Living with asthma may be difficult, but if you manage it properly, it doesn’t have to prevent you from being happy, healthy and active. There are numerous things you can to do in order to stop asthma from disturbing your life. The following article will provide you with asthma-prevention tips.
You need to avoid all of the asthma triggers that you know. Certain outdoor areas may be off-limits because they cause allergies to flare up. For others, it may be linked to physical exertion. Do your best to understand and figure what exactly triggers your asthma so that you know what you need to avoid.
If you are afflicted with asthma, it is critical that you don’t smoke. When smoke enters your lungs it cuts off your oxygen supply, and if you suffer from asthma it can make breathing extremely difficult, and result in an increased number of attacks.
There are medicines out there that may increase your chance of triggering asthma symptoms. Examples of medications that may contribute to asthma are aspirin and other NSAIDs. You can also use medications that can control high blood pressure and heart disease, things like beta blockers. If you suffer from these conditions and also have asthma, be sure to let your doctor know.
Some medications that you may take unknowingly can cause you to have asthma symptoms. NSAIDs and aspirin are known for their ability to cause symptoms. Common medications used for controlling high blood pressure often times contain beta blockers, which asthmatics may be more sensitive to. Make sure your doctor knows if you are taking such medicine and also have asthma.
Cigarette smoke and asthma do not mix. If you smoke, try quitting. Don’t breathe vapor or chemical fumes. This can trigger an unstoppable asthma attack. If people are smoking around you, remove yourself from that area quickly.
During a mild to moderate attack, force all of the air out of your lungs. Breath out as hard and fast as you can. Try to force the air out of your lungs! After that, take in three shallow breaths and one deep breath. Once your lungs are full again, do another forceful exhale. This technique develops a breathing rhythm, allowing you to notice the breaths that you take in. It also voids your lungs of old air so that new air can enter. If you cough or produce sputum, don’t worry. Just remain focused on your objective, which is to regain a normal rate of breathing.
If you are using a lot of different cleaners around your house you can trigger a asthma attack. Try using organic cleaning products which don’t contain irritating chemicals.
Cigarette smoke and asthma do not mix. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, stop. Air pollution and fumes from harsh chemicals also increase asthma symptoms. This can aggravate your asthma and it might not stop. The minute you spot people smoking, immediately remove yourself from the area.
Pay attention to your symptom triggers. The more aware of your triggers you become, the easier it will be to avoid them and reduce the number of attacks you suffer. Most asthma sufferers have a few common triggers such as smoke, pet dander or pollen. If at all possible, strive to avoid substances and locations that trigger your asthma symptoms or attacks.
Respiratory Infection
Think about becoming a member of a support group, whether it is online or somewhere local. Extremely severe asthma can be debilitating and prevent one from living a full life. Furthermore, these groups will keep you informed about any changes in medicines or any other scientific discoveries that are relevant.
Asthmatics should have a flu shot every year to prevent contracting a serious respiratory infection. Do everything you can to avoid a respiratory infection if you have asthma. This includes taking standard precautions against illness, like hand washing, as well as getting vaccinations that can keep you from getting sick.
Do not allow mold or mildew to grow in your home, because they can be extremely dangerous for asthma sufferers. You can get asthma attacks because of these substances. Therefore, it is important to make sure your home is dry. When it’s cold, a dehumidifier can keep moisture to a minimum; in hot months, your A/C unit will do the same thing.
Both Vitamin C and Vitamin E are important if you suffer from asthma. They help to increase the function of the lungs and control the overall symptoms of asthma. You are able to get these vitamins either from food or a supplement. The vitamins can help to boost the immune system, which will help you to stay healthy and less ill, which means you will have less asthma attacks.
In the winter, prevent attacks by wearing shawls, mufflers and scarves that cover the nose and mouth. That way the air is warmed before it enters your lungs. Studies have consistently shown that cold air can cause your throat and lungs to constrict, triggering asthma attacks. Children are especially susceptible to cold-induced asthma.
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 keep the air in your home dry by eliminating humidity.
Understanding how to properly administer your asthma medications is important, particularly in regard to rescue medications. Asthma is generally treated with a rescue medication, usually an inhaler, in addition to a regularly-taken maintenance medication. It’s important to use both forms of medication properly to treat your chronic condition.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma, you should avoid smoking or even being in the presence of smokers. When you breathe in smoke, particularly in an enclosed area, your lungs cannot function as well, and it increases your risk of having an asthma attack.
Use your maintenance or preventative inhaler every day. However, you should know that the drug may cause mouth infections near your gums and teeth. One way to reduce the probability of such infections is to immediately brush and gargle after inhaling the medicine.
Keep your home clean. By keeping a clean environment, especially in a bedroom, you can lower your risk of asthma attacks. Keep food consumption to the kitchen and the dining room, and never allow anyone to smoke in the house. Let in plenty of fresh air if the weather permits, and avoid using harsh chemicals to bleach.
When you are removing dust or crumbs from your floor, you should use a vacuum or damp mop to avoid scattering dust in the air. Sweeping your floor can kick allergens into the air, triggering an asthma attack. Use a dampened rag when dusting, instead of a feather duster, so as to prevent stirring up loose dust particles and other asthma triggers.
You should know what triggers your asthma attacks; this will allow you to either avoid them or be ready to manage the symptoms. Some common asthma triggers include pet dander, pollen, and cigarette smoke. It is best to do all that is possible to avoid triggers that can cause attacks.
See a specialist. Your family doctor will be in charge of your asthma treatment, but seeing a specialist can provide you with invaluable help. Think about going to a pulmonologist, an allergist or even a nutritionist, depending on what is triggering your attacks.
As you see, you can use several methods in controlling or preventing asthma from overtaking your life. Asthma does not mean the end of all you love about your life when you follow the advice above to make an effective plan.
If you suffer from asthma or allergies, avoid using a vaporizer or humidifier unless it is consistently and thoroughly cleaned. Bacteria will breed rapidly due to the moisture in the machine. If you continue to use one without cleaning it correctly, you will be pushing allergens around the home, instead of the soothing humidity that you are hoping for.