Living with asthma is a burden, as is the knowledge that the disease will never entirely go away.Read this article for asthma tips and advice.
If you suffer from asthma, it is critical that you not smoke. Smoking is a bad habit for everyone, but patients that suffer from asthma are negatively affected by smoke as it cuts the oxygen supply off and induces an asthma attack.
This does mean avoiding all tobacco products as well as being mindful of sources of employment, smoke or vapors.
A great idea to help your child cope with asthma is to make sure you never smoke around them. Secondhand smoke is known to be a leading cause of asthma. You also make sure that your child does not get exposed to other environments where people might be smoking.
There are some medications out there that you could be taking which will actually trigger your asthma symptoms. NSAIDs and aspirin are known for their ability to cause symptoms. Many medications for heart disease and hypertension can also cause asthma symptoms. Tell your doctor if you are an asthmatic and you are using these medications.
There are medicines out there that you could be taking which will actually trigger your chance of triggering asthma symptoms. Aspirin is an example of a widely used medicine that can cause asthma sufferers.
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease and requires constant management. Make sure that your daily routine includes taking appropriate medication to keep you free of asthma symptoms, and have a quick relief medication on hand if you have an attack. Speak to an allergist or your doctor to see what’s best for you.
Exhale as hard as you can during an asthma attack. If you can’t breathe at all, go to the hospital; however, controlling your exhalation rate can sometimes help stop a less severe attack. Blow your breath out as hard and fast as you can. Try to force the air out of your lungs! Breathe in by taking three quick breaths, followed by one very deep breath. Doing this will fill your lungs completely, and allow you to expel the air forcefully again. This gives your breathing a rhythm, which makes you aware of how many breaths you take. It also keeps air flowing out of the lung,s so that you can refill them. This breathing technique may cause some coughing or sputum, but it can help regulate your breathing and reduce the attack.
It is important that you are able to afford your asthma medications, and a social worker might be able to locate a hospital or clinic for you that offers medications at a much cheaper price.
To lower the chances of an asthma attack, keep your house as clean as can be, particularly the bedroom of the person with asthma. Food should be eaten only in the kitchen or dining room, and smoking inside the home should never be permitted.
Dust will make you have an attack, so keep the air calm in dirty rooms. If you do, the dust will move around, and you can trigger your asthma. The better way would be to open a window to increase the airflow in the room.
Avoid using a feather pillows if you suffer from asthma. The feathers contained in these pillows can cause asthma to flare up and minimize your lung function.
Asthma Treatment
If you have asthma and cannot get health insurance, see a social worker. It is critical that every asthma sufferer have access to the proper medicines to keep the condition under control, and a social worker could help you locate a hospital or clinic that will provide you the necessary medication on a low or no-fee basis.
It is important to know the proper way to use asthma medication, especially those used in rescue situations. Asthma treatment is generally two-pronged: Daily asthma treatment and additional emergency medicine which is supplemented with rescue medications like inhalers. Asthma lasts a lifetime, so it is very important that you take your medication properly and only use your rescue medication if you need it.
When housecleaning, do so with a wet mop instead of a broom. Sweeping stirs up dust and other debris that can set off an asthma attack. A damp rag should be used when dusting because a feather duster can cause dust to kick up and lead to an asthmatic.
Consider supplementing your diet with Vitamins E and C when you suffer from asthma. These vitamins help reduce asthma flare-ups by improving lung function. Get these nutrients through supplements or food. These vitamins can boost immune systems, which helps you to avoid illnesses that can be a trigger for your asthma.
You should have a second opinion. Your PCP can be the person you go to for help with asthma, but also talk to a few specialists. Asthma centers, allergists, pulmonologists, making sure you are getting all the treatment you need.
Most people know that smoking is dangerous, but it is much more harmful for people who have asthma. Smoke is extremely irritating to the already sensitive asthmatic lungs, if you do suffer from asthma, stay away from both smoking and being around smoke in general.
Scented products could cause averse reactions to asthma sufferers. It is safest to use unscented products when possible. Products that contain fragrance, such as perfumes, colognes, or air fresheners, can pollute the air triggering your asthma. Other asthma irritants include fresh paint fumes and new carpeting. Try keeping the air indoors as fresh as it can be.
Asthma sufferers need to stay inside as much as they can when the air’s pollen increases. Even though asthma is not considered to be an allergy, they share many things in common.
If your attack worsens, seek help. Have someone call for an ambulance or drive you to the nearest hospital. Breathing in and out of a paper bag on the way will help by slowing your breathing rate.
An annual flu shot is crucial if you have asthma or have an asthmatic child. Getting vaccinated yearly can help keep many of these illnesses at bay.
You need to know how to properly using your inhaler if you suffer from asthma. You can’t just spray it inside your mouth.
Frequent asthma attacks indicate that your inhaled medication is not effective. This same advice also goes for those who must refill their inhalers more frequently than twice a year.
Be knowledgeable about the factors that cause asthma attacks in order to avoid the triggers or develop a plan for managing the symptoms of asthma. Most asthma sufferers have a few common triggers such as smoke, pet dander or pollen. Do your best to avoid coming into contact with substances that you know will trigger your symptoms.
If you suffer from asthma, you need to learn how to cope with it. Things will become easier when you learn how to manage your asthma. The understanding and treatment of asthma has advanced and information in this article will help improve the quality of your life.