Are you a person who, among millions of others, suffers from asthma? This article provides many easy tips that will help you be better able to control asthma symptoms.
If your child or another loved one suffers from asthma, you should be sure to never smoke cigarettes when you’re near them. Secondhand smoke is a leading cause of asthma. While making sure to never light up around your children, it is also vital that you make sure your kids are not around others who do not show the same courtesy.
If you are an asthma sufferer, you need to avoid smoking and exposure to fumes or vapors of any kind. That means you have to avoid all tobacco, and seriously consider think about what jobs you take; for example, factories are probably not a healthy place for you because of all the vapors and smoke.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma and you are a smoker, it is time to quit. When smoke enters your lungs it cuts off your oxygen supply, and if you suffer from asthma it can make breathing extremely difficult, and result in an increased number of attacks.
Keep away from any and everything that you know triggers your asthma attacks. Certain outdoor areas may be off-limits because they cause allergies to flare up. For others, certain physical activities may be the trigger. Try and figure out what gets your asthma started so you know what to avoid.
Cleaning products can trigger an asthma attack, so try to keep your exposure to them to a minimum. A lot of the cleaning products have certain chemicals in them which can trigger asthma attacks. If you are responsible for cleaning your residence, think about purchasing natural products, which are less likely to set off your asthma.
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 and other NSAIDs are known to be asthma triggers. You can also use beta blockers, which will help you manage blood pressure. Tell your doctor if you are an asthmatic and you are using these medications.
If you are having trouble preventing asthma attacks, you may find success with a leukotriene inhibitor. Leukotriene inhibitors block the effects of leukotrienes. Inhibiting this chemical can lead to a decrease in asthma symptoms. Taking an inhibitor will reduce the amount of this substance your body produces, which should decrease the number of attacks you experience.
Social Worker
If you have asthma and lack the health insurance coverage to deal with asthma treatment, talk to a social worker. Asthma medications are a necessity, and a social worker can help you find an affordable way to keep your prescriptions current.
It is always a problem if you have asthma and don’t have health insurance, but talking to a social worker may help you resolve this issue. You will need asthma medications, and if you are unable to afford them, a social worker can find a hospital or clinic that can offer you medication for free or for a little cost.
An annual flu vaccination is highly recommended for yourself and your family. Respiratory infections can seriously hurt those who suffer from asthma, so take measures to avoid contracting them. This includes taking standard precautions against illness, like hand washing, as well as getting vaccinations that can keep you from getting sick.
Make sure you are taking plenty of Vitamins E and C if you suffer from asthma. They help to increase the function of the lungs and control the overall symptoms of asthma. You can take a supplement in order to get these vitamins if there is not enough of them in your food. You can help out your immune system that can help stave off asthma triggers!
Think about getting a home dehumidifier if you have asthma. Not only will a dehumidifier decrease humidity, but it will also be helpful in controlling the dust mite population. Both are causative factors in asthma attacks. Dehumidifiers remove the humidity by drying out the air that flows through your house.
Asthma attacks have been found to be more likely in homes where four or more different cleaning products are in use. Organic cleaners are also a safer choice since they contain fewer chemical irritants.
If you suffer from asthma, avoid smokers, even if you do not smoke yourself. Tobacco smoke causes your lung function to decrease, increasing the risk of a very severe attack, especially in enclosed rooms without much air flow or ventilation.
Those with asthma should always opt for unscented items because they are safest. Scented products such as air fresheners and perfumes can trigger an asthma attack. Fresh pain and new carpet also let off odors that are irritable to the airways. Strive to maintain an indoor environment that is free from these pollutants, keeping the air fresh.
A yearly flu shot is necessary if you suffer from asthma. Avoid these infections by making sure your and your child’s vaccines are up to date.
Take notes of what can trigger your asthma attacks so that you can be prepared for a future attack or learn how to avoid them all together. A lot of people who suffer from asthma have the same triggers, pet dander, smoke, or pollen. Try to avoid the things that make your asthma flare up.
Take notes of what can trigger your asthma attacks so that you can be prepared for a future attack or learn how to avoid them all together. Generally, it is found that items such as smoke and pollen can trigger attacks in those that suffer with asthma. Do your best to avoid coming into contact with substances that you know will trigger your symptoms.
If the air in your home is humid, it provides an ideal incubator for mold or mildew. Both of these substances are known to trigger asthma attacks. Therefore, it is important to maintain a dry home. During the cold, winter months, a dehumidifier can help. In the summer, an air conditioner naturally takes out a lot of the humidity in the air.
Feather pillows can be bad for those with asthma. Pillow feathers force the lungs to work harder and can exacerbate asthma problems. This also goes for bedding; use sheets, comforters and blankets that are crafted from hypoallergenic materials.
Asthma Attacks
It’s a very good habit to use your asthma inhaler as a daily preventative, although the drug residue can cause issues for your gums and teeth. You can prevent these side effects with proper tooth brushing and gargling after you use your inhaler.
When the weather starts to turn colder, wear a scarf or shawl that covers your mouth and nose to help prevent asthma attacks. This will warm the air that you breathe before it enters your lungs. Breathing cold air triggers your asthma attacks, particularly in young kids with bad asthma.
When you are making an effort to control asthma, do not smoke. Smoke can trigger an asthma attack. Avoid exposure to chemical fumes and vapors, and any type of wood or cigarette smoke. These things can cause your asthma symptoms to greatly increase. When anyone lights up a cigarette or cigar in your presence, politely inform them that you have asthma and ask them not to smoke beside you.
Know the right way to use any asthma medication you are taking, in particular your rescue medication. Typically, asthma is treated using normal medications along with rescue medication, like an inhaler, for emergency situations. It’s important to use both forms of medication properly to treat your chronic condition.
Allergens and asthma triggers, such as dust and pollen can cling to your bed linens. The easiest way to get rid of these triggering agents is by washing all of your bedding using your washer’s hot setting every Sunday. Fresh, laundered bedding will help you sleep that much easier at night.
Bed linens often collect asthma aggravators, such as pollen, dust and allergens. You can eliminate or reduce these inducers by washing your pillowcases and sheets weekly in hot water. You’re less likely to have an asthma attack while asleep or upon first waking up if your bedding is fresh and clean.
You should get a second opinion. Of course your regular doctor will be the one you go to for help with your asthma, but you should also see a specialist. Asthma centers, pulmonologists, nutritionists and allergists can all work with you, making sure you are getting all the treatment you need.
See a specialist. Your family doctor will be in charge of your asthma treatment, but seeing a specialist can provide you with invaluable help. Think about going to a pulmonologist, an allergist or even a nutritionist, depending on what is triggering your attacks.
When pollen counts are high, people who have asthma should stay inside. Even though asthma isn’t an allergy, they share many things in common. The air quality information should be used to find out when it is better to stay indoors to avoid irritants present in the air.
The above article contains many tips to help you control asthma. You must remain consistent applying these tips. Even if you only briefly ignore the signs that indicate an asthma attack may be on the horizon, your symptoms can quickly reemerge. Be persistent in the way you follow these asthma tips and you’ll be able to improve your both your health and your quality of life.
Remain calm if you do happen to come under an asthma attack. Locate your inhaler, inhale deeply with the spray, and allow 30 seconds to pass before you reuse it. If your attack worsens, get help. Have some one call for an ambulance or take you to the hospital. Breathing in and out of a paper bag on the way will help slow down your breathing.