For the many sufferers of asthma, just the slightest activity can result in a serious and sudden loss of their very ability to breathe. The good news is that there are many effective ways to treat asthma symptoms and restore the joy in living a full life. This selection of tips for managing asthma is sure to leave you more informed and aware of this respiratory condition.
If you have an asthmatic child, do not allow anyone to smoke around him. Secondhand smoke is almost as dangerous to asthmatics as actually smoking a cigarette. If your child is in an area where people are smoking, remove him quickly to avoid an asthma attack.
Are you informed about what type of asthma you suffer from? Gaining as much knowledge as you can about the type of asthma you have can make your day-to-day activities a little easier. People who suffer from exercise-induced asthma will need to make sure that they have an inhaler with them inside of their gym bag. By knowing the pattern to your symptoms it will be a big help to you avoiding crises.
Don’t turn on the fan if the dust in a room is aggravating your asthma. When you turn on the fans they will move the dust in the room around and this can trigger your asthma very easily. If you feel you need airflow, open a window instead.
Know situations and conditions that cause asthma attacks for you, and stay away from them in the future as much as possible. For many, allergens like dust and pollen, can trigger their attacks. Others may have attacks that are triggered by physical activity. Know your asthma causes so you can avoid putting yourself in a situation where you may suffer from an attack.
When struggling with asthma, consider using a leukotriene inhibitor. As its name suggests, this inhibitor works by preventing the release and build-up of leukotriene. Leukotrienes has a hand in causing swelling and inflammation in your lungs, and may trigger a asthma attack. Taking an inhibitor will reduce the amount of this substance your body produces, which should decrease the number of attacks you experience.
Be aware of certain medications that can lead to asthma problems. Some NSAIDs and aspirins will do this for you. Common medications used for controlling high blood pressure often times contain beta blockers, which asthmatics may be more sensitive to. Tell your doctor if you are an asthmatic and you are using these medications.
An annual flu vaccination is recommended for you as well as other members of your family. Keep yourself healthy, and without respiratory infections as best you can. Common method of avoiding illnesses can be very effective. Keep your vaccinations up to date and wash your hands frequently.
As a chronic disease, asthma must be managed continuously. Take the proper medications for controlling your asthma daily, and keep quick relief medication somewhere on you just in case you have a sudden attack. To find which treatment options are the best for you and your condition, make sure you speak with a doctor and allergist.
If you suffer from asthma, make sure that you consume enough Vitamin C and Vitamin E. These vitamins are thought to help improve lung function and control asthma symptoms. Get these nutrients through supplements or food. Loading up on these vitamins will energize your immune system, aiding your body in preventing the illnesses that worsen or trigger asthma.
Leukotriene inhibitors can help control the symptoms of asthma. These inhibitors can prevent leukotrienes. Leukotrienes are molecules that cause the tracheal muscles to contract; having too many leukotrienes makes asthma attacks more likely. When used properly, an inhibitor can help reduce symptoms and prevent attacks.
IF you have asthma, you should consider 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.
Use your inhaler as directed. Locate a quiet place, and follow the label to a tee. The inhaler will only reduce symptoms if the medication can get to your lungs. Inhale deeply as you dispense the correct amount into your mouth. Hold your breath still for ten seconds at least in order to let the mist with medicine fill your lungs.
Stay away from any tobacco smoke, even people that are smoking tobacco. As soon as you inhale any smoke from tobacco, your lungs become sensitive, which increases your risk of an attack. Just avoid any type of smoke, especially in small areas, and keep your lungs healthy to be safe.
It has been shown that use of four or more different kinds of cleaning products can raise the risk of asthma attacks. Use organic products as often as possible, as these contain fewer harsh chemicals.
If your home is damp, it can encourage the growth of mildew and mold. Both of these allergens can be contributing factors in asthma attacks. It is best if you keep the air in your home as dry as possible. In the winter, use a dehumidifier along with your heater, and in the summer months, you can use your air conditioner to help control the amount of water in the air within your home.
It is best to use products that are unscented in the home with someone who is asthmatic. Using products in your home such as incense, perfume or air fresheners can increase the amount of microscopic pollutants indoors and trigger asthma attacks. Fresh paint and new carpeting can also irritate the airway. Try keeping the air indoors as fresh as it can be.
Understand how to properly use your own asthma medication, particularly the rescue medication. Most people treat their asthma with regular daily medication, and carry supplemental emergency medication in the form of a rescue inhaler. Managing your medicine properly is important because asthma is a chronic health problem.
Receiving a flu shot annually is very important if you or a loved one are asthmatic. Prevent these infections from occurring by going to get vaccinated each year.
Asthma develops gradually, and its symptoms may not be very noticeable. There have even been cases where people die from the first asthma attack they had, without knowing they had the condition. If you often have difficulty breathing or a persistent cough, it would be wise to make an appointment with your physician, so he or she can confirm whether you have asthma. If you do, your doctor can then prescribe medications to manage or treat it.
Asthma Attacks
While using an inhaler can potentially cause mouth or gum sores, it is still important to use it daily if you suffer from severe asthma. To prevent complications from using a preventative inhaler, brush your teeth immediately after using it and use mouthwash as well.
Be keenly aware of the triggers for your asthma attacks. If you know the cause, you can stay away to prevent asthma attacks. Smoke, pollen, or pet dander are common triggers. Try to avoid the things that make your asthma flare up.
Use a mop that’s wet to clean your floors instead of a broom. When you are sweeping with a broom, you stir up triggers like dirt and dust mites that can cause you to go into 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.
Now that you understand a few effective and simple ways to handle asthma, you can be more confident about your ability to live a good life and support others. Asthma is not a terminal illness nor is it guaranteed to cause you suffering, so work hard on controlling it and enjoy your life!
When you are making an effort to control asthma, do not smoke. Smoke and chemicals have been known to trigger asthma attacks. Avoid exposure to chemical fumes and vapors, and any type of wood or cigarette smoke. They can easily increase your asthma symptoms. If there’s smoke around you, ask politely for the person to stop smoking.