If you’ve just been given an asthma diagnosis, you may not know what to do. Asthma has no cure, which makes it a chronic condition. However, this doesn’t mean life ends when you get diagnosed. This article can give you some tips about how to deal with asthma.
Avoid anything that can trigger your asthma. Allergens such as dust and pollen can bring on an asthma attack at any time. Some things, such as physical exertion, can cause an asthma attack. Know your asthma causes so you can avoid putting yourself in a situation where you may suffer from an attack.
It is very important that an asthma sufferer refrain from smoking, if you do then it is advisable you quit now. Smoking is horrible for people, it is really bad if asthma becomes worse and blocks oxygen to your body, you need oxygen to work and stave off asthma.
Prescriptions and over-the-counter medications can actually trigger an asthma attack. Aspirin and other NSAIDs are known to be asthma triggers. Beta blockers, such as those used to control high blood pressure or heart disease may also have this effect. Make sure you consult with your doctor concerning your asthma and possible drug reactions.
Avoid those things that you know can trigger your asthma. Perhaps you have allergies or are sensitive to dust and pollen. While in other people, all it takes is physical activity and an attack can trigger. Do your best to understand and figure what exactly triggers your asthma so that you know what you need to avoid.
Cigarette smoke will make your asthma worse. Asthma creates breathing problems by constricting airways, and cigarette smoking only exacerbates the problem. Do not breathe in the vapors or any other chemical fumes. This can trigger an asthma attack, which may be difficult to stop. If you see people smoking in your vicinity, you should get away from them as soon as possible.
If your asthma attacks are severe, you may want to speak with your doctor about a long lasting injection of medication to control your symptoms. Omalizumab is one such medication, and can control the allergic symptoms you may be experienced. An allergist will be able to tell you if this is a good option.
Having a fast acting inhaler is vital to save asthmatics from experiencing severe symptoms. Talk to your physician and find out if a leukotriene inhibitor would be right for you. A leukotriene inhibitor helps to prevent leukotrienes. Leukotriene, a chemical released by the body in response to an allergen, is responsible for inducing many of the symptoms of an asthma attack. By blocking the effects of leukotrienes, a leukotriene inhibitor can reduce the frequency and severity of your asthma attacks.
If you are someone who suffers from asthma, you should consider buying a dehumidifier for your home. Decreasing the humidity in the house decreases dust mites, which decreases asthma flare ups. Dehumidifiers work by taking the humidity out of the air.
It’s been proven that you should use no more than four cleaning products in the home. If you do it can increase the risk of asthma attacks. Use organic products as often as possible, as these contain fewer harsh chemicals.
Scented products could cause averse reactions to asthma sufferers. It is safest to use unscented products when possible. Products with a fragrance raise the air pollution indoors, and increase the risk of an attack being triggered. Some of these products include incense, scented body sprays and air fresheners. An asthma sufferer’s airways can feel irritated by odors such as fresh paint or new carpeting. Strive to maintain an indoor environment that is free from these pollutants, keeping the air fresh.
If you deal with asthma in your life, always choose products that are free of scents. Using products with scents, like perfume, incense and air fresheners, boosts the amount of air pollution indoors and can bring on an attack. Freshly painted walls and brand-new carpet can also give off odors that cause irritation to airways. Try to make it your goal to keep the indoor air as fresh and allergen free as possible.
If you’ve been diagnosed with asthma, be sure to get flu shots every year. This is doubly important for asthmatic children. Prevent these infections from occurring by going to get vaccinated each year.
If you have asthma, you should get a flu shot once per year. Stave off these infections immediately by getting your vaccinations yearly.
Don’t miss your appointment for an asthma checkup simply because you aren’t currently having any problems with your condition. A flare-up can occur at any time, and your physician may have learned of a prescription medication that can treat your symptoms more safely and effectively.
Monitor how often, each week, you need your rescue inhaler. If you have to use your inhaler more than twice, then our asthma is not being controlled effectively, and you may need to see your doctor for a way to get it under control again. You can use your frequency of inhaler use to gauge the effectiveness of your asthma treatment plan and make modifications when necessary.
You can wear warm things like a shawl, muffler or scarf, which can help cover your nose and mouth in the colder months. This will warm the air up before you breathe it into your lungs. Inhaling cold air can elicit an asthma attack or create other serious respiratory problems.
