Asthma is a dangerous medical condition that can affect all people, no matter what their age. In addition to seeing the proper medical professionals, you should always be vigilant about noticing triggers that could make your symptoms worse. This article contains a number of simple suggestions for improving your asthma, managing it well, and lowering the chance of an attack.
Avoid those things that you know can trigger your asthma. Certain asthma sufferers experience attacks when they around around allergy triggers, such as dust or pollen. For others, physical activities can cause them. Determine what your trigger is so you can easily avoid an attack.
Some asthmas are specific to certain triggers, so identify what kind you have. You can learn to combat the life changing effects of asthma by understanding your specific type. If you have exercised-induced asthma, for example, you’ll want to bring your inhaler with you to the gym or other locations where you might be involved in physical activity. When you know what triggers your asthma, you will be more prepared to stop attacks before they begin.
There are some medications that may contribute to asthma symptoms. Some over the counter medications can irritate your asthma. This can also be caused by beta blockers, like medications that are used in managing high blood pressure or heart problems. If you suffer from asthma, be sure that your medical professional is aware of this.
Cleaning Products
If you have asthma, you need to avoid any kind of tobacco smoke. Asthmatics should also never smoke. Don’t breathe vapor or chemical fumes. This can set off an Asthma attack that you might not be able to stop. If you find yourself in a situation where you are around smokers, remove yourself as quickly as possible.
Asthma can cause increased sensitivity to the ingredients contained in many cleaning products. It is very possible that one might bring on an asthma attack with some chemicals used for cleaning. While anyone responsible for cleaning their home can’t avoid cleaning products altogether, it’s best to only use natural products.
If you are an asthma sufferer and are denied health insurance, talk to a social worker. Social workers are trained to help people find resources for affording health care, particularly on debilitating conditions such as asthma.
Be aware of certain medications that can lead to asthma problems. Some anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, can flare up asthma symptoms. Beta blockers, such as those used to control high blood pressure or heart disease may also have this effect. Talk to a doctor if you have any of these conditions along with asthma.
Get annual flu vaccinations for your entire family. When you are afflicted with asthma, steer as clear as you can of all types of respiratory infections. To do this you must take extra precautions against getting sick, like washing your hands often and getting vaccinated every year.
If you are an asthmatic who also has allergies, injected allergy medication may be just the thing you need to get relief. An antibody medicine under the name Omalizumab can be used to reduce these symptoms caused by allergies and might be prescribed by your allergist.
IF you have asthma, you should consider buying a dehumidifier. Lowering humidity will reduce the amount of dust mites in your home, and help your asthma improve. A dehumidifying device reduces the moisture in the air.
Use your inhaler as directed. Find a quiet secluded area so that you can calmly take the inhaler as directed by the instructions from the manufacturer. The inhaler can only help you if the medication actually reaches the lungs. While inhaling, spray the dosage in your mouth. You should keep your breath held for 10 seconds at a minimum to let the medicated mist fill up your lungs.
Stay away from cigarette smoke, even if it’s secondhand. 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.
Immune System
Try to keep your home as clean as possible, especially the bedroom of the asthma sufferer, to reduce the risk of an asthma attack. Food should be restricted to the kitchen, and smoking inside the home should never be permitted. Bypass chemicals when cleaning your home if at all possible, and be sure to open doors and windows afterwards.
If you are dealing with asthma, make sure you take lots of Vitamins E and C. They are believed to aid respiratory function and to be instrumental in keeping your asthma in check. Many foods have these vitamins in abundance, but you can also use a supplemental pill. These vitamins are great for your immune system, and a strong immune system wards off illnesses that can trigger asthma attacks.
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 usually treated by using a regular medicine supplemented with a rescue medicine, like an inhaler. Asthma doesn’t go away, so it’s important to be vigilant about taking your daily medication and using your rescue inhaler when an attack occurs.
To lower the chances of an asthma attack, keep your house as clean as can be, especially the bedroom. Food should only be eaten in the kitchen area, and whatever you do, please don’t smoke. After you clean, let the house air out completely, and stay away from using any harsh chemicals (especially bleach) inside.
You should track how often, in a week’s time, you require the use of a rescue inhaler. If you use it more than two times, your asthma might not be well-controlled or you may have unusual occurrences causing those frequent attacks. You can use your frequency of inhaler use to gauge the effectiveness of your asthma treatment plan and make modifications when necessary.
