Asthma is a lung disorder that can make breathing difficult and create problems when oxygen is not delivered to cells efficiently. Living a normal, safe life is extremely possible, and you shouldn’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Heed the excellent advice laid out here, so it is possible to cope well with asthma.
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.
Clean up your house from food and water. Keep your food inside the fridge. When you let food or water sit, you are attracting small bugs and roaches, which can trigger allergic reactions. If you need to keep food outside of your fridge, consider getting a food pantry or opening your windows.
Know your triggers, and know them well. Most types of asthma have specific triggers that will lead to acute asthma attacks. By knowing your triggers, you can either limit your exposure to them or take measures to counteract their presence before you go. Preventing attacks is sometimes as simple as knowing what will cause them.
To make sure you’re getting the most out of your inhaler, hold your breath for 3-5 seconds each time you puff. This will give you time to inhale the medication deeply into your lungs so that it can take effect quickly. Once you have finished holding your breath be sure to exhale slowly.
You may want to avoid getting pets, especially those with longer fur, if you have asthma. For many people, pet dander and fur is one of the major triggers of asthma attacks. If you really want to get a pet, try to get one with short fur or get an aquatic animal, like a fish.
It is important that you keep your home and work environment clean if you have asthma. Dust and germs can worsen your asthma symptoms and cut off oxygen to your lungs. Because dust accumulates rather quickly, it is recommended that you dust your furniture and appliances at least once a week.
There are certain medications that cause or exacerbate asthma symptoms. Not everyone knows this. Some over the counter medications can irritate your asthma. Some medications for blood pressure and heart disease – those referred to as beta blockers – can also exacerbate asthma problems. Tell your doctor if you are an asthmatic and you are using these medications.
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.
Using the great ideas found in this article, you and your doctor can make an effective plan that will make the day to day management of asthma easier. Medical technology keeps advancing, so maybe soon new medications or other treatments will be available that can help all relieve their asthma symptoms instantaneously.