Asthma is a dangerous medical condition that can affect all people, no matter what their age. Be sure to follow your doctor’s orders, and avoid allergens and smog that make your asthma symptoms worse. The information provided in this article should help you learn to live a more fulfilled life with less asthma attacks.
If you are an asthma sufferer, you should refrain from smoking or being around any vapors or fumes. This means you need to keep away from tobacco products and only seek out jobs where you aren’t exposed to any harmful chemicals, smoke or vapors.
Never turn on a fan when the room you are in is very dusty. Otherwise, the dust will fly into the air and could give you an attack. Encourage air to flow throughout the room by just opening a nearby window or door.
It is imperative that you do your best to avoid cleaning chemicals if you are asthmatic. Many chemicals that are in these products can cause the triggering of asthma attacks. When you are tidying your home consider using natural products that are effective for cleaning rather than traditional cleansers.
Use your inhaler as directed. Find a quiet spot and follow the instructions the manufacturer has given. The inhaler only helps if the medication reaches your lungs. Spray the required dosage into your mouth while inhaling air. Hold your breath at least ten seconds, so that the medicated mist can fill your lungs.
Use the inhaler the right way. Find a quiet secluded area so that you can calmly take the inhaler as directed by the instructions from the manufacturer. The inhaler is only useful if the medication within it actually gets to your lungs. Inhale deeply as you dispense the correct amount into your mouth. Don’t exhale for ten seconds so that the medicine can go through your lungs.
If you have asthma and cannot afford health insurance or have no eligibility, bring up your situation with a social worker. It’s vital that you stay on medication, so there may be programs available to help you get them at a discount.
If you are an asthma sufferer, be sure to get the recommended daily dose of Vitamins C and E. You can buy these vitamins to help you get better function from your lungs and control your asthma symptoms. Get these nutrients through supplements or food. The vitamins can help to boost the immune system, which will help you to stay healthy and less ill, which means you will have less asthma attacks.
Asthmatics should have a flu shot every year to prevent contracting a serious respiratory infection. If you have asthma, it’s important to prevent all respiratory infections, if at all possible. Precautions include washing your hands and staying current with vaccinations.
When suffering from asthma, make sure to choose products that are unscented. Scented products such as air fresheners and perfumes can trigger an asthma attack. Irritating odors are also given off by new carpeting and paints. Try keeping the air indoors as fresh as it can be.
If you suffer from asthma, ensure that your diet contains adequate amounts of Vitamin E and Vitamin C. It is thought that these vitamins will help increase lung function and will help control asthma symptoms. You can gain vitamins from supplements or the old fashioned way, from food! The vitamins will help improve the immune system, which will help you fight off illnesses that cause asthma.
Asthma treatment dosages will need to be increased if you are sick with a cold or are dealing with hay fever. Illnesses like this can often worsen your asthma symptoms, which may require that you up your dosage of certain medications. Your doctor may also add another treatment to your regimen until your illness gets better.
Scented Products
While traveling, always keep emergency asthma medication on hand and close by. You may find that the stress of traveling makes an asthma attack more likely. It is also difficult to control your environment while traveling, making it more likely that you may experience an attack or worsening symptoms.
Scented products could cause averse reactions to asthma sufferers. It is safest to use unscented products when possible. Scented products such as air fresheners and perfumes can trigger an asthma attack. New carpeting and even a fresh coat of paint can aggravate the airway and lungs as well. Strive to maintain an indoor environment that is free from these pollutants, keeping the air fresh.
Consider joining a support group, either on or offline. Asthma, especially if it is severe, can be quite debilitating and can keep you from being an active participant in life. If you know other asthma sufferers, you can stay up to date on the latest medicines and treatment options.
To minimize the chances of triggering a bout of asthma, keep your house extra clean, particularly rooms where asthma patients sleep. Avoid smoking inside, and only let people eat in the kitchen. After you clean, let the house air out completely, and stay away from using any harsh chemicals (especially bleach) inside.
When you fly, make sure to take along prescriptions or doctors’ notes for all of your asthma equipment and medications, especially if they are unusual. Written proof of needing your equipment can help you with any issues you might have in the security line.
When you are suffering from asthma and you have hay fever or a cold, you will most likely need an increase in your treatment. Side effects that are associated with most illnesses can serve as triggers for asthma and may cause an increase in your asthma treatment. Your doctor may also add another treatment to your regimen until your illness gets better.
For a deeper and more thorough cleaning, mop your floors instead of simply sweeping them. If you are sweeping, you can trigger an asthma attack by stirring up a lot of allergens into the air. When you dust, use a damp cloth instead of a feather duster which can spread these triggers.
Humidity is a problem in the home, because it creates conditions that are perfect for mildew and mold growth. Asthma attacks are easily triggered by these substances. You should do your best to maintain a dry home. You can maintain a dry home by using a dehumidifier and heater in the colder months, and air conditioning when it is warm.
Asthma sufferers need to know which types of animals and breeds won’t trigger their asthma attacks. While an allergy to animal hair or dander is a possible asthma complication, even those sufferers free of such allergies can experience an asthma attack caused by the dust and pollen all animals tend to carry along with them.
Asthma is a health condition that usually develops over a period of time, and has symptoms that may not be obvious. Many individuals died from their very first asthma attack because they weren’t aware they had the risk factors for an attack. Given that fact, if you have any kind of consistent cough or respiratory ailments, consulting a physician for testing is a good idea, since you want to know if you are suffering from asthma and if so, what to do about it.
Proper use of an inhaler is crucial if you suffer from asthma. It’s not enough to spray a little into your mouth and breathe softly. You must breathe deeply in conjunction with the spray. Failing to do so will mean that the medicine will not be able to help open up your breathing.
Asthma is nothing to kid around about. Asthma attacks can accelerate and spin into life-threatening situations, even with an inhaler in hand, so you should take every precaution to prevent them in the first place. This can include keeping a rescue inhaler with you at all times and reducing the allergens and dust present in your home. If you use these tips, you will learn how to be manage your asthma and its symptoms.
If you end up using your inhaler more than twice a week, then you need to consult a physician and change your medication. If you need to use your inhaler that often, the medicine in it isn’t working as well as it should. Another sign is needing refills 3 or more times per year on your rescue inhaler prescription.