Whether you or a family member is affected, asthma can make you afraid. It is important to be knowledgeable about asthma and the symptoms associated with it so you can better manage the effects. Always know what could possibly happen, learn to spot the warning signs, and be prepared to react if you can’t prevent them.
If asthma is something you suffer from, do not smoke or spend time around smokers, much less any source of vapors and fumes. You should not smoke and consider which jobs are appropriate for you, especially if you are thinking about working in a factory.
If you are an asthmatic, it is vital that you never smoke, and if you already do, you should quit as soon as possible. Smoking is unhealthy for everyone, however it is especially bad for asthmatics. Your lungs are already compromised from the asthma and adding smoke to that will cut off the vital oxygen supply your lungs need to breathe.
It is important that you try to stay clear of cleaning products if you have asthma. Many of the harsh chemicals inside cleaning products might trigger symptoms or even a full blown asthma attack. While anyone responsible for cleaning their home can’t avoid cleaning products altogether, it’s best to only use natural products.
As a chronic disease, asthma must be managed continuously. 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. Talk to your doctor and allergist to see what is the best idea for you.
Consider getting injections of medications to treat your asthma if you are prone to attacks induced by allergy symptoms. One antibody medication available is called Omalizumab and can be prescribed by your doctor or allergist.
Social Worker
A leukotriene inhibitor may be an excellent way for you to deal with asthma. There are modern medicines that are highly effective at blocking leukotrienes. The inflammation caused by this substance can trigger the symptoms of asthma. The inhibitor will keep the leukotrienes from forming, which can reduce the frequency of asthma attacks that you experience.
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. You must have the ability to afford your medication, so a social worker might be able to locate a hospital or clinic that can offer them at little cost or free.
If you have asthma that is not covered by health insurance, contact someone in a government agency, like a social worker. It is critical that every asthma sufferer have access to the proper medicines to keep the condition under control, and a social worker could help you locate a hospital or clinic that will provide you the necessary medication on a low or no-fee basis.
A dehumidifier is an excellent investment for asthma sufferers. If you lessen your humidity in the house, you will stave off dust mites that may make your asthma flare. Use a dehumidifier, and the air you breath will be much less likely to cause your asthma to flare up.
Take a lot of Vitamin E and C if you are suffering from asthma. These vitamins help to control asthma symptoms and improve the function of your lungs. Vitamin C is available in multiple forms. You can find it in citrus fruits, supplements, and in many other places. These vitamins will also provide a boost to your immune system. This will prevent respiratory illnesses that can trigger your asthma attacks.
If your child or yourself are asthma sufferers it is very important that you get the flu shot every single year. Get yearly vaccinations to keep these potential infections at bay.
If you’re having asthma problems, a dehumidifier is a beneficial purchase. Decreasing the humidity in the house decreases dust mites, which decreases asthma flare ups. Dehumidifiers eliminate your home’s humidity, leaving dry air.
Asthma Symptoms
If you have asthma, avoid people who smoke. When you breathe in smoke, especially in small spaces, it diminishes breathing ability, which greatly increases the probability of an asthma attack.
Make sure you know what triggers asthma attacks so you can either avoid those triggers or be prepared to manage your asthma symptoms. Common triggers among asthma sufferers are smoke, pollen, or pet dander. If at all possible, strive to avoid substances and locations that trigger your asthma symptoms or attacks.
People suffering from asthma should stick to unscented products. Products with fragrance, such as perfumes, colognes, and air fresheners, introduce irritants into the air around you and can cause asthma attacks. Fresh pain and new carpet also let off odors that are irritable to the airways. Clean your indoor air and keep it as fresh as you can.
Avoid feather pillows if you suffer from asthma. Feathers can decrease lung function and cause asthma symptoms. This applies to bedding, as well, so it’s best to make sure that everything on your bed is hypoallergenic.
To cut the risk of an asthma attack, keep your house as clean as you can, particularly the bedroom of the person with asthma. Do not allow smoking in your house, and keep food in your kitchen. Thoroughly air out your house after every cleaning, and stay away from bleach and similar harsh chemicals while cleaning indoors.
If your home is damp, it can encourage the growth of mildew and mold. Both mold and mildew are associated with asthma attacks. You should do your best to maintain a dry home. During winter time, use a dehumidifier if necessary to control humidity while running your heater, and use your air conditioner during summer months to keep air dry.
You should know what triggers your asthma attacks; this will allow you to either avoid them or be ready to manage the symptoms. Most asthma sufferers have a few common triggers such as smoke, pet dander or pollen. When possible, stay away from triggers of asthma symptoms in an effort to prevent a severe attack.
Avoid cold-induced asthma attacks by protecting your mouth and nose with a scarf. This allows you to warm air before it enters 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.
Think about becoming a member of a support group, whether it is online or somewhere local. Many people who suffer from asthma are unable to live a full life. On top of that, an asthma support group will keep you apprised of the latest developments in asthma medication and other significant medical breakthroughs.
