You should treat asthma as a serious condition that can impact your life negatively. It is important to take proactive measures to get asthma under control before you experience a critical event that puts you in the hospital. The following article has tips for you to help manage and live with your asthma.
If you are an asthma patient, do not expose yourself to vapors, fumes and cigarette smoke. This includes all tobacco products, and you also need to be careful if you are going to apply for a job in a factory or where you have the potential to be exposed to vapors and harmful smoke.
In order to prevent asthma attacks, keep away from triggers. For some people, this can be pollen or other allergy triggers. For others, it may be linked to physical exertion. Try to determine your asthma triggers, so you can avoid them and prevent attacks.
A good tip that can help your child cope with asthma is to make sure you never smoke around them. Secondhand smoke can actually cause asthma to appear. You should never put your children in a situation where they are exposed to people who are smoking.
Asthma Symptoms
If you find yourself having a mild asthma attack, force the air from your lungs until they are empty. Breathe out fast and hard. Force your lungs to expel as much air as possible. Then take three small breaths in, followed by a deeper breath to fill your lungs comfortably. Next, exhale forcefully again. Breathing in this rhythmic manner helps you to concentrate on the breaths you’re taking. It also expels air from your lungs so more can enter. You might cough hard or create mucus, but its just a sign your breathing is getting back to normal.
Certain prescription medications have the potential to cause asthma symptoms. Some of these include aspirin and NSAIDs. Many medications for heart disease and hypertension can also cause asthma symptoms. If you suffer from these conditions and also have asthma, be sure to let your doctor know.
Injections are available to people who suffer from asthma related to allergies, to help give them some long term relief. Your allergist may recommend a variety of medications to control your reactions and the onset of asthma.
If you’re having an asthma attack, a great way to handle this is to immediately evacuate the air from your lungs. Breathe out fast and hard. Try hard to push the air out from your lungs! Then take three small breaths in, followed by a deeper breath to fill your lungs comfortably. Next, exhale forcefully again. This creates a rhythm to your breathing, making you pay attention to the breaths you take. In addition, it repeatedly empties your lungs of air, so that you can draw in more oxygen-rich air. This may cause you to cough or it may cause phlegm, but your breathing will be back to normal again.
Make sure you are using your inhaler properly. Locate a quiet place, and follow the label to a tee. The inhaler only helps if the medication reaches your lungs. 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.
Leukotriene Inhibitor
Though it is easy to postpone or avoid, get those annual flu vaccinations. Make sure you do your best in avoiding respiratory infections at all costs if you have asthma. Common method of avoiding illnesses can be very effective. Keep your vaccinations up to date and wash your hands frequently.
Try a leukotriene inhibitor if you have asthma. A leukotriene inhibitor stops the release of a chemical that causes the inflammation that is responsible for some asthma attacks. Inhibiting this chemical can lead to a decrease in asthma symptoms. The inhibitor prevents leukotrienes, and that can decrease the number of asthma attacks you deal with.
If you are someone who suffers from asthma, you should consider buying a dehumidifier for your home. A dehumidifier will reduce attacks by taking extra humidity and, by extension, dust mites and other debris out of your air. Use a dehumidifier, and the air you breath will be much less likely to cause your asthma to flare up.
Make sure you are using your inhaler properly. An inhaler is most effective if used in a relaxed location and according to the maker’s instructions. The inhaler will only reduce symptoms if the medication can get to your lungs. Breathe in through your mouth while you’re pressing the spray button. You should hold your breath 10 seconds so the medicated mist is able to fill up your lungs.
It is best to use products that are unscented in the home with someone who is asthmatic. Products with fragrance, such as perfumes, colognes, and air fresheners, introduce irritants into the air around you and can cause asthma attacks. Fresh paint and new carpeting give off odors that can irritate sensitive airways. Take all necessary measures to ensure that your home is always filled with fresh, clean air.
Using more than 4 different kinds of cleaning products for your house has been known to increase risks associated to asthma attacks. Choose instead organic products that are not filled with harmful chemicals.
If you have hay fever or a cold, you will probably need increased treatment of your asthma. These illnesses have side effects that can cause asthma to flare up and make an increase in medication necessary. Your regular medication may also need to be combined with other treatments your doctor may recommend.
Scented products could cause averse reactions to asthma sufferers. It is safest to use unscented products when possible. Products with a strong smell such as air fresheners, incense or perfume can trigger asthma attacks. New carpeting and even a fresh coat of paint can aggravate the airway and lungs as well. Try to maintain fresh air inside your home.
If your child or yourself are asthma sufferers it is very important that you get the flu shot every single year. Regular vaccinations will help you and your children to avoid lung infections.
