It is easy to panic after you learn that you or someone you love has asthma. Asthma has no cure, and as such the condition is chronic. Your life does not have to stop after you have been diagnosed with asthma. This article will show you some ways you can manage your asthma in a safe manner.
Do you know the type of asthma that you suffer with? 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. If people who have asthma suffer attacks triggered by exercise, they should bring an inhaler with them when they work out. Knowing symptom patterns will help you prevent emergencies.
If you have an asthmatic child, do not allow anyone to smoke around him. Secondhand smoke is a huge health risk and directly plays a role in why people develop asthma. Never allow anyone to smoke around your child, and teach them not to smoke as an adult themselves.
Avoid harsh cleaning chemicals if you are an asthma sufferer. The complex list of ingredients on many cleaning products makes it difficult know which ones have the chemical compounds that might aggravate asthma symptoms or even initiate an attack. If you’re the one that cleans your home, try organic or natural cleaning solutions that are much less risky to your health.
You need to avoid all of the asthma triggers that you know. Certain outdoor areas may be off-limits because they cause allergies to flare up. Others may need to avoid certain physical activities to keep from suffering an attack. Try and figure out what gets your asthma started so you know what to avoid.
If you have mild to moderate asthma attack, breathe out forcefully to get every bit of air out from your lungs. Exhale quickly and with power. Force your lungs to expel as much air as possible. Then, follow three short intakes of breath with one longer inhalation until your lungs are filled with air, although not uncomfortably so. Finally, expel the air from your lungs with force again. Using this strategy provides your breathing with a rhythm that forces you to focus on it. It will also help to get the air to come out of the lungs so more can come in. It is okay that you cough up some sputum, you really want to breathe right again.
Never take medications without getting your doctor’s approval so you don’t wind up taking one that has a side effect of exacerbating asthma.. Aspirin is an example of a widely used medicine that can cause asthma problems. You can also use beta blockers, which will help you manage blood pressure. If you have any of these conditions along with your asthma, make sure you tell your doctor.
If you’re a sufferer of asthma, stay away from cigarette smoke. This cannot be emphasized enough: Stay away from cigarette smoke! Avoid breathing in vapors from smoke or other chemical-type fumes. These can trigger a severe asthma attack that can be difficult to get under control. Never visit a home or establishment where people will be smoking, and if people start to smoke, walk out.
Know how to use your inhaler properly! Discover a location that is peaceful, and ensure you follow all the instructions that are given by the manufacturer. The medicine must go to your lungs for it to work. Make sure that you spray the required dosage directly into your mouth, inhaling the medication into your lungs. Hold your breath for at least 10 seconds to allow the medicated mist to fill your lungs.
If you find yourself in a room that is dusty, don’t turn on any kind of fan. Turning on a fan is going to cause the dust to leave its surface and begin filling the air of your environment. If you wish to have a breeze, open a window instead of running a fan.
Immune System
If you’re someone who gets an asthma attack related to allergy like symptoms, there’s medication you can use to help. 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.
Asthma sufferers should take Vitamins E and C. These vitamins can help improve your lung function, ultimately controlling asthma. You can get both of these vitamins from eating certain foods, or by taking the vitamins in supplement form. Vitamins C and E are necessary for a healthy immune system. If your immune system isn’t healthy, it won’t be able to fight off illnesses that cause asthma attacks.
You may want to consider purchasing a dehumidifier for your home if you suffer from asthma. Decreasing the humidity in the house decreases dust mites, which decreases asthma flare ups. Dehumidifiers reduce humidity and keep the air in your home dry.
Understand what things make your asthma flare and avoid these things or manage the symptoms. The majority of individuals afflicted with asthma know there are common irritants like pollen, pet dander and smoke. It is best to do all that is possible to avoid triggers that can cause attacks.
Products with no scent are the safest and best option for an asthma sufferer. Scented products should be avoided, such as air fresheners, perfume, and incense. These can increase the amount of air pollution in the home and even trigger an attack. Certain things in the home, such as newly installed carpet or fresh paint, can also release chemical irritants. Aim to keep the air as fresh as possible indoors.
For many people, their homes can be triggering their asthma, or even causing their asthma in the first place. These causes are sources, such as, but not limited to dust, mold and spores. To lessen the risk of an asthma attack and to stay healthy, have your house inspected every year by an inspector, and remove those agents when they have been identified. As an additional measure, a home that is regularly cleaned will help keep these irritants from building up.
Keep your home clean. By keeping a clean environment, especially in a bedroom, you can lower your risk of asthma attacks. Food should be eaten only in the kitchen or dining room, and cigarettes are best relegated to outdoor smoking areas. Don’t use strong cleaners or bleach and air out the house immediately following cleaning.
Asthma Attacks
Asthma treatment dosages will need to be increased if you are sick with a cold or are dealing with hay fever. Adjusting your medication may be necessary to manage the symptoms of these and other illnesses. Your physician may even recommend that you take additional medication until you recover.
When it’s colder, wear a shawl, scarf or muffler that will cover your mouth and nose to avoid asthma attacks. You can help warm the air with these things before they bring any harm to your lungs. In multiple studies, breathing cold air is linked to increased asthma attacks. This link is especially pronounced in younger children.
If your child or yourself are asthma sufferers it is very important that you get the flu shot every single year. A yearly vaccination will help minimize the number of infections your children have to deal with.
It is important to know the proper way to use asthma medication, especially the medication that is used in an emergency. Asthma is generally managed through regular medicine which is supplemented with rescue medications like inhalers. Because asthma does not get cured, those afflicted with it must continue to take their regular medication and use their rescue inhaler when needed.
Be keenly aware of the triggers for your asthma attacks. If you know the cause, you can stay away to prevent asthma attacks. Asthma sufferers generally have different triggers in common like pollen, pet dander and smoke. If at all possible, strive to avoid substances and locations that trigger your asthma symptoms or attacks.
Asthma generally takes a long time to develop, and the symptoms may be vague at first, making it difficult to diagnose the problem. There are known cases where someone has actually died from a single asthma attack, because they were unaware that they had the disease. If you find yourself with a constant cough or have trouble breathing, consult your doctor, so he can tell you if you have asthma and if you need medication. He might even have suggestions on how to prevent it from worsening.
Keep all your regularly scheduled asthma appointments, regardless of how you are feeling. Your health care provider may have new prescriptions that could benefit you in case the need arises.
To live with asthma, you have to be prepared. Crises can be avoided by knowing your particular form of asthma and how to effectively manage it. Reading this article has been the first important step in getting control of this disease.
Look into becoming a part of a support group. There are many to choose from both online and offline. Left untreated, asthma can be very debilitating and prevent you from enjoying your normal activities. By joining a support group, you will be able to discuss new scientific breakthroughs or treatment alternatives with those who are interested.