You can still live the active life you want, despite having asthma, as long as you find the information you need to face the daily challenges asthma presents. There are a variety of procedures and medications that can prevent asthma from ruining your life. Read on for tips and suggestions to make the most of your life and struggles with asthma.
There are medications that can unknowingly cause asthma-like symptoms. Some NSAIDs and aspirin might do this. Beta blockers, such as those used to control high blood pressure or heart disease may also have this effect. If you suffer from asthma, be sure that your medical professional is aware of this.
If you suffer from asthma, you should avoid cleaning products that have strong odors. A lot of these products contain harsh chemicals such as ammonia. These chemicals wreak havoc on you and can trigger an attack. While anyone responsible for cleaning their home can’t avoid cleaning products altogether, it’s best to only use natural products.
If you suffer from asthma and allergies that result in attacks, you can get injections of long-lasting medication for relief. It is called omalizumab, and it is an antibody medicine used to control allergic reaction symptoms. You will need to speak to your allergist to find out if this would be helpful to you.
If you are having an asthma attack (mild or moderate), you need to try to force air out of the lungs. Exhale quickly and forcefully. Force your lungs to expel as much air as possible. Inhale three times with short breaths, and then on the fourth one take a deeper breath so your lungs are full of air but still comfortable. Then breath out as hard as you can again. Paying attention this way will help you stabilize your breathing and make it rhythmic. When air is forcefully exhaled, it allows a fresh intake of air to fill your lungs. This may cause you to cough or it may cause phlegm, but your breathing will be back to normal again.
It is always a problem if you have asthma and don’t have health insurance, but talking to a social worker may help you resolve this issue. Having the financial ability to purchase your asthma medications is essential, and a social worker can help you locate a hospital or clinic that can provide you with these medications for free or at a significantly reduced rate.
If allergies lead to constant attacks from your asthma, there has been a recent solution that is administered via injection that provides long term care! An excellent antibody medication that works well to control asthma symptoms, brought on by allergic reactions is called Omalizumab, and can be administered by your allergist.
You should ensure that every family member in your household gets a flu vaccine yearly. 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 dealing with asthma, make sure you take lots of Vitamins E and C. It is thought that these vitamins will help increase lung function and will help control asthma symptoms. These vitamins can be easily obtained, either through your diet or a supplement. These vitamins will also help prevent illnesses by boosting your body’s immune system.
If you have asthma, use a pillow that doesn’t have feathers in it. The feathers can make asthma worse and take away from your ability to breathe. The same it true for bedding, try purchasing sheets and comforters that are created from hypoallergenic materials.
If you suffer from asthma, avoid smokers, even if you do not smoke yourself. When you inhale smoke, especially in close quarters, lung functioning is decreased, and it can trigger an attack.
Go to your regular medical check-ups, even if your condition seems under control. You can not predict when an attack might hit you, or if your doctor has found a different medication that is safer and will help your symptoms more.
If you have asthma, use a pillow that doesn’t have feathers in it. The feathers can make asthma worse and take away from your ability to breathe. The same can be said for bedding, try to get hypoallergenic comforters and sheets.
Some common catalysts of asthma attacks regularly occur in the home. These causes can include dust, spores and mold. To ensure health and reduce the potential for asthma attacks, have a yearly inspection for the presence and removal of these hazards. It also helps to clean your home frequently to prevent a buildup of these allergens.
Find a good support group in the Internet or in your area. Asthma can be devastating and lead to lethargy and withdrawal from normal life – especially if it is quite severe. Also, other asthma sufferers can help keep you aware of new medications or other medical treatments.
You should track how often, in a week’s time, you require the use of a rescue inhaler. You should not have to rely on a rescue inhaler more than twice per week. If you find yourself needing it more often, it could be a sign that your asthma is not being controlled well or that there is a new environmental factor causing attacks more frequently. The number of times you use your inhaler can serve as a good reminder to monitor your environment and other aspects of your asthma management plan.
Bundle up during winter weather if you have asthma. Covering your nose and mouth with a scarf or muffler helps prevent asthma attacks. This will keep you from breathing cold air. Young children are especially at risk for an asthma attack if the air they breathe is too cold, but this problem can affect anybody with asthma.
Asthmatics should avoid smoking tobacco products whenever possible. Smoking is an unhealthy habit for everyone, but it poses an even greater danger to people with asthma. The lungs of someone with asthma are irritated by smoking, whether by that person or someone nearby.
Although it is wise to use your inhaler as needed, be aware that the medication itself may cause problems with gums and teeth. To best method to prevent these side effects and complications is by brushing your teeth, then gargling directly after using the inhaler.
Try to avoid the seasonal pollen that may trigger an asthma attack. While asthma isn’t a type of allergy, those with asthma are frequently bothered by the same kinds of irritants that cause problems for allergy sufferers. Air quality levels for specific pollutants are now readily available and it is possible to use this information to limit exposure on high level days.
Avoid smoke to prevent asthma and asthma attacks. The inhalation of smoke can easily trigger an asthma attack. You should avoid cigarette smoke, vapors, and chemical fumes as much as possible. These can increase symptoms of asthma. Ask people around you not to smoke in your presence. Don’t be rude about it, but don’t be afraid to ask for what you need.
If you have asthma and you’re also an allergy sufferer, you must only use a vaporizer or humidifier that’s been cleaned thoroughly. The moist environment of a humidifier can become a breeding ground for bacteria, which can irritate allergies or trigger an asthma attack.
Bed Linens
If you are suffering from an asthma attack, try to remain calm and do not panic. Immediately use your inhaler, then wait a half a minute and do so again. If the inhaler does not provide immediate help, get medical help right away. Go to the hospital immediately or call 911. Breathing into a paper bag on the way can sometimes help by slowing your breathing rate.
Bed linens tend to collect asthma triggers like pollen, dust and other allergens. These threats can be reduced or even eliminated by keeping your bed linens laundered every week using hot water. You will breathe easier at night when you have freshly washed and clean bed linens.
Know how to properly use your inhaler if you’ve got asthma. Spraying it inside your mouth and inhaling is not all it takes. When you spray the inhaler, be sure to breathe in as deeply as you can for two to three seconds. Using the inhaler in a proper manner can make all the difference for those who deal with asthma.
See a specialist. It’s true your primary doctor should be your main source for all your asthma help, but it may be wise to see one or two asthma specialists. There are a number of different approaches used to treat asthma. See what a pulmonololist, an allergist or a nutritionist has to say about your asthma problems.
Find out as much as possible about your condition. You can take faster, more effective action to treat your asthma condition the better you understand it. Keep current with treatments and ensure you have the greatest possible care that you can have. You can only properly treat the condition once you gain knowledge about it and the treatments that are available.
Do not smoke. While smoking is a dangerous habit in general, it is far more damaging to those who have asthma. Sensitive asthmatic lungs are easily irritated by smoke, so they need to avoid smoking and to avoid situations where there are people who smoke.
Asthma is sometimes caused by genetics, and sometimes by environmental causes. If someone in your family has asthma, pay extra attention to any asthma-like symptoms from yourself and your children. Air pollutants like smoke and mold spores can trigger an asthma attack, so keep your home clean to avoid irritation.
In conclusion, there are plenty of things you can do to prevent asthma from disturbing your life. Asthma need not control your life, so be proactive and create a plan for treating your asthma and living a full, healthy life.
Ensure your house is clean and tidy. Also, wash all of your bed linens regularly. Doing this prevents the build up of dust and dust mites, which can both trigger an asthma attack. When you have a build-up of dust in the air, your lungs will suffer and that can set off an attack.