An asthma attack can be terrifying, both for the sufferer and for his or her loved ones. It is important to be well informed when it comes to asthma so that you can treat it properly. You need to be prepared for what could occur and when it could occur when you have asthma. The following information could be very useful to you.
Do all you can to learn not just about asthma, but your particular asthma. Being fully informed about the specific type of asthma you have is very important. Those whose asthma is exacerbated by exercise will know to always have an inhaler on hand. Knowing the patterns of your symptoms will help you avoid crises.
You should avoid smoking at all costs and being exposed to vapors and perfumes if you suffer from asthma. Stay far away from any tobacco products. You should also consider where you work, as factories may expose you to harmful vapors or smoke.
Though it should go without saying, do not turn on any fans or circulation systems when in a room containing visible dust that has yet to be cleaned. The fan will circulate the dust along with the air, which can cause it to get into your lungs and make your asthma worse. It could be better to open the window if you need to get airflow.
If you have an asthmatic child, do not allow anyone to smoke around him. One of the biggest reasons people have asthma is secondhand smoke. If your child is in an area where people are smoking, remove him quickly to avoid an asthma attack.
If you suffer from asthma, and have many attacks that are related to your allergy symptoms, there is a medication that is injected and provides long term effects. Your allergist might recommend Omalizumab, which is an antibody type medicine that can regulate your symptoms of allergic reactions.
Exacerbate Asthma
If you suffer from asthma, ensure that your diet contains adequate amounts of Vitamin E and Vitamin C. Since both of these have been attributed to better function of the lungs, they also help to control the symptoms of asthma. You can take a supplement or consume these vitamins in food. These vitamins can improve your immune system to prevent asthma triggers.
There are certain medications that cause or exacerbate asthma symptoms. Not everyone knows this. Some NSAIDs and aspirins will do this for you. Some medications for blood pressure and heart disease – those referred to as beta blockers – can also exacerbate asthma problems. If you suffer from these conditions and also have asthma, be sure to let your doctor know.
Asthma attacks have been found to be more likely in homes where four or more different cleaning products are in use. Opt for organic cleaning products that do not contain irritating chemicals.
Be sure to avoid cigarette smoke if you have asthma. You should not smoke! Avoid breathing in any of the vapors or other chemical fumes. A severe asthma attack can be life threatening. If you are around others who are smoking, remove yourself.
Buy products that are unscented if you suffer from asthma. Using products with scents, like perfume, incense and air fresheners, boosts the amount of air pollution indoors and can bring on an attack. Freshly painted walls and brand-new carpet can also give off odors that cause irritation to airways. As much as possible, try to keep your home filled with fresh, pure air.
If you are an asthmatic who also has allergies, injected allergy medication may be just the thing you need to get relief. Omalizumab can effectively control allergy symptoms you may be experiencing and can be suggested by your local allergist if it fits your needs.
Keep your home meticulously clean to reduce attack potential if there is an asthma sufferer living there, especially the bedroom. Never allow anyone to smoke in the home of an asthmatic, and consider using plastic to cover your mattress and pillows. After you clean, let the house air out completely, and stay away from using any harsh chemicals (especially bleach) inside.
A leukotriene inhibitor can be helpful if you have asthma. Leukotriene inhibitors block the effects of leukotrienes. The inflammation caused by this substance can trigger the symptoms of asthma. The inhibitor will keep the leukotrienes from forming, which can reduce the frequency of asthma attacks that you experience.
You should be ready to increase asthma treatments if you suffer from hay fever or a cold. The effects of an illness can cause the severity of your asthma to temporarily increase, which necessitates a change in treatment. Your doctor may need to add new treatments to your typical asthma regimen until you are well.
Proper knowledge of how to use your inhaler is necessary if you have asthma. Find a good place and follow all of the directions that have been provided by the maker of the product. The inhaler only helps if the medication reaches your lungs. Inhale deeply and spray the correct dose into your mouth. Hold your breath for at least 10 seconds to allow the medicated mist to fill your lungs.
