Asthma can be a very hard ailment to live with. Asthma will make your ability to do daily tasks harder. There’s no cure for asthma, and keeping it under control can be challenging. That said, there ARE tips and techniques which can make managing your asthma and returning to a full life possible, and we’ve included many in this article. Read on!
A great idea to help your child with asthmatic problems is to avoid smoking in any areas they frequent. As far as triggers that cause asthma attacks or causes of the condition in general, secondhand cigarette smoke ranks right up there. Make sure you keep your child away from other people who are smoking, too.
What triggers your asthma? When you’re informed about your asthma, you’ll be able to do more to cope with the illness and prevent it from having a negative effect on your life. People suffering from asthma that is exercise-induced, for example, had best be prepared for asthma attacks at the gym! Knowing your symptoms’ patterns can help you avoid big problems.
A lot of medications can trigger an asthma attack without you knowing. NSAIDs and aspirin are known for their ability to cause symptoms. You can also use medications that can control high blood pressure and heart disease, things like beta blockers. Make sure your doctor knows if you are taking such medicine and also have asthma.
Cleaning Products
During a mild to moderate attack, force all of the air out of your lungs. Exhale in a hard and fast manner. Force your lungs to expel as much air as possible. Take three breaths in succession. These breaths don’t have to be deep, just breathe a little. Then take a deep breath, pulling as much air as possible into your lungs. When your lungs are as full as you can stand, force the air out. This method forces you to pay close attention to your breathing and create a steady rhythm. It will also empty your lungs of air, so that they’re ready to take in new, fresh air. It is okay that you cough up some sputum, you really want to breathe right again.
Asthma can cause increased sensitivity to the ingredients contained in many cleaning products. Many of the chemicals in cleaning products can trigger asthma symptoms or attacks. If you do the cleaning in your house, use natural solutions that are safer for you to breath in.
If you suffer from asthma, and have many attacks that are related to your allergy symptoms, there is a medication that is injected and provides long term effects. Omalizumab is one such medication, and can control the allergic symptoms you may be experienced. An allergist will be able to tell you if this is a good option.
If you are suffering from asthma, stay away from any type of cigarette smoke. Smoking is especially dangerous for asthmatics. Inhaling the chemical-laden fumes and even the vapors from cigarettes can be extremely harmful. These can trigger a severe asthma attack that can be difficult to get under control. Avoid secondhand smoke by leaving physical distance between yourself and the smoker.
Use the inhaler the right way. Move to a quiet area, and then simply follow manufacturer’s instructions. You can inhale all you want, but it’s useless if the medication doesn’t make it to your lungs. While taking a deep breath, spray in the recommended dosage. Hold your breath for at least 10 seconds to allow the medicated mist to fill your lungs.
Social Worker
Though it is easy to postpone or avoid, get those annual flu vaccinations. It is a good idea to avoid all respiratory infections when you have asthma. Take standard precautions against any kind of illness, and start washing those hands and getting vaccinations that will protect you from getting very sick.
Talk to a social worker if you do not have health insurance and need medication for your asthma. It is important that you are able to afford your asthma medications, so a social worker may be able to find you a clinic or hospital that offers your medication at little to no cost.
If you use more than four types of chemical cleaning agents in your house the risk of your child having an asthma attack increases. Choose natural and organic products which don’t have chemicals that will irritate your disease.
If you suffer from asthma, be sure your diet includes lots of Vitamins C and E. These vitamins help reduce asthma flare-ups by improving lung function. Either find a good vitamin supplement to take, or change your diet to include more foods rich in Vitamins E and C. 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. Tobacco smoke causes your lung function to decrease, increasing the risk of a very severe attack, especially in enclosed rooms without much air flow or ventilation.
Keep your home meticulously clean to reduce attack potential if there is an asthma sufferer living there, especially the bedroom. Keep food consumption to the kitchen and the dining room, and never allow anyone to smoke in the house. If you clean with any harsh chemicals or bleach, make sure to ventilate thoroughly afterwards.
Keep your medication with you, especially when you are traveling. The stress of travel may temporarily weaken your body and make you more vulnerable to attack triggers. It’s also hard to control the environment you’re in when traveling, which is another reason you might experience more symptoms or have an attack.
A yearly flu shot is necessary if you suffer from asthma. Prevent those flu infections before they happen by getting a flu shot each year.
Think about signing up for a support group locally or online. Asthma can be an extremely debilitating health issue and can stop you from participating in life the way you want to. Also, other asthma sufferers can alert you to scientific breakthroughs and changes, such as new medications.
Avoid pillows with feathers if you have asthma. Feathers can trigger asthma symptoms and reduce lung function. Patients should also buy hypoallergenic bedding.
When taking asthma medications on a plane trip, bring written medical prescriptions provided by your doctor. When you have written proof that these items are necessary it can help speed along the security procedures.
Regardless of whether your asthma has been flaring up, don’t neglect routine checkups. It is important to make sure your condition isn’t worsening, and your doctor may want to prescribe a different medication.
Make note of how often, on a weekly basis, you use your inhaler. You should not have to rely on a rescue inhaler more than twice per week. If you find yourself needing it more often, it could be a sign that your asthma is not being controlled well or that there is a new environmental factor causing attacks more frequently. If you have to use your inhaler a lot, you will know that you should more closely monitor your surroundings.
As stated earlier, asthma must be taken seriously. It is a medical condition with symptoms that can potentially be catastrophic. If you feel like you are losing control of the situation, go see a doctor. Use the information here, and you can prevent asthma from taking over your life.
Those with asthma should minimize time with pets and animals. While asthma can be triggered from an animal hair allergy, those free of these allergies can have an attack by the pollen and dust that the animals carry.