Asthma is truly a very serious medical condition, and it can impact your life greatly. It is important to take proactive measures to get asthma under control before you experience a critical event that puts you in the hospital. This article has many tips on managing your asthma.
Do not smoke around a child with asthma. One of the biggest reasons people have asthma is secondhand smoke. You should also make sure your child is never in an environment where other people are smoking.
Do you know what type of asthma you have? Being aware of your particular asthma condition can help you to effectively treat it on a daily basis. One example of this is exercise-induced asthma. This type of asthmatic will need to carry his inhaler with him when he goes for a run. Knowing your symptoms’ patterns can help you avoid big problems.
If you suffer from asthma, stay away from the fumes of household cleaning products. A lot of the cleaning products have certain chemicals in them which can trigger asthma attacks. If you enjoy cleaning, or are the sole cleaner in the household, you are sure to be able to find one of the many natural cleaners that will be safe for your use.
It is vital that neither you, nor anyone else, smoke around a child with asthma. As far as triggers that cause asthma attacks or causes of the condition in general, secondhand cigarette smoke ranks right up there. You also need to be sure that your child isn’t around those that choose to smoke.
Always be very mindful of the type of medications you’re taking. Some meds out there might just trigger an asthma attack. Some NSAIDs and aspirins will do this for you. Beta blockers that are used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease can develop asthma like symptoms. Make sure you consult with your doctor concerning your asthma and possible drug reactions.
Smoking is a horrible habit, even deadly, for an asthma sufferer. Smoking is a bad habit for everyone, but patients that suffer from asthma are negatively affected by smoke as it cuts the oxygen supply off and induces an asthma attack.
Know how to use your inhaler properly! Go to a quiet place, and be sure to follow all instructions from the manufacturer. The inhaler is only beneficial if the medicine gets to your lungs. While inhaling, spray the dosage in your mouth. Continue holding your breath for approximately 10 seconds. This way, the medication will soak into the cells of your lungs.
Smoke Yourself
An annual flu vaccination is recommended for you as well as other members of your family. Asthma sufferers need to be careful and guard against any upper-resperatory illnesses. Precautions include washing your hands and staying current with vaccinations.
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! Avoid fumes and vapors of any kind. Any of these things can trigger an asthma attack. If others are smoking nearby, leave that area as quickly as you can.
If you use more than four types of chemical cleaning agents in your house the risk of your child having an asthma attack increases. A great way to prevent this is to purchase some organic, non-chemical cleaning products. These all-natural products are safe when inhaled.
Though it should go without saying, do not turn on any fans or circulation systems when in a room containing visible dust that has yet to be cleaned. When you turn on the fans they will move the dust in the room around and this can trigger your asthma very easily. It’s better to open the window if you’re in need of fresh air.
People suffering from asthma should stick to unscented products. Use of scented products, such as perfume, air fresheners and incense, increase the levels of indoor air pollution and can trigger an attack. Certain things around the home, such as newly installed carpet or fresh paint, can also release chemical irritants. Try to maintain the air in your house as free from possible asthma triggers as possible.
If you suffer from asthma, and have many attacks that are related to your allergy symptoms, there is a medication that is injected and provides long term effects. Omalizumab can effectively control allergy symptoms you may be experiencing and can be suggested by your local allergist if it fits your needs.
Avoid pillows with feathers if you have asthma. The pillow feathers can cause asthma to flare up and minimize your lung function. This applies to bedding, as well. Purchase sheets and comforters that are made of hypoallergenic materials.
If you have asthma, it is imperative that you stay away from smokers. Tobacco smoke causes your lung function to decrease, increasing the risk of a very severe attack, especially in enclosed rooms without much air flow or ventilation.
There is good reason to make sure you have your rescue medicine for asthma in a convenient, easy to reach place. Traveling can put additional strain on your body, making you more susceptible to asthma triggers. It’s hard to have much control over your environment when you travel, which makes it more likely you will have some sort of symptoms or an asthma attack.
