If you are among the millions of people who suffer from asthma, you definitely need to take a few minutes to read the information that follows. There is a lot of advice here to help you live an easier and healthier life.
If you are an asthma sufferer, you should refrain from smoking or being around any vapors or fumes. This does mean avoiding all tobacco products as well as being mindful of sources of employment, with special attention to factories that might provide exposure to smoke and vapors.
Second hand smoke can cause asthma to develop in children, and can trigger an asthma attack if they already suffer from asthma. Secondhand smoke is a trigger for asthma attacks, not to mention the myriad of other diseases it can cause. You also need to be sure that your child isn’t around those that choose to smoke.
Do you know the type of asthma that you suffer with? 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. You can avoid a crisis by knowing your symptoms’ patterns.
Never take medications without getting your doctor’s approval so you don’t wind up taking one that has a side effect of exacerbating asthma.. Aspirin and other NSAIDs are known to be asthma triggers. You can also use beta blockers, which will help you manage blood pressure. If you suffer from any of these conditions along with your asthma, make sure you tell your doctor.
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. Speak with an allergist or your doctor to determine the best care for you.
Properly use the inhaler every time you must use it. Find a relaxing spot, and be sure that you follow the directions that the manufacturer provided. The inhaler will only reduce symptoms if the medication can get to your lungs. While inhaling air, spray required dosage in your mouth. Allow the mist to fill up your lungs by holding your breath at least ten seconds.
Use the inhaler the right way. Find a spot that is out of the way, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to the letter. The inhaler can only help you if the medication actually reaches the lungs. You need to inhale air while spraying the requisite dosage in your mouth. Be sure to hold the mist in your lungs for about ten seconds.
Make sure that everyone in your family gets their flu shot. If you are afflicted with asthma, avoid getting any infections if possible. Common method of avoiding illnesses can be very effective. Keep your vaccinations up to date and wash your hands frequently.
Talk to a social worker if you have asthma and no health insurance. Social workers are trained to help people find resources for affording health care, particularly on debilitating conditions such as asthma.
It’s been proven that you should use no more than four cleaning products in the home. If you do it can increase the risk of asthma attacks. To limit the chemicals in the air, look for organic cleaning alternatives.
Buy products that are unscented if you suffer from asthma. Using scented products, like air fresheners and perfume, will increase the level of air pollution and is likely to trigger an attack. Fresh paint and new carpeting can also irritate the airway. As much as possible, try to keep your home filled with fresh, pure air.
If you suffer from asthma and do not smoke, make sure to avoid people who do smoke. Inhaling smoke from tobacco products can compromise your lung function, which then makes you more susceptible to an attack. The risk of an attack from cigarette smoke is increased as the space you are in decreases.
While everyone appreciates the look and feel of a clean house, asthma sufferers in particular benefit from a healthy environment as it can decrease the risk of asthma attacks, especially in a sleeping area. Food should be eaten only in the kitchen or dining room, and cigarettes are best relegated to outdoor smoking areas. If you clean with any harsh chemicals or bleach, make sure to ventilate thoroughly afterwards.
For asthma sufferers, the unscented option is always the best choice among different products. Products that contain strong scents, like incense, perfume, or air freshener can trigger an asthma attack just by lingering in the air. New carpet and fresh paint can also emit odors that can irritate the airways. Try to make it your goal to keep the indoor air as fresh and allergen free as possible.
When you are suffering from asthma and you have hay fever or a cold, you will most likely need an increase in your treatment. Many illnesses have side effects that could cause your asthma to flare up so badly that you need to have an increase in treatment. Your doctor may need to add new treatments to your typical asthma regimen until you are well.
If you or someone in your family has asthma, all family members need to get flu shots every year. You can ward off a great number of these infections by having annual vaccinations.
Think about the benefits of joining an online or in-person support group. Asthma, especially the more severe forms, cause many problems that interfere with the quality of life and present many challenges. Others who suffer from asthma can give you immeasurable amounts of support and advice, and help you keep up with new medical developments.
Feather pillows can be bad for those with asthma. People are often allergic to these natural products that can affect breathing and bring on asthma symptoms. This extends to the rest of your bedding, as well. There are hypoallergenic comforters and sheets you can use to limit asthma symptoms.
Some of the most notorious causes of asthma attacks exist in normal households. These triggers inside the home are usually spores, mold and dust. Have an inspector who focuses on allergens and irritants come into your home once a year to help you detect what you have and learn how to remove it. In addition, cleaning the house regularly can greatly contribute to keeping these substances from building up.
Use your inhaler when you need to, but be aware that this product can cause infections near your gums and teeth. Always clean your teeth and rinse your mouth after you use your inhaler.
