So, you have just received an asthma diagnosis, and you feel stressed and panicky. It is a severe chronic condition, and that means it lasts a lifetime. Although there is no cure for asthma, treatments and medications exist to help asthma sufferers enjoy normal activities. This article offers ways in which you can effectively and safely manage asthma.
Avoid harsh cleaning chemicals if you are an asthma sufferer. Cleaning products contain a plethora of chemicals that are triggers to exacerbating symptoms related to asthma, as well as the attacks themselves. If you’re the one who regularly cleans the house, look for natural cleaning products which are much safer to use.
If you are an asthma sufferer, you should refrain from smoking or being around any vapors or fumes. Decrease the effects of asthma by wearing a protective mask when pollution levels are especially high.
Learn what triggers your asthma so that you can avoid it. For many, allergens like dust and pollen, can trigger their attacks. For others, physical activities can cause them. Try and figure out what gets your asthma started so you know what to avoid.
If your child or another loved one suffers from asthma, you should be sure to never smoke cigarettes when you’re near them. One of the primary causes of asthma is secondhand smoke. Ensure that your child is not around other people that smoke, either.
When you suffer a medium-intensity attack, try and forcefully exhale all air from your lungs. Breathe out hard and fast. Truly pump all air from your lungs! 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. In addition, it repeatedly empties your lungs of air, so that you can draw in more oxygen-rich air. It is okay to cough, even to generate sputum. Your ultimate goal is getting your breathing regulated.
Be careful of chemical cleaners if you are asthmatic. Cleaning products may contain chemicals which can trigger an asthmatic episode, such as ammonia. Instead of relying on harsh cleaners, check out some organic solutions. They might cost a few dollars more, but the difference is well worth it.
If you have asthma, you need to avoid any kind of tobacco smoke. Do not smoke yourself, either! Don’t breathe vapor or chemical fumes. Any of these things can trigger an asthma attack. If you find that you have people smoking around you, get yourself out of that area rather quickly.
Asthma is not a curable disease and will require life-long health management. Make certain you are doing the most you can each day to keep your symptoms under control. Take the proper medications needed for everyday symptoms, and always have quick relief medication by you at all times in the event an attack occurs. Speak with an allergist or your doctor to determine the best care for you.
Don’t turn on any fans if you see that your room is dusty. An asthma attack can be easily triggered by the moving dust. A fan will just blow around dust without providing fresh air, so opening a window is a better option as it brings in fresh air and ventilation.
Learn how to properly use your inhaler. Find a spot that is out of the way, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to the letter. Your inhaler will only help if you breathe very deeply. Inhale air while spraying the necessary amount of medication into your mouth. Make sure you hold your breath for 10 seconds or more to get the medications into your lungs.
You and your loved ones need to get a flu vaccination every year. Try to avoid getting any respiratory infections if you have asthma. You can start by taking simple precautions, such as washing your hands and getting proper vaccinations when due.
Immune System
Using more than four different types of cleaning products in your home has been shown to increase the risk of an asthma attack. Organic products are preferable to more chemically loaded, commercially produced cleaning products.
If you are an asthma sufferer, be sure to get the recommended daily dose of Vitamins C and E. Both vitamins improve lung function, helping you to better resist asthma attacks and other negative symptoms. You can take a supplement in order to get these vitamins if there is not enough of them in your food. These vitamins are great for your immune system, and a strong immune system wards off illnesses that can trigger asthma attacks.
If you deal with asthma in your life, always choose products that are free of scents. Scented products such as air fresheners, incense and perfume heighten the degree of indoor air impurities and may possibly contribute to an attack. Certain things around the home, such as newly installed carpet or fresh paint, can also release chemical irritants. Keep the air inside your home clean and fresh, and free of any asthma triggers.
An annual flu shot is crucial if you have asthma or have an asthmatic child. Get vaccinated every flu season to avoid a high number of infections.
When traveling, make sure to have your rescue medication handy at all times. The stress of travel may temporarily weaken your body and make you more vulnerable to attack triggers. It is also difficult to control your environment while traveling, making it more likely that you may experience an attack or worsening symptoms.
Avoid pillows stuffed with goosedown or other feathers if you have an asthma problem. The feathers contained in the pillow could trigger the symptoms related to asthma and it could prevent your lungs from functioning efficiently. The same rule holds true for bedding. Choose sheets and a comforter that are constructed from materials known for being hypoallergenic.
In the winter, prevent attacks by wearing shawls, mufflers and scarves that cover the nose and mouth. Filtering and warming air before you inhale it can help prevent asthma attacks. Breathing in cold air tends to start asthma attacks, especially with younger children that have severe or moderate asthma.
