Asthma can make it difficult for you to live an even semi-normal life. It makes even the most mundane activities difficult at times. To make matters worse, there is no cure for asthma, and it can be hard to control. Read the tips in this article to learn how to handle your asthma.
If you are afficted with asthma, it is critical to quit smoking and avoid the use of any other tobacco products. 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. Aspirin and some other NSAIDs may do this. Beta blockers can also have this affect, as well as other medications for controlling high blood pressure and heart disease. Tell your doctor if you are an asthmatic and you are using these medications.
Asthma Attack
Any type of smoke can bring on a serious asthma attack. You should not smoke! Avoid breathing in any of the vapors or other chemical fumes. This can set off an Asthma attack that you might not be able to stop. If people are smoking around you, remove yourself from that area quickly.
Consider getting allergy shots if you have asthma that is caused by allergies that aren't under control. Your allergist may recommend a variety of medications to control your reactions and the onset of asthma.
If you are dealing with asthma, you would benefit from buying a dehumidifier. Decreasing the humidity in the house decreases dust mites, which decreases asthma flare ups. Dehumidifiers eliminate your home's humidity, leaving dry air.
If you use more than four types of chemical cleaning agents in your house the risk of your child having an asthma attack increases. Consider purchasing and using organic cleaning products since they are void of irritating chemicals.
Make sure to examine what it is that causes your asthma attacks in order to best avoid having to deal with them. Some common asthma triggers include pet dander, pollen, and cigarette smoke. Do your best to avoid coming into contact with substances that you know will trigger your symptoms.
Travel with your rescue medication on your person at all times. Traveling can put additional strain on your body, making you more susceptible to asthma triggers. It is also difficult to control your environment while traveling, making it more likely that you may experience an attack or worsening symptoms.
Even if you are feeling great, don't skip your asthma check-ups. You don't know when you could have another flare-up, or if there are better or safer medications available.
Mold and mildew will often grow in a humid home. These can very easily cause an attack. It is best if you keep the air in your home as dry as possible. When it's cold, a dehumidifier can keep moisture to a minimum; in hot months, your A/C unit will do the same thing.
Rescue Medications
Take the time to understand the proper usage of your asthma medication, particularly any that is labelled as rescue medication. Asthma is generally managed through regular medicine which is supplemented with rescue medications like inhalers. 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.
Asthma takes a long time to develop and doesn't yield obvious symptoms. In a lot of cases, people die from an asthma attack because they didn't know they had the condition. It is advised that you seek out a medical professional if you ever have shortness of breath or experience constant coughing; this may be a sign that you suffer from asthma and need proper medication to prevent an asthma attack and keep your condition under control.
If you're flying and bringing along your asthma medications, bring a doctor's written prescription with you. Having proof that it belongs to you and is medically necessary will make the security check easier.
See how many times a week you typically use the rescue inhaler. If you are using it more than twice, your asthma may not be as well-controlled as you think or you may be experiencing unusual circumstances bringing on more frequent attacks. The amount you utilize your inhaler can remind you to always monitor your environment as a means of effectively managing your asthma.
Avoid all types of smoke, including cigarette smoke, if you have asthma. Breathing in smoke can trigger an asthma attack. Keep away from chemical fumes, chemical vapor, and tobacco smoke as much as you can. Any inhalant, which is irritating, can trigger an asthma attack! If there are smokers around you, you may want to ask them if they will smoke in another area.
As was previously stated, asthma is a condition whose affects should not be taken lightly. Prevent asthma symptoms and attacks whenever and however possible, and if your symptoms spiral out of control then see a doctor immediately. Make sure to use the information from this article to help you make your symptoms better and to avoid asthma from commanding your life.