As hard as living with asthma is, there are ways to manage your symptoms so you can live a happy and healthy life. You can keep your asthma in check and prevent it from lowering your quality of life through a variety of methods, techniques and treatments. Read on to find some helpful tips and techniques to take back your life despite the diagnosis of asthma!
Properly use the inhaler every time you must use it. Find a quiet secluded area so that you can calmly take the inhaler as directed by the instructions from the manufacturer. The inhaler can only help you if the medication actually reaches the lungs. You need to inhale air while spraying the requisite dosage in your mouth. Allow the mist to fill up your lungs by holding your breath at least ten seconds.
Make certain that you and your loved ones receive annual flu shots. If you suffer from asthma, it is best to avoid respiratory infections of any type as much as possible. Common method of avoiding illnesses can be very effective. Keep your vaccinations up to date and wash your hands frequently.
Make sure you know what triggers asthma attacks so you can either avoid those triggers or be prepared to manage your asthma symptoms. The majority of individuals afflicted with asthma know there are common irritants like pollen, pet dander and smoke. When it is possible avoid substances that make you have symptoms or attacks.
Avoid pillows stuffed with goosedown or other feathers if you have an asthma problem. Feathers may trigger asthma symptoms by irritating your lungs. Your other bedding, such as sheets, blankets and comforters, should be hypoallergenic, too.
While traveling, always keep emergency asthma medication on hand and close by. Travel adds stress on your physical body, and it might increase your chances of falling prey to asthma triggers. It's hard to have much control over your environment when you travel, which makes it more likely you will have some sort of symptoms or an asthma attack.
A humid home environment is a healthy environment for mildew and mold to develop. Both of these allergens can be contributing factors in asthma attacks. Therefore, it is important to make sure your home is dry. Using a dehumidifier during cold weather and turning on your air conditioner when the weather gets hot again can help keep humidity out of your home to ensure your asthma is under control.
When flying and bringing along asthma medications and equipment, be sure to pack your prescriptions. This is especially true for large items like a nebulizer. If you have the proof that this is a medical necessity, it can cause less hassles during the security check.
You should get a second opinion. It's true your primary doctor should be your main source for all your asthma help, but it may be wise to see one or two asthma specialists. Allergists, asthma centers, pulmonologists, and even nutritionists can work with you to make sure you are taking advantage of all avenues of treatment.
Avoid smoking and people who are smokers. People know that smoking is dangerous, but it is even more dangerous to those with asthma. Smoke greatly irritates the sensitive lungs of the person with asthma, so in addition to not smoking, someone with asthma should avoid people that are smoking.
When pollen counts begin to rise, then anyone who suffers from asthma should just stay inside as much as they can. Asthma symptoms are not the same as allergic reactions, but allergies and asthma attacks have many common triggers. Now that you have information on local air quality in most areas, people who suffer from asthma will be able to decrease outdoor activities if there is potential irritants in the air.
To improve your asthmatic condition, use a clean humidifier or vaporizer while you sleep. Not cleaning a humidifier allows bacteria to grow in the machine's moist water tank area, and the machine will pump dangerous allergens into yoru environment every time you use it.
Make sure your doctor sees you every two or three months for a check up to see how you are managing with your asthma condition. Your doctor can check to see if your condition has changed, and if it has, update your treatment plan. It is your responsibility to make sure you make these appointments with your doctor so that he can follow up with you and keep you healthy.
Try to consume foods that are rich in B6 vitamins. B6, another name for pyridoxine, has been proven to lessen the frequency and severity of attacks related to asthma. Pyridoxine is crucial in making molecules, which can relax bronchial tissue. You can find a good supply of vitamin B6 in natural foods such as bananas.
By now, you have learned a number of techniques that can reduce your asthma to a mere annoyance. Asthma does not have to be a death sentence, so if you can make a plan on how to live with asthma, you will have a much more fulfilling life.