Millions of people have to be careful about their daily activities because they suffer from asthma. You can live your life to the fullest by understanding the different treatment options available to you. The ideas here for how to handle asthma can give you some piece of mind.
Always be very mindful of the type of medications you’re taking. Some meds out there might just trigger an asthma attack. A couple of common culprits that do this are aspirin and NSAIDs. There are some beta blockers that are given to those trying to control their heart disease or who have high blood pressure that may be harmful to an asthmatic, as well. Make sure your physician is aware of all of your chronic conditions and any medications you are on so they can treat your asthma appropriately.
There are many different types of 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.
Asthma is not a curable disease and will require life-long health management. 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. To determine the best options for you personally, consult your physician and an allergist.
Asthma is a continuous disease that needs ongoing management. Make sure you are taking the right medications to control your everyday asthma symptoms, and have a quick relief medication on hand if you have an attack. See your doctor or allergist to find out which treatment plan is best for your situation.
Exhale as hard as you can during an asthma attack. If you can’t breathe at all, go to the hospital; however, controlling your exhalation rate can sometimes help stop a less severe attack. Breathe out fast and hard. Really force that air out of your lungs! Take three short breaths, then one last deep breath to ensure your lungs have enough air, then forcefully breath out. Breathing in this rhythmic manner helps you to concentrate on the breaths you’re taking. This technique also forces the air from your lungs to enable more air to come in. 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.
When you are dealing with asthma, try getting a lekotriene inhibitor. Leukotriene inhibitors are used to prevent things called leukotrienes. A leukotriene will cause inflammation in the respiratory system, causing an asthma attack. If you use an inhibitor, you may find that the your asthma attacks significantly decrease.
Cigarette smoke will make your asthma worse. You should not smoke yourself! It is also a good idea to stay away from the fumes or vapors from harsh chemicals, such as those used in cleaning. This can trigger an unstoppable asthma attack. Never visit a home or establishment where people will be smoking, and if people start to smoke, walk out.
Learn how to use an inhaler in the correct manner if you do not already know. A lot of people use inhalers improperly, so be sure that you’re adhering to the manufacturer’s suggested instructions. The inhaler will only reduce symptoms if the medication can get to your lungs. Inhale deeply and spray the correct dose into your mouth. Don’t exhale for ten seconds so that the medicine can go through your lungs.
If the room that you’re in is dusty, do not turn on a fan. If you do, the dust will move around, and you can trigger your asthma. Encourage air to flow throughout the room by just opening a nearby window or door.
If you are someone who suffers from asthma, you should consider buying a dehumidifier for your home. A reduction in humidity will also lessen the amount of dust mites in your home. This lessens the chance of an asthma flare up. Dehumidifiers keep the air in your home dry by eliminating humidity.
If you have asthma and suffer persistent attacks caused by allergy symptoms, an injectable medicine can be administered for extended relief. 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.
Keep your home dust-free and get rid of any carpet in your house to help prevent asthma attacks, especially in a bedroom. Also, you should keep food confined to the kitchen, and opt to smoke outdoors only. Harsh chemicals, like bleach and ammonia, can trigger asthma.
If you have asthma and lack the health insurance coverage to deal with asthma treatment, talk to a social worker. If you cannot afford medicine for asthma, your social worker can help you locate someone that can help.
Stand ready for a boost to your asthma treatment should you suffer from illnesses like colds or hay fever. An increase in treatment is necessary sometimes because side effects of other sicknesses can cause your asthma symptoms to flare up. It is possible your doctor will want to add additional therapies to your treatment program until you are back on your feet.
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. Use organic cleaning products since they don’t have irritating chemicals.
An annual flu shot is crucial if you have asthma or have an asthmatic child. Make sure your child’s vaccinations are up-to-date to avoid as many infections as possible.
Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke because it is as dangerous to asthmatics as smoking a cigarette. If you inhale the smoke, it will harm your lungs and increase the possibility of an asthma attack. Always be mindful of this, especially in small spaces that do not have very much air flowing.
Those who have asthma should avoid down pillows. The feathers can make asthma worse and take away from your ability to breathe. Your other bedding, such as sheets, blankets and comforters, should be hypoallergenic, too.
Those with asthma should always opt for unscented items because they are safest. Indoor air pollution rises with the constant use of anything scented, ranging from air fresheners to incense, and all this can trigger asthma attacks. Certain things around the home, such as newly installed carpet or fresh paint, can also release chemical irritants. As much as possible, try to keep your home filled with fresh, pure air.
Even if you seem to be fine, see your doctor regularly for your asthma checkups. It is important to make sure your condition isn’t worsening, and your doctor may want to prescribe a different medication.
