Untreated asthma symptoms can lead to serious difficulties if not controlled properly. A failure to treat your asthma could lead to attacks, and these attacks can be deadly. If you have asthma, you need to talk to a doctor, but there are things you can do on your own, as well. The following tips will help you manage your asthma symptoms and live an active lifestyle.
You need to make sure that you do not smoke and that you stay away from a lot of fumes and vapors if you suffer from asthma. This does mean avoiding all tobacco products as well as being mindful of sources of employment, with special attention to factories that might provide exposure to smoke and vapors.
Stay away from smoking, or being around any smoke, vapors or fumes. This does mean avoiding all tobacco products as well as being mindful of sources of employment, with special attention to factories that might provide exposure to smoke and vapors.
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 a leading cause of asthma, and it can also trigger an asthma attack. You also need to be sure that your child isn’t around those that choose to smoke.
You may be unaware that certain medications you might be on could cause asthma symptoms. Some anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, can flare up asthma symptoms. Also, beta blockers, such as medicines used to control heart disease and high blood pressure. If you have asthma and these other conditions, let your physician know.
If you find yourself in a room that is dusty, don’t turn on any kind of fan. While it may seem smart to get the air circulating, in reality this will only stir up the dust, making it easier to inhale and trigger an attack. If you wish to have a breeze, open a window instead of running a fan.
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. Exhale quickly and hard. Force your lungs to expel as much air as possible. Do your inhalations in triple bursts of short breaths, and then follow with final deep inhalation so that you fill your lungs comfortably, before exhaling with vehemence once more. This will make your breathing rhythmic and help you pay more attention to it. It also allows you to take in more air by completely emptying your lungs. 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.
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. Opt for organic cleaning products that do not contain irritating chemicals.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma, you must avoid cigarette smoke at all costs. If you smoke, try quitting. Avoid vapors and chemical fumes from cigarettes. Doing so can cause an asthma attack you might not have the ability to stop. If people are smoking around you, remove yourself from that area quickly.
If your child or yourself are asthma sufferers it is very important that you get the flu shot every single year. Get yearly vaccinations to keep these potential infections at bay.
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. This can move the dust around and can trigger an attack easily. If you feel you need airflow, open a window instead.
You should always have your rescue medication with you when you are traveling. Travel adds stress on your physical body, and it might increase your chances of falling prey to asthma triggers. You also have little control over your environment when traveling, which can make you more susceptible to an attack and symptoms of greater severity.
Utilize the inhaler correctly. Get to a place out of the way, and read the directions before starting. The inhaler will only reduce symptoms if the medication can get to your lungs. Spray the required dosage into your mouth while inhaling air. Make sure you hold your breath for 10 seconds or more to get the medications into your lungs.
Your home might harbor several of the major triggers of asthma attacks. These culprits include dust, spores and mold. Having your house inspected yearly is a good way to reduce the presence of these asthma triggers. Regularly cleaning your house can also contribute to preventing buildup of these substances.
If you have asthma and cannot get health insurance, see a social worker. Social workers are often able to locate a hospital or clinic that can offer free or low cost options to make sure you can fill your medication prescriptions.
Mold and mildew thrive in homes with high humidity levels. These are harmful substances that can trigger asthma attacks. You should do your best to maintain a dry home. Use a dehumidifier during the winter time so that you can keep humidity in control when you use a heater. You can use the air conditioning in your household during summer time to get the same affect.
Make sure that everyone in your family, including you, gets annual flu shots. People who have been diagnosed with asthma should exercise extreme diligence in avoiding other respiratory conditions. Take standard precautions against any kind of illness, and start washing those hands and getting vaccinations that will protect you from getting very sick.
During the colder months, avoid asthma attacks by wearing a scarf, shawl or muffler that covers the mouth and nose. This will warm the air up before you breathe it into your lungs. Cold air can trigger severe attacks, especially for young children.
A dehumidifier is a beneficial investment for anyone with asthma. Lowering humidity will reduce the amount of dust mites in your home, and help your asthma improve. Dehumidifiers work by taking the humidity out of the air.
Understanding how to properly administer your asthma medications is important, particularly in regard to rescue medications. Asthma typically is treated so that the sufferer has a regular maintenance medication, but is also prescribed a rescue medication, like an inhaler. Because asthma can be a lifelong issue, it is vital to take both regular and rescue medications according to the instructions.
Travel with your rescue medication on your person at all times. Traveling adds strain on the body and increases your susceptibility to asthma triggers. You also have little control over your environment when traveling, which can make you more susceptible to an attack and symptoms of greater severity.
Monitor how many times, on a weekly basis, you are using your rescue inhaler. If you are using it more than twice, your asthma may not be as well-controlled as you think or you may be experiencing unusual circumstances bringing on more frequent attacks. If you have to use your inhaler a lot, you will know that you should more closely monitor your surroundings.
Even if your asthma seems like it is under control, always keep your asthma appointments with the doctor. You never know when you might suffer another flare-up, or when your doctor might have a better or safer medication to prescribe for your symptoms.
When you are trying to prevent asthma, you should avoid smoke. Smoke can cause asthma attacks. The fumes from chemicals, or smoke from cigarettes, should be avoided at all costs. Any one of these things can aggravate asthma symptoms and cause an episode. When anyone lights up a cigarette or cigar in your presence, politely inform them that you have asthma and ask them not to smoke beside you.
Asthma is a health condition that usually develops over a period of time, and has symptoms that may not be obvious. There are known cases where someone has actually died from a single asthma attack, because they were unaware that they had the disease. Always consult with a doctor to see if a persistent cough or difficulty breathing is a sign that you require treatment for asthma. There may even be things you can do to prevent it from getting worse.
If you have asthma consider staying away from pets or animals. 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.
Asthma is an uncurable disease, but that doesn’t mean that the symptoms are permanent and can’t go away. However, just like most things in life, overcoming your asthma symptoms takes time and effort. If you follow these easy tips, you’ll find that your symptoms will get better over time and you’ll be able to enjoy a healthier, more active lifestyle.
Consult with more than one physician. Specialists can supplement the asthma treatments your regular doctor provides for you. Asthma centers, allergists, pulmonologists, and nutritionists can all help ensure you are attacking your asthma on all fronts.