If you've just been given an asthma diagnosis, you may not know what to do. There is no cure for asthma, as it is a chronic disease. However, you shouldn't consider your life to be over just because you have received this diagnosis. This guide will give you a few ways on how you can manage asthma effectively and safely.
Stay away from smoking, or being around any smoke, vapors or fumes. This means you should stay away from all tobacco products and carefully consider the jobs you apply to, especially in factories, as you may be exposed to harmful smoke or vapors.
Cleaning Products
If you suffer with asthma, avoid cleaning products. The chemicals in these products make you more prone to an asthma attack. If you're the one who regularly cleans the house, look for natural cleaning products which are much safer to use.
You need to avoid all of the asthma triggers that you know. Some people have allergies that cause asthma, and allergens such as dust and pollen can cause an attack. Or, you may need to avoid certain activities that overexert your body. Try to determine your asthma triggers, so you can avoid them and prevent attacks.
If you suffer from asthma, try seeing if a leukotriene inhibitor helps. Leukotriene inhibitors block the effects of leukotrienes. Leukotriene is a substance that can bring about inflammation, resulting in an asthma attack. Taking an inhibitor will reduce the amount of this substance your body produces, which should decrease the number of attacks you experience.
Make sure if you have an inhaler that you are using it the right way. Find a good place and follow all of the directions that have been provided by the maker of the product. The medicine in the inhaler only works if it actually makes it to your lungs. Make sure that you spray the required dosage directly into your mouth, inhaling the medication into your lungs. You should keep your breath held for 10 seconds at a minimum to let the medicated mist fill up your lungs.
Consider buying a dehumidifier for the home if you have asthma. Lowering humidity will reduce the amount of dust mites in your home, and help your asthma improve. Air is kept dry by dehumidifiers by sucking the humidity out of it.
If you've been diagnosed with asthma, be sure to get flu shots every year. This is doubly important for asthmatic children. Avoid a lot of these infections by getting vaccinated each year.
Support Group
Join a support group, online or in "real life", to find help from your peers. Asthma can be devastating and lead to lethargy and withdrawal from normal life - especially if it is quite severe. By joining a support group, you will be able to discuss new scientific breakthroughs or treatment alternatives with those who are interested.
Humidity in your home causes an environment where mildew and mold are more likely to grow. Mold and mildew can easily cause severe asthma attacks. You will benefit greatly from keeping the moisture out of your home's air. A dehumidifier can be used in the winter, and in the summer, many air conditioner models also help strip moisture from the air.
It is important to use your maintenance inhaler daily as prescribed. However, understand that most types of inhalers contain ingredients which may make your mouth more susceptible to infections. You can prevent this by brushing your teeth and gargling immediately following the use of your inhaler.
Preparation and forethought are at the foundation of any asthma plan. If you educate yourself about the type of asthma that is affecting you, and the measures you can take to work through an attack, you can learn to manage your illness on a daily basis. You may just find the contents of this article makes a useful contribution to your fund of asthma knowledge.