Asthma can be a frightening thing to go through, whether you are suffering from it or it is someone you love. It is important to be knowledgeable about asthma and the symptoms associated with it so you can better manage the effects. These tips should be helpful to you in figuring out what to expect from your asthma and when.
It is important that you try to stay clear of cleaning products if you have asthma. The complex list of ingredients on many cleaning products makes it difficult know which ones have the chemical compounds that might aggravate asthma symptoms or even initiate an attack. If you do the cleaning in your house, use natural solutions that are safer for you to breath in.
If you are an asthma sufferer, you need to avoid smoking and exposure to fumes or vapors of any kind. Stay far away from any tobacco products. You should also consider where you work, as factories may expose you to harmful vapors or smoke.
Cigarette smoke and asthma do not mix. Smoking is especially dangerous for asthmatics. Do not breathe in the vapors or any other chemical fumes. Doing so can cause an asthma attack you might not have the ability to stop. Leave a room if people smoke, or ask them to stop.
Exhale as hard as you can during an asthma attack. If you can’t breathe at all, go to the hospital; however, controlling your exhalation rate can sometimes help stop a less severe attack. Exhale quickly and hard. Truly pump all air from your lungs! Do your inhalations in triple bursts of short breaths, and then follow with final deep inhalation so that you fill your lungs comfortably, before exhaling with vehemence once more. Doing this means breathing in a conscious rhythm that makes you mindful of your breathing. It will also empty your lungs of air, so that they’re ready to take in new, fresh air. You might cough or produce sputum, but that is fine; you are trying to get breathing under control again.
If you’re in a room that has a lot of dust in it, don’t turn on a fan. While it may seem smart to get the air circulating, in reality this will only stir up the dust, making it easier to inhale and trigger an attack. The better way would be to open a window to increase the airflow in the room.
If you have asthma, a dehumidifier is something you should consider purchasing for you home. When you use a dehumidifier, it will reduce the amount of dust mites. This will reduce asthma attacks. Air is kept dry by dehumidifiers by sucking the humidity out of it.
If you suffer from asthma, and have many attacks that are related to your allergy symptoms, there is a medication that is injected and provides long term effects. There are antibody medications used to control allergic reactions that come recommended by allergists.
Cleaning Products
Talk to a social worker if you’re not eligible for any health insurance and you’re an asthma sufferer. A social worker can possibly help you with finding treatment and low-cost medications.
Using more than four different types of cleaning products in your home has been shown to increase the risk of an asthma attack. Opt for organic cleaning products that do not contain irritating chemicals.
Asthmatics should avoid being exposed to smoke, regardless if you are a smoker. 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.
It is best to use products that are unscented in the home with someone who is asthmatic. Products with fragrance, such as perfumes, colognes, and air fresheners, introduce irritants into the air around you and can cause asthma attacks. Freshly painted walls and brand-new carpet can also give off odors that cause irritation to airways. Keep your indoor air as clean as you can.
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. Common asthma triggers include pollen, smoke or dander. Try to avoid the things that make your asthma flare up.
Make sure that your rescue medication is at hand at all times during your travels. It’s easy to get thrown off your regular eating and sleeping routine while traveling, which strains your body and increases your vulnerability to asthma attack triggers. While on the road, it is also hard to control the environment you are in, which also makes an attack more likely.
It is crucial that you know how to properly use your asthma treatments, particularly rescue inhalers. Asthma is a condition traditionally treated with a combination of a regular medicine and an emergency medicinal inhaler. Because asthma can be a lifelong issue, it is vital to take both regular and rescue medications according to the instructions.
Support Group
Asthma isn’t often something that pops up over night, but instead takes time to develop and the symptoms are slowly noticeable. People can even die from their very first asthma attack as they’re not prepared for it! So, if you are having trouble coughing and breathing, talk to a doctor to see if you need treatment. You might receive a prescription to treat or prevent asthma.
Think about becoming a member of a support group, whether it is online or somewhere local. Asthma, especially severe asthma, can be a debilitating condition and prevent you from participating fully in daily life. On top of that, an asthma support group will keep you apprised of the latest developments in asthma medication and other significant medical breakthroughs.
