You may be scared after finding out that you have asthma. It is a severe chronic condition, and that means it lasts a lifetime. Although there is no cure for asthma, treatments and medications exist to help asthma sufferers enjoy normal activities. You will have to make a few changes so you can live as comfortably as possible.
Unfortunately, asthma sufferers must realize that their condition is chronic which requires ongoing treatment. Make certain you are doing the most you can each day to keep your symptoms under control. Take the proper medications needed for everyday symptoms, and always have quick relief medication by you at all times in the event an attack occurs. Discuss treatment strategies with both your primary care physician and your allergist.
Smoking is extremely harmful if you suffer from asthma. If you are not already a smoker, don’t start, and if you are, quit as soon as possible. When smoke enters your lungs it cuts off your oxygen supply, and if you suffer from asthma it can make breathing extremely difficult, and result in an increased number of attacks.
When suffering a mild or even moderate asthma attack, attempt to push all air from your lungs. Exhale quickly and forcefully. It can’t be said too strongly: you must force the air out! Inhale in three short breaths and one fourth deeper breath so that your lungs are comfortably full of air, then exhale forcefully again. This method forces you to pay close attention to your breathing and create a steady rhythm. It also helps to push air out from your lungs so new air can come back in. It is okay to cough, even to generate sputum. Your ultimate goal is getting your breathing regulated.
The symptoms of asthma might not always be apparent, but for those that suffer from the disease, the condition never goes away entirely. Be sure you are practicing proper self-care, and make sure you have your inhaler ready to go in case you suffer a full-blown attack. Have a discussion with your doctor or allergist to determine what the best plan for you might be.
Don’t turn on any fans if you see that your room is dusty. The fan will cause the dust to circulate through the air, which can cause you to suffer an asthma attack. Open a window instead to get the air flowing.
Consider getting injections of medications to treat your asthma if you are prone to attacks induced by allergy symptoms. Omalizumab, an antibody medicine, might be suggested by an allergist and controls allergic reactions.
Be sure you and your family members get a yearly flu vaccination. If you have asthma, it’s important to prevent all respiratory infections, if at all possible. This means you should also be sure to wash your hands frequently and get vaccinated.
Asthma sufferers should take Vitamins E and C. They are believed to aid respiratory function and to be instrumental in keeping your asthma in check. You can get these vitamins from food or take a supplement. Your immune system gets a boost with these vitamins, and this helps protect your body against illnesses and asthma.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma, you should avoid smoking or even being in the presence of smokers. 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.
If you have asthma, you should get a flu shot once per year. Get vaccinated every flu season to avoid a high number of infections.
If you deal with asthma in your life, always choose products that are free of scents. Products that contain fragrance, such as perfumes, colognes, or air fresheners, fill the air with irritants that can trigger an asthma attack. Newly installed carpet or fresh paint in the home are both known to release chemical irritants. Try to maintain fresh air inside your home.
Take notes of what can trigger your asthma attacks so that you can be prepared for a future attack or learn how to avoid them all together. A lot of people who suffer from asthma have the same triggers, pet dander, smoke, or pollen. Avoid your asthma triggers as much as you can to prevent attacks.
Stand ready for a boost to your asthma treatment should you suffer from illnesses like colds or hay fever. Side effects that are associated with most illnesses can serve as triggers for asthma and may cause an increase in your asthma treatment. Your regular medication may also need to be combined with other treatments your doctor may recommend.
Avoid feather pillows if you suffer from asthma. The feathers from a pillow can cause asthma symptoms and decrease your lung function. You should also look into hypoallergenic materials when buying sheets and a comforter.
You should understand what triggers your asthma attacks in order for you to avoid these causes or prepare yourself for managing your symptoms. Generally, it is found that items such as smoke and pollen can trigger attacks in those that suffer with asthma. When possible, stay away from these triggers that cause symptoms or ultimately, full-blown attacks.
Asthma Treatment
Asthmatic patients should avoid using feather pillows. Feathers can trigger asthma symptoms and reduce lung function. The same goes for bedding – try to buy a comforter and sheets that are made from hypoallergenic materials.
Take the time to understand the proper usage of your asthma medication, particularly any that is labelled as rescue medication. Asthma treatment is generally two-pronged: Daily asthma treatment and additional emergency medicine to relieve attacks as they happen. Because asthma has no cure, you must treat it carefully by taking your maintenance medication every day and using your emergency medication responsibly.
There are support groups available to you, both in person or on the Internet. Asthma can be quite debilitating, especially if the asthma is severe, and this condition can interfere with daily life. Also, communicating with other people with asthma will keep you in the know about changes in how the condition is understood and treated.
If you are flying with your asthma medications, especially a large piece of equipment such as a nebulizer, be sure to bring along a written prescription from your doctor. Written proof of needing your equipment can help you with any issues you might have in the security line.
