Some tasks that seem unremarkable to ordinary people can be terribly challenging to those people, young and old, who have an asthma condition to deal with. Luckily, there are many different treatment options that are very effective, and can make living with asthma a little less worrisome. This group of tips to manage asthma will provide valuable information, and make you better aware of this condition.
If your child or another loved one suffers from asthma, you should be sure to never smoke cigarettes when you’re near them. Secondhand smoke is something that can lead to serious asthma. Any place where smoking is allowed should be avoided if you have a child with asthma.
Second hand smoke can cause asthma to develop in children, and can trigger an asthma attack if they already suffer from asthma. One of the primary causes of asthma is secondhand smoke. It’s best to also keep your child away from places in which others will be smoking.
If you are suffering from asthma, it is essential that you quit smoking cigarettes. Smoking is unhealthy for anyone, but it is especially dangerous for someone with asthma. This is because your lungs and airway are already compromised by your condition.
If you are experiencing a moderately severe attack, try to first exhale completely. Exhale quickly and with power. Force your lungs to expel as much air as possible. 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 force you to pay careful attention to all of your breaths. It will also empty your lungs of air, so that they’re ready to take in new, fresh air. It is okay that you cough up some sputum, you really want to breathe right again.
Avoid exposing yourself to any of your known asthma triggers. This is different for everyone, but some people, things like dust or pollen can trigger an attack. For others, physical activities can cause them. Try and figure out what gets your asthma started so you know what to avoid.
If you are an asthmatic who also has allergies, injected allergy medication may be just the thing you need to get relief. For example, Omalizumab can be used to keep your allergic reactions to a minimum and your asthma under control.
Be aware of certain medications that can lead to asthma problems. NSAIDs and aspirin are known for their ability to cause symptoms. Additionally, beta blockers, a type of medication used for heart disease and hypertension, may cause asthma symptoms. Talk to a doctor if you have any of these conditions along with asthma.
Leukotriene inhibitors can help control the symptoms of asthma. This type of inhibitor is designed to prevent leukotrienes. Inhibiting this chemical can lead to a decrease in asthma symptoms. Taking an inhibitor will reduce the amount of this substance your body produces, which should decrease the number of attacks you experience.
Dust will make you have an attack, so keep the air calm in dirty rooms. This will cause the dust to move around, which could cause an asthma attack. The better way would be to open a window to increase the airflow in the room.
Make sure that everyone in your family gets their flu shot. Do everything you can to avoid a respiratory infection if you have asthma. This includes preventive measures against sickness, such as practicing good hygiene and getting all recommended vaccinations.
Leukotriene inhibitors may be helpful to you if you suffer from asthma. This type of inhibitor is designed to prevent leukotrienes. Leukotriene, a chemical released by the body in response to an allergen, is responsible for inducing many of the symptoms of an asthma attack. This inhibitor can prevent leukotrienes, which makes you less likely to have an asthma attack.
It’s been proven that you should use no more than four cleaning products in the home. If you do it can increase the risk of asthma attacks. To limit the chemicals in the air, look for organic cleaning alternatives.
Make sure you are using your inhaler properly. Locate a quiet place, and follow the label to a tee. The only way the inhaler can help is if the medication can reach your lungs. Breathe in through your mouth while you’re pressing the spray button. Hold in your breath for 10 seconds so the medicine works properly.
Many of the most common asthma triggers are found in the home. These triggers inside the home are usually spores, mold and dust. In order to remain healthy and lessen any chances of having an asthma attack, it is recommended you have your home inspected yearly to have these harmful triggers removed. Cleaning your house on a regular basis is one way to keep these substances from accumulating.
If you have asthma and cannot afford health insurance or have no eligibility, bring up your situation with a social worker. Asthma medications are a necessity, and a social worker can help you find an affordable way to keep your prescriptions current.
A humid home environment is a healthy environment for mildew and mold to develop. Asthma attacks are easily triggered by these substances. Therefore, it can benefit you to ensure your home stays as dry as possible. When you are using a heater in winter time, you can run a dehumidifier for help controlling humidity. In the summer, running your air conditioner will allow you to keep your humidity down.
A dehumidifier is a beneficial investment for anyone with asthma. Cutting down the humidity in the house will lower the amount dust mites in the air, and that will mean fewer asthma flare-ups. Try running a dehumidifier to dry up the air in your home.
Asthma Treatment
Stay away from any tobacco smoke, even people that are smoking tobacco. The functionality of your lungs can be dramatically impaired if you inhale tobacco smoke, especially in areas with little ventilation, and you run a greater risk of attack.
