Treating your asthma can be an important part of your life. You need to do your research so that you don’t wind up making it worse or even making yourself sick. There are some tips listed in this article, to help you and you doctor, decide on what’s right for your asthma.
When you have asthma, you are more vulnerable to infections. Wash your hands as often as possible, especially before eating. If your child has asthma, teach them this habit early. By washing your hands, you can stop the spread of certain harmful bacteria that would result in a lung infection.
You do not have to be physically inactive just because you have asthma. Unlike decades ago, when asthma treatments were few and far between, there are plenty of different asthma inhalers and medications that you can take prior to and after performing physical activities. Ask your doctor for the best treatment for your specific needs.
When you have asthma, you should always be under a doctors care. You will probably be prescribed medicine that should make it easier for you to breath. If you find that your medicine is not working well, you need to contact your doctor as soon as you can, and they can find a different drug that will help you.
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.
If you are an asthma patient, you may want to sleep with a pillow that does not contain feathers. The feathers from a pillow can cause asthma symptoms and decrease your lung function. This also goes for bedding; use sheets, comforters and blankets that are crafted from hypoallergenic materials.
Be aware of how your diet affects your asthma. Often specific foods like peanut butter contain allergens for anyone suffering from asthma. If you have certain food-based triggers, manage your diet to avoid those ingredients and lessen your asthma symptoms and attacks. If you try a new food, monitor your symptoms to ensure it does not cause increased asthma problems.
Have your inhaler technique checked. Many people use their inhaler improperly. If you aren’t using your inhaler correctly, you may not be receiving the correct dosage of medication, which means that it won’t work as effectively for you. Any medical practitioner with experience in asthma treatment should be able to critique your inhaler technique.
Take a friend or member of your family with you when you visit your doctor. Often, you are discussing so much information with your doctor that it can be difficult to keep track of all the data. Having someone with you gives you another set of ears to listen to the information and think of relevant questions. As a side benefit, having someone with you hear what the doctor says can help you engage your support network in your efforts to manage your asthma.
Treating your asthma can be very renewing, but it can also be a lot of work. Regardless, if you know what to do and how to treat the symptoms you have, you can start breathing better. So, do yourself a favor by doing your research and applying the above tips to your asthma treatment, along with your doctor’s advice.