As hard as living with asthma is, there are ways to manage your symptoms so you can live a happy and healthy life. With the right information, you can learn to avoid the asthma attacks that interfere with your daily routine. This article will help you get more done and spend less time dealing with asthma attacks.
If you are an asthma sufferer, you need to avoid smoking and exposure to fumes or vapors of any kind. You must abstain from using any tobacco products. Also, when job hunting, you need to take into consideration whether or not you will be exposed to anything detrimental to your condition while on the job.
Prescriptions and over-the-counter medications can actually trigger an asthma attack. Aspirin and some other NSAIDs may do this. The medication you take for high blood pressure can also cause asthma symptoms. Make sure your physician is aware of all of your chronic conditions and any medications you are on so they can treat your asthma appropriately.
If you are asthmatic, you absolutely must not subject yourself to any form of cigarette smoke. Smoking isn’t good for anyone, but it’s worse for those with asthma. It cuts off the oxygen supply that your lungs need to function properly to keep away the asthma attacks.
Make sure that everyone in your family gets their flu shot. Try to avoid getting any respiratory infections if you have asthma. This means taking every precaution possible, do things like getting vaccinated to prevent sickness to hand washing on a regular basis.
You should stay away from anything you might believe which can trigger an asthma attack. This could be something you’re allergic to like pollen or dust. While in other people, all it takes is physical activity and an attack can trigger. Try and figure out what gets your asthma started so you know what to avoid.
If you are using a lot of different cleaners around your house you can trigger a asthma attack. Opt for organic cleaning products that do not contain irritating chemicals.
There are medications that can unknowingly cause asthma-like symptoms. Aspirin is an example of a widely used medicine that can cause asthma problems. You can also use medications that can control high blood pressure and heart disease, things like beta blockers. If you suffer from asthma, be sure that your medical professional is aware of this.
While everyone appreciates the look and feel of a clean house, asthma sufferers in particular benefit from a healthy environment as it can decrease the risk of asthma attacks, especially in a sleeping area. Only allow food in the kitchen, and never smoke indoors. When cleaning your home, try not to use products that contain harsh chemicals, such as bleach. You should also allow fresh air to thoroughly circulate throughout your home after you’re done cleaning it.
Asthma is a continuous disease that needs ongoing management. 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. Your physician and allergist are the ones to approach with any questions you have about this disease and its treatment.
When dealing with hay fever or a cold, you will notice an increase in your asthma symptoms. Some illnesses create issues that make it necessary to increase medication temporarily. Your doctor might add additional medication until your sickness gets better.
If you find yourself having a mild asthma attack, force the air from your lungs until they are empty. Force air out of your lungs with quick, powerful exhalations. This will force the air from your lungs. Inhale for three quick breaths, and then take one deep breath so that you can allow your lungs to fill with air, and then force the air out again. This gives your breathing a rhythm and makes you focus on your breathing. It also voids your lungs of old air so that new air can enter. You may cough or generate sputum, this is okay, your main goal is to get your breathing back on track again.
Sleep with a feather-less pillow if you have asthma. Feathers can have a negative effect on the lungs and can worsen asthma symptoms. Your other bedding, such as sheets, blankets and comforters, should be hypoallergenic, too.
Having a fast acting inhaler is vital to save asthmatics from experiencing severe symptoms. Talk to your physician and find out if a leukotriene inhibitor would be right for you. These medications prevent the production of leukotrienes. Leukotriene is a substance that can bring about inflammation, resulting in an asthma attack. When used properly, an inhibitor can help reduce symptoms and prevent attacks.
Keep all your doctors appointments even if your asthma symptoms aren’t bothering you. You can not predict when an attack might hit you, or if your doctor has found a different medication that is safer and will help your symptoms more.
Know how to use your inhaler correctly. An inhaler is most effective if used in a relaxed location and according to the maker’s instructions. The inhaler can only help you if the medication actually reaches the lungs. Make sure that you spray the required dosage directly into your mouth, inhaling the medication into your lungs. Then hold it and try not to breathe for a minimum of 10 seconds. This will give enough time for the medication to properly fill out your lungs.
Humidity in the home can create an environment that is ideal for mold and mildew to grow. Mold and mildew can easily cause severe asthma attacks. You should do your best to maintain a dry home. 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.
Though it is easy to postpone or avoid, get those annual flu vaccinations. Asthma patients should try their best to avoid getting respiratory infections. To do this you must take extra precautions against getting sick, like washing your hands often and getting vaccinated every year.
Asthma Attacks
If you are an asthma sufferer, be sure to get the recommended daily dose of Vitamins C and E. These vitamins aid in improving the function of the lungs and controlling the symptoms of asthma. You can get these vitamins from food or take a supplement. The vitamins work to strengthen your immunities, thereby warding off sicknesses that tend to exacerbate asthma.
Avoid cold-induced asthma attacks by protecting your mouth and nose with a scarf. This way, the air will be warm before entering your lungs. Studies have consistently shown that cold air can cause your throat and lungs to constrict, triggering asthma attacks. Children are especially susceptible to cold-induced asthma.
You might want to purchase a dehumidifier to use at home if you have asthma. By decreasing the humidity you have in your home, it will decrease the dust mites, which will then decrease your asthma from flaring up. Dehumidifiers reduce humidity and keep the air in your home dry.
Be sure you understand how to use the medication you’re given for asthma properly, especially your rescue medication. A typical asthma treatment plan is daily medication backed up with an emergency inhaler. Because asthma has no cure, you must treat it carefully by taking your maintenance medication every day and using your emergency medication responsibly.
If you use any more than four kinds of cleaning product around your home, then the risk of an asthma attack is increased. Organic cleaners are also a safer choice since they contain fewer chemical irritants.
Monitor how often, per week, you find it necessary to use your inhaler. You should not have to rely on a rescue inhaler more than twice per week. If you find yourself needing it more often, it could be a sign that your asthma is not being controlled well or that there is a new environmental factor causing attacks more frequently. You can use your frequency of inhaler use to gauge the effectiveness of your asthma treatment plan and make modifications when necessary.
If you’ve got asthma, don’t smoke or be near smokers. When tobacco smoke is inhaled, especially in closed-in areas, your lung function can be drastically decreased, which can increase your chances of suffering from an attack.
If you are suffering from an asthma attack, try to remain calm and do not panic. You should immediately use your inhaler and use the inhaler again 30 seconds later. Seek help if your attack gets worse. Call an ambulance or have someone present drive you to the nearest hospital. To slow down your breathing along the way, breathe into a paper bag.
It is important to know the proper way to use asthma medication, especially the medication that is used in an emergency. Asthma is typically treated with a regular medication supplemented by rescue medicine, such as an inhaler. It’s crucial that medication for management of asthma is taken regularly, and that rescue medication is also used when appropriate.
In conclusion, there are plenty of things you can do to prevent asthma from disturbing your life. Asthma does not have to be a death sentence, so if you can make a plan on how to live with asthma, you will have a much more fulfilling life.
Asthma generally develops over a period of time, and the symptoms are not always obvious. There are lots of cases where people die of an asthma attack without knowing they had asthma. 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.