an asthma attack. This is different for everyone, but some people, things like dust or pollen can trigger an attack. While in other people, all it takes is physical activity and an attack can trigger. Know your asthma causes so you can avoid putting yourself in a situation where you may suffer from an attack.
Chemical Cleaners
Avoid using a fan in any room that has excessive dust. The wind will move dust around and get into your airways causing an attack. Instead, you should consider opening a window to get some fresh clean air going through your lungs.
Be careful of chemical cleaners if you are asthmatic. A lot of the cleaning products have certain chemicals in them which can trigger asthma attacks. Use natural cleaners instead of chemical cleaners to reduce your chances of asthma attacks after cleaning.
If allergy symptoms cause you to have moderate to severe asthma attacks, there is a medication available that can help for extended periods of time. Ask your allergist about omalizumab, an antibody drug that can reduce the severity of asthma symptoms and the frequency of attacks.
Avoid those things that you know can trigger your asthma. This can vary from person to person, as small particles like dust can cause asthma attacks. Others have asthma attacks when they participate in physical activities. Try to figure out when your asthma began so it can be avoided.
If you suffer from asthma, try seeing if a leukotriene inhibitor helps. A leukotriene inhibitor helps to prevent leukotrienes. Leukotriene is a type of chemical substance which may cause inflammation and could cause an attack. The inhibitor can prevent them and decrease your asthma attacks.
Certain prescription medications have the potential to cause asthma symptoms. Among these medications are aspirin and other NSAIDs. You can also use medications that can control high blood pressure and heart disease, things like beta blockers. If you suffer from any of these conditions along with your asthma, make sure you tell your doctor.
If you have asthma, try to avoid smokers, even if you do not smoke. 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.
If you have asthma, get a dehumidifier for your home. Decreasing the humidity in the house decreases dust mites, which decreases asthma flare ups. A dehumidifier makes the air in your home dry by keeping humidity to a minimum.
Try to keep your home as clean as possible, especially the bedroom of the asthma sufferer, to reduce the risk of an asthma attack. Food should be restricted to the kitchen, and smoking inside the home should never be permitted. Thoroughly air out your house after every cleaning, and stay away from bleach and similar harsh chemicals while cleaning indoors.
If you are using a lot of different cleaners around your house you can trigger a asthma attack. Try using organic cleaning products which don’t contain irritating chemicals.
Take notes of what can trigger your asthma attacks so that you can be prepared for a future attack or learn how to avoid them all together. Asthma sufferers generally have different triggers in common like pollen, pet dander and smoke. Avoid these things when you can to breathe easier.
If you suffer from asthma and do not smoke, make sure to avoid people who do smoke. When you breathe in smoke, particularly in an enclosed area, your lungs cannot function as well, and it increases your risk of having an asthma attack.
If you are asthmatic, it may be a good idea to use a pillow that is not filled with feathers. The pillow feathers can cause asthma to flare up and minimize your lung function. It is also advisable to use hypoallergenic sheets and comforters for the same reason.
If someone in your home has asthma, make sure to keep a clean house, especially their bedroom so that the risk of an attack is reduced. Food should be eaten only in the kitchen or dining room, and cigarettes are best relegated to outdoor smoking areas. Once you have cleaned your house, air it out; you should also eliminate utilizing any toxic chemicals inside.
Keep all your regularly scheduled asthma appointments, regardless of how you are feeling. Your health care provider may have new prescriptions that could benefit you in case the need arises.
A yearly flu shot is necessary if you suffer from asthma. Make sure your child’s vaccinations are up-to-date to avoid as many infections as possible.
You can join an online or offline support group. Suffering from asthma can mean many days are spent at home with your condition stopping you from participating in a full and fulfilling lifestyle. In addition, a community of other asthma sufferers will let you know about changes in medications or other relevant scientific discoveries.
Keep all your doctors appointments even if your asthma symptoms aren’t bothering you. A flare-up can occur at any time, and your physician may have learned of a prescription medication that can treat your symptoms more safely and effectively.
Avoid smoking. The dangers surrounding smoking are well documented, but for asthma sufferers the issues can be much more serious. Sensitive asthmatic lungs are easily irritated by smoke, so they need to avoid smoking and to avoid situations where there are people who smoke.
Your home is where most asthma triggers are located. These causes are sources, such as, but not limited to dust, mold and spores. To keep these triggers out of your home, have a professional inspector come to your home each year to remove these nasties from your home. You can help keep your house safe from these harmful substances by regularly cleaning and dusting your home.
If you have asthma and allergies, don’t use a vaporizer or humidifier if it has not been completely cleaned. Bacteria can breed in moist parts of the machine, and if it is unclean when you turn it on, it will just pump out allergens.
