Asthma keeps you from breathing properly, which can be extremely scary. It can pop up for no reason and may be fatal. This creates limits on your life. The following article will give you some helpful tips on why asthma attacks occur, and it will put you on a path toward proper care. It will also ease the restrictions asthma puts on your life.
Do you know what sub-type of asthma you’re plagued with? Being aware of your specific condition will help you combat the effects it has over your body day in and day out. For example, if your asthma is brought on by bronchitis, you should keep your rescue inhaler with you during times when you are sick. Treating asthma is less difficult if you and your physician are aware of the triggers that bring on an attack.
A great idea to help your child with asthmatic problems is to avoid smoking in any areas they frequent. Secondhand smoke is one of the leading culprits that causes asthma. Ensure that your child is not around other people that smoke, either.
Cleaning products can trigger an asthma attack, so try to keep your exposure to them to a minimum. Cleaning products are often full of chemicals, and breathing those chemicals in can irritate your lungs. Use natural cleaners instead of chemical cleaners to reduce your chances of asthma attacks after cleaning.
You may be unaware that certain medications you might be on could cause asthma symptoms. Aspirin and other NSAIDs are known to be asthma triggers. Common medications used for controlling high blood pressure often times contain beta blockers, which asthmatics may be more sensitive to. If you have asthma and these other conditions, let your physician know.
Avoid anything that could trigger your asthma. For some people, it may be related to allergies, such as a reaction to dust or pollen. Some things, such as physical exertion, can cause an asthma attack. Determine what sets your asthma off so you can stay away from these things.
If you suffer from asthma, try seeing if a leukotriene inhibitor helps. Leukotriene inhibitors are used to prevent things called leukotrienes. Leukotriene, a chemical substance, can provoke an inflammation that causes an asthma attack. The inhibitor will prevent leukotrienes, which can decrease the amount of asthma attacks that you have.
There are medications that can unknowingly cause asthma-like symptoms. Aspirin and some other NSAIDs may do this. Also, beta blockers, such as medicines used to control heart disease and high blood pressure. If you suffer from these conditions and also have asthma, be sure to let your doctor know.
Properly use the inhaler every time you must use it. Find a quiet spot and follow the instructions the manufacturer has given. The only way the inhaler can help is if the medication can reach your lungs. Inhale air while spraying the necessary amount of medication into your mouth. Be sure to hold the mist in your lungs for about ten seconds.
The symptoms of asthma might not always be apparent, but for those that suffer from the disease, the condition never goes away entirely. You need to always take your medications for your everyday symptoms, and keep your quick relief medication with you in case you do have an attack. To determine the best options for you personally, consult your physician and an allergist.
A dehumidifier is a beneficial investment for anyone with asthma. Not only will a dehumidifier decrease humidity, but it will also be helpful in controlling the dust mite population. Both are causative factors in asthma attacks. A dehumidifying device reduces the moisture in the air.
If you are suffering from a mild or moderate asthma attack, expel all the air from your lungs. Make your exhalations quick and forceful. Try to force the air out of your lungs! Inhale for three quick breaths, and then take one deep breath so that you can allow your lungs to fill with air, and then force the air out again. This gives your breathing a rhythm and makes you focus on your breathing. It also pushes the air out of your lungs, so that more air can come in. If you cough up mucus, don’t worry – just get the breathing back to normal.
Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke because it is as dangerous to asthmatics as smoking a cigarette. When you inhale tobacco smoke, particularly in closeted areas, the functioning of your lungs can decrease, and you may suffer an attack.
Never turn on a fan when the room you are in is very dusty. The fan will circulate the dust along with the air, which can cause it to get into your lungs and make your asthma worse. Instead, you should consider opening a window to get some fresh clean air going through your lungs.
Keep your home meticulously clean to reduce attack potential if there is an asthma sufferer living there, especially the bedroom. Don’t smoke indoors, or allow any junk food in your home. After you clean, let the house air out completely, and stay away from using any harsh chemicals (especially bleach) inside.
If you have asthma and suffer persistent attacks caused by allergy symptoms, an injectable medicine can be administered for extended relief. An antibody medicine known as omalizumab is very effective at countering asthma attacks related to allergies. Ask your allergist about it.
Be certain you are aware of all your asthma attack triggers so you know both how to steer clear of them and also be ready to take care of your symptoms. Common asthma triggers include pollen, smoke or dander. Avoid these things when you can to breathe easier.
Get a flu shot every season and make sure your family does as well. If you suffer from asthma, it is best to avoid respiratory infections of any type as much as possible. Take standard precautions against any kind of illness, and start washing those hands and getting vaccinations that will protect you from getting very sick.
Asthma Attacks
If you suffer from asthma, make sure that you consume enough Vitamin C and Vitamin E. These vitamins make lungs function better and keep symptoms of asthma under control. You can take these vitamins in pill form, or you can eat fresh fruits and vegetables and get the vitamins that way. The vitamins work to strengthen your immunities, thereby warding off sicknesses that tend to exacerbate asthma.
