Managing your asthma means that you can lead a full life despite your diagnosis. You can find many ways to manage your asthma so that it does not interfere with your daily life. Here are some suggestions that can help you live with asthma.
Asthma Sufferer
It is very important that an asthma sufferer refrain from smoking, if you do then it is advisable you quit now. Smoking is bad for everyone, but it's particularly dangerous for an asthma sufferer, as it cuts off vital oxygen to the lungs.
Asthma is a chronic condition that is ongoing over time, and as such, will require a continual treatment and management regimen. Take the proper medications for controlling your asthma daily, and keep quick relief medication somewhere on you just in case you have a sudden attack. Speak to an allergist and doctor to see what's best for you.
You may want to use a leukotriene inhibitor if your asthma is being particularly problematic. These work by preventing the formation of leukotrienes. The inflammation caused by this substance can trigger the symptoms of asthma. The prescription will help to decrease home much leukotriene is in your system and therefore, the number of asthma attacks you have.
IF you have asthma, you should consider buying a dehumidifier. Cutting down the humidity in the house will lower the amount dust mites in the air, and that will mean fewer asthma flare-ups. Dehumidifiers remove the humidity by drying out the air that flows through your house.
When suffering from asthma, make sure to choose products that are unscented. Scented products should be avoided, such as air fresheners, perfume, and incense. These can increase the amount of air pollution in the home and even trigger an attack. Newly installed carpet or fresh paint in the home are both known to release chemical irritants. Try to maintain the air in your house as free from possible asthma triggers as possible.
You need to know what the asthma triggers are so that they can be avoided or treated promptly. A lot of asthma sufferers have some triggers in common, like pollen, smoke and pet dander. When possible, stay away from these triggers that cause symptoms or ultimately, full-blown attacks.
Avoid pillows with feathers if you have asthma. The pillow feathers can cause asthma to flare up and minimize your lung function. Your other bedding, such as sheets, blankets and comforters, should be hypoallergenic, too.
Keep your medication with you, especially when you are traveling. Traveling causes extra strain on your already stressed body, which makes your body more susceptible to bothersome asthma triggers. You can't exert as much control over your environment when you travel, so you may have an asthma attack or exacerbation of symptoms under unfamiliar conditions.
Mold and mildew thrive in homes with high humidity levels. Both of these substances are known to trigger asthma attacks. You should therefore try to keep your home dry. Whenever you use a heater, you should use a dehumidifier, and air conditioning will help in the summer.
When it's colder, wear a shawl, scarf or muffler that will cover your mouth and nose to avoid asthma attacks. That way the air is warmed before it enters your lungs. Young children are especially at risk for an asthma attack if the air they breathe is too cold, but this problem can affect anybody with asthma.
Asthma develops over an extended time period, and its symptoms aren't always obvious. There are some cases reported that were so severe that a person died from one asthma attack when they didn't even know they were considered at risk. Given that fact, if you have any kind of consistent cough or respiratory ailments, consulting a physician for testing is a good idea, since you want to know if you are suffering from asthma and if so, what to do about it.
Mouth Infections
You should use your inhaler everyday regularly; however, be forewarned that the medicine can potentially lead to mouth infections, especially around your gums and teeth. Always brush and gargle as soon as you've finished using your inhaler to prevent mouth infections.
Remain calm in the event of an asthma attack. You should immediately use your inhaler and use the inhaler again 30 seconds later. If your attack continues to worsen, seek help. Get someone to call an ambulance or get you to a hospital. Try putting a paper bag up to your mouth and breathing into it to help slow your breaths.
Find out as much as possible about your condition. The more you understand about the condition, the more effective you'll be in taking steps to manage your asthma. You will know that you are using the most effective methods if you stay current with asthma information. The only way for you gain this knowledge would be to learn what your type of condition is and the treatment options.
As seen here, there are lots of ways that you can stop or control asthma from messing up your life. A diagnosis of asthma doesn't mean you're sentenced to a life of inactivity. An effective treatment plan for your asthma will help you lead an active and rewarding life.