Asthma can restrict your daily lifestyle, or even be a threat to your life without the knowledge you need to control it. You should take the correct measures to avoid and manage asthma. You can manage your asthma and reduce your symptoms by applying the tips below.
Do you know the type of asthma that you suffer with? Being fully informed about the specific type of asthma you have is very important. For instance, people with exercise-induced asthma would do well to carry an inhaler in their gym bag! By knowing the pattern to your symptoms it will be a big help to you avoiding crises.
If you are an asthma sufferer, you should refrain from smoking or being around any vapors or fumes. Thus, you need to avoid cigarettes and cigars and be vigilant about steering clear of environmental or workplace exposure to smoke.
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 is an example of a widely used medicine that can cause asthma problems. You can also use beta blockers, which will help you manage blood pressure. If you’ve been diagnosed as asthmatic and are taking medications unrelated to your asthma, be sure your doctor is aware of them.
Prescriptions and over-the-counter medications can actually trigger an asthma attack. Believe it or not, something as seemingly innocuous as aspirin can actually trigger symptoms. Also, beta blockers, such as medicines used to control heart disease and high blood pressure. If you suffer from asthma, be sure that your medical professional is aware of this.
Asthma is a chronic condition, requiring constant health management. Be sure you are practicing proper self-care, and make sure you have your inhaler ready to go in case you suffer a full-blown attack. Discuss treatment strategies with both your primary care physician and your allergist.
During a mild to moderate attack, force all of the air out of your lungs. Breathe out aggressively, as hard as you can. Force all the air out of the lungs! Then take three small breaths in, followed by a deeper breath to fill your lungs comfortably. Next, exhale forcefully again. This gives your breathing a rhythm and makes you focus on your breathing. In addition, it repeatedly empties your lungs of air, so that you can draw in more oxygen-rich air. There may be periods of harsh coughing and a substantial generation of sputum, but this is actually what you want in order to get the airways opened and the breathing back on a regular pattern.
If you suffer from asthma and allergy attacks, ask your doctor for a long-lasting allergy injection. Known as Omalizumab, this antibody medicine can control the body’s allergic senses and lower the symptoms or reactions that asthma patients suffer.
Unscented products are best for asthma sufferers. Indoor air pollution rises with the constant use of anything scented, ranging from air fresheners to incense, and all this can trigger asthma attacks. Certain things around the home, such as newly installed carpet or fresh paint, can also release chemical irritants. Try to make it your goal to keep the indoor air as fresh and allergen free as possible.
A dehumidifier is an excellent investment for asthma sufferers. A reduction in humidity will also lessen the amount of dust mites in your home. This lessens the chance of an asthma flare up. Dehumidifiers remove the humidity by drying out the air that flows through your house.
Keep your home clean. By keeping a clean environment, especially in a bedroom, you can lower your risk of asthma attacks. Food should not be eaten outside of the kitchen, and there should be no indoor smoking. Thoroughly air out your house after every cleaning, and stay away from bleach and similar harsh chemicals while cleaning indoors.
Unscented products are the safest option for those who suffer from asthma. Scented products such as air fresheners and perfumes can trigger an asthma attack. In addition, paint that is fresh or carpet that is new release odors that can cause breathing irritations that lead to an asthma attack. Because the dangers these things represent, it is important to always keep indoor air fresh to the best of your ability.
Flu Shot
You can help to prevent asthma attacks by maintaining a clean home, particularly the asthmatic’s bedroom. Also, you should keep food confined to the kitchen, and opt to smoke outdoors only. If you clean with any harsh chemicals or bleach, make sure to ventilate thoroughly afterwards.
If you have asthma or you live with an asthma sufferer, you should ensure you receive an annual flu shot. Prevent those flu infections before they happen by getting a flu shot each year.
Be aware that your asthma medication may need to be adjusted if you are suffering from a cold, flu or hay fever. Treatment may be increased in these cases as many illnesses have side effects that can cause flare ups in your asthma. It is possible that your doctor will decide to modify your treatment, or even add additional treatments, until you are back on your feet.
Sleep with a feather-less pillow if you have asthma. Feathers can have a negative effect on the lungs and can worsen asthma symptoms. This also goes for bedding; use sheets, comforters and blankets that are crafted from hypoallergenic materials.
Keep your medication with you, especially when you are traveling. Traveling is hard on your body, opening you up to an asthma attack. You can’t exert as much control over your environment when you travel, so you may have an asthma attack or exacerbation of symptoms under unfamiliar conditions.
You may want to think about joining support groups you can find both online and offline. Asthma is a disease that can affect your everyday life and prove debilitating in so many ways. As science marches on, new medications and treatments for asthma become available, and you can keep abreast of this progress through a good support group.
During the colder months, avoid asthma attacks by wearing a scarf, shawl or muffler that covers the mouth and nose. This will warm the air up before you breathe it into your lungs. Cold air can trigger severe attacks, especially for young children.
Mold and mildew grow in a home due to the humidity that creates a friendly environment for them. This stuff can easily set off an asthma attack. 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.
Know the right way to take your asthma medication, and above all any rescue medication. For most asthma cases, an emergency treatment option, such as an inhaler, is used to supplement day-to-day management medication. Asthma is not curable, so it is very important that you take your medication properly and only use your rescue medication if you need it.
Keep an asthma diary and record how often, each week, you must use a rescue inhaler. Your medication may need to be adjusted or an alternative treatment considered if you find that you need to use it 3 or more times per week. The frequency of use of your inhaler can give you an idea about your surroundings and the need to watch them.
Do not smoke cigarettes. Smoking is an unhealthy habit for everyone, but it poses an even greater danger to people with asthma. Not only should smoking be avoided, you need to be careful to stay away from people who do smoke because it is extremely harmful and will irritate your sensitive asthmatic lungs.
See a specialist. Of course your regular doctor will be the one you go to for help with your asthma, but you should also see a specialist. Certain specialists, such as pulmonologists and allergists, can provide extra treatment options for your asthma.
When dealing with an asthma attack, it is important to stay calm. Wait thirty seconds to try your inhaler after using it the first time. If your attack worsens, get help. Gesture to someone to call 911 if you can’t speak, or have them drive you to the nearest hospital. To slow down your breathing along the way, breathe into a paper bag.
Many people underestimate asthma, or at least think that they can’t do anything about it since it is an incurable disease. However, you’ll be amazed at how much difference you can make simply by following these simple steps to try and relieve symptoms and reduce the sources of asthma attacks.
Educate yourself to the maximum regarding asthma. The more educated you are about your asthma, the more proactive you can be about your treatment. Keep up to date on the different treatments and always be sure to have the best possible care for yourself. You can easily know this information by further developing your knowledge about your condition, as well as, discovering treatment options.