When the weather starts to turn colder, wear a scarf or shawl that covers your mouth and nose to help prevent asthma attacks. This helps warm the air prior to it entering your lungs. Studies have indicated that asthma attacks are sometimes triggered when cold air is inhaled. This is especially true for young children who have asthma that is moderate to severe.
It is best to use products that are unscented in the home with someone who is asthmatic. Scented products such as air fresheners and perfumes can trigger an asthma attack. New carpet and fresh paint can also emit odors that can irritate the airways. Aim to make the air inside your home allergen free, and as fresh and clean as possible.
If you’re flying with asthma medications, be sure you get a prescription from your physician. Without a written prescription stating that the item is medically necessary, you may experience frustration and delays at security checkpoints.
You need to know what the asthma triggers are so that they can be avoided or treated promptly. A lot of people who suffer from asthma have the same triggers, pet dander, smoke, or pollen. When possible, stay away from these triggers that cause symptoms or ultimately, full-blown attacks.
You can use the preventative inhaler daily, but know that it can cause mouth infections near your gums and teeth. Always brush and gargle as soon as you’ve finished using your inhaler to prevent mouth infections.
If you suffer from asthma, you should refrain from sleeping on a pillow that contains feathers. The feathers contained in these pillows can aggravate asthma symptoms and reduce lung function. The same can be said for bedding, try to get hypoallergenic comforters and sheets.
Go to several doctors. Even though your primary care doctor can assist you in the basic care for your asthma, consider visiting a specialist also. The allergists, pulmonologists and nutritionists in asthma centers can help you take full advantage of all treatments available.
Make regular asthma checkups with your doctor, even if you are not having any issues come up. It is important to make sure your condition isn’t worsening, and your doctor may want to prescribe a different medication.
Do not smoke! People know that smoking is dangerous, but it is even more dangerous to those with asthma. Sensitive asthmatic lungs are easily irritated by smoke, so they need to avoid smoking and to avoid situations where there are people who smoke.
Wear scarves, shawls and mufflers to cover your noise and mouth during colder weather. Filtering and warming air before you inhale it can help prevent asthma attacks. Studies have indicated that asthma attacks are sometimes triggered when cold air is inhaled. This is especially true for young children who have asthma that is moderate to severe.
Treatment Plan
Bed linens often collect asthma aggravators, such as pollen, dust and allergens. If you put your pillowcases and sheets in hot water weekly, these inducers will be reduced or completely eliminated. If there are always fresh linens on your bed, you are much more likely to sleep restfully without unexpected asthma attacks.
Follow up with your doctor three or four times a year to manage your asthma. Your doctor can check to see if your condition has changed, and if it has, update your treatment plan. The responsibility of scheduling these appointments falls on you. Make sure you attend each and every one so that your doctor can stay updated on how your treatment plan is working in order to help you remain healthy.
If you have asthma and allergies, don’t use a vaporizer or humidifier if it has not been completely cleaned. The moist environment of a humidifier can become a breeding ground for bacteria, which can irritate allergies or trigger an asthma attack.
If repainting a room is in your future, purchase a quality mask first to protect your lungs from paint fumes. Paint fumes can be irritating to asthma sufferers, but a mask creates a protective shield. Avoid specific substances and chemicals that will worsen your asthma.
Learn as much as you can about asthma. The more you know, the more proactive you’ll be in your own treatment. Stay up to date with current treatments and make sure you have the best care possible. You can easily know this information by further developing your knowledge about your condition, as well as, discovering treatment options.
Finding out what causes your asthma attacks can be the most effective way to prevent them. A daily journal can be a powerful tool to help you pinpoint frequent triggers and it can also help your doctor to prescribe the treatment that is right for you. Once you’ve figured out what your triggers are, work to remove them from your environmental and avoid them in your day to day life.
The etiology of asthma is both genetic and environmental. This is why it’s important to recognize the signs of asthma if your family has a history of the condition. Keep yourself and your family away from environmental hazards like smoke, pollution, excess dust and mold spores.
There are some symptoms of severe asthma attacks that you should be aware of. If your child suffering from asthma manifests these systems, rush him to the ER! If your child is experiencing a serious asthma attack, you will see: increased use of medication with little or no effect, gray or bluish fingernails and/or lips. If your child is having difficultly talking normally, this may also be an indication of a life threatening attack.
Watch your children closely for allergic reactions when they are eating new foods. Breathing problems or hives after eating a particular food can be be a sign and should be looked into. These allergies may indicate the possibility of asthma in the future.
Its symptoms can sometime be fatal if the condition is not controlled with treatment. Utilize the content provided here, you can learn to control your asthma and enjoy a healthier, more active lifestyle.
Environments that are both clean and dry are great ways to alleviate the most common asthma symptoms. Using a dehumidifier will control moisture levels in your house. Keeping the humidity in your home under control, you can help reduce the occurrence of attacks at any season of the year.