Are you an asthma sufferer who wishes they had more knowledge about their disease? Remember you’re not the only one experiencing this. Many people want more information about asthma. The following article is written to be a helpful source of information and advice in how to control asthma and get on with living.
Asthma is a disease that is continuous. As such, it requires long-term health management. Ensure you’re taking the proper medications to manage common symptoms of asthma. In case of an attack, you need to have in your possession a medication that will provide almost instant relief. Talk to your doctor and allergist to see what is the best idea for you.
You should not smoke or be anywhere near smoke if you suffer from asthma. This means you need to keep away from tobacco products and only seek out jobs where you aren’t exposed to any harmful chemicals, smoke or vapors.
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. Breathe out fast and hard. Really expel the air from your lungs! Inhale a series of three quick breaths, followed by a deeper one, before exhaling with force again. This gives your breathing a rhythm, which makes you aware of how many breaths you take. It will also empty your lungs of air, so that they’re ready to take in new, fresh air. It is okay that you cough up some sputum, you really want to breathe right again.
There are many different types of asthma. Learning about your type of asthma will help you to deal with it. Asthma caused by exercise can be treated easily if you carry an inhaler when you go to the gym. Knowing your asthma symptom patterns will help keep you safe.
If the room you are in appears to be dusty, refrain from turning on any fans. All this does is circulate the dust, which is an invitation to triggering an otherwise avoidable asthma attack. If you need airflow, simply opening a window would be better.
Avoid those things that you know can trigger your asthma. This could be something you’re allergic to like pollen or dust. For others, physical activity can irritate them. Pay attention to what causes your attacks so you can prevent them from happening.
If you suffer from asthma and you are not eligible for health insurance, speak with a social worker. It is critical that every asthma sufferer have access to the proper medicines to keep the condition under control, and a social worker could help you locate a hospital or clinic that will provide you the necessary medication on a low or no-fee basis.
If you have moderate asthma attacks, exhale forcefully, so that you force air from your lungs. Breathe out hard and fast. Really expel the air from your lungs! Then, follow three short intakes of breath with one longer inhalation until your lungs are filled with air, although not uncomfortably so. Finally, expel the air from your lungs with force again. Pay attention to what you are doing and follow a regular rhythm. It also keeps air flowing out of the lung,s so that you can refill them. It is okay to cough, even to generate sputum. Your ultimate goal is getting your breathing regulated.
When suffering from asthma, there are vitamins that can help, including E and C. Both vitamins improve lung function, helping you to better resist asthma attacks and other negative symptoms. You can take a supplement in order to get these vitamins if there is not enough of them in your food. These vitamins can improve your immune system to prevent asthma triggers.
Resist the urge to turn on a fan if you find yourself in a room filled with dust. If you do, the dust will move around, and you can trigger your asthma. A fan will just blow around dust without providing fresh air, so opening a window is a better option as it brings in fresh air and ventilation.
Try to keep your home as clean as possible, especially the bedroom of the asthma sufferer, to reduce the risk of an asthma attack. Avoid smoking inside, and only let people eat in the kitchen. After using chemical to clean, air out the house.
Consider a leokotriene inhibitor if your asthma is not controlled by other methods. A leukotriene inhibitor is for the prevention of leukotrienes. Inhibiting this chemical can lead to a decrease in asthma symptoms. The inhibitor will keep the leukotrienes from forming, which can reduce the frequency of asthma attacks that you experience.
Make sure you get a flu shot once a year if you suffer from asthma. Stave off as many of these infections as possible by getting vaccinated every year.
Keep your home free of dust and other triggers, especially where the person who suffers from asthma sleeps. Only allow food in the kitchen, and never smoke indoors. Make sure that the home is properly ventilated and aired out, especially after cleaning with harsh products, like bleach or ammonia.
Understand what things make your asthma flare and avoid these things or manage the symptoms. If you have asthma, it’s most likely triggered by things such as being around animals or pollen. Most asthmatics also can’t tolerate smoke. Whenever possible, avoid those substances that trigger either symptoms or full-blown attacks.
Hay Fever
Most of the triggers for attacks, and causes of asthma, are found inside the home. These triggers include dust, spores and mold. 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. It also helps to clean your home frequently to prevent a buildup of these allergens.
Your asthma treatments will likely increase when you suffer from hay fever or a cold. 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 doctor may prescribe a new medicine or change the dose of your existing medication until the hay fever or cold passes.
Mold and mildew can thrive in a humid home environment. This stuff can easily set off an asthma attack. So, it makes sense to keep dry air in your home. One way to control the humidity in the house is to employ a dehumidifier to pull out the excess moisture.
Some common catalysts of asthma attacks regularly occur in the home. These culprits include dust, spores and mold. To keep healthy, lower your risk of an asthma attack by getting rid of these triggers from your home. In addition, regularly cleaning the home can stop these things from building up.
During the colder months, avoid asthma attacks by wearing a scarf, shawl or muffler that covers the mouth and nose. This warms the air before you bring it into your lungs. Cool air has been known to trigger an asthma attack, particularly in very young children who have severe or moderate asthma.
In summary, it is certainly normal to be inquisitive about a condition that has such a dramatic impact on your life. Hopefully, you are going to be able to live and breathe easier if you have asthma and have read this article, or at least can be understanding and helpful towards anyone you know that is afflicted. If you use the tips suggested here, you might discover that asthma is easier to live with than you think.
If you are traveling by plane and taking along your asthma medications, make sure to have with you any written doctors prescriptions, especially when carrying some large asthma equipment like a nebulizer. Carrying written prescription information will help you to avoid security hassles, and you won’t have to worry about your medication being confiscated.