Successfully Treat Your Asthma
While it's unfortunate that no cure exists for asthma, there are things that you can do to make it easier to manage this chronic disease. This article contains tips to make living with asthma easier to deal with.
Most doctors will prescribe medication to asthma patients. In most cases, they will prescribe medications that will help prevent future asthma attacks in addition to rescue medications to use immediately when asthma attacks occur. The preventative medications need to be taken on a daily basis even if you aren't experiencing any symptoms. These drugs will help to keep the airways clear. The rescue medications need to be carried with you at all times and are to be used at the onset of an asthma attack and sometimes before exercising.
Furry or feathered pets are a common trigger of asthma attacks. It is important to discuss having a pet with your doctor. In some cases they will recommend not being around animals, especially if the asthma isn't very well controlled. Some dogs will trigger attacks while others won't so it is important to spend time with a potential pet before adopting it in order to see if it is going to be a potential trigger. Some breeds of dogs tend to aggravate asthma and allergy symptoms more than others. If you do have a pet, try to keep the pet out of the bedroom and any rooms you spend a lot of time in. Bathing the pet twice a week and keeping it well groomed will also help reduce the risk of triggering an asthma attack.
Most asthma sufferers will benefit from maintaining an ideal humidity level. In the winter months, your house tends to have lower humidity levels. Dry air can cause airways to constrict and also increase mucous production, both of which make it more difficult to breathe. In the winter it is a good idea to use a humidifier to put moisture back into the air. In the summer the humidity tends to be much higher, thus contributing to the development of mold which also leads to respiratory problems. A dehumidifier may be needed in the summer months.
It is also important to wash your bedding at least once a week. It is not necessary to wash them in hot water as previously thought, a presoak with a warm water washing has been proven to be enough to kill dust mites. While the sheets are off the bed, it is also a good idea to vacuum the mattress with a HEPA vacuum cleaner. Replacing your pillows once a year is also recommended
People with asthma are at high risk of developing complications from the flu virus such as pneumonia and other serious respiratory problems. For this reason, it is especially important for anyone with asthma to get the flu shot every year. The live attenuated nasal spray vaccine should probably be avoided by asthma patients as it has triggered attacks in young patients and those whose asthma isn't under good control and have recently had wheezing.
Now you are armed with tips to fight your asthma and be able to keep your symptoms from interfering with your daily life.
