Simple everyday activities can be a problem for the countless people of every age who suffer from the symptoms of asthma. Fortunately, there are many options for treatment, which will take the stress out of everyday life. These tips are here to help you manage your asthma and learn more about your condition.
Can you identify the exact type of asthma you’re dealing with? Being aware of your specific condition will help you combat the effects it has over your body day in and day out. A perfect example is that if you have asthma caused by exercise you should put a inhaler in your locker or gym bag. Knowing when an asthma attack is likely to strike can help you avert disaster.
You should avoid smoking and any type of fumes if you suffer from asthma. That means you have to avoid all tobacco, and seriously consider think about what jobs you take; for example, factories are probably not a healthy place for you because of all the vapors and smoke.
Some medications can exacerbate asthma symptoms as a side effect. Some NSAIDs and aspirins will do this for you. This can also be caused by beta blockers, like medications that are used in managing high blood pressure or heart problems. Talk to a doctor if you have any of these conditions along with asthma.
An important part of symptom management is knowing what type of asthma you have. You can learn to combat the life changing effects of asthma by understanding your specific type. For example, if your asthma is brought on by bronchitis, you should keep your rescue inhaler with you during times when you are sick. Knowing the patterns related to your symptoms could aid you in avoiding crises.
Injections are available to people who suffer from asthma related to allergies, to help give them some long term relief. Known as Omalizumab, this antibody medicine can control the body’s allergic senses and lower the symptoms or reactions that asthma patients suffer.
Use the inhaler properly. Find a spot that is peaceful, and then follow the instructions given by the manufacturer. The only way the inhaler will work is if your lungs get the proper amount of medication. Inhale deeply as you dispense the correct amount into your mouth. Don’t exhale for ten seconds so that the medicine can go through your lungs.
If you suffer from asthma, try seeing if a leukotriene inhibitor helps. These medications prevent the production of leukotrienes. Leukotriene, a chemical substance, can cause asthma attacks by causing inflammation. Taking an inhibitor will reduce the amount of this substance your body produces, which should decrease the number of attacks you experience.
Social Worker
Ask everyone in your family to get a flu shot every year. Do everything you can to avoid a respiratory infection if you have asthma. Making sure to consistently wash your hands, and getting the proper vaccinations are two standard precautions.
Contact a social worker if you have asthma but do not meet the eligibility requirements for health insurance. It is essential that you can buy your asthma medicine, and a social worker might help you find a hospital or clinic that can provide your medicine at reduced cost, or free.
If you suffer from asthma, taking enough Vitamin E and C can help you. These vitamins help to control asthma symptoms and improve the function of your lungs. You can take these vitamins in pill form, or you can eat fresh fruits and vegetables and get the vitamins that way. These vitamins are great for your immune system, and a strong immune system wards off illnesses that can trigger asthma attacks.
If you have asthma, get a dehumidifier for your home. Though you may not be aware of it, high levels of humidity in indoor spaces can increase dust mites, which then can affect asthma. A dehumidifying device reduces the moisture in the air.
When you are traveling, be sure to carry your rescue inhaler with you at all times. Traveling can be somewhat stressful and put added strain your body, which might make you more likely to respond to asthma triggers by having an attack. Traveling can make asthma symptoms worse, and it is difficult, nearly impossible to control environmental triggers during travel.
Keep all your regularly scheduled asthma appointments, regardless of how you are feeling. 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.
Some of the most notorious causes of asthma attacks exist in normal households. These culprits include dust, spores and mold. Have your home inspected for and cleaned of these things to reduce the occurrence of asthma attacks. In addition, regularly cleaning the home can stop these things from building up.
Regular Medication
During the months that are colder, wear a shawl, muffler or scarf that will cover your nose and mouth to help you avoid asthma attacks. You can help warm the air with these things before they bring any harm to your lungs. Cool air has been known to trigger an asthma attack, particularly in very young children who have severe or moderate asthma.
You need to know how to properly use asthma medications that are prescribed to you, especially your rescue medication, so that you are prepared if you need to use it during an emergency. Asthma is typically treated with a regular medication supplemented by rescue medicine, such as an inhaler. Because asthma does not get cured, those afflicted with it must continue to take their regular medication and use their rescue inhaler when needed.
Know how to properly use asthma medicine, especially your rescue medication. Asthma is usually treated on two fronts. One is a standard medication, taken daily, and the other is an inhaler, intended for use in an emergency. Asthma lasts a lifetime, so you must manage your treatment and lifestyle to ensure you’re taking the best care of yourself.
Asthma is a health condition that usually develops over a period of time, and has symptoms that may not be obvious. There have even been cases where people die from the first asthma attack they had, without knowing they had the condition. So, if you have difficulty breathing or a cough that doesn’t go away, see a doctor to figure out whether you suffer from asthma and to determine whether you will be needing medication to prevent or treat the condition.
If you are flying with your asthma medications, especially a large piece of equipment such as a nebulizer, be sure to bring along a written prescription from your doctor. Without a written prescription stating that the item is medically necessary, you may experience frustration and delays at security checkpoints.
Avoid smoking. 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.
Bed linens can collect dust, pollen and other allergens, all of which can further aggravate asthma. These threats can be reduced or even eliminated by keeping your bed linens laundered every week using hot water. These fresh bed linens will let you breathe easier when sleeping.
If you are having an asthma attack, it is crucial that you remain calm. Grab your inhaler and use it, then wait to see if it helps. If not, then use it again in thirty seconds. If this does not lessen the attack, get help quickly. Gesture to someone to call 911 if you can’t speak, or have them drive you to the nearest hospital. Grab a paper bag and breathe inside it, as that can help to slow down your breathing.
Smoking cigarettes is not a choice that should be made. A lot of people know smoking is bad, but with asthma, it can be even worse. Asthmatics have sensitive lungs and tobacco smoke is very, very irritating. Smoke is so bad, that asthmatics should never allow themselves to be in the same vicinity as someone who is smoking.
If you suffer from asthma, it is imperative that you know how to correctly use your inhaler. It’s not enough to spray a little into your mouth and breathe softly. Make sure when you spray your inhaler that you take in deep breaths for short periods of time. Failure to properly use your inhaler can lead to deadly effect.
If the pollen count is rising, stay indoors when possible. While asthma isn’t an allergy, many allergy irritants can affect it. Air quality levels for specific pollutants are now readily available and it is possible to use this information to limit exposure on high level days.
If you find you need your inhaler too often, more than two times a week, talk to your doctor about changing your prescription. Frequent asthma attacks indicate that your inhaled medication isn’t keeping your asthma under control. This same advice also goes for those who must refill their inhalers more frequently than every six months.
It is important to keep away from humidifiers that have not been sanitized if you suffer from asthma or allergies. Bacteria breeds in moist environments and can build up in dirty machines, pumping allergens into the air.
Now that you know the basic treatment options for asthma, you can either ask your doctor about them yourself or support a loved one in his or her search for effective treatment. Whether this advice will be applied to you or to someone you care for, take comfort in the fact that despite being diagnosed with asthma there are many treatments available to help lead a normal and fulfilling life.
If you have asthma, schedule checkups ever few months with your doctor to stay on top of your condition. Your physician can assess if there’s been any changes in your condition, and adjust your treatment plan accordingly. You are responsible to schedule these appointments so you can stay healthy.