It can be hard to live with asthma. It inhibits your capacity to do even basic daily tasks, such as taking a walk outside. Even worse, the disease can not be cured and the symptoms can be hard to control. This article offers tips on how you can stop your symptoms from getting too severe.
There are many different types of asthma. Knowing as much as possible about your specific type of asthma will go an incredibly long way in helping you combat the day-to-day effects it has on you. People who suffer from exercise-induced asthma will need to make sure that they have an inhaler with them inside of their gym bag. When you know what triggers your asthma, you will be more prepared to stop attacks before they begin.
If you suffer with asthma, avoid cleaning products. Many chemicals contained in common cleaning products can aggravate your asthma, triggering an attack. While anyone responsible for cleaning their home can’t avoid cleaning products altogether, it’s best to only use natural products.
An important tip to help protect your asthma-afflicted children is to always refrain from smoking around them. Secondhand smoke is something that can lead to serious asthma. Make sure you keep your child away from other people who are smoking, too.
If you are someone who suffers from asthma, stay away from all types of cigarette smoke. You should not smoke yourself! Stay away from vapors and chemical fumes, too. This can trigger an asthma attack, which may be difficult to stop. You should give up on the smokes if you have asthma and also make sure to avoid other people who are smoking.
Be aware of certain medications that can lead to asthma problems. Aspirin and some other NSAIDs may do this. You can also use medications that can control high blood pressure and heart disease, things like beta blockers. If you’ve been diagnosed as asthmatic and are taking medications unrelated to your asthma, be sure your doctor is aware of them.
If you are an asthmatic who also has allergies, injected allergy medication may be just the thing you need to get relief. Omalizumab is an antibody medication that is used to control these allergic reaction symptoms and may be recommended by your allergist.
Don’t turn on any fans if you see that your room is dusty. A fan will spread dust and debris all over. This can very easily aggravate your asthma, and cause serious symptoms. Instead, you should consider opening a window to get some fresh clean air going through your lungs.
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.
Talk to a social worker if you do not have health insurance and need medication for your asthma. It’s vital that you stay on medication, so there may be programs available to help you get them at a discount.
Feather pillows can be bad for those with asthma. Feathers can decrease lung function and cause asthma symptoms. The same goes for bedding – try to buy a comforter and sheets that are made from hypoallergenic materials.
Unscented products are the safest option for those who suffer from asthma. Indoor air pollution rises with the constant use of anything scented, ranging from air fresheners to incense, and all this can trigger asthma attacks. You should also avoid fresh paints or new carpets, as they give off fumes that can irritate the airway. Try to keep the indoor air as clean and fresh as possible.
While traveling, always keep emergency asthma medication on hand and close by. Traveling adds strain on the body and increases your susceptibility to asthma triggers. It’s also hard to control the environment you’re in when traveling, which is another reason you might experience more symptoms or have an attack.
Receiving a flu shot annually is very important if you or a loved one are asthmatic. Keep yourself safe from these outbreaks by getting a yearly shot.
Support Group
Make sure you are aware of what triggers your asthma so you can avoid it or prepare properly. There are some quite common triggers that can invoke an attack in asthma sufferers, for example cigarette smoke, pollen, or pet hair and dander. If able, avoid anything that results in symptoms of asthma or an asthma attack.
You may want to join an online or offline support group. Since severe asthma can be quite debilitating, it can have a huge impact on your everyday 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.
Don’t miss your appointment for an asthma checkup simply because you aren’t currently having any problems with your condition. A flare-up can occur at any time, and your physician may have learned of a prescription medication that can treat your symptoms more safely and effectively.
When it’s colder, wear a shawl, scarf or muffler that will cover your mouth and nose to avoid asthma attacks. This warms the air before you bring it into your lungs. Inhalation of cold air is proven to initiate asthma attacks, and younger kids afflicted with asthma of moderate or severe proportions are especially at risk.
Join a support group, online or in “real life”, to find help from your peers. Asthma, especially the more severe forms, cause many problems that interfere with the quality of life and present many challenges. A support group also makes it easier to keep up to date on advancements in asthma science or new medications that come on the market.
As the above article has stated, asthma is a terrible condition that should never be taken lightly. Do everything you can to keep your asthma symptoms under control. If you’re having frequent asthma attacks or are otherwise bothered by your asthma, see your doctor as soon as possible for additional help. You can use the information that has been provided to take charge of your life and reduce the control asthma and it’s symptoms have over you.
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 a condition traditionally treated with a combination of a regular medicine and an emergency medicinal inhaler. Managing your medicine properly is important because asthma is a chronic health problem.