Whether you or a family member is affected, asthma can make you afraid. You should know that asthma can be horrible to deal with, make sure you can deal with it. Read on for some advice designed to help you understand the way asthma works and what symptoms to expect.
Do not smoke around your children if they have asthma. Secondhand smoke can actually cause asthma to appear. You also need to be sure that your child isn’t around those that choose to smoke.
If you suffer from asthma, avoid smoke, fumes and vapors. Decrease the effects of asthma by wearing a protective mask when pollution levels are especially high.
Smoking is a horrible habit, even deadly, for an asthma sufferer. Smoking is, of course, unhealthy for anyone. The habit is even more dangerous for asthma patients, however, because anything that reduces the amount of oxygen reaching the lungs can trigger an attack.
If you suffer from asthma, it is vital that you avoid smoking; if you do, you should quit. Smoking is terrible for everyone, but it lowers the oxygen supply in asthma patients who need as much oxygen as possible.
Never use a fan in a dirty, dust-filled room. When you turn on the fans they will move the dust in the room around and this can trigger your asthma very easily. It could be better to open the window if you need to get airflow.
Keep away from any and everything that you know triggers your asthma attacks. For some people, it may be related to allergies, such as a reaction to dust or pollen. Others may have attacks that are triggered by physical activity. Figure out what sets off your asthma so you can avoid it.
Make sure that you and your loved ones get a flu vaccination yearly. It is a good idea to avoid all respiratory infections when you have asthma. To do this you must take extra precautions against getting sick, like washing your hands often and getting vaccinated every year.
Asthma Symptoms
If you have hay fever or a cold, chances are your asthma treatment will be increased. Many illnesses have side effects which can cause your asthma to get much worse, leading your doctor to increase treatment. It is possible that your doctor will decide to modify your treatment, or even add additional treatments, until you are back on your feet.
Certain prescription medications have the potential to cause asthma symptoms. Some anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, can flare up asthma symptoms. You should also pay attention to heart medications you may take, or ones that treat abnormal blood pressure. If you suffer from any of these conditions along with your asthma, make sure you tell your doctor.
If you have asthma or you live with an asthma sufferer, you should ensure you receive an annual flu shot. Regular vaccinations will help you and your children to avoid lung infections.
If you have asthma, avoid cigarette smoke of all kinds. Don’t smoke! Air pollution and fumes from harsh chemicals also increase asthma symptoms. More often than not, smoke is going to trigger an unavoidable asthma attack. If people smoke around you, you should get away form that area.
Sleep with a feather-less pillow if you have asthma. The pillow feathers can cause asthma to flare up and minimize your lung function. Same thing with bedding – purchase sheets and a comforter that are constructed from hypoallergenic materials.
Though it should go without saying, do not turn on any fans or circulation systems when in a room containing visible dust that has yet to be cleaned. When you turn on the fans they will move the dust in the room around and this can trigger your asthma very easily. It’s better to open the window if you’re in need of fresh air.
Even if your asthma is not acting up, attend all of your doctor’s appointments. You never know when you might suffer another flare-up, or when your doctor might have a better or safer medication to prescribe for your symptoms.
A leukotriene inhibitor may be an excellent way for you to deal with asthma. Leukotriene inhibitors work to prevent leukotrienes. Leukotriene is a chemical substance that can lead to inflammation that can cause an asthma attack. The inhibitor can prevent them and decrease your asthma attacks.
Look into becoming a part of a support group. There are many to choose from both online and offline. Asthma, especially if it is severe, can be quite debilitating and can keep you from being an active participant in life. Also, other asthma sufferers can help keep you aware of new medications or other medical treatments.
Use your inhaler as directed. Find a good place and follow all of the directions that have been provided by the maker of the product. The inhaler will only reduce symptoms if the medication can get to your lungs. You need to inhale air while spraying the requisite dosage in your mouth. Don’t exhale for ten seconds so that the medicine can go through your lungs.
You can use the preventative inhaler daily, but know that it can cause mouth infections near your gums and teeth. One way to reduce the probability of such infections is to immediately brush and gargle after inhaling the medicine.
Social Worker
Bed linens are a magnet for nasty allergens and asthma triggers, including dust and pollen. Wash sheets on a weekly basis to rid them of allergens. Use hot water to wash the sheets. You should also wash pillowcases. You will find that having fresh linens will make your breathing while sleeping much easier.
