Asthma is a dangerous medical condition that can affect all people, no matter what their age. In addition to seeing the proper medical professionals, you should always be vigilant about noticing triggers that could make your symptoms worse. The tips in this article will help you find a way to control your asthma.
Do all you can to learn not just about asthma, but your particular asthma. When you know in-depth information about your asthma, you can figure out how to fight against it. Those whose asthma is exacerbated by exercise will know to always have an inhaler on hand. Knowing symptom patterns will help you prevent emergencies.
Smoking is a horrible habit, even deadly, for an asthma sufferer. Smoking is a terrible habit but it’s even worse for someone who suffers from asthma as it decreases the amount of oxygen that gets to your lungs.
Stay away from anything that you are aware of that may trigger your asthma. Some people have allergies that cause asthma, and allergens such as dust and pollen can cause an attack. For others, physical activities can cause them. Try to see what cause your asthma so that you can avoid it.
If you are experiencing a moderately severe attack, try to first exhale completely. Make your exhalations quick and forceful. Exhale with maximum 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. This will make your breathing rhythmic and help you pay more attention to it. By repeatedly forcing air out, you make room for new air so that your breathing can get back on track. Do not be alarmed if you cough or generate excess mucous; this is perfectly normal. Your only concern is to return your breathing to normal.
Asthma is a disease that is ongoing and must be attended to every day. Your doctor may prescribe medications that must be taken daily. In addition, you will likely have medication to take in the event of an attack. Have a discussion with your doctor or allergist to determine what the best plan for you might be.
Consider getting injections of medications to treat your asthma if you are prone to attacks induced by allergy symptoms. Known as Omalizumab, this antibody medicine can control the body’s allergic senses and lower the symptoms or reactions that asthma patients suffer.
If you use more than four cleaning products, you are increasing the risks of an asthma attack. Organic products are preferable to more chemically loaded, commercially produced cleaning products.
Learn how to use an inhaler in the correct manner if you do not already know. Move to a quiet area, and then simply follow manufacturer’s instructions. The inhaler only can help if it’s medicine reaches the lungs. Inhale deeply and spray the correct dose into your mouth. It is then necessary to hold the breath for about ten seconds to give the medication time to work in your lungs.
If you suffer from asthma, avoid smokers, even if you do not smoke yourself. When you inhale tobacco smoke, you are severely increasing the likelihood of an asthma attack. This is especially true in small, confined areas with little to no ventilation.
If you are dealing with asthma, you would benefit from buying a dehumidifier. Decreasing the humidity in the house decreases dust mites, which decreases asthma flare ups. Dehumidifiers reduce attacks in your home by making the air cleaner and drier.
Hay fever and colds can worsen asthma symptoms so prepare to need increased treatments. The side effects of many illnesses can flare up your asthma so bad that you have to have an increase in treatment. Your doctor might add additional medication until your sickness gets better.
Keep your home clean. By keeping a clean environment, especially in a bedroom, you can lower your risk of asthma attacks. Only allow food in the kitchen, and never smoke indoors. If you clean with any harsh chemicals or bleach, make sure to ventilate thoroughly afterwards.
If you are asthmatic, it may be a good idea to use a pillow that is not filled with feathers. Feather can decrease lung function and trigger asthma symptoms. Same thing with bedding – purchase sheets and a comforter that are constructed from hypoallergenic materials.
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. It’s also hard to control the environment you’re in when traveling, which is another reason you might experience more symptoms or have an attack.
Keep all your doctors appointments even if your asthma symptoms aren’t bothering you. You can never tell when an attack will strike, or when your physician may have some better or safer advice for you to follow.
Join an online or offline support group. Extremely severe asthma can be debilitating and prevent one from living a full life. Others who suffer from asthma can give you immeasurable amounts of support and advice, and help you keep up with new medical developments.
Protect yourself against breathing in cold air that aggravates your asthma by wearing a scarf that covers your nose and mouth. This helps warm the air prior to it entering your lungs. Inhaling cold air can elicit an asthma attack or create other serious respiratory problems.