Receiving a regular flu shot is a great tip to implement if you or someone you love suffers from asthma. Make sure your child’s vaccinations are up-to-date to avoid as many infections as possible.
See how many times a week you typically use the rescue inhaler. If you use it three or more times each week, your treatment plan may not be working effectively or else an atypical situation may be triggering an increased number of attacks. Focusing on how often you need your inhaler makes you aware of when you need to make changes to your plan for keeping asthma under control.
Keep all your doctors appointments even if your asthma symptoms aren’t bothering you. Asthma can flare-up at any time, and you never know, perhaps your doctor has safer or better medications which can help your symptoms.
When preventing asthma, stay away from smoke. Smoke can trigger an asthma attack. You should avoid cigarette smoke, vapors, and chemical fumes as much as possible. Any one of these things can aggravate asthma symptoms and cause an episode. Ask any smokers not to smoke in your presence.
Look into becoming a part of a support group. There are many to choose from both online and offline. Asthma, particularly if it is severe, can incapacitate you and keep you from going about your daily activities. On top of that, an asthma support group will keep you apprised of the latest developments in asthma medication and other significant medical breakthroughs.
Bed Linens
Humidity in the home can create an environment that is ideal for mold and mildew to grow. Both mold and mildew are associated with asthma attacks. Therefore, it is important to maintain a dry home. When you are heating your home during the winter months, a dehumidifier can be used to control the humidity. In the summer, use an air conditioner to maintain dry air.
Bed linens attract things that cause asthma attacks. These threats can be reduced or even eliminated by keeping your bed linens laundered every week using hot water. Clean bed linens that are washed frequently will help you breathe easier every time your head hits the pillow.
During cold months, you could avoid asthma attacks by constantly wearing a shawl, muffler or a scarf that covers both your mouth and nose. This will warm the air that you breathe before it enters your lungs. Studies have indicated that asthma attacks are sometimes triggered when cold air is inhaled. This is especially true for young children who have asthma that is moderate to severe.
Asthmatics should avoid smoking tobacco products whenever possible. Although bad for everyone, cigarettes can cause greater problems for those with asthma. Asthmatic lungs are extremely sensitive, and should not be exposed to smoke. Someone who has asthma should not only avoid smoking, but should also try to avoid being exposed to people smoking in their vicinity.
Asthma takes a long time to develop and doesn’t yield obvious symptoms. There have been a few cases where a person dies from their first attack, because they didn’t know they suffered from the condition. So, if you are having trouble coughing and breathing, talk to a doctor to see if you need treatment. You might receive a prescription to treat or prevent asthma.
If you have allergies and asthma, you need to avoid using a humidifier or a vaporizer unless it has been thoroughly cleaned. Bacteria can grow inside the machine because of the moist environment, and you will be releasing that right into the air if you are using it.
Keep notes on how often you are compelled to use your inhaler each week. If you use it three or more times each week, your treatment plan may not be working effectively or else an atypical situation may be triggering an increased number of attacks. How often an inhaler is used can help to monitor the environment.
Keep yourself as calm as possible when having an asthma attack. Use the inhaler, pause for 30 seconds then use it again. If the attack gets worse, then seek help immediately. Go to the hospital. If the attack is particularly bad, have a friend take you or call 911. Slow your breathing by inhaling and exhaling into a paper bag while you are waiting for help.
See more than one doctor. Even though your primary care doctor can assist you in the basic care for your asthma, consider visiting a specialist also. Certain specialists, such as pulmonologists and allergists, can provide extra treatment options for your asthma.
Learn all you can learn about your condition. The more you know about the condition, the better you can help yourself. Do your research, and keep current on available treatment information so you can be sure you’re doing all you can to feel well. The best thing you can do is educate yourself about asthma and its treatment.
When you suffer from an asthma attack, be sure to remain calm. First thing first, use your inhaler, then wait 30 seconds and begin to use it again. If this does not help and your attack gets worse, you need to get immediate medical assistance. Ask someone to drive you to the closest hospital or call an ambulance. Try to breathe into a paper bag so that you can calm your breathing when you’re on the way.
You should now understand how you can prevent and manage asthma attacks by adapting your lifestyle to your condition. Whether this information helps you or a family member or a friend, you should feel comfort knowing that asthma is not the worst thing that could happen.
Joining a network of those who suffer from asthma, or simply talking to others who suffer from the condition, can have a positive impact on you. By talking to fellow sufferers, you will learn more about asthma and what you should do in case of an attack. Support given by those around you who are also afflicted with asthma can really make all the difference.