Going through an asthma attack is a scary thing, and having to go through life with this condition is a heavy weight upon your shoulders. It is entirely possible to enjoy a full, healthy lifestyle though, as long as you understand how to treat your asthma. Keep reading to learn some specific strategies that can help you live a full life despite your asthma.
If you are an asthmatic, it is vital that you never smoke, and if you already do, you should quit as soon as possible. While smoking is bad for everyone, it’s particularly hard on an asthma sufferer as it restricts oxygen getting to the lungs.
If you are an asthma sufferer, you need to avoid smoking and exposure to fumes or vapors of any kind. This means avoidance of all tobacco products, as well as taking into consideration any smoke or vapors you might be exposed to in a prospective workplace.
Stay away from anything that you are aware of that may trigger your asthma. This can vary from person to person, as small particles like dust can cause asthma attacks. Others may have attacks that are triggered by physical activity. Keep a journal of your attacks so that you can start to learn what your triggers are so that you can prevent flareups before they begin.
A great idea to help your child with asthmatic problems is to avoid smoking in any areas they frequent. One of the biggest reasons people have asthma is secondhand smoke. You should take care to also make sure your child does not get exposed to other environments where people might be smoking.
If you are having an asthma attack (mild or moderate), you need to try to force air out of the lungs. Exhale quickly and hard. Really force that air out of your lungs! Inhale a series of three quick breaths, followed by a deeper one, before exhaling with force again. This will create a rhythm and will help you be aware of the way you are breathing. It also expels air from your lungs so more can enter. You may generate sputum, but the primary goal is to start breathing regularly again.
If you suffer from asthma and you smoke, it’s crucial that you quit. Smoking is a terrible habit but it’s even worse for someone who suffers from asthma as it decreases the amount of oxygen that gets to your lungs.
Make sure you are taking plenty of Vitamins E and C if you suffer from asthma. They help to increase the function of the lungs and control the overall symptoms of asthma. You can gain vitamins from supplements or the old fashioned way, from food! Getting enough vitamins is also a good way to prevent asthma attacks by boosting your immune system.
Cleaning Products
If you have asthma, it might be helpful for you to buy 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.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma, you should avoid cleaning products. The chemicals in these products make you more prone to an asthma attack. If you’re the one who regularly cleans the house, look for natural cleaning products which are much safer to use.
If you are using a lot of different cleaners around your house you can trigger a asthma attack. Choose organic products, and stick to as few products as possible.
Avoid anything that can trigger your asthma. Some people have allergies that cause asthma, and allergens such as dust and pollen can cause an attack. Others may have attacks that are triggered by physical activity. Try to figure out when your asthma began so it can be avoided.
If you have asthma, avoid people who smoke. Tobacco smoke causes your lung function to decrease, increasing the risk of a very severe attack, especially in enclosed rooms without much air flow or ventilation.
Asthma is a continuous disease that needs ongoing management. Be certain that you are prescribed or using the appropriate medicine to manage your daily symptoms, and that you have an emergency medicine readily available in the event of an attack. Discuss treatment strategies with both your primary care physician and your allergist.
When dealing with hay fever or a cold, you will notice an increase in your asthma symptoms. Side effects that are associated with most illnesses can serve as triggers for asthma and may cause an increase in your asthma treatment. Your physician might also add more treatments to your regimen until your asthma is under control again.
If you are suffering from asthma, stay away from any type of cigarette smoke. Don’t smoke! It is also a good idea to stay away from the fumes or vapors from harsh chemicals, such as those used in cleaning. This can cause your asthma to flare up, causing an attack that may be uncontrollable. Leave a room if people smoke, or ask them to stop.
Take notes of what can trigger your asthma attacks so that you can be prepared for a future attack or learn how to avoid them all together. A lot of people who suffer from asthma have the same triggers, pet dander, smoke, or pollen. Whenever possible, avoid those substances that trigger either symptoms or full-blown attacks.
