If you struggle with asthma like many, this information can help you. We have compiled some of the best advice available to help you find ways to live a fuller healthier life, as well as ways to make your life easier.
Avoid exposing yourself to any of your known asthma triggers. Allergens such as dust and pollen can bring on an asthma attack at any time. Others experience an attack from physical activities. Pay attention to what causes your attacks so you can prevent them from happening.
Stay away from smoking, or being around any smoke, vapors or fumes. This means you should stay away from all tobacco products and carefully consider the jobs you apply to, especially in factories, as you may be exposed to harmful smoke or vapors.
Certain prescription medications have the potential to cause asthma symptoms. NSAIDs and aspirin are known for their ability to cause symptoms. Many medications for heart disease and hypertension can also cause asthma symptoms. If you suffer from these conditions and also have asthma, be sure to let your doctor know.
An important part of symptom management is knowing what type of asthma you have. Gaining as much knowledge as you can about the type of asthma you have can make your day-to-day activities a little easier. Asthma caused by exercise can be treated easily if you carry an inhaler when you go to the gym. You will be able to prevent asthma attacks if you can recognize symptoms.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma, you must avoid cigarette smoke at all costs. Smoking is off limits. Avoid vapors and chemical fumes from cigarettes. Chemical fumes will trigger asthma attacks that you won’t be able to put an end to. If you find that you have people smoking around you, get yourself out of that area rather quickly.
Cleaning Products
Though it should go without saying, do not turn on any fans or circulation systems when in a room containing visible dust that has yet to be cleaned. This could trigger an asthma attack because this will move the dust around. It’s better to open the window if you’re in need of fresh air.
If you’re suffering from asthma, it helps if you can avoid any harsh cleaning products out there. 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 allergies lead to constant attacks from your asthma, there has been a recent solution that is administered via injection that provides long term care! There are antibody medications used to control allergic reactions that come recommended by allergists.
If you have asthma, you should keep away from any smoke from cigarettes. You should not smoke! Air pollution and fumes from harsh chemicals also increase asthma symptoms. Chemical fumes will trigger asthma attacks that you won’t be able to put an end to. If others are smoking and you are nearby, get away from them immediately.
Consider supplementing your diet with Vitamins E and C when you suffer from asthma. There is some evidence that these two vitamins can improve breathing and lower the frequency of asthma attacks. It doesn’t matter if you get the vitamins for food or a supplement; just get them. Your immune system gets a boost with these vitamins, and this helps protect your body against illnesses and asthma.
If you suffer from asthma, don’t expose yourself to secondhand smoke. You can suffer an asthma attack if you are around cigarette smoke because it makes your lungs function poorly. You are even more exposed to an attack when the smoke is in a closed-in room or area.
To minimize the chances of triggering a bout of asthma, keep your house extra clean, particularly rooms where asthma patients sleep. Food must only be allowed in the kitchen area, and there should be no smoking in the house at all. After cleaning around the house, open windows and allow fresh air into the house. This can reduce the smell and pervasiveness of household cleaners like bleach.
While everyone appreciates the look and feel of a clean house, asthma sufferers in particular benefit from a healthy environment as it can decrease the risk of asthma attacks, especially in a sleeping area. Don’t smoke indoors, or allow any junk food in your home. 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.
If you’re suffering from a cold or allergies, you should talk to your doctor about taking additional asthma medication. Treatment may be increased in these cases as many illnesses have side effects that can cause flare ups in your asthma. It is possible your doctor will want to add additional therapies to your treatment program until you are back on your feet.
If you suffer with asthma, get a flu shot each year. Make sure your child’s vaccinations are up-to-date to avoid as many infections as possible.
Humidity is a problem in the home, because it creates conditions that are perfect for mildew and mold growth. Both mold and mildew are associated with asthma attacks. You should therefore try to keep your home dry. When you are heating your home during the winter months, a dehumidifier can be used to control the humidity. In the summer, use an air conditioner to maintain dry air.
