Asthma is a very difficult disease to live with. It can keep you from accomplishing even simplest tasks, such as going for a nice walk outdoors. But, to make matters worse, there is no cure and its symptoms are hard to manage. That said, there ARE tips and techniques which can make managing your asthma and returning to a full life possible, and we’ve included many in this article. Read on!
If you suffer from asthma, don’t smoke, and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke. This means you need to keep away from tobacco products and only seek out jobs where you aren’t exposed to any harmful chemicals, smoke or vapors.
Suffer from asthma? It is vital that you not smoke tobacco; if you do, quit. Smoking is terrible for everyone, but it lowers the oxygen supply in asthma patients who need as much oxygen as possible.
If you suffer from asthma, it is vital that you avoid smoking; if you do, you should quit. While smoking is bad for everyone, it’s particularly hard on an asthma sufferer as it restricts oxygen getting to the lungs.
Be careful of chemical cleaners if you are asthmatic. Cleaning products are often full of chemicals, and breathing those chemicals in can irritate your lungs. If you are responsible for cleaning your residence, think about purchasing natural products, which are less likely to set off your asthma.
Asthma can cause increased sensitivity to the ingredients contained in many cleaning products. Cleaning products may contain chemicals which can trigger an asthmatic episode, such as ammonia. If you are the person in your house who does the cleaning, there natural product solutions which are safe for you to use.
Blood Pressure
Asthma doesn’t just go away, so you can’t just stop managing it. Always be very sure that you’re taking the right type of medication for your condition if you hope to control it. It’s also important to have a quick-relief medication available. Speak to an allergist and doctor to see what’s best for you.
You may be unaware that certain medications you might be on could cause asthma symptoms. Some anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, can flare up asthma symptoms. Also, beta blockers, such as medicines used to control heart disease and high blood pressure. If you have asthma paired with heart disease or high blood pressure, tell your doctor.
When you are suffering from an asthma attack, exhale all of the oxygen from your lungs. Exhale quickly and forcefully. This will force the air from your lungs. Take in three breaths, and then a deeper breath until your lungs are full of air. Then exhale with force again. Breathing in this rhythmic manner helps you to concentrate on the breaths you’re taking. It also pushes the air out of your lungs, so that more air can come in. You may generate sputum or cough but that is alright, since your main objective is getting you to breathe normally again.
Cigarette smoke and asthma do not mix. Never smoke a cigarette! Avoid breathing in the vapors and any other types of chemical fumes. This can cause an asthma attack, and you may be unable to bring it under control. If people smoke around you, you should get away form that area.
If you are suffering from asthma, stay away from any type of cigarette smoke. Never smoke a cigarette! Avoid all fumes of chemical products or breathing harmful vapors. Any of these things can trigger an asthma attack. If others are smoking nearby, leave that area as quickly as you can.
Talk to your doctor about getting a leukotriene inhibitor if you have asthma. This prescription will prevent the product of leukotrines and help to abate the symptoms of asthma. Leukotrienes are inflammation-causing chemicals that can bring on asthma attacks. If you get a leukotriene inhibitor, it can get rid of them in the air and help you with asthma symptoms.
If you suffer from asthma, consider using a feather-free pillow to sleep. The feathers contained in these pillows can aggravate asthma symptoms and reduce lung function. This extends to the rest of your bedding, as well. There are hypoallergenic comforters and sheets you can use to limit asthma symptoms.
Be certain to properly use your inhaler. Try to locate a calming location, and be certain to adhere to any directions given by the inhaler’s maker. The inhaler is only beneficial if the medicine gets to your lungs. You need to inhale air while spraying the requisite dosage in your mouth. Make sure you hold your breath for 10 seconds or more to get the medications into your lungs.
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 often hard to maintain the right kind of environment when you are traveling, and this may heighten the risk of an asthma attack or worsening symptoms.
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.
To stay out in front of your asthma, make sure that you see the doctor to receive regular checkups. A new flare-up may be just around the corner, or your doctor may have news of a more effective new medication you can try.
Avoid feather pillows if you suffer from asthma. Feathers may trigger asthma symptoms by irritating your lungs. This applies to bedding, as well. Purchase sheets and comforters that are made of hypoallergenic materials.
Some of the major causes of asthma, and triggers for asthma attacks, can exist right in the home. These can include dust, mold and spores. Stay on top of your health and reduce the likelihood of attacks. You can do this by having it inspected every year to get rid of triggers. Cleaning the house on a regular basis will also help prevent the buildup of these hazardous substances.
Even if you seem to be fine, see your doctor regularly for your asthma checkups. You never know when you might suffer another flare-up, or when your doctor might have a better or safer medication to prescribe for your symptoms.
If your home is damp, it can encourage the growth of mildew and mold. These are harmful substances that can trigger asthma attacks. Try, then, to ensure your home is dry. Use a dehumidifier during the winter time so that you can keep humidity in control when you use a heater. You can use the air conditioning in your household during summer time to get the same affect.
If your home is damp, it can encourage the growth of mildew and mold. These substances can easily trigger asthma attacks. Keeping a home dry and mold-free is important. In the winter, use a dehumidifier along with your heater, and in the summer months, you can use your air conditioner to help control the amount of water in the air within your home.
Understanding how to properly administer your asthma medications is important, particularly in regard to rescue medications. Asthma is generally treated with a rescue medication, usually an inhaler, in addition to a regularly-taken maintenance medication. Because asthma can be a lifelong issue, it is vital to take both regular and rescue medications according to the instructions.
Asthma Attacks
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. Brushing or gargling immediately after use can help reduce the risk of infection and other problems.
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. Cold air can be a nuisance and breathing it has actually proven to trigger asthma attacks. This is especially true for younger children who have severe or moderate asthma.
Anytime you clean your house or apartment, wet mopping is superior to sweeping. Sweeping stirs up irritants that can trigger an asthma attack. Use a dampened rag when dusting, instead of a feather duster, so as to prevent stirring up loose dust particles and other asthma triggers.
It is crucial that you know how to properly use your asthma treatments, particularly rescue inhalers. For most asthma cases, an emergency treatment option, such as an inhaler, is used to supplement day-to-day management medication. Asthma is a serious, chronic health condition, and it’s vital that you take medicine to manage the disease properly and use the rescue medications as directed.
See more than one doctor. The first place to consider visiting is your main doctor, but they might also be able to recommend a specialist. Some specialists to consider visiting are those who deal directly with allergies or nutrition. This is a great way to attack asthma from all angles.
Asthma is a dangerous disease – never ignore the symptoms. Take the appropriate steps needed to prevent and reduce any symptoms, and if your symptoms are uncontrollable seek professional help. Let the above advice help you to minimize the effects of asthma on your day-to-day life.
Have your asthma situation checked out by a doctor every so often, so that you are not blindsided by changes in your condition. Your doctor should be recording your current state as a benchmark, and making necessary changes to improve your situation if needed. You are the one who needs to make sure that these appointments happen to stay healthy.