Understand how to properly use your own asthma medication, particularly the rescue medication. A treatment made up of a daily medication plus a rescue inhaler can help to keep asthma under control. Managing your medicine properly is important because asthma is a chronic health problem.
Make sure you count how many times, within a week, you have to use your inhaler. If you have to use your inhaler more than twice, then our asthma is not being controlled effectively, and you may need to see your doctor for a way to get it under control again. The number of times you use your inhaler can serve as a good reminder to monitor your environment and other aspects of your asthma management plan.
If you are taking an airplane and you need to travel with your asthma apparatus or medications, bring your written prescription with you. Without a written prescription stating that the item is medically necessary, you may experience frustration and delays at security checkpoints.
Asthma sufferers should avoid coming into contact with both domestic and farm animals. Even if they are not allergic to the animals, the pollen and dust that animals attract can trigger an asthma attack.
It’s important to keep up with your daily preventative inhaler routine, but watch out for mouth infections, especially in both teeth and gums. Always brush and gargle as soon as you’ve finished using your inhaler to prevent mouth infections.
Consider Visiting
If you have asthma, clean your floors with a wet mop, instead of sweeping with a traditional broom. Those particles that can trigger asthma attacks are stirred up when you sweep. When dusting, try to use a damp rag rather than a feather duster to cut down on the spread of the triggers.
See multiple doctors to keep asthma under control. Even though your primary care doctor can assist you in the basic care for your asthma, consider visiting a specialist also. Some specialists to consider visiting are those who deal directly with allergies or nutrition. This is a great way to attack asthma from all angles.
Bed linens often trap allergens, dust, pollen and other things that can aggravate asthma. You can reduce or eliminate these potential asthma attack inducers by laundering your sheets and pillowcases in hot water every week. Having fresh bedding will let you breathe more easily and have a more restful night.
Refrain from smoking. While smoking is a dangerous habit in general, it is far more damaging to those who have asthma. Smoke irritates the lungs of an asthma sufferer, so avoid the presence of people who smoke if you have asthma.
The only way that you should use a vaporizer or humidifier when you have asthma or allergies is if it has been cleaned thoroughly. If it is not clean you end up getting bacteria growth in the damp interior of the machine, and that ends up flooding the air you want to humidify with allergens.
If you experience a sudden asthma attack, staying calm is extremely important. Immediately use your asthma inhaler, rest for 30 seconds, then use it once more. If your attack worsens, get help. Go to the hospital. If the attack is particularly bad, have a friend take you or call 911. Try breathing into a paper bag in order to slow down your breathing while on the way to the hospital.
Make sure you keep calm if you are having an asthma attack. Immediately use your asthma inhaler, rest for 30 seconds, then use it once more. Seek help if your attack gets worse. Go to the emergency room, or call an ambulance if it’s extreme. Inhaling and exhaling into a paper bag can slow your breathing while en route.
Do all you can to educate yourself about asthma. You can take faster, more effective action to treat your asthma condition the better you understand it. In order to ensure that you are always getting the best possible care, stay abreast of new developments and up-to-date treatments. Make sure to explore new and different options to keep the symptoms of your condition under control.
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 level of frequency can mean your medication is ineffective for your needs. Having to restock your inhaler more frequently than once every six months is also a concern.
Asthma Attacks
Going to an asthma support group or just talking to people who also have asthma can really help out. By talking to fellow sufferers, you will learn more about asthma and what you should do in case of an attack. Having support from other people in the same situation as you are is an amazing help to your treatment and state of mind.
Keep track of how often allergies trigger asthma attacks. If you experience two or more asthma attacks a week after taking allergy medicine, switch to a different allergy medication. Medical professionals generally consider two or more allergy attacks weekly to be dangerous, but completely preventable.
Identifying what triggers your asthma attacks will go a long way towards treating them. If you don’t know what yours are, keep a journal to potentially show you what they are. After you figure them out, try to stay away from your triggers, and take them out of your environment if you can.
Target gradual strength training and increase the capacity of your lungs. Never tempt an attack by starting a grueling workout when you know you cannot finish it because of asthma.
Sweep and clean your home regularly. Additionally, you will want to wash your blankets, pillows and sheets often. Doing this eliminates the dust and dust mites that can cause asthma attacks. As dust builds in the air, it becomes more irritating to those that suffer from asthma, and increases the chances of an attack.
The information here will surely help to guide you through your asthma, as well as gain more control over it. If you can make a sensible, proactive effort to deal with your asthma, it is quite possible for you to enjoy a healthy, active, satisfying lifestyle. The tips from the above article may help you go about it.
Watch for symptoms of a serious attack that require an emergency hospital visit. Signs that an asthma attack is underway can include blue or gray tints to the lips and fingernails. It is also possible your child will not respond to heightened doses of medication during an attack. Your child may also experience trouble speaking.