If you have been afflicted with asthma, it can be extremely terrifying. Know all that you can about your asthma so that you know what to expect in all situations. You need to be prepared for what could occur and when it could occur when you have asthma. The following information could be very useful to you.
Do you know which type of asthma you suffer from? Learning about your type of asthma will help you to deal with it. One example of this is exercise-induced asthma. This type of asthmatic will need to carry his inhaler with him when he goes for a run. If you are familiar with your symptoms and their patterns, you will be better able to avoid emergencies.
Cleaning products can trigger an asthma attack, so try to keep your exposure to them to a minimum. A lot of the cleaning products have certain chemicals in them which can trigger asthma attacks. While anyone responsible for cleaning their home can’t avoid cleaning products altogether, it’s best to only use natural products.
It is crucial for asthma sufferers not to smoke. Smoking is, of course, unhealthy for anyone. The habit is even more dangerous for asthma patients, however, because anything that reduces the amount of oxygen reaching the lungs can trigger an attack.
Avoid exposing yourself to any of your known asthma triggers. Some people have allergies that cause asthma, and allergens such as dust and pollen can cause an attack. Others may need to avoid certain physical activities to keep from suffering an attack. Keep a journal of your attacks so that you can start to learn what your triggers are so that you can prevent flareups before they begin.
You may be unaware that certain medications you might be on could cause asthma symptoms. Some NSAIDs and aspirins will do this for you. Beta blockers, such as those used to control high blood pressure or heart disease may also have this effect. Let your doctor know about your asthma and what prescriptions you’re taking.
Be aware of certain medications that can lead to asthma problems. Some NSAIDs and aspirins will do this for you. Other medications that may have an effect on the respiratory system include beta blockers used to treat high blood pressure. If you suffer from these conditions and also have asthma, be sure to let your doctor know.
Make sure that you and your loved ones get a flu vaccination yearly. Asthma patients should try their best to avoid getting respiratory infections. The preventative measures you can take against such sickness range from simple habits of hand washing to getting your annual flu shot.
Social Worker
In order to minimize the chance of an asthma attack, be sure to keep your living area very clean, most definitely the bedroom area. Keep food in a kitchen or on the dining room table, and avoid cigarette smoking inside. Let in plenty of fresh air if the weather permits, and avoid using harsh chemicals to bleach.
If you have asthma and do not have health insurance, you should consider seeing a social worker. It is critical that every asthma sufferer have access to the proper medicines to keep the condition under control, and a social worker could help you locate a hospital or clinic that will provide you the necessary medication on a low or no-fee basis.
Make sure you get a flu shot once a year if you suffer from asthma. Get vaccinated every flu season to avoid a high number of infections.
To lower the chances of an asthma attack, keep your house as clean as can be, especially the bedroom. Food should be eaten only in the kitchen or dining room, and cigarettes are best relegated to outdoor smoking areas. After you clean, let the house air out completely, and stay away from using any harsh chemicals (especially bleach) inside.
Take your rescue inhaler and keep it handy when you travel. Traveling causes extra strain on your already stressed body, which makes your body more susceptible to bothersome asthma triggers. 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.
Be certain you are aware of all your asthma attack triggers so you know both how to steer clear of them and also be ready to take care of your symptoms. Asthma sufferers generally have different triggers in common like pollen, pet dander and smoke. Whenever you can, stay away from these agents that can trigger symptoms or cause full-blown asthma attacks.
The more humid your home is, the easier it is for mildew and mold to grow. This stuff can easily set off an asthma attack. Therefore, you should always strive to maintain a dry home. During the cold, winter months, a dehumidifier can help. In the summer, an air conditioner naturally takes out a lot of the humidity in the air.
A handful of primary initiators of asthma, and its attack triggers, lie right in your residence. Some triggers include spores, dust and mold. Have an inspector who focuses on allergens and irritants come into your home once a year to help you detect what you have and learn how to remove it. Conscientious house-cleaning can help prevent buildup of substances in your home that might trigger an asthma attack.
Wear scarves, shawls and mufflers to cover your noise and mouth during colder weather. You can help warm the air with these things before they bring any harm to your lungs. Cool air has been known to trigger an asthma attack, particularly in very young children who have severe or moderate asthma.
Rescue Medication
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 any of these mouth issues by brushing your teeth and gargling mouthwash as soon as you use the inhaler.
Know the right way to use any asthma medication you are taking, in particular your rescue medication. Asthma typically is treated so that the sufferer has a regular maintenance medication, but is also prescribed a rescue medication, like an inhaler. 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.
Anytime you clean your house or apartment, wet mopping is superior to sweeping. Sweeping sends dust and dander back into the air and could 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.
Asthma is a medical condition that tends to slowly develop over time, and the symptoms are not always that obvious. In fact, some people who didn’t even realize they had asthma died as a result of their initial attack. Discuss with your doctor if you are having problems trying to catch your breath or have had a persistent cough for a while. There is the possibility that you have developed asthma, and if so, your doctor can tell you what the best method to treat it would be.
Avoid all types of smoke, including cigarette smoke, if you have asthma. Breathing in smoke can trigger an asthma attack. So do whatever you can to stay away from vapors, chemical fumes and smoke from cigarettes. Exposure to these substances can worsen your asthma considerably. If you are being exposed to things that may irritate your asthma, remove yourself from the situation as quickly as possible.
Make sure you count how many times, within a week, you have to use your inhaler. If you use it more than two times a week, your asthma may need to be better controlled, or you are going through an usual period that brings on more regular attacks. The frequency of your inhaler usage should remind you to monitor the environmental conditions around you and other issues relating to the way you manage your asthma.
Those with asthma should remain inside as much as they can when the pollen count rises. Asthma itself may not be an allergy, many of the same things that affect allergy sufferers also affect those with asthma. Check the local air quality report online to determine whether to stay indoors and keep irritant exposure to a minimum.
Asthma sufferers need to know which types of animals and breeds won’t trigger their asthma attacks. Asthmatics can be affected by the dander or pollen that comes from the animals, even if they have no allergies to them. This can be a very risky situation to put yourself in and should be avoided.
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. This can indicate that the inhaler you are using is not working for you. This also goes for refills. If you find yourself refilling your inhaler in excess of twice a year, then you need to change medications.
As was discussed in this article, there is so much you need to learn about asthma. This article is just a sample of the hints that are useful in managing asthma, or helping a loved one manage asthma. When you work together, you can make asthma only a small part of your life.
Ensure that you set up regular appointments with your physician every several months in order to be updated on your condition. This will allow your doctor to stay updated on your condition as it improves or weakens, and make the necessary changes to your treatments. The responsibility of scheduling these appointments falls on you. Make sure you attend each and every one so that your doctor can stay updated on how your treatment plan is working in order to help you remain healthy.