Asthma can be a challenging condition. It diminishes your capacity for normal activities, like taking a simple walk. On top of that, it’s incurable and difficult to control. 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!
Do you know what type of asthma you have? Being aware of your specific condition will help you combat the effects it has over your body day in and day out. For instance, people with exercise-induced asthma would do well to carry an inhaler in their gym bag! Learn what activities trigger your symptoms, and prepare accordingly so that you’re never caught without your inhaler during an asthma attack.
If you suffer from asthma, don’t smoke, and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke. Thus, you need to avoid cigarettes and cigars and be vigilant about steering clear of environmental or workplace exposure to smoke.
Do not smoke around a child with asthma. Secondhand smoke is a huge health risk and directly plays a role in why people develop asthma. Make sure you keep your child away from other people who are smoking, too.
Do you know what type of asthma you have? Learning about your type of asthma will help you manage its impact on your life. Asthma caused by exercise can be treated easily if you carry an inhaler when you go to the gym. You will be able to prevent asthma attacks if you can recognize symptoms.
If you suffer from asthma, you should avoid cleaning products that have strong odors. A lot of agents in cleaners tend to trigger asthma attacks and symptoms. Instead of relying on harsh cleaners, check out some organic solutions. They might cost a few dollars more, but the difference is well worth it.
You may be unaware that certain medications you might be on could cause asthma symptoms. Aspirin is a common medication that can affect asthma sufferers. Beta blockers can also have this affect, as well as other medications for controlling high blood pressure and heart disease. Make sure you consult with your doctor concerning your asthma and possible drug reactions.
Keep clear of anything that you know to be a trigger for your asthma. For some people, this is allergy related; things like pollen and dust can start an attack. While in other people, all it takes is physical activity and an attack can trigger. Try and figure out what gets your asthma started so you know what to avoid.
If you are experiencing a moderately severe attack, try to first exhale completely. Exhale quickly and forcefully. Force your lungs to expel as much air as possible. Take in three breaths, and then a deeper breath until your lungs are full of air. Then exhale with force again. This method forces you to pay close attention to your breathing and create a steady rhythm. It also allows you to take in more air by completely emptying your lungs. You may cough or generate sputum, this is okay, your main goal is to get your breathing back on track again.
Be aware of certain medications that can lead to asthma problems. Aspirin is an example of a widely used medicine that can cause asthma problems. You should also pay attention to heart medications you may take, or ones that treat abnormal blood pressure. If you have asthma paired with heart disease or high blood pressure, tell your doctor.
Make sure you are taking plenty of Vitamins E and C if you suffer from asthma. They help to increase the function of the lungs and control the overall symptoms of asthma. Many foods have these vitamins in abundance, but you can also use a supplemental pill. Another great benefit of vitamin C is that it will help to strengthen your immune system overall.
If you’re in a dustier room, avoid turning on a fan. This could trigger an asthma attack because this will move the dust around. It could be better to open the window if you need to get airflow.
If you are using a lot of different cleaners around your house you can trigger a asthma attack. Choose organic products, and stick to as few products as possible.
If you have asthma and have frequent attacks that are related to allergies, there are medicines that can be injected to provide you with long-term relief. For example, Omalizumab can be used to keep your allergic reactions to a minimum and your asthma under control.
Flu Shot
If you suffer from asthma, taking enough Vitamin E and C can help you. These vitamins have been known to improve the function of the lungs and reduce some asthma symptoms. You can get both of these vitamins from eating certain foods, or by taking the vitamins in supplement form. These vitamins can boost immune systems, which helps you to avoid illnesses that can be a trigger for your asthma.
If you or your child suffer from asthma, it is important that you receive a flu shot every year. Prevent those flu infections before they happen by getting a flu shot each year.
Realize what triggers your attacks, and you can avoid or manage these situations. Most with asthma share common triggers, like pet dander, pollen or smoke. Avoid these things when you can to breathe easier.
Be keenly aware of the triggers for your asthma attacks. If you know the cause, you can stay away to prevent asthma attacks. The majority of asthma sufferers suffer attacks when exposed to some common trigger, including allergens or cigarette smoke. When possible, stay away from these triggers that cause symptoms or ultimately, full-blown attacks.
If you are dealing with asthma, a good idea is to use a pillow without feathers. Feathers in a pillow can bring on the symptoms of asthma and decrease lung function. This extends to the rest of your bedding, as well. There are hypoallergenic comforters and sheets you can use to limit asthma symptoms.
Feather pillows can be bad for those with asthma. The feathers can make asthma worse and take away from your ability to breathe. This applies to bedding, as well, so it’s best to make sure that everything on your bed is hypoallergenic.
There is good reason to make sure you have your rescue medicine for asthma in a convenient, easy to reach place. It’s easy to get thrown off your regular eating and sleeping routine while traveling, which strains your body and increases your vulnerability to asthma attack triggers. It is also difficult to control your environment while traveling, making it more likely that you may experience an attack or worsening symptoms.
Make it a habit to always have some rescue medication available when you travel. You may find that the stress of traveling makes an asthma attack more likely. You also have less control of your surroundings while you are away from home, so it is difficult to avoid potential triggers and to maintain control over your attack.
Join an online or offline support group. Asthma can be severe enough to keep you away from social activiites. Your peers will be able to provide you with advice and tips that work for them, information about new treatment techniques, and even some home remedies you might not know about.
Your home’s humidity can cause mold and mildew growth within it. Mold and mildew can have a hand in making you suffer a asthma attack! It is best if you keep the air in your home as dry as possible. Use a dehumidifier during the winter time so that you can keep humidity in control when you use a heater. You can use the air conditioning in your household during summer time to get the same affect.
A humid home will cause mold or mildew to appear. Mold and mildew can easily cause severe asthma attacks. Therefore, try and keep the home dry. During the winter, you can use a dehumidifier to control humidity when using a heater, and an air conditioner during the summer will help keep your home dry.
Prevent Asthma Symptoms
Anyone with asthma needs to avoid all types of smoke when trying to decrease asthma attacks. Sometimes smoke can cause an asthma attack. Keep away from chemical fumes, chemical vapor, and tobacco smoke as much as you can. They can easily increase your asthma symptoms. If there’s smoke around you, ask politely for the person to stop smoking.
Asthma is a serious, sometimes debilitating, disease. It is certainly not something to scoff at. Take the steps you need to to prevent asthma symptoms and seek professional help when you are having a potentially dangerous asthma attack. Use these suggestions to help you prevent asthma symptoms all of your life!
You should have a team of medical professionals to help you craft your asthma treatment. Your primary physician should always be your first stop when dealing with asthma, but you may find it helpful to add a specialist’s knowledge. Nutritionists, allergists, and pulmonologists are just some of the advisers who can change your life for the better.