If you’re one of the millions of people in the world with asthma who believe that their medication isn’t doing enough to deal with their symptoms, you’ll be glad to learn that most of the symptoms can be relieved simply by taking proactive steps, such as improving your environment. This article will guide you through some of these methods to do this.
Concurrent health problems can contribute to your asthma symptoms. Many people with allergies find that their asthma symptoms become worse around allergy triggers. If you keep on top of your concurrent health problems, you’ll be less likely to be triggered into an acute asthma attack. Ask your doctor if your other diagnoses could contribute to your struggle with asthma.
You should use the AC as much as possible so that you can breathe fresh air. But make sure you clean up your AC unit regularly. If you are going to use a humidifier, clean it too. An unclean AC system could make your life absolutely miserable if you have asthma.
A good tip that can help you if you suffer from asthma is to make sure you have some kind of emergency plan in place. You never know when your asthma is going to flare up. When this happens, you should have some kind of emergency plan to act on so that you don’t waste any time.
Do not swim in pools that contain chlorine if you have asthma. The chlorine can trigger asthma attacks or make your symptoms worse. If you are unsure if the pool that you are going to swim in has chlorine or not, ask a lifeguard or the manager of the facility.
Your doctor may thing that corticosteroids are the best relief from your asthma attacks. This is especially true if you have really bad attacks. They may be a little harder to diagnose but can be swallowed or injected in the case of an attack to open up your passages more effectively.
You may want to consider not getting pregnant if you have severe asthma. Hormones caused during pregnancy may increase asthma symptoms. If you do decide to get pregnant and you have asthma, be sure that your doctor knows of your asthma so that they can help control your symptoms during pregnancy.
Raw apple cider vinegar is an excellent treatment for those who suffer from asthma. Mix two tablespoons with eight ounces of water or apple juice and drink up to three times daily. If you use water, honey can be added to make it more palatable. Look for raw apple cider vinegar in the health food section of most grocery stores.
Change your sheets and comforter once a week, and wash them in hot water. One of the best ways to prevent attacks or common triggers is to ensure your home is clean and dry. Your bedding starts to collect dust, dander, dirt and other debris that can pollute the air you breathe. Frequent washing in hot water ensures these pollutants are kept to a minimum.
It’s been proven that you should use no more than four cleaning products in the home. If you do it can increase the risk of asthma attacks. Organic products are preferable to more chemically loaded, commercially produced cleaning products.
Make sure that you do not have any food allergies if you have asthma. Many people find out the hard way that they are allergic to certain foods. Having an allergic reaction can also effect your asthma because your breathing can be decreased. Be sure to go to the emergency room if you think you are having an allergic reaction to food.
A yearly home inspection by a qualified professional for common asthma triggers, such as mold spores and dust, is a must for asthma sufferers. Removing any of these substance’s if they are present in your home can reduce the number of asthma attacks suffered and make life more comfortable for the entire family.
Invest in a dehumidifier if you have an asthma sufferer in your home. A dry environment is the most comfortable for those with asthma and lessens the likelihood of an attack. A dry environment also discourages the growth of mold and spores, which are common asthma triggers for many individuals.
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 is important to know how to use your asthma medication correctly. You need to find out all about your medicine. You need to know how to take it and when, any potential side effects and exactly how it controls your asthma. If you use a metered inhaler, find out how to correctly use it.
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.
Keep your family engaged in your treatment and care by ensuring they understand how your disease affects your life. When you have support from your family, making changes that benefit you are much easier. Likewise, with help from your family, the treatments and steps that you take to prevent asthma attacks, will be much easier to implement.
Asthma, if left untreated, can grow into a life threatening disease. You should always seek the appropriate medical help when you see signs of worsening symptoms. However, if you are persistent in trying to improve your condition, you will find that asthma is indeed manageable. Apply these tips to put your asthma under control and start enjoying your life.