Daily Medication
Make sure you understand the correct way to use your asthma medication, especially any rescue medication. Typical asthma treatment includes regular medicine supplemented by a rescue inhaler. Asthma lasts a lifetime, so you must manage your treatment and lifestyle to ensure you’re taking the best care of yourself.
It is important to know the proper way to use asthma medication, especially the medication that is used in an emergency. A treatment made up of a daily medication plus a rescue inhaler can help to keep asthma under control. Asthma doesn’t go away, so it’s important to be vigilant about taking your daily medication and using your rescue inhaler when an attack occurs.
Asthma generally develops over a period of time, and the symptoms are not always obvious. There are actually many people that have passed away from an asthma attack without ever knowing they were even at risk. So, if you have difficulty breathing or a cough that doesn’t go away, see a doctor to figure out whether you suffer from asthma and to determine whether you will be needing medication to prevent or treat the condition.
Asthma takes a long time to develop and doesn’t yield obvious symptoms. There are some cases reported that were so severe that a person died from one asthma attack when they didn’t even know they were considered at risk. If you have any trouble catching your breath or a cough that won’t go away, consider talking to your doctor to make sure that you aren’t afflicted with asthma. If you are, you’ll need to keep an inhaler with you at all times and possible take other medications.
If you have asthma, don’t stop using your inhaler unless your doctor tells you to. However, watch for infections in your gums or other mouth discomfort after using your inhaler. Immediately brush your teeth followed by a quick gargle after using your inhaler. This is a great way to prevent any kind of complications in your mouth.
Bed Linens
See how many times a week you typically use the rescue inhaler. Using it two times or may may mean that your asthma is not as controlled as you may think it is. It could also mean that something else is bringing on these frequent attacks. The frequency of your inhaler usage should remind you to monitor the environmental conditions around you and other issues relating to the way you manage your asthma.
Bed linens often trap allergens, dust, pollen and other things that can aggravate asthma. It is important to wash your bed linens at least once per week in very hot water if you want to reduce or eliminate the potential aggravators. Fresh, laundered bedding will help you sleep that much easier at night.
If you have asthma, clean your floors with a wet mop, instead of sweeping with a traditional broom. Sweeping stirs up irritants that can trigger an asthma attack. When you dust, use a damp cloth instead of a feather duster which can spread these triggers.
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. Asthma centers, pulmonologists, nutritionists and allergists can all work with you, making sure you are getting all the treatment you need.
When preventing asthma, stay away from smoke. Cigarette smoke will often trigger an asthma attack. Do what you can to avoid chemical fumes, cigarette smoke and other vapors. These are all common triggers and can aggravate asthma symptoms. If you know someone who smokes, politely ask that they do not smoke in your presence.
If you are suffering from asthma, you should learn how to utilize your inhaler the right way. You cannot just spray it in your mouth and lightly inhale. You must breathe deeply for at least a few seconds when using your inhaler. Properly using your asthma inhaler is one of the most important ways you, as a person with asthma, can protect your health.
You should have limited contact with animals, as it can cause you to have an asthmatic reaction. Even people that do not have allergies are prone to suffer an asthma attack from the pollen and dust on animals.
Learn all you can learn about your condition. The more you educate yourself about your asthma condition, the more you are able to be proactive about your treatment. Keep current with treatments and ensure you have the greatest possible care that you can have. The best possible way to really understand your condition and treatment options is to educate yourself.
Always try your best to remain calm if you begin having an asthma attack. Immediately use your asthma inhaler, rest for 30 seconds, then use it once more. If your attack continues to worsen, seek help. If there is someone nearby, have them call an ambulance or drive you to the nearest hospital. Breathing in and out of a paper bag on the way will help slow down your breathing.
Asthma is a serious condition. Keep your asthma under control and have a fast-acting inhaler to avoid a possibly fatal asthma attack. For instance, always carry around an emergency inhaler, and try to reduce the amount of airborne dust and allergens in your house. Hopefully, with the help of the advice here, you can lessen your symptoms and get your asthma under control.
If you are utilizing the inhaler more than two times a week, ask your doctor to change your medicine. This frequency of inhaler use means that your inhaler medication is not functioning effectively. In addition, if you must change the cartridge in the inhaler more than two times in a year, you may need to see your doctor regarding a medication switch.