Asthma is a frightening and potentially life-threatening condition that affects an estimated 17 million American men, women and children every year. By following advice given by your doctor, combined with the useful and relevant information found in this selection of tips, you can combat the symptoms and triggers of asthma attacks.

If you want to use a humidifier or a vaporizer, clean it thoroughly. If it contains dust or anything else, your lungs will be bothered by the particles contained in the vapor. Let your humidifiers and vaporizers stand in water for a while and make sure they are dry before you use them.

A lot of people enjoy the smell of a clean house. If you have asthma, this is actually harmful. The pleasant smell comes from chemicals that remain in the air. Make sure you open up your windows every time you clean up your house, even if this means losing the fresh smell.

Do you know the type of asthma that you suffer with? Before you can develop a self-care plan for your asthma symptoms, you need to know the specific cause of your symptoms. An example would be to bring in your gym bag an inhaler if you happen to have exercise-induced asthma. Knowing when an asthma attack is likely to strike can help you avert disaster.

Remove all kinds of carpets from your house. Carpeting is hard to clean and will contain dust no matter how long you spend vacuuming it. You should choose linoleum floors or wooden floors instead. The same thing applies to furniture: get a leather couch instead of choosing a softer fabric.

A great tip that can help you get over an asthma attack is to try drinking a few cups of coffee. Coffee can help when you’re having an asthma attack because the caffeine opens up the airways. With your airways opened, you’ll be able to breathe much better.

Learn how to recognize asthma so you can treat it. When you get asthma, you usually have difficulties breathing and feel as if your chest were getting tighter. Asthma is often accompanied by coughing and wheezing. If you experience different symptoms, you might have another illness that requires more medical attention.

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!

Make sure you do not have any stress in your life because emotional anxiety may, in fact, trigger asthma symptoms. Proper rest, diet, and exercise are important for your overall health and can help you manage your asthma symptoms. Emotional health is as important as physical health in your life.

When dealing with asthma, you should limit your contact with animals. Many people who have asthma also have an allergy to pets. Even if you do not have an allergy to pets, pets can carry trigger substances, such as dirt, in their fur. These substances could cause an attack without you being allergic to pets.

Everyone in your family, including you, should get the flu vaccination every year. When you are afflicted with asthma, steer as clear as you can of all types of respiratory infections. You can start by taking simple precautions, such as washing your hands and getting proper vaccinations when due.

If you have children with asthma, complete a regular inspection of your home. The most common triggers of asthma attacks in children are dust, mold and other harmful spores in the air. Checking your home once a year for these air pollutants is an effective way to prevent and treat your child’s asthma attacks.

If you use a preventative inhaler without a spacer, gargle with salt water and brush your teeth immediately after using it. The medication from a preventative inhaler will collect at the back of your throat, which is a moist environment, perfect for the growth of bacteria and fungi. If your inhaler were to become contaminated, you could contract thrush from using it. Gargling and brushing your teeth should help prevent this.

Is it time for a new asthma medication? It is possible you need to try a new medication if you need to use your quick-relief inhaler anymore than twice a week. Also, if you need to refill your inhaler more than twice a year, or you wake up at night with asthma symptoms more than twice a week you also need to look into a change.

To live and cope with the symptoms of asthma, your physician can opt to write you a prescription for medicated inhalers and oral solutions. As part of your therapy, you can take the next steps yourself by using the advice and information that you have just read about to combat asthma.

Key Facts About Asthma All People Should Know was originally published on Spring