This information is for you if you have trouble managing your asthma. This article is packed with a selection of the best and brightest tips for living life to its fullest while managing asthma.
Keep clear of anything that you know to be a trigger for your asthma. Some people have allergies that cause asthma, and allergens such as dust and pollen can cause an attack. Some things, such as physical exertion, can cause an asthma attack. Knowing exactly what sets off your asthma is thus, very important.
Can you identify the exact type of asthma you’re dealing with? If you know as much as you can about the kind of asthma that you have, you can find out how to battle it day-by-day. For instance, people with exercise-induced asthma would do well to carry an inhaler in their gym bag! When you know what triggers your asthma, you will be more prepared to stop attacks before they begin.
If you have asthma, you need to avoid any kind of tobacco smoke. Don’t smoke! Don’t breathe vapor or chemical fumes. Any of these things can trigger an asthma attack. Never visit a home or establishment where people will be smoking, and if people start to smoke, walk out.
If your child has asthma, do not smoke cigarettes near them. One of the primary causes of asthma is secondhand smoke. Never allow anyone to smoke around your child, and teach them not to smoke as an adult themselves.
If you find yourself in a room that is dusty, don’t turn on any kind of fan. This will cause the dust to move around, which could cause an asthma attack. The better way would be to open a window to increase the airflow in the room.
Always use your inhaler in the proper manner. An inhaler is most effective if used in a relaxed location and according to the maker’s instructions. The only way the inhaler can help is if the medication can reach your lungs. Spray the stated dose of medicine into your mouth as you inhale. Continue holding your breath for approximately 10 seconds. This way, the medication will soak into the cells of your lungs.
If you are having trouble dealing with asthma, a leukotriene inhibitor might be of good use. These medications prevent the production of leukotrienes. A leukotriene will cause inflammation in the respiratory system, causing an asthma attack. Get the inhibitor to prevent the leukotrienes, and your asthma attacks may drop in number.
If you have asthma, it might be helpful for you to buy a dehumidifier. When your home has less humidity, there are less dust mites, and that minimizes the chances of an asthma flare-up. Dehumidifiers remove the humidity by drying out the air that flows through your house.
Asthma sufferers should take Vitamins E and C. It is widely believed that these vitamins can help control asthma symptoms by improving lung function. You can get both of these vitamins from eating certain foods, or by taking the vitamins in supplement form. Getting enough vitamins is also a good way to prevent asthma attacks by boosting your immune system.
In order to minimize the chance of an asthma attack, be sure to keep your living area very clean, most definitely the bedroom area. Never allow anyone to smoke in the home of an asthmatic, and consider using plastic to cover your mattress and pillows. If you clean with any harsh chemicals or bleach, make sure to ventilate thoroughly afterwards.
Lower the chances of asthma attacks by keeping a spotless home, particularly in the areas where you sleep. Don’t smoke indoors, or allow any junk food in your home. Don’t use bleach or harsh chemicals inside, and air out the house as much as possible after cleaning.
You should know what triggers your asthma attacks; this will allow you to either avoid them or be ready to manage the symptoms. Most asthma sufferers have a few common triggers such as smoke, pet dander or pollen. Whenever you can, avoid the things that trigger your asthma.
Be knowledgeable about the factors that cause asthma attacks in order to avoid the triggers or develop a plan for managing the symptoms of asthma. Most asthma sufferers have a few common triggers such as smoke, pet dander or pollen. Make a special effort to avoid agents that bring on even minor asthma symptoms, much less a major attack.
A lot of times asthma will develop over time, and has symptoms that aren’t always obvious. 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 often have difficulty breathing or a persistent cough, it would be wise to make an appointment with your physician, so he or she can confirm whether you have asthma. If you do, your doctor can then prescribe medications to manage or treat it.
When you travel, your rescue medication should be with you all the time. Being in odd environments can cause undue stress on your body, which makes you more prone to an asthma attack. While on the road, it is also hard to control the environment you are in, which also makes an attack more likely.
For a deeper and more thorough cleaning, mop your floors instead of simply sweeping them. Sweeping the floor kicks up dust and other debris that can set off an attack of your asthma. A damp rag should be used when dusting because a feather duster can cause dust to kick up and lead to an asthma attack.
Join a support group, online or in “real life”, to find help from your peers. Left untreated, asthma can be very debilitating and prevent you from enjoying your normal activities. Also, communicating with other people with asthma will keep you in the know about changes in how the condition is understood and treated.
Allergens, pollen and other irritants can collect in your linens and aggravate your asthma. A weekly wash cycle using hot water can eliminate these potential triggers for asthma attacks. You will breathe easier at night when you have freshly washed and clean bed linens.
If your home is damp, it can encourage the growth of mildew and mold. They are a nuisance for people with asthma; the asthma attacks they trigger require you to eliminate them. Try, then, to ensure your home is dry. When you use the heater in the winter, be sure to have a dehumidifier control the humidity in your home. During the summer time, be sure to use the air conditioner to maintain a dry home.
See multiple doctors to keep asthma under control. Your PCP can be the person you go to for help with asthma, but it’s also a good idea to talk to a specialist. There are a number of different approaches used to treat asthma. See what a pulmonololist, an allergist or a nutritionist has to say about your asthma problems.
Protect yourself against breathing in cold air that aggravates your asthma by wearing a scarf that covers your nose and mouth. This allows you to warm air before it enters your lungs. Breathing in air that’s cold can trigger an attack, particularly in younger children that have moderate or severe asthma.
If you have asthma and allergies, don’t use a vaporizer or humidifier if it has not been completely cleaned. Bacteria can breed in moist parts of the machine, and if it is unclean when you turn it on, it will just pump out allergens.
If traveling by plane with your asthma equipment or medications, always carry your written prescription with you to avoid problems. Carrying your prescriptions along with written proof that they are medically necessary, will cut down on potential problems at the airport checkpoints.
It is important to remain calm during an asthma attack. You should immediately use your inhaler and use the inhaler again 30 seconds later. Should your asthma get even worse, seek medical attention immediately. Have someone call an ambulance for you, or have them bring you to a hospital. Breathing into a paper bag on the way can sometimes help by slowing your breathing rate.
Keep in mind that mopping your floors with a wet mop will cause less asthma problems than sweeping will. Sweeping can stir up some asthmatic triggers that will exacerbate your symptoms. You can greatly reduce this by using a wet sponge, damp rag, or moist cloth instead of your old-fashioned feather duster.
The article you have now read contained a number of ideas you can use to reassert control over your lifestyle. Knowing what you now know, you can go back to enjoying an active lifestyle because you have a proactive knowledge of what you may be missing.
If you have asthma and allergies, don’t use a vaporizer or humidifier if it has not been completely cleaned. Bacteria can breed inside of the machine due to the moisture, which can exaggerate your allergies or asthma.