Millions of people suffer from asthma, and if you’re one of them, the information contained in this article will help you combat the harmful symptoms of this condition. 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.
If you’re suffering from asthma, it helps if you can avoid any harsh cleaning products out there. The chemicals in these products make you more prone to an asthma attack. While anyone responsible for cleaning their home can’t avoid cleaning products altogether, it’s best to only use natural products.
What type of asthma do you suffer from? Being aware of your specific condition will help you combat the effects it has over your body day in and day out. Those whose asthma is exacerbated by exercise will know to always have an inhaler on hand. Treating asthma is less difficult if you and your physician are aware of the triggers that bring on an attack.
Avoid those things that you know can trigger your asthma. Asthma triggers will vary greatly between individuals. If you have allergy related asthma, you will want to avoid pollen and dust. Others have asthma attacks when they participate in physical activities. Look for the trigger points in your life, so you can work around them.
If you are an asthmatic, it is vital that you never smoke, and if you already do, you should quit as soon as possible. Smoking is horrible for people, it is really bad if asthma becomes worse and blocks oxygen to your body, you need oxygen to work and stave off asthma.
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that requires constant management. Make certain you are doing the most you can each day to keep your symptoms under control. Take the proper medications needed for everyday symptoms, and always have quick relief medication by you at all times in the event an attack occurs. To determine the best options for you personally, consult your physician and an allergist.
Stay away from anything that you are aware of that may trigger your asthma. This can vary from person to person, as small particles like dust can cause asthma attacks. Some people get attacks after being physically active. Do your best to understand and figure what exactly triggers your asthma so that you know what you need to avoid.
Should you wind up inside a really dusty room, don’t activate any fans. Turning on a fan is going to cause the dust to leave its surface and begin filling the air of your environment. Open a window instead to get the air flowing.
Never turn on a fan when the room you are in is very dusty. This could trigger an asthma attack because this will move the dust around. A fan will just blow around dust without providing fresh air, so opening a window is a better option as it brings in fresh air and ventilation.
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. Known as Omalizumab, this antibody medicine can control the body’s allergic senses and lower the symptoms or reactions that asthma patients suffer.
It is always a problem if you have asthma and don’t have health insurance, but talking to a social worker may help you resolve this issue. Social workers are trained to help people find resources for affording health care, particularly on debilitating conditions such as asthma.
Products with no scent are the safest and best option for an asthma sufferer. Using products with scents, like perfume, incense and air fresheners, boosts the amount of air pollution indoors and can bring on an attack. Many things in the home release chemicals that irritate the lungs, such as newly installed carpet or fresh paint. Try to keep the indoor air as clean and fresh as possible.
If you have asthma, avoid people who smoke. When you inhale tobacco smoke, particularly in closeted areas, the functioning of your lungs can decrease, and you may suffer an attack.
If you suffer from asthma, you should refrain from sleeping on a pillow that contains feathers. Feathers in a pillow can bring on the symptoms of asthma and decrease lung function. The same goes for bedding – try to buy a comforter and sheets that are made from hypoallergenic materials.
If you have hay fever or a cold, you will probably need increased treatment of your asthma. Many of these illnesses will worsen your asthma symptoms bad enough to require more treatments than you typically need. Your physician may even recommend that you take additional medication until you recover.
Don’t skip appointments for your checkups, even if you haven’t had any recent asthma attacks. 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.
Regular flu shots are important if you or one of your children suffer from asthma. Prevent those flu infections before they happen by getting a flu shot each year.
Think about becoming a member of a support group, whether it is online or somewhere local. Asthma, especially the more severe forms, cause many problems that interfere with the quality of life and present many challenges. A support group will help you have a good time and forget about your condition once in a while, as well as as keep you informed about the latest innovations.
Those who have asthma should avoid down pillows. The feathers can make it harder to breathe right and trigger an attack. This applies to bedding, as well, so it’s best to make sure that everything on your bed is hypoallergenic.
If you are flying with your asthma medications, especially a large piece of equipment such as a nebulizer, be sure to bring along a written prescription from your doctor. Having written documentation supporting this medically necessary item will eliminate any hassles when going through the security check point.
Use your maintenance or preventative inhaler every day. However, you should know that the drug may cause mouth infections near your gums and teeth. To prevent these issues, brush and use mouthwash immediately after inhaler usage.
Instead of sweeping your floors with a broom, it is preferable to clean using a wet mop. When you are sweeping with a broom, you stir up triggers like dirt and dust mites that can cause you to go into an asthma attack. When dusting, use a damp cloth, as feather dusters just move dust around.
Cigarette Smoke
Do not use a vaporizer or humidifier unless you are sure it’s been thoroughly cleaned. Permitting bacteria to grow inside the appliance will result in irritants being dispersed into the air you breathe.
