Asthma can be deadly if you don’t take it seriously. For that reason, you need to draw up a comprehensive care plan as soon as you are diagnosed. This article will give you some tips that make it simple to tackle your asthma and get back to living your life.
A good tip that can help you if your child has asthma is to do everything you can to educate your child about asthma. Young children have no idea what asthma is or how it affects them, so it’s your job to inform them and to help them work through it.
There are two types of asthma medications that are used by people in their on going hunt for relief from their condition. One is a long term management medication and the other is one to control an asthma attack. Your doctor may recommend one or a combination of both of them.
Control the humidity within your home. Many people with asthma have seasonal triggers, meaning that as the humidity changes, they are more prone to attacks. Keeping your home at a steady low level of humidity throughout the year by using a dehumidifer could drastically reduce the number of asthma attacks you have.
Have your home inspected at least once a year for mold and mildew if you have asthma. As bad as mold and mildew is for healthy people, it is even worse for people with asthma because it can decrease lung function and make breathing harder. If you suspect you do have mold in your home, be sure to let your doctor know.
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.
Use a peak flow meter regularly. A peak flow meter measures how much air your lungs can put out. If you keep track of your peak flow, you can notice changes in your airflow capacity before you even start to notice symptoms of an attack, and take preventative action to stop it.
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.
Be your child’s asthma advocate, especially at school. Many schools have policies in place that prohibit children from carrying medications on them. This is not acceptable when it comes to an emergency rescue inhaler. Find out what steps you need to take to make sure that your child has access to their medication as needed.
Now that you have a bit more knowledge about how to take on asthma, you are at less risk of dying due to improper management. By taking decisive action to manage your asthma, which includes using the tips in this article, you cannot just survive with asthma, but thrive as well.