Are you an asthma sufferer who wishes they had more knowledge about their disease? Don’t worry, you aren’t the only one feeling this way. Lots of people would like to get more knowledge on asthma but don’t know where to go. What you are about to read in the following article about asthma may just surprise you.
Some medications can exacerbate asthma symptoms as a side effect. Aspirin is a common medication that can affect asthma sufferers. Beta blockers can also have this affect, as well as other medications for controlling high blood pressure and heart disease. It is important to talk openly with your doctor about your asthma so that you do not take any medications that could be harmful to you.
If you have asthma, you need to avoid any kind of tobacco smoke. Never smoke yourself! Air pollution and fumes from harsh chemicals also increase asthma symptoms. Doing so can cause an asthma attack you might not have the ability to stop. Avoid secondhand smoke by leaving physical distance between yourself and the smoker.
If allergies lead to constant attacks from your asthma, there has been a recent solution that is administered via injection that provides long term care! An antibody medicine known as omalizumab is very effective at countering asthma attacks related to allergies. Ask your allergist about it.
Learn how to properly use your inhaler. Find a spot that is peaceful, and then follow the instructions given by the manufacturer. You can inhale all you want, but it’s useless if the medication doesn’t make it to your lungs. Spray the stated dose of medicine into your mouth as you inhale. Hold your breath still for ten seconds at least in order to let the mist with medicine fill your lungs.
You may want to use a leukotriene inhibitor if your asthma is being particularly problematic. There are modern medicines that are highly effective at blocking leukotrienes. Leukotriene are chemicals that may cause your lungs to get inflamed which can lead to an asthma attack. If you use an inhibitor, you may find that the your asthma attacks significantly decrease.
Social Workers
Make sure you are using your inhaler properly. Find a spot that is out of the way, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to the letter. The inhaler can only help you if the medication actually reaches the lungs. While inhaling air, spray the proper amount of inhalant into your mouth. Allow the mist to fill up your lungs by holding your breath at least ten seconds.
Social workers are there for your assistance if you live with asthma, yet can’t get approved for health insurance. Affording asthma medication is important for handling the illness, and social workers can find places the offer the medicine at low costs.
Asthmatics should have a flu shot every year to prevent contracting a serious respiratory infection. It is a good idea to avoid all respiratory infections when you have asthma. This includes preventive measures against sickness, such as practicing good hygiene and getting all recommended vaccinations.
A dehumidifier can significantly reduce the asthma attacks experienced by you or other afflicted members of your household. With less humidity, there will be fewer dust mites, and that means that there is less of a chance that your asthma will flare up. Dehumidifiers remove the humidity by drying out the air that flows through your house.
To minimize the chances of triggering a bout of asthma, keep your house extra clean, particularly rooms where asthma patients sleep. Only eat in the kitchen, and never let anyone smoke inside the house. After you clean, let the house air out completely, and stay away from using any harsh chemicals (especially bleach) inside.
If you suffer from asthma, avoid smokers, even if you do not smoke yourself. Tobacco smoke causes your lung function to decrease, increasing the risk of a very severe attack, especially in enclosed rooms without much air flow or ventilation.
If you suffer from asthma, you might want to use a pillow that doesn’t contain feathers. The feathers can make asthma worse and take away from your ability to breathe. You should also look into hypoallergenic materials when buying sheets and a comforter.
To keep from triggering any bad symptoms of asthma or a full-blown attack, it’s important to keep the home clean and tidy, free of dust and other particulates. This is particularly important in a bedroom. Keep food in a kitchen or on the dining room table, and avoid cigarette smoking inside. Try not to use bleach or other irritants inside, and always thoroughly change the air in your house after cleaning.
It is essential that you learn the proper ways to use all of your asthma medications, especially those used in rescue situations. Asthma is generally managed through regular medicine which is supplemented with rescue medications like inhalers. Because asthma does not get cured, those afflicted with it must continue to take their regular medication and use their rescue inhaler when needed.
If you have asthma, or if your children have asthma, it is vital that you receive the flu shot yearly. Getting vaccinated yearly can help keep many of these illnesses at bay.
Asthma usually takes an extended interval of time to fully develop, and the warning signs are rarely obvious. In fact, some people who didn’t even realize they had asthma died as a result of their initial attack. If you have any trouble breathing or are coughing a lot, you need to see a doctor to determine what it is and if you need any medication or treatment for asthma prevention.
