Chronic asthma can greatly reduce your ability to do as you please. It can limit your physical activity and keep you housebound on day with a high pollen count. This article hopes to educate you about asthma, its trigger and what you can do to mange it and treat it effectively.
You should have your home inspected at least one a year if you or your child has asthma. You might not be aware that your house contains dust or mold in areas that you cannot see. Find a professional to inspect your house and give you a complete report of the situation.
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.
Make sure you have your home inspected for allergens on a regular basis. Some of the most common culprits in asthma attacks are related to the air we breathe. Items like dust, mold and spores tend to be the most frequent sources of these attacks. Knowing that you have a problem with these items will let you be able to do something about it.
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.
Do not use a reliever inhaler as a part of your everyday treatment. Although reliever inhalers cannot cause you any harm by using them when they are not needed, they just will not help. Instead, be sure to use preventers daily. These inhalers usually come in brown, red or orange.
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.
Even if you seem to be fine, see your doctor regularly for your asthma checkups. Your health care provider may have new prescriptions that could benefit you in case the need arises.
Cover padded or fabric covered items such as mattresses in allergen-proof covers to lessen the amount of dust and allergens captured in these items. Since fabric covered items easily collect allergens, not covering them can cause a significant increase in asthma symptoms or attacks. Keeping these items encased in allergen-proof covers can lessen asthma symptoms.
If you or a family member suffers from severe asthma, get a recommendation from your doctor on which hospital to visit before you go on vacation. You don’t want to be hunting for a qualified hospital in the midst of an attack. Knowing in advance what doctors are good and how to get to them can cut down on the stress of the situation.
Instead of sweeping your floors, clean them with a damp mop. Sweeping the floor kicks up dust and other debris that can set off an attack of your asthma. You can greatly reduce this by using a wet sponge, damp rag, or moist cloth instead of your old-fashioned feather duster.
With asthma, it is not a good idea to have pets. Many people are allergic to the dander in pets’ fur. Your pet may also have dirt and dust that is trapped in the fur. If you have a pet, try to make sure that it is bathed frequently. Pets should be bathed once a week.
If riding in a car with an asthmatic, make sure the air conditioner or heater is set to “recirculate”. This setting uses the same air that’s already in the car to cycle through the heating or cooling system. Other settings will allow air from outside the car to enter, and this outside air can contain pollen, pollution, or other irritants.
If you notice that you are having asthma symptoms or feel an attack coming on, avoid eating dairy products. Dairy products, especially whole milk, have been shown to increase mucus production in the bronchial system. Increased mucus production then further impairs your ability to breathe, making the attack and the symptoms even worse.
The limits that asthma can have were stated at the beginning of this article and they greatly affect the quality of life in severe cases. It does not have to be with way, if you can find proper treatment. This article can help you to understand how to best treat your attacks to be able to live a more active life.
Breathe Easier With This Advice On Asthma was originally published on Spring