Mold and mildew thrive in homes with high humidity levels. You can get asthma attacks because of these substances. You should therefore try to keep your home dry. In the winter months, use a dehumidifier in order to get rid of moisture. Your air conditioner will keep it dry in the summer.
Speaking to your peers, who also suffer from asthma, can be an eye-opening and life-changing experience. They can provide you with valuable tips and lessons on how to fight against asthma in many different situations. Having supportive people that care about you is imperative.
Asthma Attacks
In order to ward off asthma attacks, it is crucial that you pinpoint your triggers. You may even want to keep an asthma trigger journal so you can discuss this with your doctor. Once you know the causes of your asthma, do all you can to stay away from the triggers, and try, if possible, to remove them from your surroundings.
During the colder months, avoid asthma attacks by wearing a scarf, shawl or muffler that covers the mouth and nose. This warms the air before you bring it into your lungs. Breathing in cold air tends to start asthma attacks, especially with younger children that have severe or moderate asthma.
Asthma may be the result of genetics or something in the environment, or perhaps a bit of both. If asthma has occurred in your family, be aware of any symptoms of asthma you or your children may exhibit. Asthma sufferers need to be especially careful to avoid smoke, dust mites, extremely high air pollution levels and allergens.
Make sure you understand the correct way to use your asthma medication, especially any rescue medication. Asthma is usually treated by using a regular medicine supplemented with a rescue medicine, like an inhaler. Because asthma can be a lifelong issue, it is vital to take both regular and rescue medications according to the instructions.
Try to maintain a clean home and well-swept floors. Also, be sure to keep your bedding as clean as possible. Washing your bedding regularly keeps dust mites away; dust mites are a trigger of attacks for many asthmatics. Dust build up can increase your chances of getting an asthma attack as causes irritation to your breathing.
For asthma sufferers having contact with pets or other animals need to be minimized. Though dander allergies are often seen in conjunction with asthma, even asthmatics who are not allergic may have attacks that are triggered by the ancillary irritants transported by animals, including pollen and dust.
There are certain symptoms that you should look for to help you understand whether your child is having an asthma attack and needs to be transported to the hospital. Such symptoms include lips and fingernails that are turning blue and no reaction to the asthma medication. In addition, you may not be able to understand your child when he speaks.
Make certain you have checkups scheduled with your physician every few months so you keep on top of your asthma. This person needs to have the ability to look at your current situation so that they can make any changes as necessary. Taking on the responsibility of scheduling these regular appointments will help your doctor help you to stay healthy.
If an asthma attack occurs, and you do not have your controller medications with you, try to ingest something that contains caffeine. Any source of caffeine will help control asthma attack symptoms, including chocolate, coffee, or black tea. It works by constricting blood vessels, thus opening your airways.
Eat more foods that are rich in B6 vitamins. Studies have found that vitamin B6, which is sometimes referred to as pyridoxine, can make asthma attacks less frequent and less intense. This vitamin boosts the production of a molecule that helps bronchial tissues relax. Chicken and carrots, as well as bananas, are two good food sources which contain vitamin B6.
Get your flu shot every year. Even if you are not generally affected by the cold or flu seasons, it is still a good idea to get yourself vaccinated against them. Flu, colds and sinus infections, which you are more vulnerable to being asthmatic, can affect your ability to breathe.
If you are prone to asthma attacks, you need to find out what triggers them. If you aren’t sure what causes your asthma to act up, keep a journal. Write down what you were doing and where you were just prior to each attack. Bring your journal to your doctor’s office during each appointment so that she can help you figure out your asthma triggers. Once you know your triggers, you can avoid and eliminate them as much as possible.
When the air is dry and cold outside, someone with asthma should not attempt to do physical exercise. This can cause your bronchial airways to get cold and dry, and that can cause asthma attacks. Therefore, you should always make sure it is a little warm and humid before doing any strenuous exercise outdoors.
Asthma Symptoms
Your exercise routines should always include extensive warm-ups beforehand and cool-downs afterwards if you have asthma troubles. Avoid asthma problems by incorporating both into your exercise regime.
This article laid out many ways to control asthma symptoms. But of course, the advice is only useful if applied with diligence and regularity. If you stop following your good habits, your asthma symptoms will come back. Use what you have learned to guard against the symptoms of asthma.
If you suffer from asthma, it is crucial to avoid or limit the physical activities that can trigger an attack unless given permission by a doctor. If you choose to go running or do some other kind of strenuous exercise, you might regret it if it causes a trip to the hospital because of an asthma attack.