The number of people suffering from asthma is rising, so treatment is a more common need than ever. Many new and interesting products and medicines for asthma have been released recently. Now is a great time to find something to treat your asthma. For some thought-provoking advice on dealing with an asthma condition more effectively, all you need to do is keep reading.
If you have an asthmatic child, do not allow anyone to smoke around him. Second-hand cigarette smoke is a leading cause of asthma. Keep your child away from cigarette smoke and any other kind of fumes.
Do you know the type of asthma that you suffer with? You can learn to combat the life changing effects of asthma by understanding your specific type. A perfect example is that if you have asthma caused by exercise you should put a inhaler in your locker or gym bag. Treating asthma is less difficult if you and your physician are aware of the triggers that bring on an attack.
If you are afflicted with asthma, it is critical that you don’t smoke. Smoking is unhealthy for everyone, however it is especially bad for asthmatics. Your lungs are already compromised from the asthma and adding smoke to that will cut off the vital oxygen supply your lungs need to breathe.
Asthmatics should not smoke. If you smoke – quit immediately. When smoke enters your lungs it cuts off your oxygen supply, and if you suffer from asthma it can make breathing extremely difficult, and result in an increased number of attacks.
Stay away from anything that you are aware of that may trigger your asthma. Allergens such as dust and pollen can bring on an asthma attack at any time. Others experience an attack from physical activities. Try to see what cause your asthma so that you can avoid it.
Asthma is an ongoing disease and requires ongoing health management. Make certain you are doing the most you can each day to keep your symptoms under control. Take the proper medications needed for everyday symptoms, and always have quick relief medication by you at all times in the event an attack occurs. Speak with an allergist or your doctor to determine the best care for you.
Never take medications without getting your doctor’s approval so you don’t wind up taking one that has a side effect of exacerbating asthma.. Some NSAIDs and aspirin might do this. Some medications can cause your asthma to be worse such as beta blockers for high blood pressure or heart disease. Talk to a doctor if you have any of these conditions along with asthma.
When you are dealing with asthma, try getting a lekotriene inhibitor. These work by preventing the formation of leukotrienes. Leukotrienes has a hand in causing swelling and inflammation in your lungs, and may trigger a asthma attack. When used properly, an inhibitor can help reduce symptoms and prevent attacks.
Cigarette smoke will make your asthma worse. Never smoke yourself! Avoid all fumes of chemical products or breathing harmful vapors. These can trigger a severe asthma attack that can be difficult to get under control. If others are smoking and you are nearby, get away from them immediately.
Social Worker
You should know what triggers your asthma attacks; this will allow you to either avoid them or be ready to manage the symptoms. A lot of asthma sufferers have some triggers in common, like pollen, smoke and pet dander. Avoid your asthma triggers as much as you can to prevent attacks.
If you have asthma and lack the health insurance coverage to deal with asthma treatment, talk to a social worker. If you cannot afford medicine for asthma, your social worker can help you locate someone that can help.
If you suffer from asthma, consider using a feather-free pillow to sleep. Feathers in a pillow can bring on the symptoms of asthma and decrease lung function. Patients should also buy hypoallergenic bedding.
If you have asthma, a dehumidifier is something you should consider purchasing for you home. By decreasing the humidity you have in your home, it will decrease the dust mites, which will then decrease your asthma from flaring up. Dehumidifiers cause the air in your home to become dry, which means less humidity.
There are support groups available to you, both in person or on the Internet. Asthma, especially severe asthma, can be a debilitating condition and prevent you from participating fully in daily life. By getting involved in a support group you will also be speaking with other sufferers who may know of new scientific discoveries and treatment plans you may not be aware of.
Lower the chances of asthma attacks by keeping a spotless home, particularly in the areas where you sleep. Never allow anyone to smoke in the home of an asthmatic, and consider using plastic to cover your mattress and pillows. Air the house out thoroughly after cleaning and avoid the use of bleach and other harsh chemicals indoors.
Mold and mildew grow in a home due to the humidity that creates a friendly environment for them. Both of these substances are known to trigger asthma attacks. A dry home will help you out a lot more. When it’s cold, a dehumidifier can keep moisture to a minimum; in hot months, your A/C unit will do the same thing.
If you suffer from asthma, you should refrain from sleeping on a pillow that contains feathers. The feathers from a pillow can cause asthma symptoms and decrease your lung function. This also goes for bedding; use sheets, comforters and blankets that are crafted from hypoallergenic materials.
