Do your research to learn about asthma symptoms, treatments and the various medications used to treat this chronic disease. Asthma is a fairly common lung disorder that causes inflammation of airways, coughing and wheezing. There are a lot of people who want to expand their knowledge when it comes to asthma, yet they aren’t sure where they can obtain this kind of information. What you will read in this article about the disease might surprise you.
What type of asthma are you having to deal 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. People who suffer from exercise-induced asthma will need to make sure that they have an inhaler with them inside of their gym bag. Treating asthma is less difficult if you and your physician are aware of the triggers that bring on an attack.
Avoid anything that could trigger your asthma. Allergens such as dust and pollen can bring on an asthma attack at any time. It could also be some type of strenuous exercise. Look for the trigger points in your life, so you can work around them.
If you suffer from asthma and you smoke, it’s crucial that you quit. Smoking is terrible for everyone, but it lowers the oxygen supply in asthma patients who need as much oxygen as possible.
Be aware of certain medications that can lead to asthma problems. Believe it or not, something as seemingly innocuous as aspirin can actually trigger symptoms. Other medications that may have an effect on the respiratory system include beta blockers used to treat high blood pressure. Talk to a doctor if you have any of these conditions along with asthma.
Though it is easy to postpone or avoid, get those annual flu vaccinations. Make sure you do your best in avoiding respiratory infections at all costs if you have asthma. This means you should also be sure to wash your hands frequently and get vaccinated.
If you are having an asthma attack (mild or moderate), you need to try to force air out of the lungs. Breathe out fast and hard. Really expel the air from your lungs! Inhale in three short breaths and one fourth deeper breath so that your lungs are comfortably full of air, then exhale forcefully again. Breathing in this rhythmic manner helps you to concentrate on the breaths you’re taking. It also expels air from your lungs so more can enter. If you cough up mucus, don’t worry – just get the breathing back to normal.
If you have asthma, avoid people who are smoking. Tobacco smoke can bring on an asthma attack, especially within areas without good air flow. The smoke restricts the ability of your lungs to breathe, making an attack much more likely to occur.
Social Worker
To keep from triggering any bad symptoms of asthma or a full-blown attack, it’s important to keep the home clean and tidy, free of dust and other particulates. This is particularly important in a bedroom. Don’t smoke indoors, or allow any junk food in your home. After you clean, let the house air out completely, and stay away from using any harsh chemicals (especially bleach) inside.
If you have asthma and do not have health insurance, you should consider seeing a social worker. Asthma medications are a necessity, and a social worker can help you find an affordable way to keep your prescriptions current.
Be certain you are aware of what triggers an asthma attack so you can avoid it, or at least be prepared to handle the symptoms. If you have asthma, it’s most likely triggered by things such as being around animals or pollen. Most asthmatics also can’t tolerate smoke. If able, avoid anything that results in symptoms of asthma or an asthma attack.
Get annual flu vaccinations for your entire family. If you are afflicted with asthma, avoid getting any infections if possible. The easiest way to start is by performing routine hand-washing, limiting your touching of surfaces while in public places, and getting vaccinations recommended by your doctor.
If you have asthma, use a pillow that doesn’t have feathers in it. Pillow feathers force the lungs to work harder and can exacerbate asthma problems. You should also look into hypoallergenic materials when buying sheets and a comforter.
A dehumidifier is an excellent investment for asthma sufferers. Though you may not be aware of it, high levels of humidity in indoor spaces can increase dust mites, which then can affect asthma. Dehumidifiers work by pulling the moisture out of the air of your home.
There is good reason to make sure you have your rescue medicine for asthma in a convenient, easy to reach place. Traveling is hard on your body, and you might have an asthma attack easier because your body is more likely to respond to triggers. Controlling your environment is harder when traveling, so this makes it much more probable that you experience worsening symptoms or an attack.
For asthma sufferers, the unscented option is always the best choice among different products. Products that contain fragrance, such as perfumes, colognes, or air fresheners, introduce irritants into the air around you that can trigger your asthma. Fresh paint and new carpeting can also irritate the airway. Try to see that the air inside your home remains as fresh as possible.