If you need to travel with your asthma medication, particularly if you plan on bringing a nebulizer or other large equipment, it can be helpful to obtain a letter from your doctor explaining their use. Having written proof that the item in question is in fact medically necessary can cut down on hassles at the security check.
Know how to properly use asthma medicine, especially your rescue medication. Asthma is generally treated with a rescue medication, usually an inhaler, in addition to a regularly-taken maintenance medication. Asthma is an illness that is chronic in nature, so it is imperative to take the management medicine as directed and only using the rescue inhaler when necessary.
For a deeper and more thorough cleaning, mop your floors instead of simply sweeping them. When you sweep, you are stirring up asthma triggers that can cause you to have an asthma attack. In the same vein, choose a damp rag as opposed to a feather duster when dusting, as this prevents dust from flying about.
Monitor how many times, on a weekly basis, you are using your rescue inhaler. If the inhaler is used more than twice, the asthma problems you are suffering from may not be well-managed or something else might be causing additional attacks to come on. The frequency of your inhaler usage should remind you to monitor the environmental conditions around you and other issues relating to the way you manage your asthma.
If you have asthma, don’t smoke. Pretty much everyone is aware that smoking is dangerous, but for people suffering with asthma, it can have devastating effects. A person with asthma has sensitive lungs that can react adversely to smoke, causing an asthmatic attack. So an asthmatic should not even be in a room where other people are smoking.
When cleaning your house, clean floors with a wet mop instead of a broom. Vacuuming or wet-mopping are better than sweeping because they don’t stir up dust and debris that might induce an asthma attack. Use a dampened rag when dusting, instead of a feather duster, so as to prevent stirring up loose dust particles and other asthma triggers.
To improve your asthmatic condition, use a clean humidifier or vaporizer while you sleep. Bacteria can build up in the moisture of these machines, and get relayed into the very environment that you are attempting to make more conducive to your condition.
Visit at least two different doctors. You may use your primary physician for most things, but a specialist can be very helpful as well. Asthma centers, pulmonologists, nutritionists and allergists can all work with you, making sure you are getting all the treatment you need.
Always try your best to remain calm if you begin having an asthma attack. Use the inhaler, wait thirty seconds, and use once more. Seek help if your attack gets worse. Call an ambulance or have someone present drive you to the nearest hospital. Breathing in and out of a paper bag on the way will help slow down your breathing.
When pollen counts are high, people who have asthma should stay inside. While asthma is different than allergies, often the same types of things that bother those with allergies trigger irritation in asthmatics as well. Now there’s information on local air quality available so you can monitor whether you’re going to be exposed to hard to breath air.
If inhaler use happens more than two times in each of your weeks, you must schedule an appointment with your doctor about this and possibly adjust your medication. This level of frequency can mean your medication is ineffective for your needs. If you must refill your inhaler over two times a year, then it’s time to inquire with your doctor about a medication switch as well.
Educate Yourself
If you want to paint something, get a mask to protect yourself from the fumes. Paint chemicals are a powerful irritant that can cause an asthma attack if inhaled without a mask. In fact, you should stay vigilant here and avoid any and all chemicals that may trigger an asthma attack.
Do all you can to educate yourself about asthma. The more you educate yourself about your asthma condition, the more you are able to be proactive about your treatment. Keep up to date on the different treatments and always be sure to have the best possible care for yourself. The best thing to do is learn and research as much as you can about this condition and the treatment options that would be best for you.
Speaking to your peers, who also suffer from asthma, can be an eye-opening and life-changing experience. They can provide you with valuable tips and lessons on how to fight against asthma in many different situations. Gaining support from the people you love and those who care is vital to the process.
There are many things that you need to know about asthma. Our article contains just some of the many helpful ideas available for coping with asthma for yourself, or one you love. Follow all directions given by your doctor and use prescription medications exactly according to the manufacturers instructions. This can reduce asthma’s impact on your life.
Genetics and/or environmental factors can cause asthma. If your family has a history of asthma, pay special attention to any respiratory symptoms that may indicate that you or a family member is developing asthma. Irritants in the environment, including smoke, pollution, dust and mold, can also contribute to asthma development, so you should minimize your family’s exposure to these substances.