Asthma can be an especially frightening condition because of the way it makes it difficult to get the air you need to survive. Its onset may be rapid and unforeseeable; it may restrict your activity and even threaten your life. To figure out where asthma attacks come from and what you can do to reduce your risk and manage your asthma condition, take a look at the helpful advice below.
If you are an asthma sufferer, you need to avoid smoking and exposure to fumes or vapors of any kind. This means avoidance of all tobacco products, as well as taking into consideration any smoke or vapors you might be exposed to in a prospective workplace.
What type of asthma are you having to deal with? Being aware of your specific condition will help you combat the effects it has over your body day in and day out. Those whose asthma is exacerbated by exercise will know to always have an inhaler on hand. If you are familiar with your symptoms and their patterns, you will be better able to avoid emergencies.
Asthma Symptoms
You may be unaware that certain medications you might be on could cause asthma symptoms. Aspirin is an example of a widely used medicine that can cause asthma problems. Many medications for heart disease and hypertension can also cause asthma symptoms. Talk to a doctor if you have any of these conditions along with asthma.
If you have asthma, you should keep away from any smoke from cigarettes. Avoid smoking altogether. Stay away from vapors and chemical fumes, too. This could trigger a serious asthma attack, and you may have trouble preventing it from happening. If you see people smoking in your vicinity, you should get away from them as soon as possible.
If you have asthma and find yourself having frequent attacks caused by alleries, it may be time to consider a long-lasting medication. Omalizumab, an antibody medicine, might be suggested by an allergist and controls allergic reactions.
If you have asthma and do not have health insurance, you should consider seeing a social worker. It is critical that every asthma sufferer have access to the proper medicines to keep the condition under control, and a social worker could help you locate a hospital or clinic that will provide you the necessary medication on a low or no-fee basis.
In order to minimize the chance of an asthma attack, be sure to keep your living area very clean, most definitely the bedroom area. Food should only be eaten in the kitchen area, and whatever you do, please don't smoke. Thoroughly air out your house after every cleaning, and stay away from bleach and similar harsh chemicals while cleaning indoors.
Even if your asthma seems like it is under control, always keep your asthma appointments with the doctor. Medical science is constantly evolving, so the doctor might know about a new treatment for you. Besides, you can never be sure when another attack might come on, so it's better to be checked out.
Humidity in your home causes an environment where mildew and mold are more likely to grow. Both of these substances are known to trigger asthma attacks. Therefore, try and keep the home dry. During winter time, use a dehumidifier if necessary to control humidity while running your heater, and use your air conditioner during summer months to keep air dry.
Wear a covering over your mouth and nose when you go outdoors in the colder weather. A shawl, scarf or muffler would work well. You can help warm the air with these things before they bring any harm to your lungs. Inhaling cold air can elicit an asthma attack or create other serious respiratory problems.
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. When you have written proof that these items are necessary it can help speed along the security procedures.
You should track how often, in a week's time, you require the use of a rescue inhaler. When you find you are depending on it more than thrice during a week's period on an ongoing basis it is a sign your asthma is not under proper control and could lead to serious attacks if not addressed. You are able to judge how the environment around you effects your body by how many times you need to use your inhaler.
Asthma Attack
Anytime you clean your house or apartment, wet mopping is superior to sweeping. Sweeping can trigger an asthma attack due to the copious clouds of minute asthma-triggering particles it kicks up. Dusting can actually just move the dust around, sending particles into the air, and into your lungs triggering an asthma attack, so try wiping things down with a damp cloth to minimize the amount of allergens you are exposed to.
Allergens, dust, pollen and other things that can aggravate your asthma tend to collect inside bed linens. These threats can be reduced or even eliminated by keeping your bed linens laundered every week using hot water. Sleeping with fresh bed linens will ensure you can breathe easy when you sleep.
If asthma is allowed to go untreated and uncontrolled, it can be fatal. By adhering to the advice here, you will see that asthma management is not difficult rocket science; and with a little investment of your time and energy, you can better manage your breathing and get back to a normal life.