Asthma generally takes a long time to develop, and the symptoms may be vague at first, making it difficult to diagnose the problem. Many individuals died from their very first asthma attack because they weren’t aware they had the risk factors for an attack. If you have any trouble breathing or are coughing a lot, you need to see a doctor to determine what it is and if you need any medication or treatment for asthma prevention.
Asthma develops over an extended time period, and its symptoms aren’t always obvious. There are known cases where someone has actually died from a single asthma attack, because they were unaware that they had the disease. 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.
If you are going to be flying and are bringing your asthma medicine with you, take written prescriptions from your physician with you, especially if you will be taking large equipment like a nebulizer. Having proof in writing from a doctor that states the item is a medical necessity can eliminate security hassles.
Anyone with asthma needs to avoid all types of smoke when trying to decrease asthma attacks. Inhaling smoke makes it harder for you to breathe and might result in an asthma attack. You should avoid cigarette smoke, vapors, and chemical fumes as much as possible. All of these air-borne pollutants can greatly increase your asthma symptoms. Politely request that smokers abstain from smoking in your presence.
You can use the preventative inhaler daily, but know that it can cause mouth infections near your gums and teeth. One effective way in preventing these side effects and problems is to brush and gargle right away after you use your inhaler.
You need to be educated in properly using your inhaler if you suffer from asthma. You should not just stick it between your lips and spray. Every time you spray the inhaler, breathe deeply inward for about three seconds. Failure to properly use your inhaler can lead to deadly effect.
When cleaning your house, clean floors with a wet mop instead of a broom. The action of sweeping can swirl up a whole cloud of asthma-triggering particles. When you dust, use a damp cloth instead of a feather duster which can spread these triggers.
Finding out as much as you can about asthma is a good way to help you manage your asthma. You can take faster, more effective action to treat your asthma condition the better you understand it. Keep current with treatments and ensure you have the greatest possible care that you can have. You can only properly treat the condition once you gain knowledge about it and the treatments that are available.
Asthma Attack
Buy a mask to keep yourself from breathing in harmful fumes if you plan on painting in your home. Paint can trigger asthma-related issues, but wearing a mask will provide a protective barrier to circumvent these issues. Take similar steps to avoid any chemical or other substance that tends to trigger your asthma attacks.
Smoke should always be avoided when you suffer from asthma. The inhalation of smoke can easily trigger an asthma attack. You should attempt to minimize your contact with cigarette smoke, chemical fumes, and noxious vapors. The more you are exposed to fumes, vapors and smoke, the more likely you are to have an asthma attack. If there are smokers around you, you may want to ask them if they will smoke in another area.
Don’t skimp on vitamin B6. Studies have found that vitamin B6, which is sometimes referred to as pyridoxine, can make asthma attacks less frequent and less intense. This substance helps your body produce the molecules needed to relax the tissues of the bronchial tubes. You can find a good supply of vitamin B6 in natural foods such as bananas.
Allergens and asthma triggers, such as dust and pollen can cling to your bed linens. It is important to wash your bed linens at least once per week in very hot water if you want to reduce or eliminate the potential aggravators. Fresh bed linens, washed regularly, will ensure that you can breathe a little easier while you sleep.
The causative factors in asthma range from environmental factors to genetic factors. Most of the time, both environment and genetics play a role in determining whether you will be impacted by this disease. If anyone in your family suffers from asthma, watch very closely for any asthma-like symptoms in yourself or your children. There are many environmental factors, like mold, great deals of dust, smoke and pollution that can lead to asthma, so it’s important to keep both yourself and your children away from these things.
Avoid smoking and people who are smokers. Most people are educated about how dangerous smoking is, but it is much more harmful for people who have asthma. Not only should smoking be avoided, you need to be careful to stay away from people who do smoke because it is extremely harmful and will irritate your sensitive asthmatic lungs.
Maintain a living area that is swept and well cleaned. Also, you need to wash pillows, sheets and blankets often. By keeping these items clean, you avoid any dust buildup which attracts dust mites, a typical trigger of 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.
Keep your home as clean and dust free as possible. Also, wash all of your bed linens regularly. Doing this prevents the build up of dust and dust mites, which can both trigger an asthma attack. When there is a lot of dust in your house, the air will be irritating to any asthma sufferer, and they will be at a higher risk for having an attack.
The following symptoms can signify a serious attack worthy of emergency room attention. You might notice a gray or blue tone to their lips or fingernails, and their medication may not be working. Also, your child could have difficulty talking.
As you have read, there is quite a bit to know about asthma. The information that was presented here is only the tip of the iceberg of advice that is available for asthma sufferers. With a combination of this information, and your doctor’s advice, you can lessen the effects of asthma.
If you start to have an asthma attack but can’t find your medication, try to find some caffeine instead. Coffee, strong black tea, or chocolate can reduce your asthma attack symptoms. Caffeine constricts the blood vessels in the body, which can open airways.