For the many people who have breathing problems related to asthma, everyday tasks can be daunting. Fortunately, there are so many different treatments that can make your day-to-day life less intimidating. These specially selected tips can help you become more aware of your condition, and help you stay informed.
Ensure your child is never around smoke to handle their asthma. Secondhand smoke is known to be a reason asthma happens. You should never put your children in a situation where they are exposed to people who are smoking.
Asthma is a disease that is continuous. As such, it requires long-term health management. It is crucial that you have the proper medications for controlling asthma, as well as medication, such as a rescue inhaler to treat sudden attacks. Speak to an allergist and doctor to see what’s best for you.
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.
Know how to use your inhaler properly! Find a spot that is peaceful, and then follow the instructions given by the manufacturer. The only way the inhaler can help is if the medication can reach your lungs. The dosage that is required should be sprayed into the mouth while you inhale air. Hold your breath still for ten seconds at least in order to let the mist with medicine fill your lungs.
Never take medications without getting your doctor’s approval so you don’t wind up taking one that has a side effect of exacerbating asthma.. Some of these include aspirin and NSAIDs. You can also use medications that can control high blood pressure and heart disease, things like beta blockers. If you have asthma and these other conditions, let your physician know.
If you have asthma and do not have health insurance, you should consider seeing a social worker. Social workers are trained to help people find resources for affording health care, particularly on debilitating conditions such as asthma.
Asthma is a chronic disease that requires ongoing, consistent management and care. It is crucial that you have the proper medications for controlling asthma, as well as medication, such as a rescue inhaler to treat sudden attacks. A variety of options are available for the treatment of asthmatic attacks. Consult your doctor and an allergist.
An annual flu vaccination is recommended for you as well as other members of your family. If you have asthma, you can protect your health by taking all steps possible to avoid any type of cold, flu or other upper respiratory infection. 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.
When you are suffering from an asthma attack, exhale all of the oxygen from your lungs. Blow your breath out as hard and fast as you can. Expel the air in your lungs with great force! Then, follow three short intakes of breath with one longer inhalation until your lungs are filled with air, although not uncomfortably so. Finally, expel the air from your lungs with force again. Doing this means breathing in a conscious rhythm that makes you mindful of your breathing. When air is forcefully exhaled, it allows a fresh intake of air to fill your lungs. You may cough or generate sputum, this is okay, your main goal is to get your breathing back on track again.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma then you should avoid cigarettes and smokers like the plague. If you inhale the smoke, it will harm your lungs and increase the possibility of an asthma attack. Always be mindful of this, especially in small spaces that do not have very much air flowing.
If you’re in a dustier room, avoid turning on a fan. A fan will spread dust and debris all over. This can very easily aggravate your asthma, and cause serious symptoms. Encourage air to flow throughout the room by just opening a nearby window or door.
Keep your home dust-free and get rid of any carpet in your house to help prevent asthma attacks, especially in a bedroom. Don’t smoke indoors, or allow any junk food in your home. Bypass chemicals when cleaning your home if at all possible, and be sure to open doors and windows afterwards.
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! Ask your allergist about omalizumab, an antibody drug that can reduce the severity of asthma symptoms and the frequency of attacks.
You should be ready to increase asthma treatments if you suffer from hay fever or a cold. Adjusting your medication may be necessary to manage the symptoms of these and other illnesses. Your physician may even recommend that you take additional medication until you recover.
Talk to a social worker if you have asthma and no health insurance. It’s vital that you stay on medication, so there may be programs available to help you get them at a discount.
Make sure that your rescue medication is at hand at all times during your travels. Travel adds stress on your physical body, and it might increase your chances of falling prey to asthma triggers. You can’t exert as much control over your environment when you travel, so you may have an asthma attack or exacerbation of symptoms under unfamiliar conditions.
Make certain that all members of your family get their annual flu shot. When you are afflicted with asthma, steer as clear as you can of all types of respiratory infections. This means that you should take all standard precautions to avoid illness, such as washing your hands, getting vaccinated and avoiding those who are sick.
