Managing your asthma means that you can lead a full life despite your diagnosis. You have many options for treating your asthma and not letting it hinder your life. Read this article to find out how you can manage your condition more easily.
If you are suffering from asthma, it is essential that you quit smoking cigarettes. Smoking is detrimental to anyone’s health, but those with asthma suffer especially because cigarettes lessen the oxygen supply that is crucial for the lungs to function properly and prevent an asthma attack.
You should avoid smoking and any type of fumes if you suffer from asthma. This does mean avoiding all tobacco products as well as being mindful of sources of employment, with special attention to factories that might provide exposure to smoke and vapors.
Cleaning products should be avoided when you have asthma. A lot of agents in cleaners tend to trigger asthma attacks and symptoms. If you’re the one who regularly cleans the house, look for natural cleaning products which are much safer to use.
Cleaning Products
Avoid the things that trigger your asthma. This is different for everyone, but some people, things like dust or pollen can trigger an attack. Others have asthma attacks when they participate in physical activities. Know your asthma causes so you can avoid putting yourself in a situation where you may suffer from an attack.
Asthma can cause increased sensitivity to the ingredients contained in many cleaning products. Many of the harsh chemicals inside cleaning products might trigger symptoms or even a full blown asthma attack. If you are the person in your house who does the cleaning, there natural product solutions which are safe for you to use.
Never turn on a fan when the room you are in is very dusty. A fan will spread dust and debris all over. This can very easily aggravate your asthma, and cause serious symptoms. On smog-free, low pollen days, open your windows to improve airflow in the house.
When you suffer a medium-intensity attack, try and forcefully exhale all air from your lungs. Exhale as quickly as possible, expelling air forcefully out of your lungs. You have to force the air out. Inhale three times with short breaths, and then on the fourth one take a deeper breath so your lungs are full of air but still comfortable. Then breath out as hard as you can again. This will create a rhythm and will help you be aware of the way you are breathing. It pushes air from your lungs so you can breathe more in. It may cause you to cough or even generate sputum, but that’s fine, you goal is for your breathing to get back to normal.
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! Omalizumab is one such medication, and can control the allergic symptoms you may be experienced. An allergist will be able to tell you if this is a good option.
If you are having trouble preventing asthma attacks, you may find success with a leukotriene inhibitor. A leukotriene inhibitor is for the prevention of leukotrienes. A leukotrienes is a type of chemical that causes inflammation, which leads to asthma attacks. If you use an inhibitor, you may find that the your asthma attacks significantly decrease.
It has been shown that use of four or more different kinds of cleaning products can raise the risk of asthma attacks. Try using organic cleaning products that are not comprised of irritating chemicals.
If you suffer from asthma, be sure your diet includes lots of Vitamins C and E. These particular vitamins are believed to better your lung function and help manage your symptoms of asthma. You are able to get these vitamins either from food or a supplement. Vitamins C and E are necessary for a healthy immune system. If your immune system isn’t healthy, it won’t be able to fight off illnesses that cause asthma attacks.
Asthmatic patients should avoid using feather pillows. Feather can decrease lung function and trigger asthma symptoms. The same rule holds true for bedding. Choose sheets and a comforter that are constructed from materials known for being hypoallergenic.
Consider buying a dehumidifier for the home if you have asthma. Lowering humidity will reduce the amount of dust mites in your home, and help your asthma improve. Use a dehumidifier, and the air you breath will be much less likely to cause your asthma to flare up.
Keep all your regularly scheduled asthma appointments, regardless of how you are feeling. You don’t know when another flare-up will happen, or when your physician can offer you safer or superior medicine for your symptoms.
The use of multiple (more than four) household cleansers can cause an increase in asthma attacks. Organic products are preferable to more chemically loaded, commercially produced cleaning products.
Asthma develops over an extended time period, and its symptoms aren’t always obvious. There have even been cases where people die from the first asthma attack they had, without knowing they had the condition. Therefore, if you find yourself having difficulties breathing or with a chronic cough, it is essential that you see a doctor and get tested for asthma. The sooner you get the needed treatment and medication, the better.
If you suffer from asthma, you should refrain from sleeping on a pillow that contains feathers. The feathers contained in the pillow could trigger the symptoms related to asthma and it could prevent your lungs from functioning efficiently. This also goes for bedding; use sheets, comforters and blankets that are crafted from hypoallergenic materials.
If you are cleaning, you should use a mop that is damp instead of a dry broom. Sweeping stirs up dust and other things that can trigger your asthma. In the same vein, choose a damp rag as opposed to a feather duster when dusting, as this prevents dust from flying about.
Look into becoming a part of a support group. There are many to choose from both online and offline. Many people who suffer from asthma are unable to live a full life. In addition, a community of other asthma sufferers will let you know about changes in medications or other relevant scientific discoveries.
To make sure all of your medical needs are being met, you will need to consult at least two doctors. Your primary physician should always be your first stop when dealing with asthma, but you may find it helpful to add a specialist’s knowledge. The allergists, pulmonologists and nutritionists in asthma centers can help you take full advantage of all treatments available.
Be sure you understand how to use the medication you’re given for asthma properly, especially your rescue medication. For most asthma cases, an emergency treatment option, such as an inhaler, is used to supplement day-to-day management medication. Asthma is considered a chronic condition. For this reason, you should take the management of it very seriously.
If you are using a vaporizer or humidifier, you should thoroughly clean it prior to use. Bacteria can breed inside of the machine due to the moisture, which can exaggerate your allergies or asthma.
In conclusion, there are a number of methods you can try to prevent asthma from controlling your life. Asthma does not have to be a death sentence, so if you can make a plan on how to live with asthma, you will have a much more fulfilling life.
If you are suffering from an asthma attack, try to remain calm and do not panic. Calmly use the inhaler. Use it again after 30 seconds has elapsed. If you feel your ashtma attack worsening, get immediate help. Go to the hospital. If the attack is particularly bad, have a friend take you or call 911. Breathing into a paper bag on the way can sometimes help by slowing your breathing rate.