Do you suffer from asthma like millions of others do? This article contains helpful advice on how to take control of your asthma.
If you have any children who suffer from asthma, avoid smoking around them at all costs. Secondhand smoke is something that can lead to serious asthma. Never allow anyone to smoke around your child, and teach them not to smoke as an adult themselves.
A great idea to help your child with asthmatic problems is to avoid smoking in any areas they frequent. One leading cause of issues in children who have asthma is that people smoke around them. While making sure to never light up around your children, it is also vital that you make sure your kids are not around others who do not show the same courtesy.
There are some medications out there that you could be taking which will actually trigger your asthma symptoms. Among these medications are aspirin and other NSAIDs. You can also use beta blockers, which will help you manage blood pressure. Let your doctor know about your asthma and what prescriptions you’re taking.
Cigarette smoke will make your asthma worse. Avoid smoking altogether. Inhaling the chemical-laden fumes and even the vapors from cigarettes can be extremely harmful. This can cause an asthma attack, and you may be unable to bring it under control. If you are around others who are smoking, remove yourself.
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. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, stop. Stay away from vapors and all chemical fumes so you are not able to breathe them in. Any of these things can trigger an asthma attack. Avoid secondhand smoke by leaving physical distance between yourself and the smoker.
Never turn on a fan when the room you are in is very dusty. This will move all the dust around, and can easily trigger an asthma attack. Instead, you should consider opening a window to get some fresh clean air going through your lungs.
Make sure you use the inhaler in the proper, prescribed method. Find a spot that is out of the way, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to the letter. The inhaler is only useful if the medication within it actually gets to your lungs. While inhaling, spray the dosage in your mouth. Holding your breath for a minimum of 10 seconds gives the medicinal mist from the inhaler time to spread itself throughout your lungs.
Learn how to use an inhaler in the correct manner if you do not already know. Find a spot that is out of the way, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to the letter. You can inhale all you want, but it’s useless if the medication doesn’t make it to your lungs. The dosage that is required should be sprayed into the mouth while you inhale air. Holding your breath for a minimum of 10 seconds gives the medicinal mist from the inhaler time to spread itself throughout your lungs.
Make sure that you and your loved ones get a flu vaccination yearly. Asthma patients should try their best to avoid getting respiratory infections. This means you should also be sure to wash your hands frequently and get vaccinated.
Those with asthma should always opt for unscented items because they are safest. Scented products should be avoided, such as air fresheners, perfume, and incense. These can increase the amount of air pollution in the home and even trigger an attack. Irritating odors are also given off by new carpeting and paints. Strive to maintain an indoor environment that is free from these pollutants, keeping the air fresh.
For those who have asthma, the safest choice is to stick with unscented products. Using products in your home such as incense, perfume or air fresheners can increase the amount of microscopic pollutants indoors and trigger asthma attacks. Put down some new carpeting and throw up a coat of paint to get rid of indoor odors. Keep your indoor air clean and free of pollutants to stay healthy.
Increase Asthma
To keep from triggering any bad symptoms of asthma or a full-blown attack, it’s important to keep the home clean and tidy, free of dust and other particulates. This is particularly important in a bedroom. Also, you should keep food confined to the kitchen, and opt to smoke outdoors only. Bypass chemicals when cleaning your home if at all possible, and be sure to open doors and windows afterwards.
You should be ready to increase asthma treatments if you suffer from hay fever or a cold. A lot of illnesses can cause your asthma to flare up very badly, resulting in the necessity to increase asthma treatment. Your physician may even recommend that you take additional medication until you recover.
Your asthma treatments will likely increase when you suffer from hay fever or a cold. Many illnesses have side effects which can cause your asthma to get much worse, leading your doctor to increase treatment. Your family doctor may recommend adding another treatment or medication to your current regimen until you recover from your illness.
Pay attention to your symptom triggers. The more aware of your triggers you become, the easier it will be to avoid them and reduce the number of attacks you suffer. Smoke, pollen, or pet dander are common triggers. When possible, stay away from triggers of asthma symptoms in an effort to prevent a severe attack.
If you have asthma, or if your children have asthma, it is vital that you receive the flu shot yearly. Stave off these infections immediately by getting your vaccinations yearly.
Keep your medication with you, especially when you are traveling. Traveling is hard on your body, opening you up to an asthma attack. The change in environment can also have a negative impact, since it is impossible to control. This can lead to more frequent attacks or attacks with symptoms that are worse than normal.
Feather pillows can be bad for those with asthma. The feathers contained in the pillow could trigger the symptoms related to asthma and it could prevent your lungs from functioning efficiently. Your other bedding, such as sheets, blankets and comforters, should be hypoallergenic, too.
Support Group
Don’t miss your appointment for an asthma checkup simply because you aren’t currently having any problems with your condition. Your doctor may be able to prescribe more effective treatments and you may be suffering symptoms you’re not aware are related to your asthma.
Try joining an in-person or virtual asthma support group. Asthma can be an extremely debilitating health issue and can stop you from participating in life the way you want to. Being a part of a support group can help provide you with honest information about products and helpful hints, as well as medical news.
Most homes are full of common asthma triggers. These include mold, dust and spores. To keep your body healthy and to cut down the frequency of asthma attacks, it is important to have your house professionally inspected and cleaned to remove these harmful substances. Additionally, cleaning your home on a regular schedule prevents these unwanted visitors from taking residence en masse.
Your home can be the cause of your asthma and its triggers. Such irritants include mold spores, dust, smoke and chemical fumes. Stay on top of your health and reduce the likelihood of attacks. You can do this by having it inspected every year to get rid of triggers. Also, cleaning your house can help with this buildup.
Asthma is a condition that typically will develop over a long period of time, with symptoms that are not very obvious. Some people have even died from having an asthma attack, and they didn’t even know they had asthma. 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.
Do not allow mold or mildew to grow in your home, because they can be extremely dangerous for asthma sufferers. You can get asthma attacks because of these substances. Try, then, to ensure your home is dry. You can maintain a dry home by using a dehumidifier and heater in the colder months, and air conditioning when it is warm.
If you are traveling by plane and taking along your asthma medications, make sure to have with you any written doctors prescriptions, especially when carrying some large asthma equipment like a nebulizer. You’ll speed up the process of going through security if you have written proof that shows that the items are necessary.
This article provided you with some useful methods for controlling the effects of your asthma. But of course, the advice is only useful if applied with diligence and regularity. If you ignore the signs of an asthma attack or stop doing the things that work to keep your asthma under control, you’ll most likely start having trouble with your asthma again. Use this advice to help you keep it under control.
Allergens, pollen, dust and some other asthma aggravators can collect in your bed linens. Clean your linen and pillow case every week to prevent asthma attacks. Fresh, laundered bedding will help you sleep that much easier at night.