Many of the most common asthma triggers are found in the home. These are dust, mold and spores. To reduce asthma attacks and stay healthy, have an inspector remove any harmful agents yearly. Regularly cleaning your house can also contribute to preventing buildup of these substances.
If you have asthma, use a pillow that doesn’t have feathers in it. Feathers in a pillow can bring on the symptoms of asthma and decrease lung function. Your other bedding, such as sheets, blankets and comforters, should be hypoallergenic, too.
When you need to take your asthma supplies on an airplane, it is a good idea to bring your doctor’s prescription with you. When you can prove that an item is medically necessary, it can save a lot of time and hassle while working through airport security.
Make regular asthma checkups with your doctor, even if you are not having any issues come up. You can never tell when an attack will strike, or when your physician may have some better or safer advice for you to follow.
You can use the preventative inhaler daily, but know that it can cause mouth infections near your gums and teeth. Always brush and gargle as soon as you’ve finished using your inhaler to prevent mouth infections.
If you are going on a trip on a plane and need to take your asthma medicine, take your prescription with you! Having written documentation supporting this medically necessary item will eliminate any hassles when going through the security check point.
Avoid smoke if you want to prevent asthma. Smoke and chemicals have been known to trigger asthma attacks. The fumes from chemicals, or smoke from cigarettes, should be avoided at all costs. Any one of these things can aggravate asthma symptoms and cause an episode. Ask your family to smoke outside, and consider moving if they refuse.
If you have asthma consider staying away from pets or animals. A lot of times the hair or dander will cause an asthma attack, but even if you do not have an allergy to the pet itself they often carry pollen and dust with them.
For those struggling with their asthma, avoiding regular contact with pets is important to control symptoms. Animals carry pollen and dust with them and can trigger serious asthma attacks.
Allergens, pollen and other irritants can collect in your linens and aggravate your asthma. If you put your pillowcases and sheets in hot water weekly, these inducers will be reduced or completely eliminated. Sleeping with fresh bed linens will ensure you can breathe easy when you sleep.
Have more than one medical professional look at your asthma problems. While your asthma treatment should start with your primary care doctor, visiting one or two asthma specialists can make a real difference in how well you understand and manage your condition. The allergists, pulmonologists and nutritionists in asthma centers can help you take full advantage of all treatments available.
If you are suffering from an asthma attack, try to remain calm and do not panic. Immediately use your asthma inhaler, rest for 30 seconds, then use it once more. Seek help if your attack gets worse. Have someone drive you directly to the hospital or call an ambulance for you. Try breathing in a paper bag to slow your breathing on the way there.
Know how to properly use your inhaler if you’ve got asthma. You should not just stick it between your lips and spray. Whenever you spray your inhaler, inhale deeply for multiple seconds. An inhaler is not of much use if you aren’t taking it correctly.
If you find it necessary to use an inhaler more than two times a week, you should talk to your doctor about changing your medication. Frequent use of the rescue inhaler means that your management medicine is not working as it should. This also goes for refills. If you find yourself refilling your inhaler in excess of twice a year, then you need to change medications.
Check in with your doctor regularly to ensure that you are maintaining your asthma condition correctly and successfully. At your doctor’s visit, the doctor will evaluate your asthma and make any changes to your treatment plan if they are required. You are the one who needs to make sure that these appointments happen to stay healthy.
If you or anyone in your house suffers from asthma, you need to ban smoking from inside your home, car, or anywhere near the asthma sufferer. Smokers should only smoke outside and away from the loved one who suffers from asthma. People who are heavy smokers don’t even have to smoke; the heavy scent of smoke in their clothing can trigger asthma attacks.
Now that you have a basic understanding about some of the simplest and most effective ways to handle the respiratory symptoms of asthma, you will be more confident in your ability to offer support. Asthma sufferers, be it you or someone you know, should realize that having asthma does not have to ruin your life.
Make sure you are annually vaccinated against the flu. Even if you haven’t had the flu in the past, it’s best to be safe and protect yourself with a vaccination. A person who suffers from asthma is more likely to have greater problems due to the flu virus; infections such as sinus or respiratory are all made worse by the flu.