Asthma is a dangerous condition that has the potential to seriously affect your life. Take the necessary steps in order to keep your asthma under control. It is much easier to prevent an attack that it is to cure one. This article has some tips and methods that will help you to better manage your asthma.
If you are suffering from asthma, it is essential that you quit smoking cigarettes. Smoking is unhealthy for anyone, but it is especially dangerous for someone with asthma. This is because your lungs and airway are already compromised by your condition.
An important tip to help protect your asthma-afflicted children is to always refrain from smoking around them. Secondhand smoke is one of the leading culprits that causes asthma. Ensure that your child is not around other people that smoke, either.
If you are dealing with asthma, keep far away from cigarette smoke. You should not smoke! 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. If people smoke around you, you should get away form that area.
If you are afflicted with asthma, it is critical that you don’t smoke. Smoking is a bad habit for everyone, but patients that suffer from asthma are negatively affected by smoke as it cuts the oxygen supply off and induces an asthma attack.
Consider getting allergy shots if you have asthma that is caused by allergies that aren’t under control. Omalizumab is an antibody medication that is used to control these allergic reaction symptoms and may be recommended by your allergist.
Never take medications without getting your doctor’s approval so you don’t wind up taking one that has a side effect of exacerbating asthma.. Aspirin and other NSAIDs are known to be asthma triggers. Other medications that may have an effect on the respiratory system include beta blockers used to treat high blood pressure. Make sure you consult with your doctor concerning your asthma and possible drug reactions.
Consider consulting a social worker if your asthma medication is not covered by an insurance policy. Affording asthma medication is important for handling the illness, and social workers can find places the offer the medicine at low costs.
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that requires constant 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. Have a discussion with your doctor or allergist to determine what the best plan for you might be.
Make sure that everyone in your family, including you, gets annual flu shots. If you are afflicted with asthma, avoid getting any infections if possible. It is important to do things like hand washing and receiving proper vaccinations.
If you’re suffering from an asthma attack that’s moderate or mild, then work to force all the air you can from your lungs. Exhale quickly and forcefully. Force all the air out of the lungs! Inhale in three short breaths and one fourth deeper breath so that your lungs are comfortably full of air, then exhale forcefully again. This creates a rhythm to your breathing, making you pay attention to the breaths you take. It will also help to get the air to come out of the lungs so more can come in. You might start coughing, and some sputum may come up, but this is no problem and your focus is to get back into a relaxed, rythmic breathing pattern again.
Think about getting a home dehumidifier 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 to avoid cigarette smoke if you have asthma. Avoid smoking altogether. Avoid all fumes of chemical products or breathing harmful vapors. This can trigger an asthma attack, which may be difficult to stop. If you are around others who are smoking, remove yourself.
Regular flu shots are important if you or one of your children suffer from asthma. This annual flu shot will prevent infectious damage to your lungs.
Make sure you use the inhaler in the proper, prescribed method. Locate a quiet place, and follow the label to a tee. The inhaler is only useful if the medication within it actually gets to your lungs. Inhale air while spraying the necessary amount of medication into your mouth. You should keep your breath held for 10 seconds at a minimum to let the medicated mist fill up your lungs.
If you are asthmatic, it may be a good idea to use a pillow that is not filled with feathers. The feathers contained in these pillows can aggravate asthma symptoms and reduce lung function. Same thing with bedding – purchase sheets and a comforter that are constructed from hypoallergenic materials.
If you are an asthma patient, be sure to stay away from people who smoke, even if you are not a smoker yourself. As soon as you inhale any smoke from tobacco, your lungs become sensitive, which increases your risk of an attack. Just avoid any type of smoke, especially in small areas, and keep your lungs healthy to be safe.
Even if your asthma seems like it is under control, always keep your asthma appointments with the doctor. 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.
Even if you are feeling great, never skip your regular asthma checkup. Asthma can flare-up at any time, and you never know, perhaps your doctor has safer or better medications which can help your symptoms.
You may want to think about joining support groups you can find both online and offline. Asthma is a disease that can affect your everyday life and prove debilitating in so many ways. By getting involved in a support group you will also be speaking with other sufferers who may know of new scientific discoveries and treatment plans you may not be aware of.
Asthma Support Group
If your home is damp, it can encourage the growth of mildew and mold. Both of these substances are known to trigger asthma attacks. You will benefit greatly from keeping the moisture out of your home’s air. When it’s cold, a dehumidifier can keep moisture to a minimum; in hot months, your A/C unit will do the same thing.
Try joining an in-person or virtual asthma support group. Many people who suffer from asthma are unable to live a full 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.
It is important to know the proper way to use asthma medication, especially the medication that is used in an emergency. Asthma typically is treated so that the sufferer has a regular maintenance medication, but is also prescribed a rescue medication, 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.
Humidity in the home can create an environment that is ideal for mold and mildew to grow. These can very easily cause an attack. Thus, keep the air in your home as moisture-free as possible to avoid asthma-related problems. When you are heating your home during the winter months, a dehumidifier can be used to control the humidity. In the summer, use an air conditioner to maintain dry air.
While using an inhaler can potentially cause mouth or gum sores, it is still important to use it daily if you suffer from severe asthma. One way to reduce the probability of such infections is to immediately brush and gargle after inhaling the medicine.
Asthma is a disease that effects the respiratory system, and can take many years to develop, often times going undetected. In some cases, people do not even know they might have a chance of an asthma attack and their first one proves fatal. If you find yourself with a constant cough or have trouble breathing, consult your doctor, so he can tell you if you have asthma and if you need medication. He might even have suggestions on how to prevent it from worsening.
Keep an asthma diary and record how often, each week, you must use a rescue inhaler. If you are using it more than twice, your asthma may not be as well-controlled as you think or you may be experiencing unusual circumstances bringing on more frequent attacks. If you notice an increased use in your inhaler, reexamine your management plan and check for any changes in your surroundings that may be triggering the asthma.
You should pay a visit to your doctor if you feel like your symptoms are becoming worse. It is very important that you apply these tips when possible, it will help keep symptoms down and maybe improve your every day life.
Someone suffering from asthma should avoid animals. Many people with asthma also suffer from allergies to animal dander. Even without a specific allergy, asthma attacks can be triggered by the dust and dander in the air caused by the presence of an animal.