Are you a privileged member of the group of millions who suffer the challenges of asthma every day? The article below contains simple tips to help you manage your asthma symptoms.
You should not smoke or be anywhere near smoke if you suffer from asthma. You should avoid all tobacco products. You also need to consider where you see employment. If you have asthma, you should not work in areas where you will be exposed to smoke or vapors as they could cause you to have an asthma attack.
Avoid harsh cleaning chemicals if you are an asthma sufferer. Cleaning products may contain chemicals which can trigger an asthmatic episode, such as ammonia. If you must do the cleaning in your home, opt for natural products with lower chemical content.
Anyone suffering from asthma or asthma-like symptoms needs to stay clear of cigarette smoke, whether you smoke yourself, or even if you’re breathing secondhand smoke. Asthmatics should also never smoke. Avoid breathing in the vapors and any other types of chemical fumes. Chemical fumes will trigger asthma attacks that you won’t be able to put an end to. You should give up on the smokes if you have asthma and also make sure to avoid other people who are smoking.
Avoid exposing yourself to any of your known asthma triggers. Perhaps you have allergies or are sensitive to dust and pollen. Some people get attacks after being physically active. Look for the trigger points in your life, so you can work around them.
If you’re in a dustier room, avoid turning on a fan. An asthma attack can be easily triggered by the moving dust. If possible, open a window to increase the flow of air into the room.
Common Medications
If you have asthma and suffer persistent attacks caused by allergy symptoms, an injectable medicine can be administered for extended relief. An antibody medicine known as omalizumab is very effective at countering asthma attacks related to allergies. Ask your allergist about it.
There are some common medications that you could be using that will cause asthma symptoms. Some NSAIDs and aspirins will do this for you. Common medications used for controlling high blood pressure often times contain beta blockers, which asthmatics may be more sensitive to. If you suffer from any of these conditions along with your asthma, make sure you tell your doctor.
Be sure you and your family members get a yearly flu vaccination. Asthma sufferers need to be careful and guard against any upper-resperatory illnesses. You can start by taking simple precautions, such as washing your hands and getting proper vaccinations when due.
If the room you are in appears to be dusty, refrain from turning on any fans. Otherwise, the dust will fly into the air and could give you an attack. On smog-free, low pollen days, open your windows to improve airflow in the house.
If you suffer from asthma, it is best to buy unscented products. Simple everyday things such as air fresheners, incense and perfume can cause indoor air pollution levels to increase and trigger an attack. Fresh paint and new carpeting also give off odors that may aggravate the airways. Try keeping the air indoors as fresh as it can be.
Think about getting a home dehumidifier if you have asthma. Though you may not be aware of it, high levels of humidity in indoor spaces can increase dust mites, which then can affect asthma. Dehumidifiers keep your home dry by keeping the humidity out.
Be aware that your asthma medication may need to be adjusted if you are suffering from a cold, flu or hay fever. Adjusting your medication may be necessary to manage the symptoms of these and other illnesses. It is possible your doctor will want to add additional therapies to your treatment program until you are back on your feet.
Lower the chances of asthma attacks by keeping a spotless home, particularly in the areas where you sleep. Food should be restricted to the kitchen, and smoking inside the home should never be permitted. Don’t use bleach or harsh chemicals inside, and air out the house as much as possible after cleaning.
A yearly flu shot is necessary if you suffer from asthma. Regular vaccinations will help you and your children to avoid lung infections.
Many of the biggest triggers for asthma can, and do, exist in your home. These can include dust, mold and spores. An annual visit by a professional inspector can help keep your home free from these agents, and reduce the likelihood of an attack. Cleaning your house on a regular basis is one way to keep these substances from accumulating.
Attend your regular asthma checkups, even if things seem to be going well. Medical science is constantly evolving, so the doctor might know about a new treatment for you. Besides, you can never be sure when another attack might come on, so it’s better to be checked out.
The more humid your home is, the easier it is for mildew and mold to grow. You can get asthma attacks because of these substances. Keeping a home dry and mold-free is important. During winter time, use a dehumidifier if necessary to control humidity while running your heater, and use your air conditioner during summer months to keep air dry.
A handful of primary initiators of asthma, and its attack triggers, lie right in your residence. Some triggers include spores, dust and mold. To lessen the risk of an asthma attack and to stay healthy, have your house inspected every year by an inspector, and remove those agents when they have been identified. Keep your house clean to keep these asthma triggers out of your home.
Asthma Attacks
Know the right way to use any asthma medication you are taking, in particular your rescue medication. Most people treat their asthma with regular daily medication, and carry supplemental emergency medication in the form of a rescue inhaler. It’s crucial that medication for management of asthma is taken regularly, and that rescue medication is also used when appropriate.
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. This way, the air will be warm before entering your lungs. Breathing in the cold air has been shown to trigger asthma attacks, especially in younger children with moderate to severe asthma.
Asthma isn’t often something that pops up over night, but instead takes time to develop and the symptoms are slowly noticeable. Some people have even died from having an asthma attack, and they didn’t even know they had asthma. So, if you have a lingering cough or instances of troubled breathing, you should see a doctor to see if you might have asthma and determine whether you may need medication to either prevent or treat asthma.
A lot of times asthma will develop over time, and has symptoms that aren’t always obvious. Sometimes, a person can die from their first asthma attack without actually knowing they had the disease to begin with! If you have any trouble catching your breath or a cough that won’t go away, consider talking to your doctor to make sure that you aren’t afflicted with asthma. If you are, you’ll need to keep an inhaler with you at all times and possible take other medications.
If you are taking your prescriptions with you on a flight, make sure to take your prescription. If you have the proof that this is a medical necessity, it can cause less hassles during the security check.
A lot of helpful advice about controlling asthma was covered in this article. The most important step is to take this advice and use it. Asthma symptoms won’t be gone for long if you neglect any warning signs for even a brief time. Make sure that you’re always using accurate information, like the ones above to help keep your asthma under control.
Although it is wise to use your inhaler as needed, be aware that the medication itself may cause problems with gums and teeth. To prevent these issues, brush and use mouthwash immediately after inhaler usage.