Asthma is a serious health condition present in all age groups and all different backgrounds. In addition to seeing your doctor and specialists, always be aware of warning signs that show your symptoms may be worsening. This article provides several easy tips on making your symptoms better and reducing the likelihood of asthma attacks.
You should not smoke or be anywhere near smoke if you suffer from asthma. This means avoidance of all tobacco products, as well as taking into consideration any smoke or vapors you might be exposed to in a prospective workplace.
People afflicted by asthma should make it a priority to always avoid exposure to smoke, vapors and fumes. Stay away from jobs that would expose you to toxic or heavy vapors, and refrain from any tobacco use.
Asthma sufferers should avoid smoking cigarettes and any place that has cigarette smoke. Asthma creates breathing problems by constricting airways, and cigarette smoking only exacerbates the problem. Avoid fumes and vapors of any kind. This can trigger an asthma attack, which may be difficult to stop. Avoid secondhand smoke by leaving physical distance between yourself and the smoker.
Quit smoking or avoid smoke if you suffer from asthma. Smoking is bad in general for everyone, but it is particularly worse for asthma suffers because it decreases the amount of oxygen in the lungs, putting you at higher risk for asthma attacks.
If you’re in a room that has a lot of dust in it, don’t turn on a fan. The fan will circulate the dust along with the air, which can cause it to get into your lungs and make your asthma worse. If you wish to have a breeze, open a window instead of running a fan.
There are some medications out there that you could be taking which will actually trigger your asthma symptoms. Aspirin is a common medication that can affect asthma sufferers. Some medications can cause your asthma to be worse such as beta blockers for high blood pressure or heart disease. If you suffer from these conditions and also have asthma, be sure to let your doctor know.
If you have asthma and have frequent attacks that are related to allergies, there are medicines that can be injected to provide you with long-term relief. Omalizumab is an antibody medication that is used to control these allergic reaction symptoms and may be recommended by your allergist.
Asthma is a disease that is continuous. As such, it requires long-term health management. Be certain that you are prescribed or using the appropriate medicine to manage your daily symptoms, and that you have an emergency medicine readily available in the event of an attack. Consult with your physician and allergist to find out what is best for you.
An annual flu vaccination is recommended for you as well as other members of your family. People who have been diagnosed with asthma should exercise extreme diligence in avoiding other respiratory conditions. To do this you must take extra precautions against getting sick, like washing your hands often and getting vaccinated every year.
Asthma Attack
Studies show that using a variety of cleaning products in the home can actually increase the odds of triggering an asthma attack. Try using organic cleaning products which don’t contain irritating chemicals.
Any type of smoke can bring on a serious asthma attack. Avoid smoking altogether. Avoid breathing chemical fumes and vapors. These can trigger a severe asthma attack that can be difficult to get under control. If you find yourself in a situation where you are around smokers, remove yourself as quickly as possible.
If you or your child suffer from asthma, it is important that you receive a flu shot every year. Stave off as many of these infections as possible by getting vaccinated every year.
Make sure you are using your inhaler properly. Find a quiet secluded area so that you can calmly take the inhaler as directed by the instructions from the manufacturer. The medicine in the inhaler only works if it actually makes it to your lungs. As you are inhaling air, spray the correct dosage in your mouth. After inhaling, it’s important that you hold the medication in by holding your breath for 10 seconds at the least.
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. When possible, stay away from triggers of asthma symptoms in an effort to prevent a severe attack.
Get a flu shot every season and make sure your family does as well. People who have been diagnosed with asthma should exercise extreme diligence in avoiding other respiratory conditions. This includes taking standard precautions against illness, like hand washing, as well as getting vaccinations that can keep you from getting sick.
If you suffer from asthma, it’s best to avoid pillows full of feathers. The feathers can make it harder to breathe right and trigger an attack. You should also look into hypoallergenic materials when buying sheets and a comforter.
When you are traveling, make sure you have a rescue inhaler with you. When you travel, you sometimes strain your body a little more than you think, which can make you a bit more susceptible to having asthma attacks. Controlling your environment is harder when traveling, so this makes it much more probable that you experience worsening symptoms or an attack.
Make it a habit to always have some rescue medication available when you travel. You may find that the stress of traveling makes an asthma attack more likely. You also have little control over your environment when traveling, which can make you more susceptible to an attack and symptoms of greater severity.
Daily Medication
Don’t skip appointments for your checkups, even if you haven’t had any recent asthma attacks. Medical science is constantly evolving, so the doctor might know about a new treatment for you. Besides, you can never be sure when another attack might come on, so it’s better to be checked out.
Know the right way to take your asthma medication, and above all any rescue medication. A typical asthma treatment plan is daily medication backed up with an emergency inhaler. 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.
Your home can be the cause of your asthma and its triggers. These include dust, mold and spores. To ensure health and reduce the potential for asthma attacks, have a yearly inspection for the presence and removal of these hazards. Clean up your house regularly so these substances do not accumulate.
You should always realize that asthma is a serious condition. Asthma attacks can accelerate and spin into life-threatening situations, even with an inhaler in hand, so you should take every precaution to prevent them in the first place. For example, always carry an emergency inhaler with you, and make an effort to limit the allergens and dust in your home. Your asthma symptoms should be easier to control if you use the information that has been provided in the above article.
If traveling by plane with your asthma equipment or medications, always carry your written prescription with you to avoid problems. Carrying written prescription information will help you to avoid security hassles, and you won’t have to worry about your medication being confiscated.