If you have asthma that is not covered by health insurance, contact someone in a government agency, like a social worker. Asthma medications are a necessity, and a social worker can help you find an affordable way to keep your prescriptions current.
Make sure you keep calm if you are having an asthma attack. Use the inhaler, wait thirty seconds, and use once more. If the attack you are experiencing starts getting worse, seek assistance. Have someone call emergency services or drive you to the nearest hospital. Try to breathe into a paper bag so that you can calm your breathing when you’re on the way.
Be sure you and your family members get a yearly flu vaccination. When you are afflicted with asthma, steer as clear as you can of all types of respiratory infections. You can start by taking simple precautions, such as washing your hands and getting proper vaccinations when due.
It is important to visit with your doctor often, every two months or so, in order to stay on top of your asthma. Frequent check-ups help your doctor evaluate the effectiveness of your current treatment plan and revise the plan as needed. You need to stay on top of scheduling doctor visits. Otherwise, your condition might deteriorate suddenly.
Be sure to take plenty of Vitamins C and E if you have asthma. These vitamins aid in improving the function of the lungs and controlling the symptoms of asthma. You can find the vitamins you need in food or supplements. These vitamins can improve your immune system to prevent asthma triggers.
Always wear a face mask, if you are going to do any painting, in order to protect your airways from the fumes. A proper breathing mask will help to protect asthma sufferers from paint fumes. Don’t use certain chemicals and substances that could aggravate your asthma.
Be certain you are aware of all your asthma attack triggers so you know both how to steer clear of them and also be ready to take care of your symptoms. Those who experience asthma are susceptible to some common things like pet dander, smoke, or pollen. Whenever possible, avoid those substances that trigger either symptoms or full-blown attacks.
Joining a support group for asthma sufferers, or having a conversation with others who have asthma, is very helpful. By talking to fellow sufferers, you will learn more about asthma and what you should do in case of an attack. Having supportive people that care about you is imperative.
If you are an asthma patient, you may want to sleep with a pillow that does not contain feathers. Pillow feathers are known to worsen asthma and affect the lungs. The same goes for bedding – try to buy a comforter and sheets that are made from hypoallergenic materials.
Once you know what sets your asthma off, you can keep attacks from happening as frequently. A good way to do this is to keep a small journal or notebook. Record each asthma attack and what was happening when it occurred. Discuss this information with your doctor, and he will help you to identify triggers. Once identified, do everything you can to avoid triggers and eliminate them from your environment whenever possible.
Your home can be the cause of your asthma and its triggers. Such irritants include mold spores, dust, smoke and chemical fumes. 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. Furthermore, thorough and frequent cleaning will ensure that allergens and other possible triggers do not accumulate in your home.
Asthma is caused by environmental factors, genetics, or sometimes both. If someone in your family has asthma, pay extra attention to any asthma-like symptoms from yourself and your children. Air pollutants like smoke and mold spores can trigger an asthma attack, so keep your home clean to avoid irritation.
When you clean house, it is recommended that you clean your floor with a wet mop instead of sweeping it. An asthma attack is one possible outcome of a sweeping session that fills the air around you with allergens and dust. A moist rag chosen over a feather duster is the best choice for an asthmatic.
Caffeine is a good thing to take if you happen to leave your asthma controller medication at home and then have an asthma attack. The caffeine found in chocolate, coffee, soda, or black tea will aid in lessening the severity of your attack. The caffeine constricts your blood vessels and leads to the opening of your airways.
When you are making an effort to control asthma, do not smoke. Inhaling smoke can trigger an asthma attack. Stay away from cigarette smoke, fumes, and vapors as much as you can. All of these air-borne pollutants can greatly increase your asthma symptoms. Politely request that smokers abstain from smoking in your presence.
Asthma sufferers should take care to warm up before doing and strenuous exercise and cool down well afterwards. Doing both will help you avoid experiencing asthma symptoms while exercising or after exercising.
As you have read, there is quite a bit to know about asthma. This article contains just a sampling of hints that are helpful for managing asthma, or to help a friend or family member with the disease. With a combination of this information, and your doctor’s advice, you can lessen the effects of asthma.
If you have asthma and use your rescue inhaler often, as in more than one or two times a week, or you wake up in the night from an asthma attack more than twice a week, you might need different asthma medication. Consult your asthma specialist.