If you have recently been handed a diagnosis of asthma, you may find yourself in a panic. Asthma has no cure, and as such the condition is chronic. However, your life does not have to come to an end upon being told you have asthma. The following article will lay out some easy ways to care for asthma carefully and effectively.
Never smoke around a child with asthma, or you could kill them! There's a long list of environmental asthma triggers, and secondhand smoke is at the top of it. Always ensure your child is in a smoke-free area.
Avoid harsh cleaning chemicals if you are an asthma sufferer. A lot of the cleaning products have certain chemicals in them which can trigger asthma attacks. If you clean the home, there are many natural products that are safe to use.
There are medicines out there that may increase your chance of triggering asthma symptoms. Aspirin along with other NSAIDs can have this effect. Beta blockers, such as those used to control high blood pressure or heart disease may also have this effect. Tell your doctor if you are an asthmatic and you are using these medications.
Never turn on a fan when the room you are in is very dusty. The fan will cause the dust to circulate through the air, which can cause you to suffer an asthma attack. It would be better to just open a window if you are needing to get some airflow.
Make sure you are using your inhaler properly. Discover a location that is peaceful, and ensure you follow all the instructions that are given by the manufacturer. Your inhaler will only help if you breathe very deeply. Spray the stated dose of medicine into your mouth as you inhale. After inhaling, it's important that you hold the medication in by holding your breath for 10 seconds at the least.
Social Worker
Consider consulting a social worker if your asthma medication is not covered by an insurance policy. 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 suffer from asthma, don't expose yourself to secondhand smoke. The functionality of your lungs can be dramatically impaired if you inhale tobacco smoke, especially in areas with little ventilation, and you run a greater risk of attack.
When suffering from asthma, make sure to choose products that are unscented. Simple everyday things such as air fresheners, incense and perfume can cause indoor air pollution levels to increase and trigger an attack. Newly installed carpet or fresh paint in the home are both known to release chemical irritants. Clean your indoor air and keep it as fresh as you can.
If your child or yourself are asthma sufferers it is very important that you get the flu shot every single year. Avoid these infections by making sure your and your child's vaccines are up to date.
Steer Clear
Be certain you are aware of all your asthma attack triggers so you know both how to steer clear of them and also be ready to take care of your symptoms. Common triggers among asthma sufferers are smoke, pollen, or pet dander. Whenever you can, just steer clear of these triggers when you know what they would result in.
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.
Even if your asthma seems like it is under control, always keep your asthma appointments with the doctor. 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.
You can use the preventative inhaler daily, but know that it can cause mouth infections near your gums and teeth. To prevent these issues, brush and use mouthwash immediately after inhaler usage.
Make sure you count how many times, within a week, you have to use your inhaler. Using it two times or may may mean that your asthma is not as controlled as you may think it is. It could also mean that something else is bringing on these frequent attacks. The amount you utilize your inhaler can remind you to always monitor your environment as a means of effectively managing your asthma.
As this article has shown, being prepared can help you to live your life despite being diagnosed with asthma. By understanding this disease and how to manage it, you can keep it from escalating into a crisis situation. Hopefully, this article will leave you better informed and well prepared to effectively combat this very serious and potentially life changing disease.