Asthma Triggers
During cold, winter months, asthma sufferers should wear a shawl, muffler, or scarf that will cover both their nose and mouth. Filtering and warming air before you inhale it can help prevent asthma attacks. Breathing in cold air tends to start asthma attacks, especially with younger children that have severe or moderate asthma.
You need to know what the asthma triggers are so that they can be avoided or treated promptly. Common asthma triggers include pollen, smoke or dander. When possible, stay away from these triggers that cause symptoms or ultimately, full-blown attacks.
Be sure you understand how to use the medication you’re given for asthma properly, especially your rescue medication. Asthma is generally treated with a rescue medication, usually an inhaler, in addition to a regularly-taken maintenance medication. Because you will have asthma for the rest of your life, it is important that you take your maintenance medication properly, and that you use your emergency medication correctly.
Some common catalysts of asthma attacks regularly occur in the home. These culprits include dust, spores and mold. To keep healthy, lower your risk of an asthma attack by getting rid of these triggers from your home. In addition, regularly cleaning the home can stop these things from building up.
Anytime you clean your house or apartment, wet mopping is superior to sweeping. Sweeping the floor kicks up dust and other debris that can set off an attack of your asthma. You can greatly reduce this by using a wet sponge, damp rag, or moist cloth instead of your old-fashioned feather duster.
Humidity is a problem in the home, because it creates conditions that are perfect for mildew and mold growth. These substances can easily trigger asthma attacks. You should do your best to maintain a dry home. When you are using a heater in winter time, you can run a dehumidifier for help controlling humidity. In the summer, running your air conditioner will allow you to keep your humidity down.
Contact with pets and other animals should be minimized for the asthma sufferer. Some asthma sufferers are allergic to animal fur or dander on top of their asthma, but even those who don’t have such an allergy can bring on an attack if they breathe in too much of these irritants.
You should use your inhaler everyday regularly; however, be forewarned that the medicine can potentially lead to mouth infections, especially around your gums and teeth. Brushing or gargling immediately after use can help reduce the risk of infection and other problems.
Sufferers from asthma should stay indoors when the pollen count rises. A lot of the same things that can bother people with allergies will bother people with asthma as well. Now there’s information on local air quality available so you can monitor whether you’re going to be exposed to hard to breath air.
Bed Linens
If you suffer from asthma, it is imperative that you know how to correctly use your inhaler. You should not just stick it between your lips and spray. Every time you use your inhaler, be sure to breathe deeply and slowly. When your doctor prescribes your inhaler, ask him for detailed instructions in using it correctly.
Bed linens tend to collect asthma triggers like pollen, dust and other allergens. Use fresh linens to make up your bed on a regular basis. Fresh bed linens, washed regularly, will ensure that you can breathe a little easier while you sleep.
Talk with your physician if you find that you need your inhaler more often than a couple of times weekly. Using your inhaler this frequently means your prescription is not effectively treating your asthma. This same advice also goes for those who must refill their inhalers more frequently than every six months.
Consider using more than just one doctor. The first place to consider visiting is your main doctor, but they might also be able to recommend a specialist. Some specialists to consider visiting are those who deal directly with allergies or nutrition. This is a great way to attack asthma from all angles.
Learn all that you can learn about the condition you have. The greater your knowledge base regarding asthma, the more involved you can be in determining treatment plans. Stay up to date with current treatments and make sure you have the best care possible. The only way you can do this is by arming yourself with condition and treatment knowledge.
You can soon enjoy a more active, healthier lifestyle by taking a few steps to better manage your asthma, just use the information provided in the guide as a starting point. Now that you learned some insightful information you can now try your best to change your life around and become more active so you don’t miss out on anything.
Attending a support group of asthma sufferers, or just sharing with people who have this condition, can really benefit you. They can give you pointers and tips on what to do in certain situations, and can help you in your fight against asthma. You need a strong support system!