Avoid using a fan in any room that has excessive dust. An asthma attack can be easily triggered by the moving dust. If you wish to have a breeze, open a window instead of running a fan.
Look for a support group, such as an online community or a local group. Extremely severe asthma can be debilitating and prevent one from living a full life. In addition, a community of other asthma sufferers will let you know about changes in medications or other relevant scientific discoveries.
If you suffer from asthma and allergy attacks, ask your doctor for a long-lasting allergy injection. Omalizumab is a mediation that is able to control allergic reaction symptoms.
Be sure you understand how to use your asthma medication, especially emergency medication. Most people treat their asthma with regular daily medication, and carry supplemental emergency medication in the form of a rescue inhaler. Asthma is considered a chronic condition. For this reason, you should take the management of it very seriously.
Social Worker
Asthma isn’t often something that pops up over night, but instead takes time to develop and the symptoms are slowly noticeable. There are some cases reported that were so severe that a person died from one asthma attack when they didn’t even know they were considered at risk. Therefore, if you have trouble breathing or a constant cough, you may want to seek a medical professional to determine if you have asthma. Your physician can also determine whether you need medication for either asthma prevention or asthma treatment.
If you are an asthma sufferer and are denied health insurance, talk to a social worker. Asthma patients need their medications, and a social worker might be able to hook you up with programs to help you such as clinics and programs through pharmaceutical companies.
Bed linens are a magnet for nasty allergens and asthma triggers, including dust and pollen. You could reduce the potential impact of these asthma inducers by cleaning your sheets regularly. These fresh, regularly washed linens can help you breathe easier when sleeping.
If you suffer from asthma, be sure your diet includes lots of Vitamins C and E. Since both of these have been attributed to better function of the lungs, they also help to control the symptoms of asthma. You can get these vitamins from food or take a supplement. 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.
Refrain from smoking. The dangers surrounding smoking are well documented, but for asthma sufferers the issues can be much more serious. Smoke is very irritating to sensitive lungs, so take care not to smoke or be around others who are.
Have your rescue inhaler with you at all times, especially when on vacation. Traveling is hard on your body, opening you up to an asthma attack. You also have little control over your surroundings as you travel, and this may result in an increase in symptoms or frequency of attacks.
Eat more foods that are rich in B6 vitamins. Known as pyridoxine, vitamin B6 has been proven to reduce the intensity and frequency of asthma attacks. Pyridoxine is essential because it produces certain substances that relax bronchial tissues. A banana is a great food that is rich in vitamin B6.
Don’t miss your appointment for an asthma checkup simply because you aren’t currently having any problems with your condition. A new flare-up may be just around the corner, or your doctor may have news of a more effective new medication you can try.
Asthma is caused by environmental factors, genetics, or sometimes both. If a loved one in your household suffers from asthma, be mindful of any signs in others. Asthma sufferers need to be especially careful to avoid smoke, dust mites, extremely high air pollution levels and allergens.
For many people, their homes can be triggering their asthma, or even causing their asthma in the first place. These generally include dust, mold and spores. Have an inspector come visit your house to remove any harmful agents that you have so that you can stay healthy and lower your risk for an asthma attack. Conscientious house-cleaning can help prevent buildup of substances in your home that might trigger an asthma attack.
Over time you should work to strengthen your body and increase the capacity of your lungs. Do not attempt a strenuous workout that will end up triggering an asthma attack.
If you suffer form asthma, it is very important that you understand the best ways to manage it. The frustration of dealing with asthma can be easier if you have the right tips, and know how to manage it. Fortunately, we learn more about asthma treatments every year, and that can help you get on with your life.
If you or another member of in your household is experiencing asthma, see to it that you ban smoking both in your car and inside the house. If there is a smoker present, they should be directed to smoke outside or away from asthma sufferers. Heavy smokers can cause an asthma attack by carrying the smoke smell on their clothes.