Keep all your regularly scheduled asthma appointments, regardless of how you are feeling. You cannot be certain when you will next have an issue with your asthma, or when there may be a better medication available to utilize for your condition.
If you are traveling by plane and taking along your asthma medications, make sure to have with you any written doctors prescriptions, especially when carrying some large asthma equipment like a nebulizer. Having written proof that the item in question is in fact medically necessary can cut down on hassles at the security check.
There are support groups available to you, both in person or on the Internet. Left untreated, asthma can be very debilitating and prevent you from enjoying your normal activities. By joining a support group, you will be able to discuss new scientific breakthroughs or treatment alternatives with those who are interested.
You should have a team of medical professionals to help you craft your asthma treatment. Your family doctor or primary care physician can be the person you go to regularly for asthma symptoms, but also talk to a few specialists. Pulmonologists, allergists, asthma centers and nutritionists can help you take advantage of the many treatments available to those with asthma.
Humidity in your home causes an environment where mildew and mold are more likely to grow. Both of these allergens can be contributing factors in asthma attacks. Therefore, it is important to make sure your home is dry. When you are using a heater in winter time, you can run a dehumidifier for help controlling humidity. In the summer, running your air conditioner will allow you to keep your humidity down.
It is important to remain calm during an asthma attack. Locate your inhaler, inhale deeply with the spray, and allow 30 seconds to pass before you reuse it. If you do this and you notice that your attack is worsening then you need to get help. If there is someone nearby, have them call an ambulance or drive you to the nearest hospital. Try putting a paper bag up to your mouth and breathing into it to help slow your breaths.
Emergency Medication
If you suffer from asthma, it is imperative that you know how to correctly use your inhaler. Simply spraying it into your mouth with just a light inhale will not get the job done. Once you spray the inhaler you must take deep breaths for a couple of seconds. Properly using your asthma inhaler is one of the most important ways you, as a person with asthma, can protect your health.
It is crucial that you know how to properly use your asthma treatments, particularly rescue inhalers. Most people treat their asthma with regular daily medication, and carry supplemental emergency medication in the form of a rescue inhaler. Because asthma has no cure, you must treat it carefully by taking your maintenance medication every day and using your emergency medication responsibly.
Make sure you schedule regular checkups with your doctor every few months to keep a heads up on your asthmatic 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. It is up to you to schedule these visits with the doctor so he or she can monitor your progress, and work to keep you healthy.
If you need to travel with your asthma medication, particularly if you plan on bringing a nebulizer or other large equipment, it can be helpful to obtain a letter from your doctor explaining their use. Having written proof that the item in question is in fact medically necessary can cut down on hassles at the security check.
Speaking to your peers, who also suffer from asthma, can be an eye-opening and life-changing experience. These people can supply you with advice on how to control your asthma and its symptoms. You need a strong support system!
It’s important to keep up with your daily preventative inhaler routine, but watch out for mouth infections, especially in both teeth and gums. To best method to prevent these side effects and complications is by brushing your teeth, then gargling directly after using the inhaler.
In order to ward off asthma attacks, it is crucial that you pinpoint your triggers. If you don’t know what yours are, keep a journal to potentially show you what they are. Once they are known, do whatever it takes to prevent triggers from going off, and if possible, just wipe them out of your life and environment completely.
Bed linens often collect asthma aggravators, such as pollen, dust and allergens. You can cut down on these irritants or eliminate them altogether by washing your bedding and pillow cases in very hot water once a week. If there are always fresh linens on your bed, you are much more likely to sleep restfully without unexpected asthma attacks.
Keep track of how often allergies trigger asthma attacks. If you experience two or more asthma attacks a week after taking allergy medicine, switch to a different allergy medication. Medical professionals agree that more than two attacks in any given week can be hazardous to your health.
It is nothing uncommon for anyone who suffers from asthma to be curious and ask questions about how it can affect them in their life. The reason for this article’s creation, is to help you and other asthma sufferers to learn more about their condition. Use this advice to improve the situation that asthma is creating for your life so you can get back to the business of living!
Monitor your children for food allergies. Some symptoms of food allergy can be extremely dangerous, and you should immediately get your child medical attention. These allergies are such as those that cause breathing difficulties, or those that cause noticeable swelling. If you suspect your child has a food allergy, have your child tested. These allergies could be indicative of a predisposition to asthma.