Millions of people, no matter what their age, suffer with asthma everyday. Are you somebody who is dealing with this issue? Read this article to learn more about asthma symptoms and how you can control them.
If you have an asthmatic child, do not allow anyone to smoke around him. Secondhand smoke is a huge health risk and directly plays a role in why people develop asthma. It's best to also keep your child away from places in which others will be smoking.
If you are suffering from asthma, it is essential that you quit smoking cigarettes. Smoking is bad in general for everyone, but it is particularly worse for asthma suffers because it decreases the amount of oxygen in the lungs, putting you at higher risk for asthma attacks.
Cleaning products can trigger an asthma attack, so try to keep your exposure to them to a minimum. A lot of agents in cleaners tend to trigger asthma attacks and symptoms. It is advisable to consider using products that have an organic base when cleaning.
Asthma Symptoms
There are certain medications that cause or exacerbate asthma symptoms. Not everyone knows this. Some of these include aspirin and NSAIDs. Many medications for heart disease and hypertension can also cause asthma symptoms. Tell your doctor if you are an asthmatic and you are using these medications.
A dehumidifier is an excellent investment for asthma sufferers. By bringing down the humidity level, it will reduce dust mites and reduce asthma flare-ups. Use a dehumidifier, and the air you breath will be much less likely to cause your asthma to flare up.
Be certain you are aware of what triggers an asthma attack so you can avoid it, or at least be prepared to handle the symptoms. Most with asthma share common triggers, like pet dander, pollen or smoke. Whenever you can, stay away from these agents that can trigger symptoms or cause full-blown asthma attacks.
Don't miss your appointment for an asthma checkup simply because you aren't currently having any problems with your condition. You cannot be certain when you will next have an issue with your asthma, or when there may be a better medication available to utilize for your condition.
Join a support group, online or in "real life", to find help from your peers. Extremely severe asthma can be debilitating and prevent one from living a full life. In addition, a community of other asthma sufferers will let you know about changes in medications or other relevant scientific discoveries.
A humid home environment is a healthy environment for mildew and mold to develop. These fungi are both common triggers for asthma attacks. It is best if you keep the air in your home as dry as possible. A dehumidifier can be used in the winter, and in the summer, many air conditioner models also help strip moisture from the air.
Asthma typically develops over a long time, and sometimes the symptoms aren't very obvious. There have been a few cases where a person dies from their first attack, because they didn't know they suffered from the condition. Therefore, if you have trouble breathing or a constant cough, you may want to seek a medical professional to determine if you have asthma. Your physician can also determine whether you need medication for either asthma prevention or asthma treatment.
Monitor how often, per week, you find it necessary to use your inhaler. Your medication may need to be adjusted or an alternative treatment considered if you find that you need to use it 3 or more times per week. How frequently you need to use the inhaler can help you recognize any environmental changes you need to make.
Instead of sweeping your floors, clean them with a damp mop. Vacuuming or wet-mopping are better than sweeping because they don't stir up dust and debris that might induce an asthma attack. Also, use damp rags instead of feather dusters to dust your furniture.
If you have asthma and allergies and use a humidifier, make sure it is thoroughly cleaned as often as necessary. 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.
If you have asthma, you must know how to use your inhaler properly. It isn't as simple as spraying your mouth with it and lightly inhaling air. Every time you take a puff, hold in your breath for at least three seconds and then exhale. Without proper breathing techniques with your inhaler, your symptoms will worsen.
When planning on painting an interior area of your home, make sure that you purchase a mask to protect your respiratory tract from the paint's fumes. The fumes from the pain can irritate your asthma. By using a mask, you will keep yourself from inhaling the majority of these fumes. In fact, you should stay vigilant here and avoid any and all chemicals that may trigger an asthma attack.
This article has a ton of tips you could use to control your asthma symptoms. These tips, however, are only effective when you persistently apply them. Asthma symptoms can quickly come back when you neglect warning signs and factors for even a short time. Be diligent and protect yourself when you implement the ideas from this article to manage your asthma.