Healthy lungs are vital to a healthy body. For asthma sufferers, however, it can be very difficult to maintain good lung health. However, you can still lead a regular normal life as an asthma sufferer. With this advice, a life with asthma won't be so much of a burden.
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. If you smoke, try quitting. Avoid breathing in any of the vapors or other chemical fumes. This can set off an Asthma attack that you might not be able to stop. If you find that you have people smoking around you, get yourself out of that area rather quickly.
Consider getting injections of medications to treat your asthma if you are prone to attacks induced by allergy symptoms. Ask your allergist about omalizumab, an antibody drug that can reduce the severity of asthma symptoms and the frequency of attacks.
Social Worker
Talk to a social worker if you're not eligible for any health insurance and you're an asthma sufferer. You must have the ability to afford your medication, so a social worker might be able to locate a hospital or clinic that can offer them at little cost or free.
Make sure that everyone in your family, including you, gets annual flu shots. Asthma patients should try their best to avoid getting respiratory infections. It's important to take the standard precautions against these illnesses, such as hand washing and vaccinations.
If you suffer from asthma, don't expose yourself to secondhand smoke. When you breathe in smoke, particularly in an enclosed area, your lungs cannot function as well, and it increases your risk of having an asthma attack.
Asthma Symptoms
Hay fever and colds can worsen asthma symptoms so prepare to need increased treatments. An increase in treatment is necessary sometimes because side effects of other sicknesses can cause your asthma symptoms to flare up. Your physician may even recommend that you take additional medication until you recover.
You must have regular asthma reviews, even if you are not having any problems. Your health care provider may have new prescriptions that could benefit you in case the need arises.
Think about becoming a member of a support group, whether it is online or somewhere local. Suffering from asthma can mean many days are spent at home with your condition stopping you from participating in a full and fulfilling lifestyle. As science marches on, new medications and treatments for asthma become available, and you can keep abreast of this progress through a good support group.
Most homes are full of common asthma triggers. Three triggers comprise the asthma triad of doom: spores, dust and mold. To stay healthy and reduce the chance of asthma attacks, you should have an inspector visit your house yearly to remove these harmful agents. In addition, cleaning the house regularly can greatly contribute to keeping these substances from building up.
Asthma Treatment
Know exactly how any asthma medication you take or may take works. Asthma treatment is generally two-pronged: Daily asthma treatment and additional emergency medicine to relieve attacks as they happen. Because asthma can be a lifelong issue, it is vital to take both regular and rescue medications according to the instructions.
If you are flying with your asthma medications, especially a large piece of equipment such as a nebulizer, be sure to bring along a written prescription from your doctor. If you've got written proof, it'll save you a lot of hassle when you're at a security check.
Asthma sufferers should avoid coming into contact with both domestic and farm animals. Some asthma sufferers are allergic to animal fur or dander on top of their asthma, but even those who don't have such an allergy can bring on an attack if they breathe in too much of these irritants.
The only way that you should use a vaporizer or humidifier when you have asthma or allergies is if it has been cleaned thoroughly. Bacteria can grow inside the machine because of the moist environment, and you will be releasing that right into the air if you are using it.
Dust Mites
Keep your home dusted and mopped. Wash your bedding, including pillows, regularly. By doing this, it prevents dust mites and dust from building up. Both dust and dust mites can trigger asthma attacks. Built up dust makes the air irritating and increases the chances of an asthma attack.
Know what symptoms indicate a serious asthma attack that requires immediate medical intervention is occurring. Some signs of an attack that is very serious include blue-ish or gray fingernails and lips and increased medication use with diminished or no effect. In addition, you may not be able to understand your child when he speaks.
If a loved one or you has asthma, ban smoking in the car, home, or your direct vicinity. People can smoke outside or as far away from the person with asthma as possible. If someone smokes quite a bit they can cause asthma attacks from the smell of the smoke on their clothes.
Asthma is tough to deal with. There are ways to make your life easier though. This article will help you to better deal with your asthma. Speaking with a doctor is beneficial as well. Medical technology keeps advancing, so maybe soon new medications or other treatments will be available that can help all relieve their asthma symptoms instantaneously.