Are you stressed about asthma and how it’s ruining your life? You’re not the only one. There are a lot of people who want to expand their knowledge when it comes to asthma, yet they aren’t sure where they can obtain this kind of information. What you’re going to read in this article might surprise you.
Do you know which type of asthma 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. For instance, people with exercise-induced asthma would do well to carry an inhaler in their gym bag! Knowing when an asthma attack is likely to strike can help you avert disaster.
Do you know what type of asthma you have? One of the best ways to combat asthma and its limiting effects on your life is to know and understand as much as you can about your specific condition. For example, if your asthma is brought on by bronchitis, you should keep your rescue inhaler with you during times when you are sick. If you are familiar with your symptoms and their patterns, you will be better able to avoid emergencies.
Be sure to avoid cigarette smoke if you have asthma. Asthmatics should also never smoke. Avoid fumes and vapors of any kind. This can trigger an asthma attack, which may be difficult to stop. If others are smoking nearby, leave that area as quickly as you can.
If you suffer from asthma, it is critical that you not smoke. 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.
Use your inhaler as directed. Find a quiet spot and follow the instructions the manufacturer has given. Proper use delivers the medication to your lungs. Inhale the air and spray the right amount down your throat. You should keep your breath held for 10 seconds at a minimum to let the medicated mist fill up your lungs.
Asthma Symptoms
If your health insurance situation cannot help you with your asthma, talk to a social worker. Asthma patients need their medications, and a social worker might be able to hook you up with programs to help you such as clinics and programs through pharmaceutical companies.
There are some common medications that you could be using that will cause asthma symptoms. Some anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, can flare up asthma symptoms. Some medications for blood pressure and heart disease – those referred to as beta blockers – can also exacerbate asthma problems. Make sure your physician is aware of all of your chronic conditions and any medications you are on so they can treat your asthma appropriately.
Be sure to take plenty of Vitamins C and E if you have asthma. It is thought that these vitamins will help increase lung function and will help control asthma symptoms. You can take a supplement or consume these vitamins in food. These vitamins will also help prevent illnesses by boosting your body’s immune system.
If you find yourself in a room that is dusty, don’t turn on any kind of fan. If you do, the dust will move around, and you can trigger your asthma. Open a window instead to get the air flowing.
Be sure not to smoke as well as stay away from any smokers in general, this can be very harmful for you if you have asthma. 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 suffer from asthma and allergies that result in attacks, you can get injections of long-lasting medication for relief. There are antibody medications used to control allergic reactions that come recommended by allergists.
It is best to use products that are unscented in the home with someone who is asthmatic. Products that contain fragrance, such as perfumes, colognes, or air fresheners, introduce irritants into the air around you that can trigger your asthma. Certain things around the home, such as newly installed carpet or fresh paint, can also release chemical irritants. Keep the air inside your house as fresh as you can.
Try a leukotriene inhibitor if you have asthma. There are modern medicines that are highly effective at blocking leukotrienes. The chemical leukotriene is a common cause of inflammation in the lungs which in turn, can trigger asthma attacks. This inhibitor can prevent leukotrienes, which makes you less likely to have an asthma attack.
Your asthma treatments will likely increase when you suffer from hay fever or a cold. The side effects of many illnesses can flare up your asthma so bad that you have to have an increase in treatment. Your regular medication may also need to be combined with other treatments your doctor may recommend.
Cannot Afford
When you travel, your rescue medication should be with you all the time. Traveling tends to put extra stain on the body, and you’re more susceptible to your asthma triggers under these conditions. Influencing the environment around you is nearly impossible while on the road, which is another opportunity for deteriorating symptoms or attack triggers.
If you have asthma and cannot afford health insurance or have no eligibility, bring up your situation with a social worker. If you cannot afford medicine for asthma, your social worker can help you locate someone that can help.
A support group can offer empathy and information about new treatments and medication. Asthma, especially if it is severe, can be quite debilitating and can keep you from being an active participant in life. Furthermore, these groups will keep you informed about any changes in medicines or any other scientific discoveries that are relevant.
Get annual flu vaccinations for your entire family. People who have been diagnosed with asthma should exercise extreme diligence in avoiding other respiratory conditions. The easiest way to start is by performing routine hand-washing, limiting your touching of surfaces while in public places, and getting vaccinations recommended by your doctor.
Your home is where most asthma triggers are located. These triggers include dust, spores and mold. Have an inspector who focuses on allergens and irritants come into your home once a year to help you detect what you have and learn how to remove it. If you clean your house regularly, you can minimize the risk of these substances accumulating in your dwelling.
If you’re suffering from a cold or allergies, you should talk to your doctor about taking additional asthma medication. These kinds of illness can inflame you asthma to a degree that a treatment increase is necessary. The doctor may choose to pursue additional treatment options during your illness as well.
If the air in your home is humid, it provides an ideal incubator for mold or mildew. Both of these substances are known to trigger asthma attacks. Therefore, try and keep the home dry. Whenever you use a heater, you should use a dehumidifier, and air conditioning will help in the summer.
Wear a covering over your mouth and nose when you go outdoors in the colder weather. A shawl, scarf or muffler would work well. That way the air is warmed before it enters your lungs. Cool air has been known to trigger an asthma attack, particularly in very young children who have severe or moderate asthma.
Know the right way to use any asthma medication you are taking, in particular your rescue medication. Asthma is generally managed through regular medicine which is supplemented with rescue medications like inhalers. It’s important to use both forms of medication properly to treat your chronic condition.
Rescue Medication
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.
Make sure you understand the correct way to use your asthma medication, especially any rescue medication. Asthma is generally treated with a rescue medication, usually an inhaler, in addition to a regularly-taken maintenance medication. Asthma is considered a chronic condition. For this reason, you should take the management of it very seriously.
If you suffer from asthma, avoid being around smoke. Breathing in smoke can trigger an asthma attack. You should attempt to minimize your contact with cigarette smoke, chemical fumes, and noxious vapors. These things can cause your asthma symptoms to greatly increase. If a person is smoking around you, politely ask him to smoke at times when you are somewhere else.
Asthma is a medical condition that tends to slowly develop over time, and the symptoms are not always that obvious. There are actually many people that have passed away from an asthma attack without ever knowing they were even at risk. Because of this, if you notice that you have trouble breathing or are constantly coughing, you may want to visit your doctor. They can tell you if you have asthma and if there is a medication that you should be taking. Your doctor can also tell you if there is something you can do to prevent asthma from developing.
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.
In sum, it’s normal for patients with asthma to want to learn more about managing their condition. This article has provided essential information about asthma so that now, you can ease the stress of having this disease with knowledge. Make use of this information in your everyday life, and you will soon realize that asthma is not such a difficult thing to deal with after all.
Bed linens are a magnet for nasty allergens and asthma triggers, including dust and pollen. A weekly wash cycle using hot water can eliminate these potential triggers for asthma attacks. You will find that having fresh linens will make your breathing while sleeping much easier.