Monitor how often, per week, you find it necessary to use your inhaler. If you use it more than two times a week, your asthma may need to be better controlled, or you are going through an usual period that brings on more regular attacks. How frequently you need to use the inhaler can help you recognize any environmental changes you need to make.
Using a preventative inhaler is important, but you need to know the side effects it can cause such as mouth infections. Always brush and gargle as soon as you’ve finished using your inhaler to prevent mouth infections.
When you are making an effort to control asthma, do not smoke. Smoking can trigger a person who has asthma to have an attack. Stay away from chemical fumes, vapors, and cigarette smoke at all times. All of those things can trigger and aggravate asthma symptoms. Politely request that smokers abstain from smoking in your presence.
Monitor how many times, on a weekly basis, you are using your rescue inhaler. If you use it more than two times a week, your asthma may need to be better controlled, or you are going through an usual period that brings on more regular attacks. Focusing on how often you need your inhaler makes you aware of when you need to make changes to your plan for keeping asthma under control.
Bed linens often collect asthma aggravators, such as pollen, dust and allergens. To reduce the chance that your bed linens will induce an asthma attack, wash your sheets every week in hot water. Sleeping with fresh bed linens will ensure you can breathe easy when you sleep.
When housecleaning, it is better to clean your floors with a damp mop than sweeping them with a broom. Sweeping can trigger an asthma attack due to the copious clouds of minute asthma-triggering particles it kicks up. Dusting with a damp cloth rather than a feather duster can be a considerable help in reducing the amount of dust and other things that might start an attack.
When pollen counts are high, people who have asthma should stay inside. Even though asthma is not considered to be an allergy, asthma is triggered by the same things that cause allergies. The same air quality reports available in the local news for allergy problems can also help those with asthma issues stay indoors on particularly hazardous days.
Bed Linens
If you have asthma and you’re also an allergy sufferer, you must only use a vaporizer or humidifier that’s been cleaned thoroughly. Bacteria can breed inside the moist machine and you would be releasing them along with the humid air.
Bed linens attract things that cause asthma attacks. You can reduce or eliminate these potential asthma attack inducers by laundering your sheets and pillowcases in hot water every week. Clean bed linens will help you breathe better while you sleep.
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. Having to use your inhaler multiple times means the medicine you’re receiving isn’t working well enough and needs to be changed. It also isn’t working right if you’re having to refill the inhaler more than two times a year.
Remain calm in the event of an asthma attack. Use the inhaler, pause for 30 seconds then use it again. If your attack continues to worsen, seek help. Go to the emergency room, or call an ambulance if it’s extreme. Slow your breathing by inhaling and exhaling into a paper bag while you are waiting for help.
Aim to maintain a clean home. Also, wash sheets, pillows and blankets frequently. Doing this prevents the build up of dust and dust mites, which can both trigger an asthma attack. Dust in the air is irritating to those with asthma and increases the chance of an attack.
If you find yourself relying on your rescue inhaler more often than twice weekly, it may be necessary to speak with your doctor about changing medication. This level of frequency can mean your medication is ineffective for your needs. Additionally, if your inhaler needs refills more often than about every six months, you are in the same situation and should see your physician.
Remain watchful toward allergy attacks and change your medication if you experience more than two attacks per week. Asthma attacks are often preventable; there is no reason for anyone to have more than one attack per week, if any. These attacks can be fatal, so you want to reduce them as much as possible.
Asthma is sometimes caused by genetics, and sometimes by environmental causes. If you have a family member with asthma, watch your children and yourself for asthma symptoms. Environmental factors such as pollution, smoke, mold spores and excess dust can cause asthma, so make sure to keep yourself and little ones away from these hazards.
Make sure that you gradually increase you current lung capacity and build the muscles that you need. Do not gamble with your chances of triggering an attack by attempting a workout that is beyond your current skills.
Dust Mites
Watch for symptoms of a serious attack that require an emergency hospital visit. Increased usage of medication to no avail of relief and fingernails and lips turning bluish-gray are indications of a severe asthma attack. Also, you kid might have difficulty with speech.
Make sure your space is clean. You need to also wash your pillows, blankets, and sheets on a regular basis. By doing this, it prevents dust mites and dust from building up. Both dust and dust mites can trigger asthma attacks. When you have a build-up of dust in the air, your lungs will suffer and that can set off an attack.
You should get the flu vaccine annually. Even if you’re not affected by flu seasons, you should still get a vaccine. If you have asthma attacks, you have a greater chance of seriously suffering from sinus and respiratory infections of the flu.
Preparation and forethought are at the foundation of any asthma plan. Knowing the flavor of asthma from which you suffer, as well as practicing a good treatment regimen, is the easiest way to stop attacks from happening before they start. This article is the first step to understanding how to battle this disease effectively!
If you are someone who suffers from asthma, you need to avoid doing exercise out in the dry, cold air. If your bronchial airways experience this type of weather, it can trigger an asthma attack. Thus, if you want to exercise outdoors, ensure it is humid and a little warm before you begin.