Asthma is a hard condition to have to live with. It diminishes your capacity for normal activities, like taking a simple walk. Even worse, the disease can not be cured and the symptoms can be hard to control. That said, there ARE tips and techniques which can make managing your asthma and returning to a full life possible, and we've included many in this article. Read on!
If you have been diagnosed with asthma and you are a smoker, it is time to quit. Although smoking is terrible for everyone, it is even worse for an asthma sufferer due to less oxygen supply in the lungs and that can trigger an attack.
Keep clear of anything that you know to be a trigger for your asthma. Asthma triggers will vary greatly between individuals. If you have allergy related asthma, you will want to avoid pollen and dust. Or, you may need to avoid certain activities that overexert your body. Figure out what sets off your asthma so you can avoid it.
Heart Disease
Some medications that you may take unknowingly can cause you to have asthma symptoms. Believe it or not, something as seemingly innocuous as aspirin can actually trigger symptoms. Many medications for heart disease and hypertension can also cause asthma symptoms. If you have asthma paired with heart disease or high blood pressure, tell your doctor.
Talk to your doctor about getting a leukotriene inhibitor if you have asthma. This prescription will prevent the product of leukotrines and help to abate the symptoms of asthma. A leukotrienes is a type of chemical that causes inflammation, which leads to asthma attacks. If you get a leukotriene inhibitor, it can get rid of them in the air and help you with asthma symptoms.
Talk to a social worker if you do not have health insurance and need medication for your asthma. It is essential that you can buy your asthma medicine, and a social worker might help you find a hospital or clinic that can provide your medicine at reduced cost, or free.
Get annual flu vaccinations for your entire family. Asthma sufferers need to be careful and guard against any upper-resperatory illnesses. This means taking every precaution possible, do things like getting vaccinated to prevent sickness to hand washing on a regular basis.
If you suffer from asthma, be sure your diet includes lots of Vitamins C and E. These vitamins can help improve your lung function, ultimately controlling asthma. Many foods have these vitamins in abundance, but you can also use a supplemental pill. Another great benefit of vitamin C is that it will help to strengthen your immune system overall.
Keep your home clean. By keeping a clean environment, especially in a bedroom, you can lower your risk of asthma attacks. Also, you should keep food confined to the kitchen, and opt to smoke outdoors only. Thoroughly air out your house after every cleaning, and stay away from bleach and similar harsh chemicals while cleaning indoors.
Annual Flu Shot
If you have asthma or you live with an asthma sufferer, you should ensure you receive an annual flu shot. This annual flu shot will prevent infectious damage to your lungs.
If you are going to be flying and are bringing your asthma medicine with you, take written prescriptions from your physician with you, especially if you will be taking large equipment like a nebulizer. If you have written proof about the item you have,and that it is medically necessary, there will be less hassles going through security.
Anytime you clean your house or apartment, wet mopping is superior to sweeping. Sweeping the floor kicks up dust and other debris that can set off an attack of your asthma. When dusting, try to use a damp rag rather than a feather duster to cut down on the spread of the triggers.
Asthma Attack
When you are making an effort to control asthma, do not smoke. The inhalation of smoke can easily trigger an asthma attack. Do what you can to avoid chemical fumes, cigarette smoke and other vapors. Any inhalant, which is irritating, can trigger an asthma attack! If someone starts smoking near you, politely inquire whether they can smoke in your absence.
Go to several doctors. While your primary care physician should be your go-to source for asthma help, consider making an appointment with a specialist or two. Think about going to a pulmonologist, an allergist or even a nutritionist, depending on what is triggering your attacks.
Avoid smoking and people who are smokers. Smoking is an unhealthy habit for everyone, but it poses an even greater danger to people with asthma. Smoke is extremely irritating to the already sensitive asthmatic lungs, so care should be taken to not only smoke, but also avoid being in the presence of other people who are smoking.
Talk with your physician if you find that you need your inhaler more often than a couple of times weekly. Using your inhaler this frequently means your prescription is not effectively treating your asthma. Another sign is needing refills 3 or more times per year on your rescue inhaler prescription.
As you read in the beginning, asthma is an extremely severe medical problem that needs to be taken seriously. Use your self-care skills to minimize the chance of an attack, and get medical attention when you feel a bad attack coming on. Make sure to use the information from this article to help you make your symptoms better and to avoid asthma from commanding your life.