If you’re suffering from a cold or allergies, you should talk to your doctor about taking additional asthma medication. Many illnesses have side effects that could cause your asthma to flare up so badly that you need to have an increase in treatment. Your physician may even recommend that you take additional medication until you recover.
When housecleaning, it is better to clean your floors with a damp mop than sweeping them with a broom. Sweeping stirs up dust and other things that can trigger your asthma. Using a damp rag instead of a feather duster when you dust will lessen the spread of these triggers.
You should know what triggers your asthma attacks; this will allow you to either avoid them or be ready to manage the symptoms. Common triggers among asthma sufferers are smoke, pollen, or pet dander. Whenever you can, avoid the things that trigger your asthma.
Bed linens are a magnet for nasty allergens and asthma triggers, including dust and pollen. You can eliminate or reduce these inducers by washing your pillowcases and sheets weekly in hot water. Fresh bed linens, washed regularly, will ensure that you can breathe a little easier while you sleep.
You must have regular asthma reviews, even if you are not having any problems. You can never tell when an attack will strike, or when your physician may have some better or safer advice for you to follow.
Asthmatics should avoid smoking tobacco products whenever possible. Most people know that smoking is dangerous, but if you have asthma there are more serious consequences. Smoke irritates the lungs of an asthma sufferer, so avoid the presence of people who smoke if you have asthma.
Asthma takes a long time to develop and doesn’t yield obvious symptoms. In a lot of cases, people die from an asthma attack because they didn’t know they had the condition. Always consult with a doctor to see if a persistent cough or difficulty breathing is a sign that you require treatment for asthma. There may even be things you can do to prevent it from getting worse.
If you are suffering from an asthma attack, try to remain calm and do not panic. Immediately use your asthma inhaler, rest for 30 seconds, then use it once more. If this does not lessen the attack, get help quickly. Call an ambulance or have someone present drive you to the nearest hospital. Try to breathe into a paper bag so that you can calm your breathing when you’re on the way.
When you clean your floors, do so with a wet mop instead of a broom. Sweeping can trigger an asthma attack due to the copious clouds of minute asthma-triggering particles it kicks up. A damp rag should be used when dusting because a feather duster can cause dust to kick up and lead to an asthma attack.
If you suffer from asthma, it is imperative that you know how to correctly use your inhaler. Simply spraying it and then inhaling in a shallow manner will negate the inhaler’s benefits. Every time you use your inhaler, be sure to breathe deeply and slowly. Using the inhaler in a proper manner can make all the difference for those who deal with asthma.
Dust and other allergens often accumulate in bed sheets. You can cut down on these irritants or eliminate them altogether by washing your bedding and pillow cases in very hot water once a week. Fresh bed linens, laundered on a regular basis, will keep you breathing clearly and easily at night while you slumber.
Have your asthma situation checked out by a doctor every so often, so that you are not blindsided by changes in your condition. Your doctor needs to be able to evaluate your current situation and make any necessary changes. It is important that you keep these appointments so that your doctor is able to keep you healthy.
Learn as much as you can about asthma. The more educated you are about your asthma, the more proactive you can be about your treatment. Keep up with trends and new treatment methods, and ensure that the medical professionals on your team are working hard to help you. The only way for you gain this knowledge would be to learn what your type of condition is and the treatment options.
Try to consume foods that are rich in B6 vitamins. In many studies, it has been shown that vitamin B6 (which is also called pyridoxine) decreases the intensity and frequency of asthma attacks. It does this by producing molecules to relax your bronchial tissue. You can find good reserves of vitamin B6 in bananas.
Follow up with your doctor three or four times a year to manage your asthma. This will give your doctor a chance to assess your current asthma condition, and make any needed adjustments to your medication. You are the one who needs to make sure that these appointments happen to stay healthy.
Remain watchful toward allergy attacks and change your medication if you experience more than two attacks per week. Most health professionals agree that having attacks more than twice a week is both dangerous and avoidable.
You do not want to take asthma lightly. Asthma attacks can kill you, so you should always take the necessary measures to ensure you are safe from worse problems. Always have an emergency inhaler on you at all times, and try decreasing the number of allergens and airborne dust in your home. Follow the tips you’ve gleaned from this article, and you should be better equipped to control your asthma.
You can help slow down an asthma attack by drinking the equivalent of two Coca Colas worth of caffeine. Only use this as an emergency measure if your asthma inhaler is not close by during an attack. It’s best to use a fast acting inhaler to end your asthma attack but caffeine can relieve asthma symptoms until you are able to get to your inhaler. The caffeine in these foods can constrict blood vessels, allowing your airways to open.