Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with the condition known as asthma? This article provides many easy tips that will help you be better able to control asthma symptoms.
You want to make sure you can avoid situations that could trigger your asthma. For some people, this is allergy related; things like pollen and dust can start an attack. For others, it may be linked to physical exertion. You need to determine what your triggers are so that you can avoid them.
Can you identify the exact type of asthma you’re dealing with? When you’re informed about your asthma, you’ll be able to do more to cope with the illness and prevent it from having a negative effect on your life. One example of this is exercise-induced asthma. This type of asthmatic will need to carry his inhaler with him when he goes for a run. You can avoid any future crisis by knowing and figuring out patterns of the symptoms you have.
Asthma is ongoing. Therefore, it also requires continual management of your health. Be sure you are practicing proper self-care, and make sure you have your inhaler ready to go in case you suffer a full-blown attack. Speak to your physician and allergist to find out what medications are right for you.
Keep away from any and everything that you know triggers your asthma attacks. Asthma triggers will vary greatly between individuals. If you have allergy related asthma, you will want to avoid pollen and dust. Some people get attacks after being physically active. Know your asthma causes so you can avoid putting yourself in a situation where you may suffer from an attack.
If you suffer from asthma and allergies that result in attacks, you can get injections of long-lasting medication for relief. Known as Omalizumab, this antibody medicine can control the body’s allergic senses and lower the symptoms or reactions that asthma patients suffer.
Prescriptions and over-the-counter medications can actually trigger an asthma attack. A couple of common culprits that do this are aspirin and NSAIDs. Common medications used for controlling high blood pressure often times contain beta blockers, which asthmatics may be more sensitive to. Make sure you consult with your doctor concerning your asthma and possible drug reactions.
Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke because it is as dangerous to asthmatics as smoking a cigarette. 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 a person with asthma and have persistent attacks related to allergy symptoms, a medication that can be used for a long term effect is one that can be injected. Omalizumab, an antibody medicine, might be suggested by an allergist and controls allergic reactions.
When you travel, your rescue medication should be with you all the time. 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. 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.
When you are dealing with asthma, try getting a lekotriene inhibitor. Leukotriene inhibitors are used to prevent things called leukotrienes. Leukotriene is a type of chemical substance which may cause inflammation and could cause an attack. If you use an inhibitor, you may find that the your asthma attacks significantly decrease.
Wear scarves, shawls and mufflers to cover your noise and mouth during colder weather. Filtering and warming air before you inhale it can help prevent asthma attacks. Studies have consistently shown that cold air can cause your throat and lungs to constrict, triggering asthma attacks. Children are especially susceptible to cold-induced asthma.
Make sure that you and your loved ones get a flu vaccination yearly. It is a good idea to avoid all respiratory infections when you have asthma. This includes preventive measures against sickness, such as practicing good hygiene and getting all recommended vaccinations.
Be sure you understand how to use your asthma medication, especially emergency medication. A treatment made up of a daily medication plus a rescue inhaler can help to keep asthma under control. Because asthma can be a lifelong issue, it is vital to take both regular and rescue medications according to the instructions.
Immune System
Asthma is a condition that typically will develop over a long period of time, with symptoms that are not very obvious. In some cases, people do not even know they might have a chance of an asthma attack and their first one proves fatal. If you find yourself with a constant cough or have trouble breathing, consult your doctor, so he can tell you if you have asthma and if you need medication. He might even have suggestions on how to prevent it from worsening.
Consider supplementing your diet with Vitamins E and C when you suffer from asthma. Since both of these have been attributed to better function of the lungs, they also help to control the symptoms of asthma. You can gain vitamins from supplements or the old fashioned way, from food! Vitamins C and E are necessary for a healthy immune system. If your immune system isn’t healthy, it won’t be able to fight off illnesses that cause asthma attacks.
If you are taking your prescriptions with you on a flight, make sure to take your prescription. Having proof that it belongs to you and is medically necessary will make the security check easier.