Know how to properly use asthma medicine, especially your rescue medication. Asthma is a condition traditionally treated with a combination of a regular medicine and an emergency medicinal inhaler. Managing your medicine properly is important because asthma is a chronic health problem.
Asthma Attacks
Asthma generally takes a long time to develop, and the symptoms may be vague at first, making it difficult to diagnose the problem. Some people have even died from having an asthma attack, and they didn’t even know they had asthma. Therefore, if you have trouble breathing or a constant cough, you may want to seek a medical professional to determine if you have asthma. Your physician can also determine whether you need medication for either asthma prevention or asthma treatment.
Your home might harbor several of the major triggers of asthma attacks. These can 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.
If you have asthma, clean your floors with a wet mop, instead of sweeping with a traditional broom. Sweeping your floor can kick allergens into the air, triggering an asthma attack. Dust will adhere to a wet towel instead of being loose in the air like feather dusters do where it can aggravate your asthma.
A humid home environment is a healthy environment for mildew and mold to develop. They are a nuisance for people with asthma; the asthma attacks they trigger require you to eliminate them. Therefore, you should always strive to maintain a dry home. 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.
Bed linens often collect asthma aggravators, such as pollen, dust and allergens. These threats can be reduced or even eliminated by keeping your bed linens laundered every week using hot water. If you are sleeping on freshly laundered linens, you will sleep much easier.
Making mouth and nose coverings such as mufflers, shawls or scarves a routine part of your winter wardrobe can help you ward off asthma attacks. This will warm the air before it enters your lungs. Cold air can trigger severe attacks, especially for young children.
It is important to keep away from humidifiers that have not been sanitized if you suffer from asthma or allergies. If the machine stays wet, it can breed bacteria and you’ll end up pumping harmful allergens out into the air.
Keep track of the number of times per week you use your rescue inhaler. If your records start to show you need the inhaler more than two times weekly, your environment might be causing you problems or your asthma is not being controlled as well as it could be. 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.
Take in every piece of asthma information available to you. When you’re knowledgeable about your condition, you’ll be able to advocate for yourself and seek out the best possible treatment. Keep current with treatments and ensure you have the greatest possible care that you can have. You can do this by educating yourself on your condition and the treatment options that are available to you.
Do not smoke! People know that smoking is dangerous, but it is even more dangerous to those with asthma. Smoke is very irritating to sensitive lungs, so take care not to smoke or be around others who are.
Asthmatics should always wear a mask when dealing with the harsh chemicals in fresh paint. Paint chemicals are a powerful irritant that can cause an asthma attack if inhaled without a mask. Avoid all substances and chemicals which trigger problems with your asthma.
Do not use a vaporizer or humidifier unless you are sure it’s been thoroughly cleaned. Bacteria can breed inside the moist machine and you would be releasing them along with the humid air.
Make sure you are getting enough vitamin B6. Vitamin B6, known as pyridoxine, reduces the risks of getting an asthma attack. Pyridoxine is essential because it produces certain substances that relax bronchial tissues. Foods that are rich in B6 include the easy-to-find banana.
Make sure your doctor sees you every two or three months for a check up to see how you are managing with your asthma condition. At your doctor’s visit, the doctor will evaluate your asthma and make any changes to your treatment plan if they are required. 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.
Sweep and clean your home regularly. Additionally, wash sheets, pillows and blankets frequently. By doing this, you are preventing dust and the tiny dust mites that can cause asthma attacks from building up in your home. The buildup of dust in the air is an irritant and increases the possibility of an asthmatic attack.
Eat more foods that are rich in B6 vitamins. Research has shown that by increasing the amount of vitamin B6, sometimes referred to as pyridoxine, individuals can reduce how often they suffer asthma attacks. At minimum, it can help lower the intensity of attacks. It does this by producing molecules to relax your bronchial tissue. Bananas are one of many good sources of vitamin B6.
Caffeine can be used in a pinch if you find yourself having an attack without access to your asthma medications. Any source of caffeine will help control asthma attack symptoms, including chocolate, coffee, or black tea. Caffeine works because it constricts blood vessels and opens up the airways.
As you have read, there are many different ways to deal with and treat your asthma. You have to determine which treatment addresses your specific symptoms. A lot of information is available about different treatments. Apply these tips and you will find living with asthma much easier.
If a loved one or you has asthma, ban smoking in the car, home, or your direct vicinity. Smokers should only smoke outside and away from the loved one who suffers from asthma. Just the smell of smoke from a heavy smoker’s garments can trigger asthma attacks.