Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Asthma 101: Everything You Need To Know If You Have Been Diagnosed

Going through life with asthma can be challenging. Perhaps you find your daily activities restricted by this condition. On top of that, it's incurable and difficult 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!

A dehumidifier is an excellent investment for asthma sufferers. By bringing down the humidity level, it will reduce dust mites and reduce asthma flare-ups. Dehumidifiers cause the air in your home to become dry, which means less humidity.

If you frequently suffer severe asthma attacks at night or use your inhaler more than two to three times a week, it's probably time to look into an alternative medication for your asthma. As always, consult your doctor before making a switch.

To keep your child healthy, make sure they are never around smoke. Second-hand cigarette smoke is a leading cause of asthma. You should take care to also make sure your child does not get exposed to other environments where people might be smoking.

Make certain that you and your loved ones receive annual flu shots. You do not want to have a respiratory infection if you have asthma. It is important to do things like hand washing and receiving proper vaccinations.

If you live with a person who smokes and you suffer from asthma, obviously smoking should not be permitted in your home. Just be sure to keep any smoke away from someone who suffers from asthma as this can harm them significantly. Just the smell of smoke on someone's clothing can be the trigger for an asthma attack.

Do not smoke! The dangers surrounding smoking are well documented, but for asthma sufferers the issues can be much more serious. Asthmatic lungs are extremely sensitive, and should not be exposed to smoke. Someone who has asthma should not only avoid smoking, but should also try to avoid being exposed to people smoking in their vicinity.

For asthma sufferers, it is important to have a clean home environment to maintain good health. You can get rid of allergens by vacuuming. It would be advantageous for those with allergy conditions to install a central system for vacuuming, in order to direct the contents to the outdoors right away.

Utilize the inhaler correctly. Find a good place and follow all of the directions that have been provided by the maker of the product. Remember that the medication must reach your lungs if the inhaler is to work properly. Inhale deeply and spray the correct dose into your mouth. Make sure you hold your breath for 10 seconds or more to get the medications into your lungs.

Avoid anything that could trigger your asthma. For some, allergens such as dust and pollen can trigger an attack. For others, certain physical activities may be the trigger. Do your best to understand and figure what exactly triggers your asthma so that you know what you need to avoid.

Be sure to avoid cigarette smoke if you have asthma. Never smoke a cigarette! Stay away from vapors and all chemical fumes so you are not able to breathe them in. Doing so can cause an asthma attack you might not have the ability to stop. When you see people smoking in your area avoid them and move away.

You need to identify your particular triggers so that you can prevent an asthma attack. Keeping a journal will help you and your doctor develop a plan to combat some of the triggers. After you identify your triggers, make every effort to stay away from them.

Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke because it is as dangerous to asthmatics as smoking a cigarette. If you inhale the smoke, it will harm your lungs and increase the possibility of an asthma attack. Always be mindful of this, especially in small spaces that do not have very much air flowing.

As you read in the beginning, asthma is an extremely severe medical problem that needs to be taken seriously. When you feel your symptoms are spiraling out of control, look to a doctor for advice. Until then, take appropriate measures to prevent symptoms from worsening. Use the advice you have read from this article to manage your symptoms of asthma and take back control over your life.

Monday, June 25, 2012

What You Need To Know About Asthma

The number of people suffering from asthma is rising, so treatment is a more common need than ever. To meet the demand, many new and interesting therapies and medications have been developed. The time for learning the best asthma treatment for you is today. The following advice will give you an idea of what sort of treatments might work for you.

When suffering from asthma, there are vitamins that can help, including E and C. It is thought that these vitamins will help increase lung function and will help control asthma symptoms. Get these nutrients through supplements or food. Another great benefit of vitamin C is that it will help to strengthen your immune system overall.

Treat your asthma by becoming aware of the things that trigger it. For instance, pet dandruff or dust are direct triggers for asthma attacks. As soon as you can identify the causes of your asthmatic attacks, you will be able to do something to keep yourself away from these things as much as you can.

It is vital that you replace your pillows as often as you can. Try using pillows and towels that are made of pure cotton, as dust mites are more likely to be harbored in other materials. These dust mites are some of the top contributors to asthma flare ups and attacks.

Anytime you clean your house or apartment, wet mopping is superior to sweeping. Sweeping your floor can kick allergens into the air, triggering an asthma attack. Use a dampened rag when dusting, instead of a feather duster, so as to prevent stirring up loose dust particles and other asthma triggers.