When you are removing dust or crumbs from your floor, you should use a vacuum or damp mop to avoid scattering dust in the air. Those particles that can trigger asthma attacks are stirred up when you sweep. Also, use damp rags instead of feather dusters to dust your furniture.
Rescue Medication
Anyone with asthma should stay far away from smoke. The inhalation of smoke can easily trigger an asthma attack. Keep away from chemical fumes, chemical vapor, and tobacco smoke as much as you can. These things can cause your asthma symptoms to greatly increase. When anyone lights up a cigarette or cigar in your presence, politely inform them that you have asthma and ask them not to smoke beside you.
Be sure you understand how to use the medication you’re given for asthma properly, especially your rescue medication. Asthma is generally treated with a rescue medication, usually an inhaler, in addition to a regularly-taken maintenance medication. Because asthma has no cure, you must treat it carefully by taking your maintenance medication every day and using your emergency medication responsibly.
Dust and other allergens often accumulate in bed sheets. You can reduce or eliminate these potential asthma attack inducers by laundering your sheets and pillowcases in hot water every week. If you are sleeping on freshly laundered linens, you will sleep much easier.
Asthma is a condition that typically will develop over a long period of time, with symptoms that are not very obvious. There are known cases where someone has actually died from a single asthma attack, because they were unaware that they had the disease. 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.
When you suffer from an asthma attack, be sure to remain calm. You should use your inhaler immediately upon the first signs of an attack. Once you have used it, use it again 30 seconds later. If this does not help and your attack gets worse, you need to get immediate medical assistance. Have someone call emergency services or drive you to the nearest hospital. On your way to the hospital, breath in and out in a paper bag in order to help calm yourself and get your breathing down to a normal pace.
If you’re flying with asthma medications, be sure you get a prescription from your physician. The written prescription will help you get through security without difficulty, because it establishes that your nebulizer and supplies are medically necessary.
If you suffer from asthma attacks, familiarize yourself with how to properly use your inhaler. You need to know that you can’t lightly inhale as you just spray it inside your mouth. Every time you spray the inhaler, deeply inhale for a couple seconds. Failing to do so will mean that the medicine will not be able to help open up your breathing.
Although it is wise to use your inhaler as needed, be aware that the medication itself may cause problems with gums and teeth. Always brush and gargle as soon as you’ve finished using your inhaler to prevent mouth infections.
Make certain you have checkups scheduled with your physician every few months so you keep on top of your asthma. At your doctor’s visit, the doctor will evaluate your asthma and make any changes to your treatment plan if they are required. You are responsible to schedule these appointments so you can stay healthy.
Track how often you use your inhaler during each week. If you use it more than two times, your asthma might not be well-controlled or you may have unusual occurrences causing those frequent attacks. The frequency of your inhaler use is a good way to remember to check out your environmental surroundings and be mindful of all factors relating to your asthma regimen.
Genetics and/or environmental factors can cause asthma. If anyone in your family suffers from asthma, beware of any symptoms that are suggestive of asthma in you or your children. You should try to prevent yourself and your children from being exposed to potentially hazardous environmental elements that can trigger asthma attacks, such as smoke, pollution, dust and mold spores.
You should not use a vaporizer or humidifier if you have asthma or allergies unless you are sure that it is clean. Bacteria breeds in moist environments and can build up in dirty machines, pumping allergens into the air.
Keep your home dusted and mopped. Additionally, you will want to wash your blankets, pillows and sheets often. When you keep everything clean, you are preventing dust and mites from building up, which will help stop asthma attacks. Built up dust makes the air irritating and increases the chances of an asthma attack.
Remain calm in the event of an asthma attack. Take your first dose of your inhaler and then wait thirty seconds. You can use your inhaler again after that. If this does not lessen the attack, get help quickly. Get somebody to phone for EMS or even transport you themselves to the nearest emergency medical facility. Grab a paper bag and breathe inside it, as that can help to slow down your breathing.
Work on gradually training your lungs to be able to take more stress. Don’t bring on an asthma attack by beginning a strenuous workout that you can’t complete due to asthma.
The key to successfully managing asthma is preparation. When you know everything you can about your specific asthma triggers, you can use that knowledge to avoid potential triggers. This article is your first step to building a knowledge base to combat this disease effectively!
Hurry to the hospital if you see any symptoms of a dangerous asthma attack. If your child is experiencing a serious asthma attack, you will see: increased use of medication with little or no effect, gray or bluish fingernails and/or lips. Your child may also be unable to speak.