It is common to be scared when a doctor gives you a diagnosis of asthma. Asthma is a life-long health condition without a cure. Do not despair; life will go on and you can deal with your condition. This article offers ways in which you can effectively and safely manage asthma.
Figure out what type of asthma you are suffering with. Being aware of your specific condition will help you combat the effects it has over your body day in and day out. If you have exercised-induced asthma, for example, you’ll want to bring your inhaler with you to the gym or other locations where you might be involved in physical activity. Knowing your asthma symptom patterns will help keep you safe.
Asthma Sufferer
You need ongoing treatment for asthma because it’s an ongoing disease. Your doctor may prescribe medications that must be taken daily. In addition, you will likely have medication to take in the event of an attack. Talk to your doctor and allergist to see what is the best idea for you.
If you are an asthma sufferer, it is crucial that you don’t smoke. Smoking is bad for everyone, but it’s particularly dangerous for an asthma sufferer, as it cuts off vital oxygen to the lungs.
If you’re suffering from an asthma attack that’s moderate or mild, then work to force all the air you can from your lungs. Blow your breath out as hard and fast as you can. Force your lungs to expel as much air as possible. Inhale in a series of three, or three shallow breaths and one deep breath. After your lungs are filled with air, forcefully exhale again. Not only will you breathe in rhythm, but you’ll focus more intently on how you are breathing and become aware of breathing problems. It also helps to push air out from your lungs so new air can come back in. You may generate sputum or cough but that is alright, since your main objective is getting you to breathe normally again.
When you have asthma, you need to be careful around chemical cleaning products. The chemicals in many cleaning products will trigger asthma attacks or symptoms. If you must do the cleaning in your home, opt for natural products with lower chemical content.
Always use your inhaler in the proper manner. Find a quiet secluded area so that you can calmly take the inhaler as directed by the instructions from the manufacturer. The inhaler only helps if the medication reaches your lungs. While taking a deep breath, spray in the recommended dosage. Hold your breath for at least 10 seconds to allow the medicated mist to fill your lungs.
Prescriptions and over-the-counter medications can actually trigger an asthma attack. Examples of medications that may contribute to asthma are aspirin and other NSAIDs. You can also use medications that can control high blood pressure and heart disease, things like beta blockers. Let your doctor know about your asthma and what prescriptions you’re taking.
If you are an asthma sufferer, be sure to get the recommended daily dose of Vitamins C and E. They are believed to aid respiratory function and to be instrumental in keeping your asthma in check. You can get both of these vitamins from eating certain foods, or by taking the vitamins in supplement form. These vitamins will also provide a boost to your immune system. This will prevent respiratory illnesses that can trigger your asthma attacks.
If the room you are in appears to be dusty, refrain from turning on any fans. Dust blown around by fans can cause your asthma to rear up. Open a window instead to get the air flowing.
Using over four kinds of cleaning products in the home can trigger asthma attacks. Opt for organic cleaning products that do not contain irritating chemicals.
If you have asthma and find yourself having frequent attacks caused by alleries, it may be time to consider a long-lasting medication. It is called omalizumab, and it is an antibody medicine used to control allergic reaction symptoms. You will need to speak to your allergist to find out if this would be helpful to you.
You can help to prevent asthma attacks by maintaining a clean home, particularly the asthmatic’s bedroom. 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.
Be certain to properly use your inhaler. Find a spot that is peaceful, and then follow the instructions given by the manufacturer. The inhaler will only work if the medicine reaches your lungs. Breathe in through your mouth while you’re pressing the spray button. Then, don’t breathe for around 10 seconds so that the medication permeates your lungs.
When you are suffering from asthma and you have hay fever or a cold, you will most likely need an increase in your treatment. Some illnesses create issues that make it necessary to increase medication temporarily. The doctor may choose to pursue additional treatment options during your illness as well.
Social Worker
Make sure to examine what it is that causes your asthma attacks in order to best avoid having to deal with them. Asthma sufferers generally have different triggers in common like pollen, pet dander and smoke. When it is possible avoid substances that make you have symptoms or attacks.
If your health insurance situation cannot help you with your asthma, talk to a social worker. Having the financial ability to purchase your asthma medications is essential, and a social worker can help you locate a hospital or clinic that can provide you with these medications for free or at a significantly reduced rate.
Have your rescue inhaler with you at all times, especially when on vacation. Traveling can make you more likely to suffer from attacks due to the extra strain and stress on your body. It is also hard to predict what will come up or to control your environment when you travel, which increases the chances of experiencing more severe symptoms or an attack.
Be aware that your asthma medication may need to be adjusted if you are suffering from a cold, flu or hay fever. An increase in treatment is necessary sometimes because side effects of other sicknesses can cause your asthma symptoms to flare up. Your regular medication may also need to be combined with other treatments your doctor may recommend.
Some of the major causes of asthma, and triggers for asthma attacks, can exist right in the home. Dander, dust and mold are all commonly found in many homes. Having your house inspected yearly is a good way to reduce the presence of these asthma triggers. As an additional measure, a home that is regularly cleaned will help keep these irritants from building up.
Take the time to understand the proper usage of your asthma medication, particularly any that is labelled as rescue medication. Asthma is usually treated on two fronts. One is a standard medication, taken daily, and the other is an inhaler, intended for use in an emergency. It’s important to use both forms of medication properly to treat your chronic condition.
Mold and mildew will often grow in a humid home. Mold and mildew can have a hand in making you suffer a asthma attack! You should do your best to maintain a dry home. When you are heating your home during the winter months, a dehumidifier can be used to control the humidity. In the summer, use an air conditioner to maintain dry air.
If you are going on a plane trip with asthma medications, make sure to bring your written prescription along with you. If you have the proof that this is a medical necessity, it can cause less hassles during the security check.
A preventative inhaler should be used every day, but you should know that this can cause infections near the teeth and gums in your mouth. One way to reduce the probability of such infections is to immediately brush and gargle after inhaling the medicine.
Preparation is the key to living with your condition. Knowing about your personal asthma situation and how you can effectively manage it on a daily basis is going to help you avoid crises. By reading this article, you have taken an important step in gaining the understanding you need to keep your asthma in check.
Keep track of the number of times per week you use your rescue inhaler. If you use it more than two times, your asthma might not be well-controlled or you may have unusual occurrences causing those frequent attacks. The frequency of your inhaler use is a good way to remember to check out your environmental surroundings and be mindful of all factors relating to your asthma regimen.