If you do not carefully manage your asthma, it can easily spiral out of control. Asthma attacks are severe and can sometimes even be fatal. It's best to see a doctor first, but in many cases, you'll need to take additional action on your own. This article provides easy tips to help alleviate some asthma symptoms and to help you to better treat your asthma.
Smoking is a horrible habit, even deadly, for an asthma sufferer. Smoking is, of course, unhealthy for anyone. The habit is even more dangerous for asthma patients, however, because anything that reduces the amount of oxygen reaching the lungs can trigger an attack.
Avoid being around any known asthma triggers. Asthma triggers will vary greatly between individuals. If you have allergy related asthma, you will want to avoid pollen and dust. For other people it may physical activities that will set them off. Keep a journal of your attacks so that you can start to learn what your triggers are so that you can prevent flareups before they begin.
Be aware of certain medications that can lead to asthma problems. Believe it or not, something as seemingly innocuous as aspirin can actually trigger symptoms. Other medications that may have an effect on the respiratory system include beta blockers used to treat high blood pressure. If you suffer from any of these conditions along with your asthma, make sure you tell your doctor.
Asthma is not a curable disease and will require life-long health management. Be certain that you are prescribed or using the appropriate medicine to manage your daily symptoms, and that you have an emergency medicine readily available in the event of an attack. Speak with an allergist or your doctor to determine the best care for you.
Secondhand Smoke
Anyone suffering from asthma or asthma-like symptoms needs to stay clear of cigarette smoke, whether you smoke yourself, or even if you're breathing secondhand smoke. Asthmatics should also never smoke. Don't breathe vapor or chemical fumes. This could trigger a serious asthma attack, and you may have trouble preventing it from happening. Avoid secondhand smoke by leaving physical distance between yourself and the smoker.
Talk to your doctor about getting a leukotriene inhibitor if you have asthma. A leukotriene inhibitor prevents the formation of leukotrienes. A leukotrienes is a type of chemical that causes inflammation, which leads to asthma attacks. The prescription will help to decrease home much leukotriene is in your system and therefore, the number of asthma attacks you have.
Know how to use your inhaler properly! Find a spot that is peaceful, and then follow the instructions given by the manufacturer. The inhaler only can help if it's medicine reaches the lungs. Spray the dosage into the mouth while you inhale air. Make sure you hold your breath for 10 seconds or more to get the medications into your lungs.
Social Worker
If you have asthma and cannot afford health insurance or have no eligibility, bring up your situation with a social worker. Asthma medications are never cheap, but it's vital that you receive them and that is the social worker's goal. He or she will deal with the clinics directly in efforts to remedy the situation.
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.
For those who have asthma, the safest choice is to stick with unscented products. Using products with scents, like perfume, incense and air fresheners, boosts the amount of air pollution indoors and can bring on an attack. Be aware that fresh paint and new carpet also can emit harmful odors that irritate sensitive airways. Try to maintain the air in your house as free from possible asthma triggers as possible.
Feather pillows can be bad for those with asthma. Feathers in a pillow can bring on the symptoms of asthma and decrease lung function. The same can be said for bedding, try to get hypoallergenic comforters and sheets.
To stay out in front of your asthma, make sure that you see the doctor to receive regular checkups. You can not predict when an attack might hit you, or if your doctor has found a different medication that is safer and will help your symptoms more.
Asthma is an uncurable disease, but that doesn't mean that the symptoms are permanent and can't go away. However, just like most things in life, overcoming your asthma symptoms takes time and effort. If you follow these easy tips, you'll find that your symptoms will get better over time and you'll be able to enjoy a healthier, more active lifestyle.