Asthma Triggers
During colder months, wear a shawl, scarf or muffler to avoid asthma. You can inhale warmer air into your body with these. Studies have consistently shown that cold air can cause your throat and lungs to constrict, triggering asthma attacks. Children are especially susceptible to cold-induced asthma.
Many of the biggest triggers for asthma can, and do, exist in your home. Typical asthma triggers in the home are dust and mold spores. Having your house inspected yearly is a good way to reduce the presence of these asthma triggers. You can help keep your house safe from these harmful substances by regularly cleaning and dusting your home.
For asthma sufferers having contact with pets or other animals need to be minimized. Even if they are not allergic to the animals, the pollen and dust that animals attract can trigger an asthma attack.
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 will warm the air before it gets in your lungs. 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.
Don’t use a humidifier unless it’s been cleaned thoroughly if you suffer from asthma or allergies. Bacteria can breed in moist parts of the machine, and if it is unclean when you turn it on, it will just pump out allergens.
Asthma often takes time to develop, the symptoms appearing slowly. Some people have even died from having an asthma attack, and they didn’t even know they had asthma. Given that fact, if you have any kind of consistent cough or respiratory ailments, consulting a physician for testing is a good idea, since you want to know if you are suffering from asthma and if so, what to do about it.
If you’ve been diagnosed with asthma, it is crucial that you understand how to properly use your inhaler. Spraying it into your mouth and then inhaling doesn’t work. Each time you spray your inhaler, breath in deeply for a few seconds. Follow the instructions on your inhaler exactly to get the most benefit.
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 may be able to avoid this problem by brushing your teeth or rinsing your mouth thoroughly after each use of the inhaler.
If you suffer from asthma and have to use your inhaler in excess of two or three times per week, you should see a doctor and ask about changing your medication. This means that the medication in your inhaler is not working well enough. This is also true if you are refilling your rescue inhaler prescription more than twice a year.
Pay attention to how often you reach for your asthma inhaler each week. It is possible that your asthma may be out of control or that there are extenuating circumstances that are exacerbating your condition. If you have to use your inhaler a lot, you will know that you should more closely monitor your surroundings.
You must use a protective mask when you paint, so make sure you have one before you start your project. A proper breathing mask will help to protect asthma sufferers from paint fumes. Avoid specific chemicals and substances that could worsen your asthma.
Cigarette Smoke
Keep an eye on your allergy attacks and consider switching your prescription if you suffer from more than two asthma attacks a week. Medical professionals generally consider two or more allergy attacks weekly to be dangerous, but completely preventable.
Avoid all types of smoke, including cigarette smoke, if you have asthma. Smoking can actually trigger an asthma attack. Do what you can to avoid chemical fumes, cigarette smoke and other vapors. These are all common triggers and can aggravate asthma symptoms. If there is someone who always smokes around you, you should politely ask this person to smoke when you aren’t present.
Gradually increase your strength, and lung capacity. Never induce an asthma attack by attempting a workout when you aren’t sure if you will be able to complete it because of your asthma.
If you suffer from asthma or allergies, avoid using a vaporizer or humidifier unless it is consistently and thoroughly cleaned. 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.
There are certain symptoms that you should look for to help you understand whether your child is having an asthma attack and needs to be transported to the hospital. If your child is experiencing a serious asthma attack, you will see: increased use of medication with little or no effect, gray or bluish fingernails and/or lips. Your child may also be unable to speak.
If you use your rescue inhaler more than two times a week, see a doctor to have your medication adjusted. This level of frequency can mean your medication is ineffective for your needs. Also, if you have to refill your inhaler more than twice in one year, then a visit to the doctor for a medication change is also in order.
Monitor your children for food allergies. If hives or breathing issues appear after eating, take them to a doctor for an allergy test. These allergies may be a sign of asthma down the road.
Talk to your physician if you feel your symptoms aren’t improving. It is very important that you apply these tips when possible, it will help keep symptoms down and maybe improve your every day life.
If you have asthma, make sure that you do warm-ups before doing any strenuous exercise, and also cool down once you are finished. Following these two steps is critical in order to prevent a terrible asthma attack while exercising or right after.