Asthma is a serious health condition present in all age groups and all different backgrounds. Be sure to follow your doctor’s orders, and avoid allergens and smog that make your asthma symptoms worse. Read this article to find out more about how you can manage your condition on a daily basis and prevent asthma attacks.
Can you identify the exact type of asthma you’re dealing with? Learning about your type of asthma will help you to deal with it. For example, if your asthma is brought on by bronchitis, you should keep your rescue inhaler with you during times when you are sick. When you know what triggers your asthma, you will be more prepared to stop attacks before they begin.
Some asthmas are specific to certain triggers, so identify what kind you have. Gaining as much knowledge as you can about the type of asthma you have can make your day-to-day activities a little easier. For example, if your asthma is induced by exercise, it might be wise to always have an inhaler in your gym bag. Knowing the patterns of your symptoms will help you avoid crises.
It is imperative that you do your best to avoid cleaning chemicals if you are asthmatic. Cleaning products may contain chemicals which can trigger an asthmatic episode, such as ammonia. It is advisable to consider using products that have an organic base when cleaning.
If asthma is something that you are afflicted with, then don’t smoke or immediately quit. Smoking isn’t good for anyone, but it’s worse for those with asthma. It cuts off the oxygen supply that your lungs need to function properly to keep away the asthma attacks.
Certain prescription medications have the potential to cause asthma symptoms. Various NSAIDs and aspirin have been reported to do this. You can also use beta blockers, which will help you manage blood pressure. If you suffer from any of these conditions along with your asthma, make sure you tell your doctor.
Asthma Symptoms
During a mild to moderate attack, force all of the air out of your lungs. Make your exhalations quick and forceful. Force all the air out of the lungs! Inhale in three short breaths and one fourth deeper breath so that your lungs are comfortably full of air, then exhale forcefully again. This method forces you to pay close attention to your breathing and create a steady rhythm. This technique also forces the air from your lungs to enable more air to come in. You might cough hard or create mucus, but its just a sign your breathing is getting back to normal.
There are some common medications that you could be using that will cause asthma symptoms. Examples of medications that may contribute to asthma are aspirin and other NSAIDs. The medication you take for high blood pressure can also cause asthma symptoms. It is important for your doctor to know your complete medical history, including any medications you are currently taking, so they can best treat your asthma.
Use the inhaler the right way. Get to a place out of the way, and read the directions before starting. The medicine in the inhaler only works if it actually makes it to your lungs. While taking a deep breath, spray in the recommended dosage. Hold in your breath for 10 seconds so the medicine works properly.
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that requires constant management. You need to keep taking your medications to control the asthma symptoms every day, and if an attack should occur, you should have quick relief medication at your disposal. Have a discussion with your doctor or allergist to determine what the best plan for you might be.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma then you should avoid cigarettes and smokers like the plague. Tobacco smoke can bring on an asthma attack, especially within areas without good air flow. The smoke restricts the ability of your lungs to breathe, making an attack much more likely to occur.
Any type of smoke can bring on a serious asthma attack. Don’t smoke! Avoid exposure to chemical fumes or vapors. These can trigger a severe asthma attack that can be difficult to get under control. If you are around people who smoke, leave the area very fast.
It is best to use products that are unscented in the home with someone who is asthmatic. Products that contain strong scents, like incense, perfume, or air freshener can trigger an asthma attack just by lingering in the air. You should also avoid fresh paints or new carpets, as they give off fumes that can irritate the airway. Try keeping the air indoors as fresh as it can be.
Resist the urge to turn on a fan if you find yourself in a room filled with dust. If you do, the dust will move around, and you can trigger your asthma. Open a window instead to get the air flowing.
Sleep with a feather-less pillow if you have asthma. The feathers contained in the pillow could trigger the symptoms related to asthma and it could prevent your lungs from functioning efficiently. The same goes for bedding – try to buy a comforter and sheets that are made from hypoallergenic materials.
If you or someone in your family has asthma, all family members need to get flu shots every year. Stave off as many of these infections as possible by getting vaccinated every year.
When you travel, your rescue medication should be with you all the time. Traveling is hard on your body, and you might have an asthma attack easier because your body is more likely to respond to triggers. While on the road, it is also hard to control the environment you are in, which also makes an attack more likely.
If you have asthma, use a pillow that doesn’t have feathers in it. Feathers can trigger asthma symptoms and reduce lung function. This applies to bedding, as well. Purchase sheets and comforters that are made of hypoallergenic materials.
Even if your asthma is not acting up, attend all of your doctor’s appointments. A new flare-up may be just around the corner, or your doctor may have news of a more effective new medication you can try.
Find out how you are supposed to use your asthma medication and rescue treatments. When you have asthma, you should be on a maintenance medication and have an emergency medicine for asthma attacks. Usually this is in the form of an 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.
Keep in mind that mopping your floors with a wet mop will cause less asthma problems than sweeping will. When you are sweeping with a broom, you stir up triggers like dirt and dust mites that can cause you to go into an asthma attack. You can greatly reduce this by using a wet sponge, damp rag, or moist cloth instead of your old-fashioned feather duster.
Asthma is a health condition that usually develops over a period of time, and has symptoms that may not be 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.
Being around animals should be avoided. Animals carry pollen and dust with them and can trigger serious asthma attacks.
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.
See more than one doctor. Even though your primary care doctor can assist you in the basic care for your asthma, consider visiting a specialist also. Allergists, asthma centers, pulmonologists, and even nutritionists can work with you to make sure you are taking advantage of all avenues of treatment.
Keep in mind that mopping your floors with a wet mop will cause less asthma problems than sweeping will. Vacuuming or wet-mopping are better than sweeping because they don’t stir up dust and debris that might induce an asthma attack. Also, use damp rags instead of feather dusters to dust your furniture.
It is important to remain calm during an asthma attack. Use your inhaler, wait 30 seconds and use it again. If your attack worsens, call for help. Have someone phone an ambulance or drive you to a hospital. Try putting a paper bag up to your mouth and breathing into it to help slow your breaths.
When you are making an effort to control asthma, do not smoke. The inhalation of smoke can easily trigger an asthma attack. Stay away from all types of fumes as well as cigarette smoke. These can aggravate your asthma symptoms. If there are smokers around you, you may want to ask them if they will smoke in another area.
If you are going to paint your home, purchase a mask beforehand so that you will not breath the fumes. Not surprisingly, paint fumes are a known irritant for asthma. Specially designed masks can filter out these fumes. Use proper safety equipment to protect yourself from chemicals that can agitate your asthma condition.
Asthma can be a very life threatening problem and should always be taken seriously. Asthma attacks, in rare cases, can be fatal, so it is critical for you to do what you can to reduce chances for your asthma to spiral out of control. So, carry an emergency inhaler with you at all times, or you can take precautions like making sure your house is always free of dirt and dust. If you apply the tips you’ve read here to your daily life, you should be better able to control your asthma and live more freely.
Joining a support group for asthma sufferers, or having a conversation with others who have asthma, is very helpful. They can help you with advice on what you can do in some situations, and they can also help you with information on how to to fight your asthma. Gaining the support of those around you is crucial.