If you have recently been given a diagnosis of asthma you may be feeling some panic. There is no getting rid of asthma if you have the condition. It doesn’t mean your life has to stop because of being diagnosed with asthma. Here you will see some simple methods to manage your asthma to keep you safe and healthy.
You should stay away from anything you might believe which can trigger an asthma attack. Perhaps you have allergies or are sensitive to dust and pollen. For others, certain physical activities may be the trigger. Try to see what cause your asthma so that you can avoid it.
A good tip that can help your child cope with asthma is to make sure you never smoke around them. One of the primary causes of asthma is secondhand smoke. You should take care to also make sure your child does not get exposed to other environments where people might be smoking.
There are some medications out there that you could be taking which will actually trigger your asthma symptoms. Aspirin is a common medication that can affect asthma sufferers. Common medications used for controlling high blood pressure often times contain beta blockers, which asthmatics may be more sensitive to. Talk to a doctor if you have any of these conditions along with asthma.
Asthma Problems
Asthma is a chronic condition, requiring constant 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. Speak to your allergist and doctor to see what they recommend for you.
Some medications are known to cause asthma symptoms. Aspirin is an example of a widely used medicine that can cause asthma problems. Some medications for blood pressure and heart disease – those referred to as beta blockers – can also exacerbate asthma problems. Make sure you consult with your doctor concerning your asthma and possible drug reactions.
Anyone suffering from asthma or asthma-like symptoms needs to stay clear of cigarette smoke, whether you smoke yourself, or even if you’re breathing secondhand smoke. Do not smoke yourself, either! It is also a good idea to stay away from the fumes or vapors from harsh chemicals, such as those used in cleaning. This can set off an Asthma attack that you might not be able to stop. If you are around others who are smoking, remove yourself.
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that requires constant management. Your doctor may prescribe medications that must be taken daily. In addition, you will likely have medication to take in the event of an attack. Consult with your physician and allergist to find out what is best for you.
Consider consulting a social worker if your asthma medication is not covered by an insurance policy. 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.
If you are suffering from a moderate or mild attack, do your best to force as much air out of the lungs as possible. Make your exhalations quick and forceful. It can’t be said too strongly: you must force the air out! Take three short breaths, then one last deep breath to ensure your lungs have enough air, then forcefully breath out. Pay attention to what you are doing and follow a regular rhythm. By repeatedly forcing air out, you make room for new air so that your breathing can get back on track. You might cough hard or create mucus, but its just a sign your breathing is getting back to normal.
If you suffer from asthma and do not smoke, make sure to avoid people who do smoke. When you inhale tobacco smoke, the lung’s function can be decreased, and you will increase the chance you have an asthma attack. Smaller areas without proper ventilation make you even more susceptible to an attack.
Never use a fan in a dirty, dust-filled room. If you do, the dust will move around, and you can trigger your asthma. If you need airflow, simply opening a window would be better.
Keep your home free of dust and other triggers, especially where the person who suffers from asthma sleeps. Food should not be eaten outside of the kitchen, and there should be no indoor smoking. Harsh chemicals, like bleach and ammonia, can trigger asthma.
Vitamins C and E can greatly assist you in fighting asthma attacks. These particular vitamins are believed to better your lung function and help manage your symptoms of asthma. Many foods have these vitamins in abundance, but you can also use a supplemental pill. These vitamins can also boost the immune system and help prevent asthma attacks.
Be aware that your asthma medication may need to be adjusted if you are suffering from a cold, flu or hay fever. These illnesses have side effects that can cause asthma to flare up and make an increase in medication necessary. Your doctor may prescribe a new medicine or change the dose of your existing medication until the hay fever or cold passes.
Cleaning Products
If your child or yourself are asthma sufferers it is very important that you get the flu shot every single year. Make sure your child’s vaccinations are up-to-date to avoid as many infections as possible.
If you use more than four cleaning products, you are increasing the risks of an asthma attack. Try to use organic based cleaning products that are not harmful to asthma sufferers.
If you are taking an airplane and you need to travel with your asthma apparatus or medications, bring your written prescription with you. If you have the proof that this is a medical necessity, it can cause less hassles during the security check.
When you are traveling, make sure you have a rescue inhaler with you. Being in odd environments can cause undue stress on your body, which makes you more prone to an asthma attack. Controlling your environment is harder when traveling, so this makes it much more probable that you experience worsening symptoms or an attack.
Using your preventative inhaler should be done daily. It’s important to know, though, that it can cause sores and infections near your gums and teeth. You can prevent these side effects with proper tooth brushing and gargling after you use your inhaler.
Protect yourself against breathing in cold air that aggravates your asthma by wearing a scarf that covers your nose and mouth. That way the air is warmed before it enters your lungs. By breathing in cold air, it has been proven that it could trigger an asthma attack more so in children that are younger and suffer from severe to moderate asthma.
Anytime you clean your house or apartment, wet mopping is superior to sweeping. The action of sweeping can swirl up a whole cloud of asthma-triggering particles. When you dust, use a damp cloth instead of a feather duster which can spread these triggers.
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. Asthma is generally managed through regular medicine which is supplemented with rescue medications like inhalers. Asthma is considered a chronic condition. For this reason, you should take the management of it very seriously.
Your bed linen could be filled with dust, pollen or other allergens. If you put your pillowcases and sheets in hot water weekly, these inducers will be reduced or completely eliminated. Clean bed linens will help you breathe better while you sleep.
When housecleaning, it is better to clean your floors with a damp mop than sweeping them with a broom. The action of sweeping can swirl up a whole cloud of asthma-triggering particles. Use damp rags instead of a dry feather duster so triggers won’t be filling the air.
Those with asthma should remain inside as much as they can when the pollen count rises. Despite being different conditions, asthma and allergies can be triggered by the same kinds of irritants. The air quality information should be used to find out when it is better to stay indoors to avoid irritants present in the air.
When you are trying to prevent asthma, you should avoid smoke. Smoking can trigger a person who has asthma to have an attack. Stay away from all types of fumes as well as cigarette smoke. Your asthma symptoms will be exacerbated by these things. If there’s smoke around you, ask politely for the person to stop smoking.
If you have asthma and allergies and use a humidifier, make sure it is thoroughly cleaned as often as necessary. The insides of these machines get really moist and provide great breeding grounds for bacteria, which means the machines would actually be filling the air in your home with the very allergens you are seeking to avoid.
Stay Indoors
If you find you need your inhaler too often, more than two times a week, talk to your doctor about changing your prescription. If that’s the case, the medication in the inhaler isn’t working right. It also isn’t working right if you’re having to refill the inhaler more than two times a year.
Asthma sufferers should definitely stay indoors more when pollen increases. A lot of the same things that can bother people with allergies will bother people with asthma as well. Check the local air quality report online to determine whether to stay indoors and keep irritant exposure to a minimum.
It is important to visit with your doctor often, every two months or so, in order to stay on top of your asthma. Only your doctor can fully evaluate your condition and recommend appropriate changes in treatment. It is important that you keep these appointments so that your doctor is able to keep you healthy.
As the above article has demonstrated, it’s vital that you’re as prepared as possible in regards to managing asthma. If you know about what kind of arthritis you have, you can find ways to manage it. Keep looking for more resources to increase your efficiency.
When planning on painting an interior area of your home, make sure that you purchase a mask to protect your respiratory tract from the paint’s fumes. Paint can aggravate asthma, but a mask can combat the irritation because it forms a shield between your nose and the environment. Stay away from any chemicals or substance that could worsen your condition.