Asthma can hinder your normal way of life, even with the easiest activities like strolling outside, and at its worst, it can be fatal. It is critical that you follow all available measures to keep your asthma well managed. You can manage your asthma and reduce your symptoms by applying the tips below.
If you are suffering from asthma, stay away from any type of cigarette smoke. If you smoke, try quitting. Air pollution and fumes from harsh chemicals also increase asthma symptoms. This can aggravate your asthma and it might not stop. If you find yourself in a situation where you are around smokers, remove yourself as quickly as possible.
Though it should go without saying, do not turn on any fans or circulation systems when in a room containing visible dust that has yet to be cleaned. This will move all the dust around, and can easily trigger an asthma attack. Instead, you should consider opening a window to get some fresh clean air going through your lungs.
Consider getting allergy shots if you have asthma that is caused by allergies that aren't under control. There are antibody medications used to control allergic reactions that come recommended by allergists.
Properly use the inhaler every time you must use it. Locate a quiet place, and follow the label to a tee. The medicine in the inhaler only works if it actually makes it to your lungs. While inhaling, spray the dosage in your mouth. Hold in your breath for 10 seconds so the medicine works properly.
Social Worker
Talk to a social worker if you're not eligible for any health insurance and you're an asthma sufferer. You will need asthma medications, and if you are unable to afford them, a social worker can find a hospital or clinic that can offer you medication for free or for a little cost.
If your kid or you suffer from asthma, you should get a yearly flu shot. Stave off as many of these infections as possible by getting vaccinated every year.
Keep all your doctors appointments even if your asthma symptoms aren't bothering you. Your doctor may be able to prescribe more effective treatments and you may be suffering symptoms you're not aware are related to your asthma.
In the winter, cover your mouth and nose with a scarf or shawl to prevent asthma attacks. Proper winter wear can keep cold air from agitating your lungs. By breathing in cold air, it has been proven that it could trigger an asthma attack more so in children that are younger and suffer from severe to moderate asthma.
Take the time to understand the proper usage of your asthma medication, particularly any that is labelled as rescue medication. Asthma is usually treated with an everyday medication that is sometimes supplemented with an emergency treatment, like an inhaler. Asthma is considered a chronic condition. For this reason, you should take the management of it very seriously.
Asthma generally takes a long time to develop, and the symptoms may be vague at first, making it difficult to diagnose the problem. In some serious cases, people have dropped dead due to an asthma attack without ever knowing they had asthma in the first place. So, if you are having trouble coughing and breathing, talk to a doctor to see if you need treatment. You might receive a prescription to treat or prevent asthma.
Anyone with asthma should limit their exposure to household pets and other types of animals. Having an allergy to dander or animal hair could be possible asthma complications, even sufferers free of these kinds of allergies could still have an asthma attack that is caused by pollen and dust animals seem to carry around with them.
You want to make certain you visit more than just one doctor. Your family doctor or primary care physician can be the person you go to regularly for asthma symptoms, but also talk to a few specialists. Asthma doctors, allergists, and pulmiologists are the people who you want to consult with to help with asthma.
Asthmatics should avoid smoking tobacco products whenever possible. Most people know how dangerous smoking is, but for someone afflicted with asthma, the dangers are ten times more serious. Asthmatics have sensitive lungs and tobacco smoke is very, very irritating. Smoke is so bad, that asthmatics should never allow themselves to be in the same vicinity as someone who is smoking.
If the pollen count is rising, stay indoors when possible. A lot of the same things that can bother people with allergies will bother people with asthma as well. Now there's information on local air quality available so you can monitor whether you're going to be exposed to hard to breath air.
If you suffer from asthma, it is imperative that you know how to correctly use your inhaler. It isn't as simple as spraying your mouth with it and lightly inhaling air. Every time you take a puff, hold in your breath for at least three seconds and then exhale. Failing to do so will mean that the medicine will not be able to help open up your breathing.
If you find yourself relying on your rescue inhaler more often than twice weekly, it may be necessary to speak with your doctor about changing medication. This might mean that your inhaler isn't working enough for you. Additionally, if your inhaler needs refills more often than about every six months, you are in the same situation and should see your physician.
Many people underestimate asthma, or at least think that they can't do anything about it since it is an incurable disease. However, you'll be amazed at how much difference you can make simply by following these simple steps to try and relieve symptoms and reduce the sources of asthma attacks.