Is your asthma stressing you out? Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for asthma. Life is not over though, just because of an asthma diagnosis. Here you will see some simple methods to manage your asthma to keep you safe and healthy.
There are medicines out there that may increase your chance of triggering asthma symptoms. Aspirin along with other NSAIDs can have this effect. This can also be caused by beta blockers, like medications that are used in managing high blood pressure or heart problems. If you suffer from these conditions and also have asthma, be sure to let your doctor know.
What kind of asthma do you have? Knowing as much as possible about your specific type of asthma will go an incredibly long way in helping you combat the day-to-day effects it has on you. Those whose asthma is exacerbated by exercise will know to always have an inhaler on hand. Knowing when an asthma attack is likely to strike can help you avert disaster.
Asthma is not a curable disease and will require life-long health management. Be sure to take the correct medicines to keep your daily asthma symptoms under control, and always have emergency medication available in case an attack occurs. Discuss your best options with your allergist and doctor.
Avoid the things that trigger your asthma. Perhaps you have allergies or are sensitive to dust and pollen. Others may need to avoid certain physical activities to keep from suffering an attack. Try to determine your asthma triggers, so you can avoid them and prevent attacks.
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. An antibody medicine under the name Omalizumab can be used to reduce these symptoms caused by allergies and might be prescribed by your allergist.
Prescriptions and over-the-counter medications can actually trigger an asthma attack. Aspirin along with other NSAIDs can have this effect. The medication you take for high blood pressure can also cause asthma symptoms. Make sure you consult with your doctor concerning your asthma and possible drug reactions.
If you have asthma, it might be helpful for you to buy a dehumidifier. Lowering the level of humidity present in your home can reduce the numbers of dust mites, a prime trigger of asthma. Dehumidifiers eliminate your home’s humidity, leaving dry air.
During a mild to moderate attack, force all of the air out of your lungs. Exhale quickly and hard. You want to force all of the air from your lungs. After that, take in three shallow breaths and one deep breath. Once your lungs are full again, do another forceful exhale. This establishes a regular pattern to your breathing routine, which means you have to pay attention to how you are breathing. It pushes air from your lungs so you can breathe more in. You might cough or produce sputum, but that is fine; you are trying to get breathing under control again.
It has been shown that use of four or more different kinds of cleaning products can raise the risk of asthma attacks. Opt for organic cleaning products that do not contain irritating chemicals.
Take a lot of Vitamin E and C if you are suffering from asthma. It is widely believed that these vitamins can help control asthma symptoms by improving lung function. You can take a supplement or consume these vitamins in food. These vitamins will also provide a boost to your immune system. This will prevent respiratory illnesses that can trigger your asthma attacks.
Be keenly aware of the triggers for your asthma attacks. If you know the cause, you can stay away to prevent asthma attacks. Some common asthma triggers include pet dander, pollen, and cigarette smoke. When possible, stay away from triggers of asthma symptoms in an effort to prevent a severe attack.
The use of multiple (more than four) household cleansers can cause an increase in asthma attacks. Try using organic cleaning products which don’t contain irritating chemicals.
Consider joining a support group, either on or offline. Asthma, especially the more severe forms, cause many problems that interfere with the quality of life and present many challenges. Your peers will be able to provide you with advice and tips that work for them, information about new treatment techniques, and even some home remedies you might not know about.
If you or your child suffer from asthma, it is important that you receive a flu shot every year. Stave off these infections immediately by getting your vaccinations yearly.
Asthma is a disease that effects the respiratory system, and can take many years to develop, often times going undetected. There are actually many people that have passed away from an asthma attack without ever knowing they were even at risk. Discuss with your doctor if you are having problems trying to catch your breath or have had a persistent cough for a while. There is the possibility that you have developed asthma, and if so, your doctor can tell you what the best method to treat it would be.
Avoid pillows with feathers if you have asthma. The feathers can make it harder to breathe right and trigger an attack. The same rule holds true for bedding. Choose sheets and a comforter that are constructed from materials known for being hypoallergenic.
If you need to travel with your asthma medication, particularly if you plan on bringing a nebulizer or other large equipment, it can be helpful to obtain a letter from your doctor explaining their use. The written prescription will help you get through security without difficulty, because it establishes that your nebulizer and supplies are medically necessary.
When you are traveling, make sure you have a rescue inhaler with you. Traveling to different places might expose you to unexpected triggers, as your body is put under more strain when you travel. You can’t control the weather or the environment when you travel, so keep in mind you are more vulnerable to symptoms and attacks when you go to a new area.
Keep notes on how often you are compelled to use your inhaler each week. If the inhaler is used more than twice, the asthma problems you are suffering from may not be well-managed or something else might be causing additional attacks to come on. How often an inhaler is used can help to monitor the environment.
There are support groups available to you, both in person or on the Internet. Asthma, particularly if it is severe, can incapacitate you and keep you from going about your daily activities. Your peers will be able to provide you with advice and tips that work for them, information about new treatment techniques, and even some home remedies you might not know about.
Bed linens can collect dust, pollen and other allergens, all of which can further aggravate asthma. You can get rid of these by washing your sheets and other linens in very hot water each week. Clean bed linens that are washed frequently will help you breathe easier every time your head hits the pillow.
A lot of times asthma will develop over time, and has symptoms that aren’t always obvious. Sometimes, a person can die from their first asthma attack without actually knowing they had the disease to begin with! That is why it is important to check regularly with your doctor and always point out if you are having any kind of breathing problems or related symptoms. With the proper medical attention, you can prevent attacks and keep asthma under control.
Get a second opinion. You may use your primary physician for most things, but a specialist can be very helpful as well. Asthma doctors, allergists, and pulmiologists are the people who you want to consult with to help with asthma.
If you are taking an airplane and you need to travel with your asthma apparatus or medications, bring your written prescription with you. If you’ve got written proof, it’ll save you a lot of hassle when you’re at a security check.
Do not smoke. Most people know that smoking is unhealthy, but the consequences are even worse for someone who has asthma. Smoking is very bad for people who suffer from asthma, be sure not to smoke, but not to be around people that smoke.
You can use the preventative inhaler daily, but know that it can cause mouth infections near your gums and teeth. Prevent these unnecessary side effects by gargling and brushing your teeth right after you use the inhaler.
If you are prone to asthma attacks, you need to find out what triggers them. Consider keeping a journal to help you identify possible asthma triggers and discuss the results with your doctor. Once you’ve figured out what your triggers are, work to remove them from your environmental and avoid them in your day to day life.
Pay attention to how often you reach for your asthma inhaler each week. If you are using it more than twice, your asthma may not be as well-controlled as you think or you may be experiencing unusual circumstances bringing on more frequent attacks. The number of times you use your inhaler can serve as a good reminder to monitor your environment and other aspects of your asthma management plan.
It is important to keep the space you are living in clean and well kept. Also, make sure to wash your pillows, blankets and sheets often. Cleaning will prevent dust and mites from building up, lessening the risk of asthma attacks. The more dust there is in an environment, the more likely it becomes that the air will aggravate an asthmatic’s symptoms, prompting an attack.
As you are now aware, living with asthma has to do with preparation. Crises can be avoided by knowing your particular form of asthma and how to effectively manage it. The tips in this article will help you to build the knowledge base that you need to make positive changes in your life!
If you have two or more attacks in a week, it is probably time to change your medication. Most health professionals agree that having attacks more than twice a week is both dangerous and avoidable.