You’ve just gotten the asthma diagnosis and are panicking. Asthma, being a chronic condition, has no cure. An asthma diagnosis is definitely not the end of the world, though. This article contains simple tips to manage asthma effectively.
Do you know which type of asthma you suffer from? Understanding the specifics of your asthma will help you to avoid attack triggers in your day-to-day life. A perfect example is that if you have asthma caused by exercise you should put a inhaler in your locker or gym bag. You can avoid any future crisis by knowing and figuring out patterns of the symptoms you have.
Be careful of chemical cleaners if you are asthmatic. The chemicals in many cleaning products will trigger asthma attacks or symptoms. If you clean the home, there are many natural products that are safe to use.
You need to avoid all of the asthma triggers that you know. Asthma triggers will vary greatly between individuals. If you have allergy related asthma, you will want to avoid pollen and dust. For others, physical activities can cause them. Knowing exactly what sets off your asthma is thus, very important.
You want to make sure you can avoid situations that could trigger your asthma. For some people, it may be related to allergies, such as a reaction to dust or pollen. It could also be some type of strenuous exercise. Keep a journal of your attacks so that you can start to learn what your triggers are so that you can prevent flareups before they begin.
You may be unaware that certain medications you might be on could cause asthma symptoms. Aspirin is an example of a widely used medicine that can cause asthma problems. Other medications that may have an effect on the respiratory system include beta blockers used to treat high blood pressure. If you have asthma paired with heart disease or high blood pressure, tell your doctor.
Asthma is ongoing. Therefore, it also requires continual management of your health. Take the proper medications for controlling your asthma daily, and keep quick relief medication somewhere on you just in case you have a sudden attack. Discuss your best options with your allergist and doctor.
Any type of smoke can bring on a serious asthma attack. Do not smoke! Do not breathe in the vapors or any other chemical fumes. Inhaling these substances may trigger an unstoppable asthma attack. If people smoke around you, you should get away form that area.
If you have asthma, you need to avoid any kind of tobacco smoke. Smoking is off limits. Avoid vapors and chemical fumes from cigarettes. These can trigger a severe asthma attack that can be difficult to get under control. If you are around people who smoke, leave the area very fast.
If you are having trouble dealing with asthma, a leukotriene inhibitor might be of good use. A leukotriene inhibitor stops the release of a chemical that causes the inflammation that is responsible for some asthma attacks. Leukotriene is a chemical substance that can lead to inflammation that can cause an asthma attack. Taking an inhibitor blocks the receptors that leukotrienes normally interact with and leaves your throat less inflamed and attack-prone.
Make sure if you have an inhaler that you are using it the right way. Find a quiet secluded area so that you can calmly take the inhaler as directed by the instructions from the manufacturer. Remember that using an inhaler is only going to help you if the medication contained within makes its way to the lungs. Inhale deeply and spray the correct dose into your mouth. Hold in your breath for 10 seconds so the medicine works properly.
You and your loved ones need to get a flu vaccination every year. Asthma sufferers need to be careful and guard against any upper-resperatory illnesses. Take the right steps to stop yourself from getting sick, wash your hands and get the right vaccines.
Talk to a social worker if you have asthma and no health insurance. It’s vital that you stay on medication, so there may be programs available to help you get them at a discount.
Make sure you get a flu shot once a year if you suffer from asthma. Stave off these infections immediately by getting your vaccinations yearly.
Make sure you are taking plenty of Vitamins E and C if you suffer from asthma. Both vitamins improve lung function, helping you to better resist asthma attacks and other negative symptoms. It doesn’t matter if you get the vitamins for food or a supplement; just get them. The vitamins work to strengthen your immunities, thereby warding off sicknesses that tend to exacerbate asthma.
Asthmatic patients should avoid using feather pillows. Pillow feathers are known to worsen asthma and affect the lungs. The same rule holds true for bedding. Choose sheets and a comforter that are constructed from materials known for being hypoallergenic.
Mold and mildew will often grow in a humid home. These things can trigger asthma attacks very easily. You will benefit greatly from keeping the moisture out of your home’s air. In the winter months, use a dehumidifier in order to get rid of moisture. Your air conditioner will keep it dry in the summer.
Join an online or offline support group. Asthma is a disease that can affect your everyday life and prove debilitating in so many ways. A support group will help you have a good time and forget about your condition once in a while, as well as as keep you informed about the latest innovations.
Asthma Attacks
You can wear warm things like a shawl, muffler or scarf, which can help cover your nose and mouth in the colder months. You can help warm the air with these things before they bring any harm to your lungs. Inhalation of cold air is proven to initiate asthma attacks, and younger kids afflicted with asthma of moderate or severe proportions are especially at risk.
In the winter, cover your mouth and nose with a scarf or shawl to prevent asthma attacks. This helps warm the air prior to it entering your lungs. Breathing cold air can trigger severe asthma attacks. This is especially true for young children with asthma.
Asthma is a disease that can develop slowly over time, making it sometimes difficult to spot the symptoms. Some people have even died from having an asthma attack, and they didn’t even know they had asthma. Therefore, if you find yourself having difficulties breathing or with a chronic cough, it is essential that you see a doctor and get tested for asthma. The sooner you get the needed treatment and medication, the better.
See how many times a week you typically use the rescue inhaler. Your medication may need to be adjusted or an alternative treatment considered if you find that you need to use it 3 or more times per week. How often you use your rescue inhaler should serve as a reminder that your environment needs to be monitored.
Bed linens are a magnet for nasty allergens and asthma triggers, including dust and pollen. You can cut down on these irritants or eliminate them altogether by washing your bedding and pillow cases in very hot water once a week. Fresh bed linens, laundered on a regular basis, will keep you breathing clearly and easily at night while you slumber.
It is more critical than ever to always be prepared when you suffer from asthma. When you know everything you can about your specific asthma triggers, you can use that knowledge to avoid potential triggers. Reading this article has been the first important step in getting control of this disease.
Stop smoking. While smoking is a dangerous habit in general, it is far more damaging to those who have asthma. Asthmatic lungs are extremely sensitive, and should not be exposed to smoke. Someone who has asthma should not only avoid smoking, but should also try to avoid being exposed to people smoking in their vicinity.