Living with asthma is challenging. It prevents you from doing simple tasks, such as walking outside. But, to make things worse, the disease is incurable and the symptoms are very hard to control. The following article offers some great advice on how you can prevent your asthma symptoms from becoming out of control.
What kind of asthma do you have? Being fully informed about the specific type of asthma you have is very important. For example, if you have exercise-induced asthma, you will want to always make sure you have an inhaler in your gym bag. You can avoid any future crisis by knowing and figuring out patterns of the symptoms you have.
If you are an asthma sufferer, you should refrain from smoking or being around any vapors or fumes. Decrease the effects of asthma by wearing a protective mask when pollution levels are especially high.
Always be very mindful of the type of medications you’re taking. Some meds out there might just trigger an asthma attack. Some of these include aspirin and NSAIDs. Beta blockers, such as those used to control high blood pressure or heart disease may also have this effect. If you have asthma and these other conditions, let your physician know.
Don’t smoke around your child if they have asthma; this could worsen their situation. It has been medically proven that smoking can cause asthma or make existing symptoms worse. Also, do not let your child around others who smoke.
When you are suffering from an asthma attack, exhale all of the oxygen from your lungs. Exhale quickly and with power. You want to force all of the air from your lungs. Breathe in by taking three quick breaths, followed by one very deep breath. Doing this will fill your lungs completely, and allow you to expel the air forcefully again. This will make your breathing rhythmic and help you pay more attention to it. This is a good way to empty your lungs and let more air come in. You may generate sputum or cough but that is alright, since your main objective is getting you to breathe normally again.
If you suffer from asthma and you smoke, it’s crucial that you quit. Although smoking is bad for all people, it is especially worse for asthma patients because it cuts off the oxygen supply that you need in order for your lungs to function and keep away asthma attacks.
If you have asthma and have frequent attacks that are related to allergies, there are medicines that can be injected to provide you with long-term relief. Omalizumab is one such medication, and can control the allergic symptoms you may be experienced. An allergist will be able to tell you if this is a good option.
Avoid exposing yourself to any of your known asthma triggers. Allergens such as dust and pollen can bring on an asthma attack at any time. Or, you may need to avoid certain activities that overexert your body. You should know what causes asthma, so you can stay away from these things.
Make proper use of your inhaler. Find a peaceful spot, and make sure to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer. The inhaler only can help if it’s medicine reaches the lungs. While taking a deep breath, spray in the recommended dosage. Hold your breath at least ten seconds, so that the medicated mist can fill your lungs.
Always be very mindful of the type of medications you’re taking. Some meds out there might just trigger an asthma attack. Examples of medications that may contribute to asthma are aspirin and other NSAIDs. Some medications for blood pressure and heart disease – those referred to as beta blockers – can also exacerbate asthma problems. If you’ve been diagnosed as asthmatic and are taking medications unrelated to your asthma, be sure your doctor is aware of them.
If your health insurance situation cannot help you with your asthma, talk to a social worker. It is essential that you can buy your asthma medicine, and a social worker might help you find a hospital or clinic that can provide your medicine at reduced cost, or free.
Never use a fan in a dirty, dust-filled room. The wind will move dust around and get into your airways causing an attack. Instead, you should consider opening a window to get some fresh clean air going through your lungs.
It has been shown that use of four or more different kinds of cleaning products can raise the risk of asthma attacks. Choose organic products, and stick to as few products as possible.
Using over four kinds of cleaning products in the home can trigger asthma attacks. Choose organic products, and stick to as few products as possible.
To minimize the chances of triggering a bout of asthma, keep your house extra clean, particularly rooms where asthma patients sleep. Only allow food in the kitchen, and never smoke indoors. Try not to use bleach or other irritants inside, and always thoroughly change the air in your house after cleaning.
Avoid using a feather or down pillow if you have asthma. Pillow feathers force the lungs to work harder and can exacerbate asthma problems. Be sure to keep the same advice in mind for your bedclothes. They should be made from materials that do not increase allergy symptoms.
Allergens, the common cold and influenza can increase your asthma symptoms. These kinds of illness can inflame you asthma to a degree that a treatment increase is necessary. Your doctor may also add another treatment to your regimen until your illness gets better.
Even if you seem to be fine, see your doctor regularly for your asthma checkups. Your health care provider may have new prescriptions that could benefit you in case the need arises.
Avoid using a feather or down pillow if you have asthma. Feathers may trigger asthma symptoms by irritating your lungs. Your other bedding, such as sheets, blankets and comforters, should be hypoallergenic, too.
During cold months, you could avoid asthma attacks by constantly wearing a shawl, muffler or a scarf that covers both your mouth and nose. This way, the air will be warm before entering your lungs. Cold air can trigger severe attacks, especially for young children.
Understand how to properly use your own asthma medication, particularly the rescue medication. Asthma is typically treated with a regular medication supplemented by rescue medicine, such as an inhaler. Since asthma is chronic in nature, appropriate application and use of both management and rescue medicines is vital.
You need to know how to properly use asthma medications that are prescribed to you, especially your rescue medication, so that you are prepared if you need to use it during an emergency. For most asthma cases, an emergency treatment option, such as an inhaler, is used to supplement day-to-day management medication. Since asthma is chronic in nature, appropriate application and use of both management and rescue medicines is vital.
When taking asthma medications on a plane trip, bring written medical prescriptions provided by your doctor. Carrying your prescriptions along with written proof that they are medically necessary, will cut down on potential problems at the airport checkpoints.
For people with serious asthma, exposure to household pets should be limited. Having an allergy to dander or animal hair could be possible asthma complications, even sufferers free of these kinds of allergies could still have an asthma attack that is caused by pollen and dust animals seem to carry around with them.
If you’d like to avoid asthma attacks, avoid cigarette smoke as much as possible. Smoke is one of the primary triggers of asthma. The fumes from chemicals, or smoke from cigarettes, should be avoided at all costs. They can easily increase your asthma symptoms. If someone starts smoking near you, politely inquire whether they can smoke in your absence.
Allergens and asthma triggers, such as dust and pollen can cling to your bed linens. Clean your linen and pillow case every week to prevent asthma attacks. These fresh, regularly washed linens can help you breathe easier when sleeping.
For asthma sufferers having contact with pets or other animals need to be minimized. Though dander allergies are often seen in conjunction with asthma, even asthmatics who are not allergic may have attacks that are triggered by the ancillary irritants transported by animals, including pollen and dust.
Watch the pollen counts and adjust your activity accordingly to protect yourself from seasonal asthma issues. Even though asthma is not technically an allergy, those who suffer from allergies often find their condition is exacerbated by the same irritants and triggers that those afflicted with asthma are affected by as well. Asthma suffers can now minimize exposure to outdoor pollutants and irritants by checking online for current air quality in their areas.
See multiple doctors to keep asthma under control. The first place to consider visiting is your main doctor, but they might also be able to recommend a specialist. Certain specialists, such as pulmonologists and allergists, can provide extra treatment options for your asthma.
As the above article has stated, asthma is a terrible condition that should never be taken lightly. Do what you can to prevent symptoms, and get professional help if you think it may be beyond your control. Use these suggestions to help you prevent asthma symptoms all of your life!
Do not smoke. The dangers surrounding smoking are well documented, but for asthma sufferers the issues can be much more serious. 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.