Obviously, healthy lungs are essential, and when an illness like asthma causes problems with them, it has a major effect on your life. However, asthma doesn't mean the end of fun and happy health; there are many ways to manage the disease and remain safe and healthy. You can control your asthma with medication, treatments and by listening to the advice of your doctor.
Don't smoke around your child if they have asthma; this could worsen their situation. One of the primary causes of asthma is secondhand smoke. Make sure you keep your child away from other people who are smoking, too.
If you suffer from asthma, it is vital that you avoid smoking; if you do, you should quit. Smoking is unhealthy for anyone, but it is especially dangerous for someone with asthma. This is because your lungs and airway are already compromised by your condition.
There are medications that can unknowingly cause asthma-like symptoms. Some NSAIDs and aspirins will do this for you. The medication you take for high blood pressure can also cause asthma symptoms. Let your doctor know about your asthma and what prescriptions you're taking.
If you are someone who suffers from asthma, you should consider buying a dehumidifier for your home. Reducing the amount of humidity in your home reduces the number of dust mites, which in turn reduces the chances of your asthma flaring up. A dehumidifying device reduces the moisture in the air.
If you are using a lot of different cleaners around your house you can trigger a asthma attack. Choose organic products, and stick to as few products as possible.
For those who have asthma, the safest choice is to stick with unscented products. Products with fragrance, such as perfumes, colognes, and air fresheners, introduce irritants into the air around you and can cause asthma attacks. Fresh paint and new carpeting also give off odors that may aggravate the airways. Keep your indoor air clean and free of pollutants to stay healthy.
While everyone appreciates the look and feel of a clean house, asthma sufferers in particular benefit from a healthy environment as it can decrease the risk of asthma attacks, especially in a sleeping area. Only permit food in designated eating areas, such as the kitchen or dining room, and don't allow smoking inside the house at all. After using chemical to clean, air out the house.
If your kid or you suffer from asthma, you should get a yearly flu shot. Therefore, it is very important to avoid as many infections to the lungs as possible by getting a vaccine each year.
Asthma Attacks
Some of the major causes of asthma, and triggers for asthma attacks, can exist right in the home. These causes are sources, such as, but not limited to dust, mold and spores. To stay healthy and reduce the chance of asthma attacks, you should have an inspector visit your house yearly to remove these harmful agents. Conscientious house-cleaning can help prevent buildup of substances in your home that might trigger an asthma attack.
You should track how often, in a week's time, you require the use of a rescue inhaler. You should not have to rely on a rescue inhaler more than twice per week. If you find yourself needing it more often, it could be a sign that your asthma is not being controlled well or that there is a new environmental factor causing attacks more frequently. You can use your frequency of inhaler use to gauge the effectiveness of your asthma treatment plan and make modifications when necessary.
When you clean house, it is recommended that you clean your floor with a wet mop instead of sweeping it. Sweeping stirs up irritants that can trigger an asthma attack. Also, use damp rags instead of feather dusters to dust your furniture.
Asthma Issues
Watch the pollen counts and adjust your activity accordingly to protect yourself from seasonal asthma issues. While asthma is different than allergies, often the same types of things that bother those with allergies trigger irritation in asthmatics as well. The same air quality reports available in the local news for allergy problems can also help those with asthma issues stay indoors on particularly hazardous days.
If you experience an asthma attack, stay calm. You should use your inhaler immediately upon the first signs of an attack. Once you have used it, use it again 30 seconds later. If your attack worsens, call for help. Go to the emergency room, or call an ambulance if it's extreme. Try breathing into a paper bag in order to slow down your breathing while on the way to the hospital.
Dealing with asthma is a difficult battle throughout your entire life, but after each day, it can be easier if you have some good advice to follow, such as the tips in this article or from a professional doctor. There are always breakthroughs in medicines and methods so soon, there will be an easy treatment for asthma.