When you are making an effort to control asthma, do not smoke. Cigarette smoke will often trigger an asthma attack. Do what you can to avoid chemical fumes, cigarette smoke and other vapors. All of those things can trigger and aggravate asthma symptoms. Ask your family to smoke outside, and consider moving if they refuse.
When you suffer from an asthma attack, be sure to remain calm. Wait thirty seconds to try your inhaler after using it the first time. If your attack continues to worsen, seek help. Have someone drive you directly to the hospital or call an ambulance for you. Slow your breathing by inhaling and exhaling into a paper bag while you are waiting for help.
Knowing the correct way to use an inhaler is essential. You cannot just spray it in your mouth and lightly 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.
Be sure you know exactly how to properly use your inhaler if you do have asthma. Spraying it inside your mouth and inhaling is not all it takes. Make sure when you spray your inhaler that you take in deep breaths for short periods of time. Properly using your asthma inhaler is one of the most important ways you, as a person with asthma, can protect your health.
Check in with your doctor regularly to ensure that you are maintaining your asthma condition correctly and successfully. Your doctor can check to see if your condition has changed, and if it has, update your treatment plan. The responsibility of scheduling these appointments falls on you. Make sure you attend each and every one so that your doctor can stay updated on how your treatment plan is working in order to help you remain healthy.
Ensure that you set up regular appointments with your physician every several months in order to be updated on your condition. This will allow your doctor to stay updated on your condition as it improves or weakens, and make the necessary changes to your treatments. It is your responsibility to make sure you make these appointments with your doctor so that he can follow up with you and keep you healthy.
Environmental Factors
Asthma may be the result of genetics or something in the environment, or perhaps a bit of both. If anyone in your family history had asthma, pay attention to signs of it in you or your children. There are a lot of things in your home that can cause asthma, some of these are smoke, mold, dust and pollution.
Asthma has numerous potential causes, including both genetic and environmental factors. If you have a family history of asthma, be especially attentive when asthma like symptoms manifest in another family member. Many environmental factors like smoke, pollution, dust and mold spores are known to cause asthma; it is best to avoid these hazards when possible.
Keep your home clean and well swept. Also, wash all of your bed linens regularly. Washing your bedding regularly keeps dust mites away; dust mites are a trigger of attacks for many asthmatics. When there is a lot of dust in your house, the air will be irritating to any asthma sufferer, and they will be at a higher risk for having an attack.
Keep your home dusted and mopped. Wash your bedding, including pillows, regularly. This will eradicate dust mites, which can cause asthma attacks. If dust increases, the air is more likely to irritate the lungs of asthma sufferers. This can quickly turn into an asthma attack.
Keep track of how often allergies trigger asthma attacks. If you experience two or more asthma attacks a week after taking allergy medicine, switch to a different allergy medication. Doctors agree that suffering from more than two asthma attacks every week is not only dangerous, but avoidable.
Watch for allergy attacks and replace your medication accordingly, if you are experiencing an attack more than twice a week. Getting more than two attacks a week is dangerous for your health and you should take action.
Try gradually strengthening yourself and increasing your lung capacity. If you think the physical exertion will be too much for your asthma, it likely is.
You will want to get stronger, and gradually work to expand your lung capacity. A more strenuous exercise program may irritate your airways and bring on an asthma attack so you will want to proceed with caution.
Know what symptoms indicate a serious asthma attack that requires immediate medical intervention is occurring. Some symptoms of a dangerous asthma attack are bluish or gray coloring of the lips and/or fingertips and not getting relief from using the medication more often. Also, the person suffering the attack may be having issues talking.
Keep an eye out for any symptoms or signs of a severe asthma attack setting in so you can decide appropriately if you need to get your kid to the ER. If the usual doses of asthma medication, including the emergency inhaler, fail to have an effect on wheezing symptoms, the attack is considered serious. Other signs of a severe attack include a bluish tint to the lips, fingernails, or fingertips, as a result of lack of oxygen intake. Your child might also find it difficult to speak.
If you are having an asthma attack and you have left your controller medications at home, see if you can get a quick shot of caffeine. Caffeine containing products aren’t a cure, but they can help reduce the symptoms you experience. It helps constrict the blood vessels and opens the airways.
The information in the article above will help you live a healthier life with asthma, as long as you heed it. With this information you have learned, you can go back to being healthy and lively, enjoy getting back into shape!
If someone in your household is an asthma sufferer, do not smoke in your home, car, or anywhere around them. People that do want to smoke need to go outside, far away from the home and the person that has asthma. People who smoke could cause an attack by simply having this smoke scent on their clothes.