If you use any more than four kinds of cleaning product around your home, then the risk of an asthma attack is increased. To limit the chemicals in the air, look for organic cleaning alternatives.
Instead of sweeping your floors, clean them with a damp mop. Vacuuming or wet-mopping are better than sweeping because they don’t stir up dust and debris that might induce 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.
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. Smoke, pollen, or pet dander are common triggers. When possible, stay away from these triggers that cause symptoms or ultimately, full-blown attacks.
Avoid smoke, if you don’t want to have an asthma attack. Smoke can seriously affect the lungs and is a common asthma trigger. So do whatever you can to stay away from vapors, chemical fumes and smoke from cigarettes. The more you are exposed to fumes, vapors and smoke, the more likely you are to have an asthma attack. If you are being exposed to things that may irritate your asthma, remove yourself from the situation as quickly as possible.
While traveling, always keep emergency asthma medication on hand and close by. 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. It’s also hard to control the environment you’re in when traveling, which is another reason you might experience more symptoms or have an attack.
If you have asthma consider staying away from pets or animals. While allergies from animals can complicate asthma, those without allergies can get asthma attacks from dust or pollen that the animals carry.
Think about becoming a member of a support group, whether it is online or somewhere local. Many people who suffer from asthma are unable to live a full life. Also, other asthma sufferers can alert you to scientific breakthroughs and changes, such as new medications.
Have more than one medical professional look at your asthma problems. Although your primary doctor can treat your asthma, a specialist may be able to provide further help. Asthma centers, pulmonologists, nutritionists and allergists can all work with you, making sure you are getting all the treatment you need.
Many of the biggest triggers for asthma can, and do, exist in your home. These can include dust, mold and spores. To stay healthy and reduce the chance of asthma attacks, you should have an inspector visit your house yearly to remove these harmful agents. Cleaning your house on a regular basis is one way to keep these substances from accumulating.
If you need to use your inhaler more often than twice each week, this means your asthma isn’t adequately controlled and a medication change is required. Frequent use may be a signal that the medication is not effective. Also, if you have to refill your inhaler more than twice in one year, then a visit to the doctor for a medication change is also in order.
It is crucial that you know how to properly use your asthma treatments, particularly rescue inhalers. Asthma is usually treated on two fronts. One is a standard medication, taken daily, and the other is an inhaler, intended for use in an emergency. It’s crucial that medication for management of asthma is taken regularly, and that rescue medication is also used when appropriate.
Joining a network of those who suffer from asthma, or simply talking to others who suffer from the condition, can have a positive impact on you. They can provide you with advice and tips on how to better deal with fighting asthma. You need a strong support system!
When housecleaning, it is better to clean your floors with a damp mop than sweeping them with a broom. Sweeping stirs up irritants that can trigger an asthma attack. When dusting, try to use a damp rag rather than a feather duster to cut down on the spread of the triggers.
Avoid allergens and consult your doctor if your current medication fails to limit your asthma attacks to less than three each week. Medical professionals agree that more than two attacks in any given week can be hazardous to your health.
Avoiding smoke is one of the best asthma-prevention tips out there. Smoke is a major cause of asthma attacks. Stay away from all types of fumes as well as cigarette smoke. The more you are exposed to fumes, vapors and smoke, the more likely you are to have an asthma attack. If someone smokes around you, ask them politely if they could smoke when you are not around.
The idea should be to gradually condition your body in order to increase lung capacity. Don’t exercise too hard all at once or you’ll end up quitting your workouts due to your asthma.
As you can see from this article, there are many ways to manage the symptoms of asthma. However, it is a very important factor that you are persistent in applying them. If you stop following your good habits, your asthma symptoms will come back. The above article outlined ways in which you can protect yourself and control asthma symptoms.
Watch your children carefully for food allergy signs. If you see signs of breathing problems or hives in your children after they eat, seek medical attention. Food allergies are often a sign that a child may develop asthma.