If you have an asthmatic child under age five, be especially vigilant about watching for an attack that requires urgent medical attention. Symptoms to watch out for include: inability to get enough air, difficulty talking, gasping, and drawing the abdomen under the ribs when breathing. When a child shows any of these symptoms, they need medical care right away.

Do not smoke! The dangers surrounding smoking are well documented, but for asthma sufferers the issues can be much more serious. Asthmatic lungs are extremely sensitive, and should not be exposed to smoke. Someone who has asthma should not only avoid smoking, but should also try to avoid being exposed to people smoking in their vicinity.

Don't exercise in cold, dry air if you have asthma. This is due to the cold weather making your airway cool and dry also, which could trigger an asthma attack. Before participating in any forms of vigorous exercise, makes sure that is humid and a bit warm outside.

Utilize the inhaler correctly. Find a good place and follow all of the directions that have been provided by the maker of the product. Remember that the medication must reach your lungs if the inhaler is to work properly. Inhale deeply and spray the correct dose into your mouth. Make sure you hold your breath for 10 seconds or more to get the medications into your lungs.

Make sure you always have an inhaler on you if you do have asthma. When you need it the most, the inhaler gives you fast relief from your attack symptoms, even if this only temporary. You might want to keep several inhalers in various places. For example, in addition to carrying one in your purse or briefcase, you might want to put an inhaler in your office desk drawer or your lunch bag.

If you are an asthma patient, you may want to sleep with a pillow that does not contain feathers. The feathers from a pillow can cause asthma symptoms and decrease your lung function. This applies to bedding, as well, so it's best to make sure that everything on your bed is hypoallergenic.

You need to identify your particular triggers so that you can prevent an asthma attack. Keeping a journal will help you and your doctor develop a plan to combat some of the triggers. After you identify your triggers, make every effort to stay away from them.

Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke because it is as dangerous to asthmatics as smoking a cigarette. If you inhale the smoke, it will harm your lungs and increase the possibility of an asthma attack. Always be mindful of this, especially in small spaces that do not have very much air flowing.

As stated earlier, there is a lot that you should know about asthma. This article contains just a sampling of hints that are helpful for managing asthma, or to help a friend or family member with the disease. With a combination of this information, and your doctor's advice, you can lessen the effects of asthma.

Breathe Easier With This Advice On Asthma

Exerting even small amounts of energy can be strenuous to the scores of people who deal with asthma on a daily basis. Fortunately, there are so many different treatments that can make your day-to-day life less intimidating. This group of tips to manage asthma will provide valuable information, and make you better aware of this condition.

If you are going on a trip on a plane and need to take your asthma medicine, take your prescription with you! When you have written proof that these items are necessary it can help speed along the security procedures.

For people suffering from asthma, it is vital that the home environment is clean in order to promote good health. It is possible to significantly reduce allergens in your home with frequent vacuuming. The ideal home, for an asthma sufferer, would have a central vacuuming system so that the particulates are blown directly outside of the home while vacuuming.

It is vital that you replace your pillows as often as you can. Try using pillows and towels that are made of pure cotton, as dust mites are more likely to be harbored in other materials. These dust mites are some of the top contributors to asthma flare ups and attacks.

If you are suffering from asthma, stay away from any type of cigarette smoke. Smoking is off limits. Stay away from vapors and chemical fumes, too. This may cause an asthma attack you can't stop. Do everything you can to avoid cigarette smoke, air pollution, allergens and harsh chemical fumes to keep your asthma symptoms under control.

Know how to properly use asthma medicine, especially your rescue medication. Typical asthma treatment includes regular medicine supplemented by a rescue inhaler. Asthma is a lifelong condition; you should correctly take your regular medication and use your rescue medication only as needed.

There are some medications out there that you could be taking which will actually trigger your asthma symptoms. Aspirin is an example of a widely used medicine that can cause asthma problems. There are some beta blockers that are given to those trying to control their heart disease or who have high blood pressure that may be harmful to an asthmatic, as well. Make sure your doctor knows if you are taking such medicine and also have asthma.

Contact with pets and other animals should be minimized for the asthma sufferer. Though dander allergies are often seen in conjunction with asthma, even asthmatics who are not allergic may have attacks that are triggered by the ancillary irritants transported by animals, including pollen and dust.

While cooking food that is producing smoke, windows should be opened to clear the air out for those who have asthma. Smoke is a common trigger for asthma attacks, so failing to do this could interfere with your breathing. It is advisable to go outside the house if the smoke remains noticeable after the windows have been opened.

