Asthma is such a common ailment that plenty of information is available about how to treat and control it. The following tips can guide you through the more important points to remember when taking treatment for asthma.
If you suffer from asthma, don’t smoke or expose yourself to smoke, fumes or vapors. This means avoidance of all tobacco products, as well as taking into consideration any smoke or vapors you might be exposed to in a prospective workplace.
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.
Let your friends know that they should not give you gifts of household plants. Plants can be a severe trigger for certain asthmatics. Having them constantly in your home would be like fighting a war with your environment every day. If someone does give you a plant, see if it can be planted outside. If it can’t be moved outdoors, thank them nicely for the gift and then give it away later.
Try to reduce the amount of environmental allergens and pollutants, such as dust, pollens, pet hair, molds and fungi, and food particles. Keeping your house clean can make a huge difference for your asthma symptoms. Buying an air filter or purifier, or even cleaning out the filters in your AC system can also help.
Stay inside whenever it is humid or during times of high pollen. Springtime is nice, but not if you can’t breathe and that is the season that is likely to cause the most aggravation to your asthma condition. Invite friends over and find indoor activities that you can enjoy during these times, so that you don’t feel deprived from not being able to go outside.
If you do hard, strenuous exercise, especially in cold and dry weather, it can cause your asthma to worsen, or act up. Avoid strenuous exercise. Instead focus on long range exercises that require less exertion. If you live in a cold or dry environment, then make sure you are getting your exercise indoors where the temperature and humidity are controlled.
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.
Having an asthma attack can be frightening. Certain triggers can set off a sudden asthma attack, and you always need to be ready with treatment in hand. There are many ways to treat asthma, and most depend on the severity of the attacks. Living with asthma is easier, as you know all the facts about how to treat it.