If you do not carefully manage your asthma, it can easily spiral out of control. Many people have died as a result of asthma attacks. If you have asthma, you need to talk to a doctor, but there are things you can do on your own, as well. This article provides easy tips to help alleviate some asthma symptoms and to help you to better treat your asthma.
People afflicted by asthma should make it a priority to always avoid exposure to smoke, vapors and fumes. Stay far away from any tobacco products. You should also consider where you work, as factories may expose you to harmful vapors or smoke.
You need ongoing treatment for asthma because it’s an ongoing disease. Always be very sure that you’re taking the right type of medication for your condition if you hope to control it. It’s also important to have a quick-relief medication available. Work with your allergist and doctor to find the right treatment program that makes you feel good and allows you to still do the things you want to do.
What triggers your asthma? Learning about your type of asthma will help you to deal with it. For example, if your asthma is induced by exercise, it might be wise to always have an inhaler in your gym bag. Knowing your asthma symptom patterns will help keep you safe.
Cigarette smoke and asthma do not mix. You should not smoke! Never breathe in chemical fumes or vapors. This can trigger an unstoppable asthma attack. You should give up on the smokes if you have asthma and also make sure to avoid other people who are smoking.
When you suffer from asthma, avoiding cleaning products is really important to do. Asthma sufferers are often sensitive to chemical cleaners; using these products can sometimes trigger asthma attacks. It is advisable to consider using products that have an organic base when cleaning.
Leukotriene inhibitors may be helpful to you if you suffer from asthma. A leukotriene inhibitor prevents the formation of leukotrienes. A leukotriene will cause inflammation in the respiratory system, causing an asthma attack. This inhibitor can prevent leukotrienes, which makes you less likely to have an asthma attack.
If allergens are causing you to suffer from frequent asthma attacks that are moderate to severe, there is an injectable medication that can provide you with long-term relief. An antibody medicine known as omalizumab is very effective at countering asthma attacks related to allergies. Ask your allergist about it.
Make certain that all members of your family get their annual flu shot. It is a good idea to avoid all respiratory infections when you have asthma. You can start by taking simple precautions, such as washing your hands and getting proper vaccinations when due.
Be sure to take plenty of Vitamins C and E if you have asthma. These vitamins have been known to improve the function of the lungs and reduce some asthma symptoms. It is possible to acquire the necessary amounts by eating foods or by taking dietary supplements. These vitamins also help boost your immune system, which helps to prevent illnesses that trigger asthma.
If you are someone who suffers from asthma, you should consider buying a dehumidifier for your home. By decreasing the humidity you have in your home, it will decrease the dust mites, which will then decrease your asthma from flaring up. Dehumidifiers remove the humidity by drying out the air that flows through your house.
Using four or more cleaners in your home can contribute to asthma attacks. Try organic cleaners that are free of irritating chemicals.
Using more than four different types of cleaning products in your home has been shown to increase the risk of an asthma attack. Organic cleaners are also a safer choice since they contain fewer chemical irritants.
For asthma sufferers, the unscented option is always the best choice among different products. Products that contain fragrance, such as perfumes, colognes, or air fresheners, fill the air with irritants that can trigger an asthma attack. Freshly painted walls and brand-new carpet can also give off odors that cause irritation to airways. Because the dangers these things represent, it is important to always keep indoor air fresh to the best of your ability.
Tobacco Smoke
Lower the chances of asthma attacks by keeping a spotless home, particularly in the areas where you sleep. Food should only be eaten in the kitchen area, and whatever you do, please don’t smoke. Don’t use bleach or harsh chemicals inside, and air out the house as much as possible after cleaning.
Stay away from any tobacco smoke, even people that are smoking tobacco. The functionality of your lungs can be dramatically impaired if you inhale tobacco smoke, especially in areas with little ventilation, and you run a greater risk of attack.
Make sure you are aware of what triggers your asthma so you can avoid it or prepare properly. Most asthma sufferers have a few common triggers such as smoke, pet dander or pollen. Avoid your asthma triggers as much as you can to prevent attacks.
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. An asthma sufferer’s airways can feel irritated by odors such as fresh paint or new carpeting. Strive to maintain an indoor environment that is free from these pollutants, keeping the air fresh.
Take your rescue inhaler and keep it handy when you travel. Traveling can put additional strain on your body, making you more susceptible to asthma triggers. Traveling can make asthma symptoms worse, and it is difficult, nearly impossible to control environmental triggers during travel.
If someone in your home has asthma, make sure to keep a clean house, especially their bedroom so that the risk of an attack is reduced. Food should only be eaten in the kitchen area, and whatever you do, please don’t smoke. After cleaning around the house, open windows and allow fresh air into the house. This can reduce the smell and pervasiveness of household cleaners like bleach.
Most of the triggers for attacks, and causes of asthma, are found inside the home. These triggers include dust, spores and mold. To stay healthy and reduce the chance of asthma attacks, you should have an inspector visit your house yearly to remove these harmful agents. Clean up your house regularly so these substances do not accumulate.
Make sure you get a flu shot each year if you have asthma or if your child does. Getting vaccinated yearly can help keep many of these illnesses at bay.
Keep track of the number of times per week you use your rescue 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. 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.
Take notes of what can trigger your asthma attacks so that you can be prepared for a future attack or learn how to avoid them all together. Those who experience asthma are susceptible to some common things like pet dander, smoke, or pollen. Make a special effort to avoid agents that bring on even minor asthma symptoms, much less a major attack.
Instead of sweeping your floors with a broom, it is preferable to clean using a wet mop. Sweeping can stir up some asthmatic triggers that will exacerbate your symptoms. When you need to dust, do so with a damp rag instead of a feather duster so that you reduce spreading around anything that will trigger your asthma.
Asthma is an uncurable disease, but that doesn’t mean that the symptoms are permanent and can’t go away. However, just like most things in life, overcoming your asthma symptoms takes time and effort. If you follow these easy tips, you’ll find that your symptoms will get better over time and you’ll be able to enjoy a healthier, more active lifestyle.
Anyone with asthma needs to avoid all types of smoke when trying to decrease asthma attacks. Breathing in smoke can trigger an asthma attack. Do what you can to avoid chemical fumes, cigarette smoke and other vapors. Exposing yourself to these pollutants can have a significant effect on your asthma symptoms. If you live with or near a smoker, find a way to politely ask that they not smoke around you or your living spaces.