You’ve just gotten the asthma diagnosis and are panicking. Asthma is a chronic condition, meaning there is no cure. However, your life does not have to come to an end upon being told you have asthma. Keep reading to gain insight as to what you can do to keep this serious disease under control.
Do you know what type of asthma you have? Particular cases of asthma can respond differently to the same treatment, so you need to know all that you can about your case to treat it most effectively. For example, if your asthma is often triggered by workouts, your inhaler should always be on hand when you exercise. You can actually start preventing asthma attacks if you are aware and mindful of any patterns that your symptoms present.
You should not smoke or be anywhere near smoke if you suffer from asthma. Stay far away from any tobacco products. You should also consider where you work, as factories may expose you to harmful vapors or smoke.
There are certain medications that cause or exacerbate asthma symptoms. Not everyone knows this. Some NSAIDs and aspirin might do this. This can also be caused by beta blockers, like medications that are used in managing high blood pressure or heart problems. If you have asthma paired with heart disease or high blood pressure, tell your doctor.
It is important that you try to stay clear of cleaning products if you have asthma. Many chemicals that are in these products can cause the triggering of asthma attacks. 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.
If the room that you’re in is dusty, do not turn on a fan. Turning on a fan is going to cause the dust to leave its surface and begin filling the air of your environment. It’s better to open the window if you’re in need of fresh air.
If you have asthma and find yourself having frequent attacks caused by alleries, it may be time to consider a long-lasting medication. An excellent antibody medication that works well to control asthma symptoms, brought on by allergic reactions is called Omalizumab, and can be administered by your allergist.
If you are an asthma sufferer, be sure to get the recommended daily dose of Vitamins C and E. These vitamins aid in improving the function of the lungs and controlling the symptoms of asthma. You can take a supplement or consume these vitamins in food. You can help out your immune system that can help stave off asthma triggers!
A leukotriene inhibitor can be helpful if you have asthma. Leukotriene inhibitors work to prevent leukotrienes. Leukotriene, a chemical released by the body in response to an allergen, is responsible for inducing many of the symptoms of an asthma attack. Using an inhibitor will counteract the negative effects of leukotriene, thereby decreasing the occurrence of asthma attacks.
It’s been proven that you should use no more than four cleaning products in the home. If you do it can increase the risk of asthma attacks. Try using organic cleaning products that are not comprised of irritating chemicals.
Vitamins E and C are beneficial to anyone with asthma. These vitamins have been known to improve the function of the lungs and reduce some asthma symptoms. These vitamins can be easily obtained, either through your diet or a supplement. Getting enough vitamins is also a good way to prevent asthma attacks by boosting your immune system.
You will need to keep your residence really clean, especially the bedroom where the asthma sufferer sleeps in order to help lessen the chances of an attack. Food should be restricted to the kitchen, and smoking inside the home should never be permitted. Air the house out thoroughly after cleaning and avoid the use of bleach and other harsh chemicals indoors.
Avoid pillows stuffed with goosedown or other feathers if you have an asthma problem. Feathers can aggravate symptoms of asthma and lower lung function. Patients should also buy hypoallergenic bedding.
Asthma treatment dosages will need to be increased if you are sick with a cold or are dealing with hay fever. Illnesses like this can often worsen your asthma symptoms, which may require that you up your dosage of certain medications. Your physician might also work an additional treatment into your therapy until such time as you are healthier.
Make sure that your rescue medication is at hand at all times during your travels. Traveling tends to put extra stain on the body, and you’re more susceptible to your asthma triggers under these conditions. 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.
If you have asthma, or if your children have asthma, it is vital that you receive the flu shot yearly. Regular vaccinations will help you and your children to avoid lung infections.
During cold, winter months, asthma sufferers should wear a shawl, muffler, or scarf that will cover both their nose and mouth. That way the air is warmed before it enters your lungs. Breathing in cold air tends to start asthma attacks, especially with younger children that have severe or moderate asthma.
If you are on the road, be certain to travel with your inhaler at all hours. Traveling causes extra strain on your already stressed body, which makes your body more susceptible to bothersome asthma triggers. Controlling your environment is harder when traveling, so this makes it much more probable that you experience worsening symptoms or an attack.
Although it is wise to use your inhaler as needed, be aware that the medication itself may cause problems with gums and teeth. To prevent these issues, brush and use mouthwash immediately after inhaler usage.
Go to your regular medical check-ups, even if your condition seems under control. Asthma can flare-up at any time, and you never know, perhaps your doctor has safer or better medications which can help your symptoms.
Clean your home with a wet mop instead of a broom. Vacuuming or wet-mopping are better than sweeping because they don’t stir up dust and debris that might induce an asthma attack. Dust will adhere to a wet towel instead of being loose in the air like feather dusters do where it can aggravate your asthma.
Avoid cold-induced asthma attacks by protecting your mouth and nose with a scarf. You can help warm the air with these things before they bring any harm to your lungs. Studies have consistently shown that cold air can cause your throat and lungs to constrict, triggering asthma attacks. Children are especially susceptible to cold-induced asthma.
Asthma sufferers need to stay inside as much as they can when the air’s pollen content is high. Despite being different conditions, asthma and allergies can be triggered by the same kinds of irritants. The air quality information should be used to find out when it is better to stay indoors to avoid irritants present in the air.
Asthma is a medical condition that tends to slowly develop over time, and the symptoms are not always that obvious. There are many cases where people have died from their first asthma attack, without even being aware that they were at risk. So, if you have difficulty breathing or a cough that doesn’t go away, see a doctor to figure out whether you suffer from asthma and to determine whether you will be needing medication to prevent or treat the condition.
Talk to your doctor about adjusting your medication if you find yourself using the inhaler 3 or more times per week. It means the medication used to calm acute attacks is either ineffective or not effective enough. In addition, if you must change the cartridge in the inhaler more than two times in a year, you may need to see your doctor regarding a medication switch.
If you’re flying and bringing along your asthma medications, bring a doctor’s written prescription with you. If you have the proof that this is a medical necessity, it can cause less hassles during the security check.
Try to gain as much information about affliction as possible. The more you know about asthma, the more proactive a treatment you can devise for yourself. Keep current with treatments and ensure you have the greatest possible care that you can have. The only way to know this is to learn about your condition and your treatment options.
Being around animals should be avoided. Some asthma sufferers are allergic to animal fur or dander on top of their asthma, but even those who don’t have such an allergy can bring on an attack if they breathe in too much of these irritants.
Make sure your doctor sees you every two or three months for a check up to see how you are managing with your asthma condition. Your physician needs to evaluate how you are right now, and decide if any changes need to be made. It is up to you to work with your doctor at regular appointments to keep your treatment plan working.
Allergens, dust, pollen and other things that can aggravate your asthma tend to collect inside bed linens. Wash sheets on a weekly basis to rid them of allergens. Use hot water to wash the sheets. You should also wash pillowcases. Fresh linens, washed regularly, can ensure you breathe better as you sleep.
As this article has shown, being prepared can help you to live your life despite being diagnosed with asthma. If you know about what kind of arthritis you have, you can find ways to manage it. This article is stop number one for increasing your knowledge about asthma treatments!
You may want to consider having numerous doctors treat your asthma. 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. Pulmonologists, allergists, asthma centers and also nutritionists can assist you in exploring every avenue of treatment for your asthma.