Living through a bout of asthma is quite unsettling, as is the knowledge that the disease will never entirely go away. Luckily, there are many things that you can do to make living with your asthma easier. Read further to learn some helpful ways to cope with asthma.
Smoking should never be done around children, especially a child who suffers from asthma. Secondhand smoke is a huge health risk and directly plays a role in why people develop asthma. You should take care to also make sure your child does not get exposed to other environments where people might be smoking.
Avoid anything that could trigger your asthma. This can vary from person to person, as small particles like dust can cause asthma attacks. Or, you may need to avoid certain activities that overexert your body. Try to see what cause your asthma so that you can avoid it.
Avoid anything that could trigger your asthma. Allergens such as dust and pollen can bring on an asthma attack at any time. For others, physical activity can irritate them. Try and figure out what gets your asthma started so you know what to avoid.
There are some common medications that you could be using that will cause asthma symptoms. Some over the counter medications can irritate your asthma. Beta blockers can also have this affect, as well as other medications for controlling high blood pressure and heart disease. It is important to talk openly with your doctor about your asthma so that you do not take any medications that could be harmful to you.
If you’re suffering from an asthma attack that’s moderate or mild, then work to force all the air you can from your lungs. Exhale as fast and hard as you can. Expel the air in your lungs with great force! Breathe in by taking three quick breaths, followed by one very deep breath. Doing this will fill your lungs completely, and allow you to expel the air forcefully again. Breathing in this rhythmic manner helps you to concentrate on the breaths you’re taking. When air is forcefully exhaled, it allows a fresh intake of air to fill your lungs. If you cough up mucus, don’t worry – just get the breathing back to normal.
Chemical Fumes
If you are someone who suffers from asthma, stay away from all types of cigarette smoke. This cannot be emphasized enough: Stay away from cigarette smoke! Avoid vapors and chemical fumes from cigarettes. Doing so can cause an asthma attack you might not have the ability to stop. If you are around people who smoke, leave the area very fast.
Be sure to avoid cigarette smoke if you have asthma. Refrain from smoking! Avoid exposure to chemical fumes or vapors. This could trigger a serious asthma attack, and you may have trouble preventing it from happening. Do everything you can to avoid cigarette smoke, air pollution, allergens and harsh chemical fumes to keep your asthma symptoms under control.
Consider getting allergy shots if you have asthma that is caused by allergies that aren’t under control. Omalizumab, an antibody medicine, might be suggested by an allergist and controls allergic reactions.
Dust will make you have an attack, so keep the air calm in dirty rooms. Turning on a fan is going to cause the dust to leave its surface and begin filling the air of your environment. If you need airflow, simply opening a window would be better.
Leukotriene inhibitors may be helpful to you if you suffer from asthma. A leukotriene inhibitor stops the release of a chemical that causes the inflammation that is responsible for some asthma attacks. Leukotrienes has a hand in causing swelling and inflammation in your lungs, and may trigger a asthma attack. If you get a leukotriene inhibitor, it can get rid of them in the air and help you with asthma symptoms.
Talk to a social worker if you’re not eligible for any health insurance and you’re an asthma sufferer. Asthma medications are a necessity, and a social worker can help you find an affordable way to keep your prescriptions current.
Vitamins E and C are beneficial to anyone with asthma. It is widely believed that these vitamins can help control asthma symptoms by improving lung function. You can gain vitamins from supplements or the old fashioned way, from food! Vitamins C and E are necessary for a healthy immune system. If your immune system isn’t healthy, it won’t be able to fight off illnesses that cause asthma attacks.
If you have asthma, a dehumidifier is something you should consider purchasing for you home. Lowering humidity will reduce the amount of dust mites in your home, and help your asthma improve. Dehumidifiers eliminate your home’s humidity, leaving dry air.
If you have asthma, try to avoid smokers, even if you do not smoke. 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.
Using more than four different types of cleaning products in your home has been shown to increase the risk of an asthma attack. Choose instead organic products that are not filled with harmful chemicals.
Make sure to examine what it is that causes your asthma attacks in order to best avoid having to deal with them. If you have asthma, it’s most likely triggered by things such as being around animals or pollen. Most asthmatics also can’t tolerate smoke. When possible, stay away from these triggers that cause symptoms or ultimately, full-blown attacks.
