The number of people suffering from asthma is rising, so treatment is a more common need than ever. The demand for products and treatment leads to some very innovative medicines and therapies. You may be just moments away from discovering a highly effective new way to take care of your asthma. Keep reading; this article is packed with tips and tricks that will make you more knowledgeable about your condition.
If you suffer from asthma, don’t smoke or expose yourself to smoke, fumes or vapors. 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.
Smoking is extremely harmful if you suffer from asthma. If you are not already a smoker, don’t start, and if you are, quit as soon as possible. Although smoking is bad for all people, it is especially worse for asthma patients because it cuts off the oxygen supply that you need in order for your lungs to function and keep away asthma attacks.
When you have asthma, you need to be careful around chemical cleaning products. The chemicals in many cleaning products will trigger asthma attacks or symptoms. It is advisable to consider using products that have an organic base when cleaning.
If you have asthma and find yourself having frequent attacks caused by alleries, it may be time to consider a long-lasting medication. An antibody medicine known as omalizumab is very effective at countering asthma attacks related to allergies. Ask your allergist about it.
Learn what triggers your asthma so that you can avoid it. For some people, this can be pollen or other allergy triggers. Others experience an attack from physical activities. Keep a journal of your attacks so that you can start to learn what your triggers are so that you can prevent flareups before they begin.
Use your inhaler as directed. Move to a quiet area, and then simply follow manufacturer’s instructions. The inhaler can only help you if the medication actually reaches the lungs. Inhale deeply and spray the correct dose into your mouth. Be sure to hold the mist in your lungs for about ten seconds.
There are medicines out there that may increase your chance of triggering asthma symptoms. Various NSAIDs and aspirin have been reported to do this. This can also be caused by beta blockers, like medications that are used in managing high blood pressure or heart problems. If you suffer from any of these conditions along with your asthma, make sure you tell your doctor.
Social Worker
Exhale as hard as you can during an asthma attack. If you can’t breathe at all, go to the hospital; however, controlling your exhalation rate can sometimes help stop a less severe attack. Exhale quickly and forcefully. Expel the air in your lungs with great force! Do your inhalations in triple bursts of short breaths, and then follow with final deep inhalation so that you fill your lungs comfortably, before exhaling with vehemence once more. This will create a rhythm and will help you be aware of the way you are breathing. It also keeps air flowing out of the lung,s so that you can refill them. This breathing technique may cause some coughing or sputum, but it can help regulate your breathing and reduce the attack.
If you are an asthma sufferer and are denied health insurance, talk to a social worker. You must have the ability to afford your medication, so a social worker might be able to locate a hospital or clinic that can offer them at little cost or free.
If you use any more than four kinds of cleaning product around your home, then the risk of an asthma attack is increased. Try to use organic based cleaning products that are not harmful to asthma sufferers.
Unscented products are the safest option for those who suffer from asthma. Using scented products, like air fresheners and perfume, will increase the level of air pollution and is likely to trigger an attack. New carpeting and even a fresh coat of paint can aggravate the airway and lungs as well. Keep your indoor air clean and free of pollutants to stay healthy.
For asthma sufferers, the unscented option is always the best choice among different products. Scented products should be avoided, such as air fresheners, perfume, and incense. These can increase the amount of air pollution in the home and even trigger an attack. Certain things in the home, such as newly installed carpet or fresh paint, can also release chemical irritants. Try keeping the air indoors as fresh as it can be.
If you suffer from asthma, you should refrain from sleeping on a pillow that contains feathers. The feathers can make asthma worse and take away from your ability to breathe. The same it true for bedding, try purchasing sheets and comforters that are created from hypoallergenic materials.
Lower the chances of asthma attacks by keeping a spotless home, particularly in the areas where you sleep. Only allow food in the kitchen, and never smoke indoors. When cleaning your home, try not to use products that contain harsh chemicals, such as bleach. You should also allow fresh air to thoroughly circulate throughout your home after you’re done cleaning it.