Even if you are feeling great, don’t skip your asthma check-ups. You don’t know when another flare-up will happen, or when your physician can offer you safer or superior medicine for your symptoms.
You will need to keep your residence really clean, especially the bedroom where the asthma sufferer sleeps in order to help lessen the chances of an attack. Avoid smoking inside, and only let people eat in the kitchen. Thoroughly air out your house after every cleaning, and stay away from bleach and similar harsh chemicals while cleaning indoors.
Mold and mildew thrive in homes with high humidity levels. These substances can easily trigger asthma attacks. Keeping a home dry and mold-free is important. Whenever you use a heater, you should use a dehumidifier, and air conditioning will help in the summer.
If you have asthma or you live with an asthma sufferer, you should ensure you receive an annual flu shot. Avoid a lot of these infections by getting vaccinated each year.
Bed linens often trap allergens, dust, pollen and other things that can aggravate asthma. The easiest way to get rid of these triggering agents is by washing all of your bedding using your washer’s hot setting every Sunday. You’re less likely to have an asthma attack while asleep or upon first waking up if your bedding is fresh and clean.
Think about signing up for a support group locally or online. Asthma, particularly if it is severe, can incapacitate you and keep you from going about your daily activities. If you know other asthma sufferers, you can stay up to date on the latest medicines and treatment options.
Asthma sufferers need to stay inside as much as they can when the air’s pollen content is high. A lot of the same things that can bother people with allergies will bother people with asthma as well. You can get the information about air quality in the area you are in; people who suffer from asthma should stay indoors if their air quality is low.
Being around animals should be avoided. Many people with asthma also suffer from allergies to animal dander. Even without a specific allergy, asthma attacks can be triggered by the dust and dander in the air caused by the presence of an animal.
Know how to properly use your inhaler if you’ve got asthma. You can’t just spray into your mouth and softly inhale. 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.
Refrain from smoking. Most people know that smoking is dangerous, but if you have asthma there are more serious consequences. Smoke is an irritant to sensitive lungs, ans asthmatics should neither smoke nor be around people who’re smoking.
Make sure your doctor sees you every two or three months for a check up to see how you are managing with your asthma condition. Your physician can assess if there’s been any changes in your condition, and adjust your treatment plan accordingly. It is important that you keep these appointments so that your doctor is able to keep you healthy.
If you have asthma and allergies and use a humidifier, make sure it is thoroughly cleaned as often as necessary. 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.
Attending asthma support group meetings, or even talking to a few chosen people with the condition, can do wonders for you. Understanding what other people do to control and manage their asthma can be helpful in treating your own asthma. Gaining the support of those around you is crucial.
Make sure your doctor shows you how to take your inhaled medication properly, and don’t leave his office until you are entirely comfortable using your inhaler. You should not just stick it between your lips and spray. Once you spray the inhaler you must take deep breaths for a couple of seconds. Without proper breathing techniques with your inhaler, your symptoms will worsen.
Watch for serious asthma symptoms to see if your kid needs to go to the ER. If your child is experiencing a serious asthma attack, you will see: increased use of medication with little or no effect, gray or bluish fingernails and/or lips. He may have difficulty saying anything, as well.
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 might mean that your inhaler isn’t working enough for you. Also, if you refill the inhaler more than 2 times each year, there is the same result, which means making an appointment with your doctor.
If you do not have your inhaler or medication present when you have an asthma attack, find some caffeine. Caffeinated chocolate, coffee or black tea can facilitate symptom reduction when an asthma attack strikes. Caffeine closes the blood vessels, which makes it easier for you to breathe.
In conclusion, it is common for asthma patients to be curious about the condition that effects their everyday life. The purpose here was to show you critical asthma advice that you can hopefully use, to alleviate the stress that this condition provides. Use this advice to improve the situation that asthma is creating for your life so you can get back to the business of living!
Make sure that smoking does not ever occur near an asthma sufferer. People that do want to smoke need to go outside, far away from the home and the person that has asthma. Smokers that have the scent on them can trigger asthma attacks.