There is nothing like suffering an asthma attack to remind you how much it interferes with your daily life activities. The good news is that it is possible to really turn things around and live a normal life with asthma. Read further to gain some insightful tips on ways to handle asthma.
Many of the biggest triggers for asthma can, and do, exist in your home. Such irritants include mold spores, dust, smoke and chemical fumes. To keep yourself healthy and avoid asthma attacks, you may need to hire an inspector to come out once a year to test your home and remove any irritants. Clean up your house regularly so these substances do not accumulate.
Keep dust and dirt to a minimum in any bedroom where an asthma sufferer sleeps. Food should not be eaten outside of the kitchen, and there should be no indoor smoking. When cleaning your home, try not to use products that contain harsh chemicals, such as bleach. You should also allow fresh air to thoroughly circulate throughout your home after you're done cleaning it.
Even if your asthma is not acting up, attend all of your doctor's appointments. You can not predict when an attack might hit you, or if your doctor has found a different medication that is safer and will help your symptoms more.
If you are traveling by plane and taking along your asthma medications, make sure to have with you any written doctors prescriptions, especially when carrying some large asthma equipment like a nebulizer. Having written documentation supporting this medically necessary item will eliminate any hassles when going through the security check point.
See a specialist. You want to see your primary doctor for asthma help, though you should also see some specialists. Certain specialists, such as pulmonologists and allergists, can provide extra treatment options for your asthma.
Keep notes on how often you are compelled to use your inhaler each week. If you are utilizing your inhaler more than two times per day, you might not be controlling asthma as well as you think you are! Counting how many times you reach for your inhaler can be a good aid to remind you of what environments you need to control and what else you may need to manage.
If you are having more than a couple of asthma attacks per week, you should go to your doctor and eliminate triggers. Having an asthma attack twice a week is a danger to your health, and that frequency can be prevented.
Use the inhaler properly. Locate a quiet place, and follow the label to a tee. Remember that the medication must reach your lungs if the inhaler is to work properly. As you are inhaling air, spray the correct dosage in your mouth. You should keep your breath held for 10 seconds at a minimum to let the medicated mist fill up your lungs.
If you experience a sudden asthma attack, staying calm is extremely important. Immediately use your asthma inhaler, rest for 30 seconds, then use it once more. If your attack continues to worsen, seek help. Have some one call for an ambulance or take you to the hospital. Try breathing in a paper bag to slow your breathing on the way there.
Keep a dehumidifier around to reduce asthma symptoms at home. This device removes the humidity in the air and makes the environment more dry. A house that is left humid and moist is significantly more likely to trigger an attack. Investing in a quality dehumidifier will also be an investment in your health since it reduces asthma symptoms.
If you use any more than four kinds of cleaning product around your home, then the risk of an asthma attack is increased. Try using organic cleaning products which don't contain irritating chemicals.
Humidity in the home can create an environment that is ideal for mold and mildew to grow. These fungi are both common triggers for asthma attacks. Therefore, it is important to maintain a dry home. During the cold, winter months, a dehumidifier can help. In the summer, an air conditioner naturally takes out a lot of the humidity in the air.
You should always have a plan on how you will deal with an asthma attack. So to properly handle an asthma attack, preparation is key.
Be aware of certain medications that can lead to asthma problems. Some NSAIDs and aspirins will do this for you. Also, beta blockers, such as medicines used to control heart disease and high blood pressure. It is important for your doctor to know your complete medical history, including any medications you are currently taking, so they can best treat your asthma.
Asthma usually takes an extended interval of time to fully develop, and the warning signs are rarely obvious. There have been a few cases where a person dies from their first attack, because they didn't know they suffered from 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.
Sweep and clean your home regularly. You should also frequently launder your bedding, including your pillows. Doing this prevents the build up of dust and dust mites, which can both trigger an asthma attack. If dust increases, the air is more likely to irritate the lungs of asthma sufferers. This can quickly turn into an asthma attack.
Watch for signs of a serious asthma attack in order to know whether you should rush to the hospital with your child. If your child is experiencing a serious asthma attack, you will see: increased use of medication with little or no effect, gray or bluish fingernails and/or lips. Children in the midst of a serious asthma attack may have trouble communicating their condition.
You need to know how to properly use your inhaler if you have been diagnosed with asthma. You can't just spray into your mouth and softly inhale. Every time you spray the inhaler, breathe deeply inward for about three seconds. Proper use of your inhaler is key when you have asthma.
If you are having an attack that is not severe, push as much air out of the lungs as possible. Breathe out fast and hard. This will force the air from your lungs. Then take three quick breaths, next a deeper breath till your lungs fill with air, then repeat the forceful exhalation again. This creates a rhythm to your breathing, making you pay attention to the breaths you take. By repeatedly forcing air out, you make room for new air so that your breathing can get back on track. This may cause you to cough or it may cause phlegm, but your breathing will be back to normal again.
You should know how to manage and live with asthma. When you find ways to treat your asthma, it can become less troublesome. Thankfully, we have learned much about asthma, and the advice given in this article is sure to help improve your quality of life.
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