There is good reason to make sure you have your rescue medicine for asthma in a convenient, easy to reach place. When you travel, you sometimes strain your body a little more than you think, which can make you a bit more susceptible to having asthma attacks. You won’t be able to control factors in your environment, such as air quality, while are away from home. This also adds to the likelihood of an attack or more symptoms than you are used to at home.
When dealing with hay fever or a cold, you will notice an increase in your asthma symptoms. Many illnesses have side effects that could cause your asthma to flare up so badly that you need to have an increase in treatment. Your doctor could add another treatment into your regimen until the illness is better.
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.
Receiving a regular flu shot is a great tip to implement if you or someone you love suffers from asthma. Prevent these infections from occurring by going to get vaccinated each year.
When the weather starts to turn colder, wear a scarf or shawl that covers your mouth and nose to help prevent asthma attacks. You can help warm the air with these things before they bring any harm to your lungs. Cool air has been known to trigger an asthma attack, particularly in very young children who have severe or moderate asthma.
If you suffer from asthma, you might want to use a pillow that doesn’t contain feathers. Feathers can have a negative effect on the lungs and can worsen asthma symptoms. The same can be said for bedding, try to get hypoallergenic comforters and sheets.
Daily Medication
A lot of the main causes, and triggers, of asthma may exist right in your home. Such irritants include mold spores, dust, smoke and chemical fumes. 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. Regularly cleaning your house can also contribute to preventing buildup of these substances.
You need to know how to properly use asthma medications that are prescribed to you, especially your rescue medication, so that you are prepared if you need to use it during an emergency. A typical asthma treatment plan is daily medication backed up with an emergency inhaler. Asthma doesn’t go away, so it’s important to be vigilant about taking your daily medication and using your rescue inhaler when an attack occurs.
Know how to properly use asthma medicine, especially your rescue medication. Asthma treatment is generally two-pronged: Daily asthma treatment and additional emergency medicine to relieve attacks as they happen. Because asthma can be a lifelong issue, it is vital to take both regular and rescue medications according to the instructions.
When you clean house, it is recommended that you clean your floor with a wet mop instead of sweeping it. Sweeping your floor can kick allergens into the air, triggering an asthma attack. You can greatly reduce this by using a wet sponge, damp rag, or moist cloth instead of your old-fashioned feather duster.
Inhalers are important to use every day, but be aware that inhalers have been known to cause infections near the teeth and gums. Brushing or gargling immediately after use can help reduce the risk of infection and other problems.
Bed Linens
Avoid all types of smoke, including cigarette smoke, if you have asthma. The inhalation of smoke can easily trigger an asthma attack. Stay away from all types of fumes as well as cigarette smoke. These can increase symptoms of asthma. If someone smokes around you, ask them politely if they could smoke when you are not around.
Bed linens are a magnet for nasty allergens and asthma triggers, including dust and pollen. You can reduce or eliminate these potential asthma attack inducers by laundering your sheets and pillowcases in hot water every week. Clean bed linens that are washed frequently will help you breathe easier every time your head hits the pillow.
You should have limited contact with animals, as it can cause you to have an asthmatic reaction. An allergy to an animal will worsen asthma symptoms, and an animal can carry enough dust or pollen to trigger an attack.
You should have a team of medical professionals to help you craft your asthma treatment. Specialists can supplement the asthma treatments your regular doctor provides for you. A pulmonologist, allergist, nutritionist and the staff at asthma centers can discuss a variety of treatments with you, to help you be sure you are following up on every possible good treatment available.
Bed linens often collect asthma aggravators, such as pollen, dust and allergens. Wash sheets on a weekly basis to rid them of allergens. Use hot water to wash the sheets. You should also wash pillowcases. You’re less likely to have an asthma attack while asleep or upon first waking up if your bedding is fresh and clean.
Clearly, people with asthma today have many more choices than those who suffered from asthma in the past. You have to find the method that is appropriate for your specific needs. Seek out information to help you decide which treatment method will yield the best results for you. Use the tips above to breathe easier.
If you use your inhaler over two times a week, talk to your doctor about changing your medicine. This means your inhaler isn’t working right. If you must refill your inhaler over two times a year, then it’s time to inquire with your doctor about a medication switch as well.