An asthma attack can be terrifying, both for the sufferer and for his or her loved ones. You should have an understanding of what asthma does to people and how the condition operates, so you can handle asthma accordingly. You need to know what you can expect and when so these tips will be helpful.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma and you are a smoker, it is time to quit. Although smoking causes health problems for everyone, it is even more dangerous to asthma sufferers because the smoke causes airway swelling that cuts off oxygen to your lungs, and can trigger an attack.
Asthma is a disease that is ongoing and must be attended to every day. It is crucial that you have the proper medications for controlling asthma, as well as medication, such as a rescue inhaler to treat sudden attacks. Consult with your physician and allergist to find out what is best for you.
Keep rooms free of dust, and do not turn on a fan if you do have dusty rooms. Dust blown around by fans can cause your asthma to rear up. Open a window instead to get the air flowing.
Leukotriene Inhibitor
When you are having a difficult time with asthma, you might want to use a leukotriene inhibitor. A leukotriene inhibitor prevents the formation of leukotrienes. Leukotrienes has a hand in causing swelling and inflammation in your lungs, and may trigger a asthma attack. Leukotriene is an oral therapy for the treatment of asthma, but it is not as effective as inhaled corticosteroids.
A dehumidifier is a beneficial investment for anyone with asthma. Though you may not be aware of it, high levels of humidity in indoor spaces can increase dust mites, which then can affect asthma. Dehumidifiers keep the humidity out of your home by keeping the air dry.
There are certain types of household cleaning products that can trigger asthma attacks, and using multiple products is particularly dangerous. Use organic cleaning products since they don't have irritating chemicals.
Asthma treatment dosages will need to be increased if you are sick with a cold or are dealing with hay fever. These kinds of illness can inflame you asthma to a degree that a treatment increase is necessary. Your physician may even recommend that you take additional medication until you recover.
You should know what triggers your asthma attacks; this will allow you to either avoid them or be ready to manage the symptoms. Common triggers among asthma sufferers are smoke, pollen, or pet dander. Try to avoid the things that make your asthma flare up.
If you are an asthma patient, you may want to sleep with a pillow that does not contain feathers. Pillow feathers force the lungs to work harder and can exacerbate asthma problems. You should also look into hypoallergenic materials when buying sheets and a comforter.
If you plan to take a trip, you must always keep your rescue medication with you at all times. The stress of travel may temporarily weaken your body and make you more vulnerable to attack triggers. While on the road, it is also hard to control the environment you are in, which also makes an attack more likely.
It is essential that you learn the proper ways to use all of your asthma medications, especially those used in rescue situations. A typical asthma treatment plan is daily medication backed up with an emergency inhaler. Asthma is a serious, chronic health condition, and it's vital that you take medicine to manage the disease properly and use the rescue medications as directed.
There are many things that you need to know about asthma. The information that was presented here is only the tip of the iceberg of advice that is available for asthma sufferers. They can also give you good advice on how to effectively manage asthma.