Asthma is a health condition that usually develops over a period of time, and has symptoms that may not be obvious. There are many cases where people have died from their first asthma attack, without even being aware that they were at risk. So, if you have a lingering cough or instances of troubled breathing, you should see a doctor to see if you might have asthma and determine whether you may need medication to either prevent or treat asthma.
You need to know what the asthma triggers are so that they can be avoided or treated promptly. A lot of asthma sufferers have some triggers in common, like pollen, smoke and pet dander. Whenever you can, stay away from these agents that can trigger symptoms or cause full-blown asthma attacks.
If you’re flying and bringing along your asthma medications, bring a doctor’s written prescription with you. If you have the proof that this is a medical necessity, it can cause less hassles during the security check.
Some of the major causes of asthma, and triggers for asthma attacks, can exist right in the home. These triggers inside the home are usually spores, mold and dust. To reduce asthma attacks and stay healthy, have an inspector remove any harmful agents yearly. Keep your house clean to keep these asthma triggers out of your home.
You need to know how to properly use your inhaler if you have been diagnosed with asthma. You need to know that you can’t lightly inhale as you just spray it inside your mouth. Each time you spray your inhaler, breath in deeply for a few seconds. Neglecting to learn how to use your inhaler correctly will cause your symptoms to worsen significantly.
Know the right way to use any asthma medication you are taking, in particular your rescue medication. For most asthma cases, an emergency treatment option, such as an inhaler, is used to supplement day-to-day management medication. 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.
If you frequently use your inhaler (more than two to three times per week), you should talk to your doctor about alternative methods of treatment or a different prescription. Frequent use of the rescue inhaler means that your management medicine is not working as it should. In addition, if you must change the cartridge in the inhaler more than two times in a year, you may need to see your doctor regarding a medication switch.
Although it is wise to use your inhaler as needed, be aware that the medication itself may cause problems with gums and teeth. Always clean your teeth and rinse your mouth after you use your inhaler.
You must use a protective mask when you paint, so make sure you have one before you start your project. Paint fumes are especially dangerous for asthmatic people, but a mask will prevent asthma attacks efficiently. Avoid specific chemicals and substances that could worsen your asthma.
Instead of sweeping your floors, clean them with a damp mop. Sweeping your floor can kick allergens into the air, triggering an asthma attack. When dusting, try to use a damp rag rather than a feather duster to cut down on the spread of the triggers.
It can help out to meet and talk with others who have asthma. Understanding what other people do to control and manage their asthma can be helpful in treating your own asthma. Keeping supportive people in your daily life is very important.
Allergens, pollen, dust and some other asthma aggravators can collect in your bed linens. Use fresh linens to make up your bed on a regular basis. Fresh bed linens, washed regularly, will ensure that you can breathe a little easier while you sleep.
Dust Mites
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 doctors, allergists, and pulmiologists are the people who you want to consult with to help with asthma.
Keep your home dusted and mopped. Also, wash sheets, pillows and blankets frequently. Washing your bedding regularly keeps dust mites away; dust mites are a trigger of attacks for many asthmatics. As the amount of dust in a home increases, the air becomes contaminated, which increases the probability of an asthma attack.
If you’re finding that you need to use your inhaler 3 or more times a week, it’s best to talk to your doctor about switching medications. Frequent need of an inhaler is an indication that the medication prescribed is not the right strength. In addition, if you must change the cartridge in the inhaler more than two times in a year, you may need to see your doctor regarding a medication switch.
If you experience three or more allergy attacks in a week, it’s likely that the medication you’re taking isn’t proper. The medical community holds two opinions about asthma attacks occurring more than twice a week: first, they are dangerous, and secondly, they are preventable.
It’s important to know absolutely everything you possibly can about your disease. If you educate yourself properly, you will be able to find a good treatment. Look into cutting-edge treatments, and seek the best medical care you can find. The best thing to do is learn and research as much as you can about this condition and the treatment options that would be best for you.
Gradually increase your strength, and lung capacity. The last thing you should do is a frenetic workout. You will surely trigger an attack. Start slow and build your stamina.
A support group for those with asthma can really help, and so can simply talking to people about your condition. People who have to live with the disease will be able to share their own experiences, and give you tips on how to cope. Keeping supportive people in your daily life is very important.
As soon as you have concerns about worsening symptoms, visit your doctor. More importantly, you should apply these tips whenever possible, to keep the symptoms down and hopefully, improve your quality of life.
One of the most important things that you can do to prevent asthma attacks is to identify your triggers. You may even want to keep an asthma trigger journal so you can discuss this with your doctor. Once you know the causes of your asthma, do all you can to stay away from the triggers, and try, if possible, to remove them from your surroundings.