People who have asthma should stick to using unscented products. Using products with scents, like perfume, incense and air fresheners, boosts the amount of air pollution indoors and can bring on an attack. Freshly painted walls and brand-new carpet can also give off odors that cause irritation to airways. Try to maintain fresh air inside your home.
Avoid cold-induced asthma attacks by protecting your mouth and nose with a scarf. You can help warm the air with these things before they bring any harm to 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.
Pay attention to your symptom triggers. The more aware of your triggers you become, the easier it will be to avoid them and reduce the number of attacks you suffer. Asthma sufferers generally have different triggers in common like pollen, pet dander and smoke. Avoid these things when you can to breathe easier.
For asthma sufferers having contact with pets or other animals need to be minimized. Many people with asthma also suffer from allergies to animal dander. Even without a specific allergy, asthma attacks can be triggered by the dust and dander in the air caused by the presence of an animal.
Avoid using a feather or down pillow if you have asthma. The feathers contained in the pillow could trigger the symptoms related to asthma and it could prevent your lungs from functioning efficiently. The same reasoning applies to all bedding – only purchase bed sheets and comforters that are manufactured from hypoallergenic materials.
Get a second opinion. Of course your regular doctor will be the one you go to for help with your asthma, but you should also see a specialist. There are a number of different approaches used to treat asthma. See what a pulmonololist, an allergist or a nutritionist has to say about your asthma problems.
Even if you seem to be fine, see your doctor regularly for your asthma checkups. Asthma can flare-up at any time, and you never know, perhaps your doctor has safer or better medications which can help your symptoms.
If you have allergies and asthma, you need to avoid using a humidifier or a vaporizer unless it has been thoroughly cleaned. Bacteria can breed inside of the machine due to the moisture, which can exaggerate your allergies or asthma.
Look into becoming a part of a support group. There are many to choose from both online and offline. If you have asthma, it can stop you from participating in basic activities like sports, especially if the condition is severe. Furthermore, these groups will keep you informed about any changes in medicines or any other scientific discoveries that are relevant.
Talk to your doctor about adjusting your medication if you find yourself using the inhaler 3 or more times per week. If you need to use your inhaler that often, the medicine in it isn’t working as well as it should. Similarly, if you need to purchase refill inhalers more than twice a year, your medication is ineffective.
Do not allow mold or mildew to grow in your home, because they can be extremely dangerous for asthma sufferers. These things can trigger asthma attacks very easily. Therefore, you should always strive to maintain a dry home. One way to control the humidity in the house is to employ a dehumidifier to pull out the excess moisture.
Have your asthma situation checked out by a doctor every so often, so that you are not blindsided by changes in your condition. Your physician can assess if there’s been any changes in your condition, and adjust your treatment plan accordingly. It is your responsibility to make sure you make these appointments with your doctor so that he can follow up with you and keep you healthy.
Instead of sweeping your floors with a broom, it is preferable to clean using a wet mop. 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.
Speaking to your peers, who also suffer from asthma, can be an eye-opening and life-changing experience. Your support group can give you some suggestions on how deal with certain situations, and help you to fight your asthma. You need a strong support system!
When preventing asthma, stay away from smoke. Smoke is one of the primary triggers of asthma. Avoid smoke of any kind, including cigarette smoke, if you’ve got asthma. Exposing yourself to these pollutants can have a significant effect on your asthma symptoms. If you live with or near a smoker, find a way to politely ask that they not smoke around you or your living spaces.
If you get at least two attacks a week, it might be time to try a different medication. Doctors agree that having more than two attacks a week can be dangerous.
For people with serious asthma, exposure to household pets should be limited. Even if they are not allergic to the animals, the pollen and dust that animals attract can trigger an asthma attack.
If an asthma attack occurs, and you do not have your controller medications with you, try to ingest something that contains caffeine. Many people have found that consuming black tea, coffee or chocolate may lessen the effects of an attack. Caffeine closes the blood vessels, which makes it easier for you to breathe.
If you are an asthma sufferer you need to understand how to make your life easier. The more information that you can obtain about asthma, the less burdensome it is. Luckily, we have gained some knowledge about asthma. The advice in this article will help you to have a better life.
Watch your children closely for allergic reactions when they are eating new foods. If any of your kids break out into hives, or seem to have difficulty breathing after eating a certain food, schedule allergy testing for them. Food allergies are often a sign that a child may develop asthma.