A respiratory condition like asthma can be a frightening prospect for someone who is newly diagnosed or if you are friends with someone who has been diagnosed with the affliction. Fortunately, the information found in this handpicked selection of tips and tricks, is likely to shed some amount of light on the subject.

A good tip that can help you if you suffer from asthma is to make sure you have some kind of emergency plan in place. You never know when your asthma is going to flare up. When this happens, you should have some kind of emergency plan to act on so that you don’t waste any time.

If your children have asthma or hives, they might actually have certain food allergies. You should go to a doctor and do the necessary tests to find out if they are allergic to something and then, make sure they stay away from that particular food, if they turn out to be allergic.

Always get your annual flu shot! Even if you are not normally susceptible to colds and the flu during the seasons for them, when you have asthma, it is always best to protect yourself as much as possible from developing sinus infections or respiratory issues – both of which are sometimes caused by the flu.

Keep your home dust-free and get rid of any carpet in your house to help prevent asthma attacks, especially in a bedroom. Keep food in a kitchen or on the dining room table, and avoid cigarette smoking inside. Air the house out thoroughly after cleaning and avoid the use of bleach and other harsh chemicals indoors.

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.

Keep dust and other particles out of the air in your home. This will not only reduce acute asthma attacks, but also help you breathe easier. In addition to dusting on a regular basis, you can also buy an air filter, which continuously sucks dust particles out of the air.

If you suffer from asthma, you should be aware that animals can be a trigger for asthma attacks. While you might not have any specific animal related allergies, animals do accumulate dirt and other harmful substances that can trigger an attack when you go near them. In particular, you should be careful around common pets like dogs and cats.

It should go without saying that you need to take any medications prescribed to you by your doctor, but with the current economic state many people are fudging their medications. They are taking less than directed trying to stretch it out or they are skipping doses. To make sure that you get the best results, take your medications exactly as directed by your doctor. An emergency room visit for a severe attack could cost you more than the savings of a few prescriptions.

If you have asthma and you need pain relief, you should use acetaminophen, like Tylenol, instead of aspirin and NSAIDs (Non-Sterodial Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) such as ibuprofen. NSAIDs, such as Advil, Motrin and Aleve and aspirin can often make asthma worse. Stick with acetaminophen for pain and you should be fine.

Because a significant amount of the day is spent sleeping, you want to make sure that your bed and linens are kept clean. Dust and skin particles can quickly accumulate over time and complicate your asthma condition. You should try to wash your linens with hot water at least once a week. And just to be safe, keep your respirator and phone close by when you go to sleep.

When preventing asthma, stay away from smoke. Smoke and chemicals have been known to trigger asthma attacks. Do what you can to avoid chemical fumes, cigarette smoke and other vapors. All of these air-borne pollutants can greatly increase your asthma symptoms. If there is someone who always smokes around you, you should politely ask this person to smoke when you aren’t present.

If you have noticed an increase in your asthma symptoms combined with other health issues such as weight gain or hair loss, have your physician check your thyroid function. Your thyroid gland controls your metabolism and affects most parts of your body. Low thyroid functions has been shown to exacerbate the symptoms of asthma.

Like any other medical condition, asthma may seem especially scary, if you are unfamiliar with its most basic symptoms and treatment options. Use the information that you have just read, to arm yourself and be better prepared, if you or someone you know is faced with overcoming the condition on a daily basis.

Top Tips For Getting Your Asthma Under Control was originally published on Spring