When you are traveling, be sure to carry your rescue inhaler with you at all times. Traveling can be somewhat stressful and put added strain your body, which might make you more likely to respond to asthma triggers by having an attack. Controlling your environment is harder when traveling, so this makes it much more probable that you experience worsening symptoms or an attack.
Know exactly how any asthma medication you take or may take works. Typically, asthma is treated using normal medications along with rescue medication, like an inhaler, for emergency situations. Asthma is considered a chronic condition. For this reason, you should take the management of it very seriously.
Rescue Inhaler
If you are traveling by plane and must bring inhalers or nebulizers on board, you should bring a written prescription for the equipment. Written proof of needing your equipment can help you with any issues you might have in the security line.
Be sure to thoroughly understand how to utilize asthma medication correctly, particularly any rescue medication. A treatment made up of a daily medication plus a rescue inhaler can help to keep asthma under control. Asthma doesn’t go away, so it’s important to be vigilant about taking your daily medication and using your rescue inhaler when an attack occurs.
Asthma sufferers should avoid close contact with all animals. A lot of times the hair or dander will cause an asthma attack, but even if you do not have an allergy to the pet itself they often carry pollen and dust with them.
If you have asthma, don’t stop using your inhaler unless your doctor tells you to. However, watch for infections in your gums or other mouth discomfort after using your inhaler. You can prevent this by brushing your teeth and gargling immediately following the use of your inhaler.
Dust, pollen, allergens and other asthma aggravators tend to collect in bed linens. If you put your pillowcases and sheets in hot water weekly, these inducers will be reduced or completely eliminated. The freshly laundered linens will make it easier for you to breath when you are sleeping.
Don’t smoke. Most people know that smoking is dangerous, but if you have asthma there are more serious consequences. Sensitive asthmatic lungs are easily irritated by smoke, so they need to avoid smoking and to avoid situations where there are people who smoke.
Visit at least two different doctors. Specialists can supplement the asthma treatments your regular doctor provides for you. Nutritionists, allergists, and pulmonologists are just some of the advisers who can change your life for the better.
Go to your doctor a few times every year to check up on your asthma, and ensure that it is being managed effectively. Your doctor will evaluate your condition and make any changes as they see fit. You should always keep your appointments so that your doctor can follow up on your treatment plans, and work with you to maintain your health.
People with asthma should not smoke. Most people know how dangerous smoking is, but for someone afflicted with asthma, the dangers are ten times more serious. Smoke irritates the lungs of an asthma sufferer, so avoid the presence of people who smoke if you have asthma.
When painting, you should buy a protective mask if you suffer from asthma. Paint can trigger asthma-related issues, but wearing a mask will provide a protective barrier to circumvent these issues. In general, you should avoid anything that will trigger an asthma attack or worsen your asthma symptoms.
When you suffer from an asthma attack, be sure to remain calm. Use your inhaler, wait 30 seconds and use it again. Should your asthma get even worse, seek medical attention immediately. Get somebody to phone for EMS or even transport you themselves to the nearest emergency medical facility. To calm yourself on the drive, bring a paper bag and breathe into it, as this will slow your breathing.
Don’t skimp on vitamin B6. This vitamin, which is sometimes called pyridoxine, offers many benefits, including reducing the overall frequency of severe asthma attacks. Through this research, it has been proven that pyridoxine helps produce molecules that aid in relaxing the bronchial tissue. Foods that are rich in B6 include the easy-to-find banana.
Speaking with people in an asthmatic support group, or chatting with friends who also have asthma, can be helpful. They can offer you tips about handling different situations and help you manage your asthma. One of the keys to fighting asthma is having the support of the people in your life.
Asthma can be caused by genetics, environmental factors, or a little bit of both. If a loved one in your household suffers from asthma, be mindful of any signs in others. Things in the environment like smoke, mold, dust and pollution can aggravate asthma. It is important to keep your family and self away from these things.
Genetics and/or environmental factors can cause asthma. If you have a family member with asthma, watch your children and yourself for asthma symptoms. Many environmental factors like smoke, pollution, dust and mold spores are known to cause asthma; it is best to avoid these hazards when possible.
The key to successfully managing asthma is preparation. If you know about what kind of arthritis you have, you can find ways to manage it. The insights here can be your first line of defense in arming yourself with invaluable knowledge.
Keep your living area swept and clean. Additionally, you will want to wash your blankets, pillows and sheets often. Doing this prevents the build up of dust and dust mites, which can both trigger an asthma attack. Built up dust makes the air irritating and increases the chances of an asthma attack.