If left unchecked, asthma is a condition that can spiral out of control. The attacks can be life threatening in some instances. You need to consult medical experts for advice, but when it is not enough, you must take the necessary steps yourself. Here are a few easy tips to help you get a handle on your asthma symptoms.
If you suffer from asthma, you should not smoke or expose yourself to any type of vapors or fumes. You must abstain from using any tobacco products. Also, when job hunting, you need to take into consideration whether or not you will be exposed to anything detrimental to your condition while on the job.
If you are asthmatic, you absolutely must not subject yourself to any form of cigarette smoke. Smoking is terrible for everyone, but it lowers the oxygen supply in asthma patients who need as much oxygen as possible.
What type of asthma do you suffer from? When you know in-depth information about your asthma, you can figure out how to fight against it. For instance, people with exercise-induced asthma would do well to carry an inhaler in their gym bag! If you know and understand your asthma triggers, you can better avoid and handle attacks.
Cleaning Products
If you have been diagnosed with asthma, you must avoid cigarette smoke at all costs. Smoking is especially dangerous for asthmatics. Stay away from vapors and all chemical fumes so you are not able to breathe them in. This could trigger a serious asthma attack, and you may have trouble preventing it from happening. Never visit a home or establishment where people will be smoking, and if people start to smoke, walk out.
If you suffer from asthma, strong cleaning products should be avoided. The chemicals in these products make you more prone to an asthma attack. While anyone responsible for cleaning their home can’t avoid cleaning products altogether, it’s best to only use natural products.
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.
A lot of medications can trigger an asthma attack without you knowing. A couple of common culprits that do this are aspirin and NSAIDs. 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.
An annual flu vaccination is highly recommended for yourself and your family. If you have asthma, you can protect your health by taking all steps possible to avoid any type of cold, flu or other upper respiratory infection. It is important to do things like hand washing and receiving proper vaccinations.
If you’re having an asthma attack, a great way to handle this is to immediately evacuate the air from your lungs. Breathe out quick and forcefully. Exhale with maximum force! Inhale a series of three quick breaths, followed by a deeper one, before exhaling with force again. This will make your breathing rhythmic and help you pay more attention to it. It also pushes the air out of your lungs, so that more air can come in. This may cause you to cough or it may cause phlegm, but your breathing will be back to normal again.
If you have hay fever or a cold, chances are your asthma treatment will be increased. An increase in treatment is necessary sometimes because side effects of other sicknesses can cause your asthma symptoms to flare up. It is also possible that your physician will add an additional treatment to your routine until you recover from your illness.
Social Worker
Keep all your doctors appointments even if your asthma symptoms aren’t bothering you. A new flare-up may be just around the corner, or your doctor may have news of a more effective new medication you can try.
If you have asthma and cannot afford health insurance or have no eligibility, bring up your situation with a social worker. A social worker can possibly help you with finding treatment and low-cost medications.
Some of asthma’s major triggers can be right in your home. Three triggers comprise the asthma triad of doom: spores, dust and mold. An annual visit by a professional inspector can help keep your home free from these agents, and reduce the likelihood of an attack. Additionally, cleaning your home on a regular schedule prevents these unwanted visitors from taking residence en masse.
People who have asthma should avoid using scented household products. Scented products, like air fresheners, incense and perfume, raise indoor pollution levels and can trigger asthma attacks. An asthma sufferer’s airways can feel irritated by odors such as fresh paint or new carpeting. Keep your indoor air clean and free of pollutants to stay healthy.
Asthma is a condition that typically will develop over a long period of time, with symptoms that are not very obvious. In some serious cases, people have dropped dead due to an asthma attack without ever knowing they had asthma in the first place. Always consult with a doctor to see if a persistent cough or difficulty breathing is a sign that you require treatment for asthma. There may even be things you can do to prevent it from getting worse.
Asthma Attacks
If you have asthma, don’t stop using your inhaler unless your doctor tells you to. However, watch for infections in your gums or other mouth discomfort after using your inhaler. To avoid those complications, be sure to brush teeth, gargle, and rinse mouth completely right after you have used the inhaler.
In the winter, cover your mouth and nose with a scarf or shawl to prevent asthma attacks. This will warm the air before it gets in your lungs. Breathing cold air can trigger severe asthma attacks. This is especially true for young children with asthma.
It is important to track how often you use your fast-acting inhaler each week. Your medication may need to be adjusted or an alternative treatment considered if you find that you need to use it 3 or more times per week. How frequently you need to use the inhaler can help you recognize any environmental changes you need to make.
The development of asthma symptoms can occur over time and they can be difficult to pinpoint and diagnose. There are many cases where people have died from their first asthma attack, without even being aware that they were at risk. So, if you have a lingering cough or instances of troubled breathing, you should see a doctor to see if you might have asthma and determine whether you may need medication to either prevent or treat asthma.
When you are cleaning your home, it is always better to use a wet mop rather than sweeping your floors. Sweeping sends dust and dander back into the air and could trigger an asthma attack. Also, use damp rags instead of feather dusters to dust your furniture.
Asthma is an uncurable disease, but that doesn’t mean that the symptoms are permanent and can’t go away. However, just like most things in life, overcoming your asthma symptoms takes time and effort. If you follow these easy tips, you’ll find that your symptoms will get better over time and you’ll be able to enjoy a healthier, more active lifestyle.
You should get a second opinion. Your family doctor or primary care physician can be the person you go to regularly for asthma symptoms, but also talk to a few specialists. Asthma centers, pulmonologists, allergists or even nutritionists will be able to work with you, make certain that you check out all outlets offering treatment.