One of every four children in the United States is affected by the chronic respiratory disease known as asthma. Although substances that trigger an asthma attack are known, the cause of asthma remains a mystery. This disease causes the airways to swell and block the breathing ability which leads to respiratory distress.
Avoid living with smokers. Ask your partner to quit if you have asthma. If you absolutely have to live with smokers, try to get them to smoke outside the house. In the worst case scenario, buy some smoke-eating candles and air out your house as much as possible so that no harmful chemicals remain in the air.
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.
It may be wise to wear an ID bracelet if you have asthma. This way, if you were to have an asthma attack and you cannot speak for yourself, paramedics will know that you have this condition. If you do not feel comfortable wearing and ID bracelet, be sure to carry something on you that says you have asthma.
Keeping your allergies in check is important in order to keep your asthma in check. Allergies and asthma commonly go together, and when your allergies or flairing up, your asthma probably will to. In addition to your inhaler, be sure to use an allergy medication when allergy season is at its peak.
Beta 2 antagonists that can be inhaled are long term asthma control medicines that can be taken every day. They may also have risks for certain people as well. When you are taking these medications it is now recommended they be used along with corticosteroids that can be inhaled.
Keep in close contact with your allergist to let him know if your medication is working correctly to control your symptoms. Make him aware if your medication seems to be not working as well as it once may have. Your dosage or medication may need to be changed in order to help you.
Be wary of what pain relievers you use. People with asthma try not to use aspirin and NAIDs, or Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, like Advil, Motrin, and Aleve, because there is a possibility of them worsening your asthma symptoms. Instead, try to use acetaminophen, more commonly known as Tylenol, to help relieve your pain.
Make sure to take all of your asthma medications exactly as your doctor prescribes them, even if you haven’t been suffering any symptoms lately. Not having symptoms doesn’t mean your asthma went away; it just means your medications are working! This includes your preventative medications as well as your rescue inhaler.
Children are the primary sufferers of asthma, which is a serious disease. Cigarette smoke, dust mites, animal fur and excessive exercise are all stimuli that often set off an asthmatic attack. Asthma cannot be prevented but it is treatable with medication, avoiding triggers and avoiding behaviors that may set off an attack.