If you are going to exercise with asthma, it is essential that you perform the proper warm-ups and cool-downs before and after your routine. Doing so greatly reduces the chances of having an exercise-induced asthma attack.

Humidity is a problem in the home, because it creates conditions that are perfect for mildew and mold growth. You can get asthma attacks because of these substances. It is best if you keep the air in your home as dry as possible. Whenever you use a heater, you should use a dehumidifier, and air conditioning will help in the summer.

If you have any children who suffer from asthma, avoid smoking around them at all costs. One of the primary causes of asthma is secondhand smoke. Always ensure your child is in a smoke-free area.

Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke because it is as dangerous to asthmatics as smoking a cigarette. If you inhale the smoke, it will harm your lungs and increase the possibility of an asthma attack. Always be mindful of this, especially in small spaces that do not have very much air flowing.

As you read in the beginning, asthma is an extremely severe medical problem that needs to be taken seriously. When you feel your symptoms are spiraling out of control, look to a doctor for advice. Until then, take appropriate measures to prevent symptoms from worsening. Use the advice you have read from this article to manage your symptoms of asthma and take back control over your life.

Asthma Stinks, But You Can Do Something About It!

Asthma can be a terrifying condition because it severely restricts your ability to breathe freely. Asthma may be quite restrictive and an attack can occur without warning, resulting in a life threatening situation. The information here can help make it clear what triggers asthma attacks, and it can provide you with ways to manage it and keep its effects limited.

Asthma aggravation, such as dust and pollen, can collect in your bed sheets and pillowcases. You can get rid of these by washing your sheets and other linens in very hot water each week. You will find that having fresh linens will make your breathing while sleeping much easier.

Consider changing asthma medications if your asthma gives you trouble on a regular basis. If you have to use your inhaler to get attacks under control more than twice in a seven-day period or frequently wake up because you can't breathe, your asthma medication is not keeping your asthma under control. Consult with your doctor.

People with asthma should not smoke. Most people know that smoking is dangerous, but if you have asthma there are more serious consequences. Smoking is very bad for people who suffer from asthma, be sure not to smoke, but not to be around people that smoke.

Make sure you get a flu shot each year if you have asthma or if your child does. Prevent these infections from occurring by going to get vaccinated each year.

Make sure you keep calm if you are having an asthma attack. Locate your inhaler, inhale deeply with the spray, and allow 30 seconds to pass before you reuse it. If your attack continues to worsen, seek help. Ask a family member or friend to call for ambulatory help or to drive you to the emergency room. Breathing into a paper bag on the way can sometimes help by slowing your breathing rate.

Receiving a flu shot annually is very important if you or a loved one are asthmatic. This annual flu shot will prevent infectious damage to your lungs.

If you have asthma and do not have health insurance, you should consider seeing a social worker. Asthma medications are never cheap, but it's vital that you receive them and that is the social worker's goal. He or she will deal with the clinics directly in efforts to remedy the situation.

If you'd like to avoid asthma attacks, avoid cigarette smoke as much as possible. Smoking can actually trigger an asthma attack. You should stay far away from smoke of any kind, chemicals and vapors. Exposure to these substances can worsen your asthma considerably. If there is someone who always smokes around you, you should politely ask this person to smoke when you aren't present.

If you or someone you know has asthma, it is important not to do any physical activities that may initiate an asthma attack unless otherwise noted by your doctor. You can still enjoy a healthy life with exercising, jogging, and more, but you must be far more aware of what you are doing.

Humidity is a problem in the home, because it creates conditions that are perfect for mildew and mold growth. You can get asthma attacks because of these substances. It is best if you keep the air in your home as dry as possible. Whenever you use a heater, you should use a dehumidifier, and air conditioning will help in the summer.

Stay away from cigarette smoke, even if it's secondhand. The functionality of your lungs can be dramatically impaired if you inhale tobacco smoke, especially in areas with little ventilation, and you run a greater risk of attack.

Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke because it is as dangerous to asthmatics as smoking a cigarette. If you inhale the smoke, it will harm your lungs and increase the possibility of an asthma attack. Always be mindful of this, especially in small spaces that do not have very much air flowing.

As seen here, it is important that you are prepared in order to manage asthma. Once you know how to effectively care for yourself and your asthma problems, you will be able to avoid big problems. This article is stop number one for increasing your knowledge about asthma treatments!