Think about becoming a member of a support group, whether it is online or somewhere local. Asthma, especially the more severe forms, cause many problems that interfere with the quality of life and present many challenges. Furthermore, these groups will keep you informed about any changes in medicines or any other scientific discoveries that are relevant.
Social Worker
Many of the biggest triggers for asthma can, and do, exist in your home. These can include dust, mold and spores. To stay healthy and reduce the chance of asthma attacks, you should have an inspector visit your house yearly to remove these harmful agents. If you clean your house regularly, you can minimize the risk of these substances accumulating in your dwelling.
If you suffer from asthma and you are not eligible for health insurance, speak with a social worker. If you cannot afford medicine for asthma, your social worker can help you locate someone that can help.
A lot of times asthma will develop over time, and has symptoms that aren’t always obvious. In some serious cases, people have dropped dead due to an asthma attack without ever knowing they had asthma in the first place. 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.
Be sure you and your family members get a yearly flu vaccination. Do everything you can to avoid a respiratory infection if you have asthma. It’s important to take the standard precautions against these illnesses, such as hand washing and vaccinations.
If you are taking an airplane and you need to travel with your asthma apparatus or medications, bring your written prescription with you. Carrying written prescription information will help you to avoid security hassles, and you won’t have to worry about your medication being confiscated.
Cleaning Products
You should track how often, in a week’s time, you require the use of a rescue inhaler. 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. 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 has been shown that if you use multiple varieties of cleaning products around your house, it will increase the chance of an asthma attack. A great way to prevent this is to purchase some organic, non-chemical cleaning products. These all-natural products are safe when inhaled.
You should have a team of medical professionals to help you craft your asthma treatment. 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. Nutritionists, allergists, pulmonologists and asthma centers can all help you, so make sure that you are using all of the different treatment avenues that you can.
If you are an asthma patient, you may want to sleep with a pillow that does not contain feathers. Pillow feathers are known to worsen asthma and affect the lungs. The same can be said for bedding, try to get hypoallergenic comforters and sheets.
If you have asthma, don’t smoke. Most people know that smoking is unhealthy, but the consequences are even worse for someone who has asthma. Your lungs could become very irritated if you smoke, and you should avoid being around others that are smoking.
You should always have your rescue medication with you when you are traveling. Traveling tends to put extra stain on the body, and you’re more susceptible to your asthma triggers under these conditions. You also have little control over your surroundings as you travel, and this may result in an increase in symptoms or frequency of attacks.
If you suffer from asthma or allergies, avoid using a vaporizer or humidifier unless it is consistently and thoroughly cleaned. Bacteria could breed in this moist environment and get into the air once you turn the humidifier on.
Asthma Triggers
If you are dealing with asthma it is critical you understand how to properly use an inhaler. It is not as simple as spraying it into your mouth and breathing in. Every time you take a puff, hold in your breath for at least three seconds and then exhale. If you are having trouble using it correctly, ask your doctor for help at your next visit.
Many of the most common asthma triggers are found in the home. These culprits include dust, spores and mold. Having your house inspected yearly is a good way to reduce the presence of these asthma triggers. Conscientious house-cleaning can help prevent buildup of substances in your home that might trigger an asthma attack.
Up your intake of vitamin B6. In many studies, it has been shown that vitamin B6 (which is also called pyridoxine) decreases the intensity and frequency of asthma attacks. Pyridoxine is instrumental in producing certain molecules that help to relax bronchial tissue. One excellent source of vitamin B6 is bananas.
There are many things that you need to know about asthma. This article contains only a sampling of advice if you or a loved one is suffering from asthma. You can lessen the effect that asthma has on their life!
A key way to manage your asthma is working to identify all of the things that trigger your attacks. Write down potential asthma triggers in a journal and talk to your doctor about them. Once you know your triggers, you can avoid and eliminate them as much as possible.