Asthma has many different triggers. No two asthmatics are exactly alike when it comes to what can cause the onset of an attack. For some it’s allergies, for others it’s exercise. This variety in the causes, means that there are a lot of things you can learn below about dealing with your asthma.
Concurrent health problems can contribute to your asthma symptoms. Many people with allergies find that their asthma symptoms become worse around allergy triggers. If you keep on top of your concurrent health problems, you’ll be less likely to be triggered into an acute asthma attack. Ask your doctor if your other diagnoses could contribute to your struggle with asthma.
Think about getting a flu shot. If you have asthma regularly, your lungs have more risks have getting infected. A flu shot should protect your lungs from common types of infections. If you have a child with asthma, you should definitely get them a flu shot to prevent them from developing any severe lung infections.
Avoid keeping potted plants in your home. Certain plants might have a smell or change the nature of the air you breathe in a way that triggers asthma. If you want to keep plants, pay close attention to your symptoms and be ready to remove the plants if you notice any changes.
Asthma can be triggered by cigarette smoke. People that have asthma are most often times very sensitive to it. You should take great steps to make sure no one smokes in your car, in your home, or around you anywhere. This will help you immensely when you are trying to avoid asthma attacks, and stay healthy in general!
If you own any type of pet and have asthma you need to be extremely cautious. The pet dander can easily set off an asthma attack. You should try hard not to have close contact with the animal, and have someone else bathe the pet thoroughly on a weekly basis.
Bronchodilators are a common treatment for asthma that is prescribed by a doctor. It is usually in the form of an inhaler, and there are short and long-acting treatments. The short-term will help with an immediate symptom, while the long-acting dose will be for ongoing problems.
Make sure you know your breathing. Observe the way you breathe when you are calm and symptom free. When you realize that your breathing has changed you can consider relaxation and breathing techniques to calm you down to avoid severe asthma attacks. During an attack, try to return your breathing to its normal depth and rate.
If you find yourself using your emergency inhalers more than two times a week, you might want to consider changing asthma medication. Certain medications work better or worse for different people, so you shouldn’t just stick with the first one you try. If you feel that your symptoms aren’t getting better, ask your doctor about trying another medication.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma then you want to be sure that your doctor prescribes for you a rescue inhaler. You will want to bring this rescue inhaler with you wherever you go. The reason for this is very simple: you simply never know when you will have an asthma attack.
Contrary to popular belief, steroid tablets such as prednisolone are safe for short-term use. They are the most effective treatment for asthma attacks and do not cause side effects if they are not used for every long. Be sure you talk to your doctor before treating yourself with these medications.
If you are suffering an acute asthma attack and your emergency inhaler doesn’t seem to work to bring it under control, get help. Asthma attacks can worsen very quickly. It’s better to visit a doctor or even a hospital for a minor attack than to stay home through a major attack and suffer the consequences. It’s a good idea to keep your cell phone charged up and within easy reach. Keep emergency contacts on speed dial.
Acid reflux is a commonly missed diagnosis of asthma sufferers. You don’t have to experience heartburn to be suffering from acid reflux. If it is causing your asthma attacks, treatment will be very different than for those whose asthma is caused by more traditional causes. Talk to your allergist or doctor if you think they may be a cause.
Start and stick with a regular exercise regimen to help you control your asthma. Be aware of how your asthma affects your physical abilities, but remain active. This helps your endurance and lung capacity as well as serves as a stress relief. As a side benefit, regular exercise improves your overall health, making it easier to manage a chronic condition like asthma.
If you are struggling with asthma, you should cover your mattresses and pillows with plastic covers. Mattresses and pillows can trap in many triggers for asthma attacks, such as dust and dirt. You should try to wash your bedding once a week in hot water to remove the build up on asthma triggers.
If you are dealing with asthma, be especially careful with exercise routines. The faster, deeper breathing brought on by most sorts of exercise can be hard to take for an asthma sufferer. You should always ease your way into a new exercise program, keeping careful tabs on your respiration and watching out for asthma symptoms.
If you have a child who suffers from asthma, make sure that you educate him about asthma and why following his treatment plans are so important. You should not only discuss what to do when he suffers an attack, you should also act out the steps. This will help your child to stay calm during an attack. Make sure that you also educate caregivers and siblings.
Some of the tips we covered may not apply to your particular triggers. Trying to cover a little something for everyone who is dealing with asthma, can be a daunting task. Learn what causes your asthma and what triggers you into an attack so that you can take steps to prevent and control them.