Know how to properly use asthma medicine, especially your rescue medication. Asthma treatment is generally two-pronged: Daily asthma treatment and additional emergency medicine to relieve attacks as they happen. It’s important to use both forms of medication properly to treat your chronic condition.
Regular flu shots are important if you or one of your children suffer from asthma. Prevent those flu infections before they happen by getting a flu shot each year.
If you are going on a plane trip with asthma medications, make sure to bring your written prescription along with you. Having written documentation supporting this medically necessary item will eliminate any hassles when going through the security check point.
You should understand what triggers your asthma attacks in order for you to avoid these causes or prepare yourself for managing your symptoms. There are some quite common triggers that can invoke an attack in asthma sufferers, for example cigarette smoke, pollen, or pet hair and dander. Do your best to avoid coming into contact with substances that you know will trigger your symptoms.
Using a preventative inhaler is important, but you need to know the side effects it can cause such as mouth infections. You may be able to avoid this problem by brushing your teeth or rinsing your mouth thoroughly after each use of the inhaler.
Asthmatic patients should avoid using feather pillows. The pillow feathers can cause asthma to flare up and minimize your lung function. The same goes for bedding – try to buy a comforter and sheets that are made from hypoallergenic materials.
Track how often you use your inhaler during each week. If you find that you are relying on it more than two times a week, your asthma is possibly not being well-controlled. If you have to use your inhaler a lot, you will know that you should more closely monitor your surroundings.
Think about becoming a member of a support group, whether it is online or somewhere local. Since severe asthma can be quite debilitating, it can have a huge impact on your everyday life. As science marches on, new medications and treatments for asthma become available, and you can keep abreast of this progress through a good support group.
If you are working to prevent asthma, it is best not to smoke. Smoke and chemicals have been known to trigger asthma attacks. Stay away from chemical fumes, vapors, and cigarette smoke at all times. All of these air-borne pollutants can greatly increase your asthma symptoms. If someone starts smoking near you, politely inquire whether they can smoke in your absence.
If you are cleaning, you should use a mop that is damp instead of a dry broom. Sweeping your floor can kick allergens into the air, triggering an asthma attack. Dusting with a damp cloth rather than a feather duster can be a considerable help in reducing the amount of dust and other things that might start an attack.
Contact with pets and other animals should be minimized for the asthma sufferer. Even people that do not have allergies are prone to suffer an asthma attack from the pollen and dust on animals.
Avoid smoke if you want to prevent asthma. Cigarette smoke will often trigger an asthma attack. Do what you can to avoid chemical fumes, cigarette smoke and other vapors. Things like this can make your asthma worse. If someone is smoking near you, either ask them to stop or remove yourself from the situation.
Bed linens often trap allergens, dust, pollen and other things that can aggravate asthma. You can reduce or eliminate these potential asthma attack inducers by laundering your sheets and pillowcases in hot water every week. If you are sleeping on freshly laundered linens, you will sleep much easier.
Asthma sufferers should minimize their contact with animals and pets. A lot of times the hair or dander will cause an asthma attack, but even if you do not have an allergy to the pet itself they often carry pollen and dust with them.
Do not use a vaporizer or humidifier unless you are sure it’s been thoroughly cleaned. Not cleaning a humidifier allows bacteria to grow in the machine’s moist water tank area, and the machine will pump dangerous allergens into yoru environment every time you use it.
Your bed linens are where pollen, dust and other allergens like to collect. These threats can be reduced or even eliminated by keeping your bed linens laundered every week using hot water. Fresh bed linens, laundered on a regular basis, will keep you breathing clearly and easily at night while you slumber.
Knowing how to appropriately and safely use your inhaler is essential if you are afflicted with asthma. You cannot just spray it in your mouth and lightly inhale. You must breathe deeply in conjunction with the spray. Failing to do so will mean that the medicine will not be able to help open up your breathing.
Stay away from smoking. Although bad for everyone, cigarettes can cause greater problems for those with asthma. An asthmatic’s lungs are more vulnerable than those of a healthy individual, which makes it especially important to abstain from smoking and avoid secondhand smoke.
Now that you know how to better handle your asthma, you can have a better quality of life. Asthma is not a terminal illness nor is it guaranteed to cause you suffering, so work hard on controlling it and enjoy your life!
Once you know what sets your asthma off, you can keep attacks from happening as frequently. A notebook is a good idea for finding specific triggers, so you can talk about them with your physician. After you figure out what your triggers are, do everything in your power to avoid exposure to them.