Asthma is a condition that can terrify some people because it can severely restrict your ability to function normally and breathe freely. Asthma may be quite restrictive and an attack can occur without warning, resulting in a life threatening situation. This article has information that can help you understand the causes of asthma attacks and can help you figure out how you can effectively manage it to reduce the limitations that it brings.
Stay away from anything that you are aware of that may trigger your asthma. Asthma triggers will vary greatly between individuals. If you have allergy related asthma, you will want to avoid pollen and dust. Some things, such as physical exertion, can cause an asthma attack. Try to determine your asthma triggers, so you can avoid them and prevent attacks.
Heart Disease
There are certain medications that cause or exacerbate asthma symptoms. Not everyone knows this. Among these medications are aspirin and other NSAIDs. There are some beta blockers that are given to those trying to control their heart disease or who have high blood pressure that may be harmful to an asthmatic, as well. If you have asthma paired with heart disease or high blood pressure, tell your doctor.
When struggling with asthma, consider using a leukotriene inhibitor. A leukotriene inhibitor is for the prevention of leukotrienes. Leukotriene is a substance that may cause inflammation. This can make a person have an asthma attack. Taking an inhibitor will reduce the amount of this substance your body produces, which should decrease the number of attacks you experience.
If you have asthma and do not have health insurance, you should consider seeing a social worker. It is important that you are able to afford your asthma medications, so a social worker may be able to find you a clinic or hospital that offers your medication at little to no cost.
Make sure that everyone in your family, including you, gets annual flu shots. If you have asthma, try to avoid getting respiratory infections if you can. Take the right steps to stop yourself from getting sick, wash your hands and get the right vaccines.
Immune System
If you suffer from asthma, be sure your diet includes lots of Vitamins C and E. These vitamins make lungs function better and keep symptoms of asthma under control. You can get both of these vitamins from eating certain foods, or by taking the vitamins in supplement form. These vitamins are great for your immune system, and a strong immune system wards off illnesses that can trigger asthma attacks.
Be aware that your asthma medication may need to be adjusted if you are suffering from a cold, flu or hay fever. Illnesses like this can often worsen your asthma symptoms, which may require that you up your dosage of certain medications. Your doctor might add additional medication until your sickness gets better.
If you have asthma, you should get a flu shot once per year. Prevent these infections from occurring by going to get vaccinated each year.
If you suffer from asthma, you should refrain from sleeping on a pillow that contains feathers. Feathers may trigger asthma symptoms by irritating your lungs. This applies to bedding, as well, so it’s best to make sure that everything on your bed is hypoallergenic.
If not properly treated and controlled, asthma can be fatal. Utilize the content provided here, you can learn to control your asthma and enjoy a healthier, more active lifestyle.