About Precautions for Asthma

One of the best precautions you can take to reduce asthma attacks is to know what triggers an attack. Once you recognize the triggers, you can avoid them. 1. Cigarette Smoke. If you smoke or anyone in your home smokes, you will have to ask them to do it outside. Even the presence of the smoke in the house can trigger an attack, so it is not enough that they smoke in a separate room. Of course, if you are the smoker, you need to quit. 2. Pets. Pet dander can cause asthma attacks. You will have to find a new home for your cat or dog and look into getting an animal that doesn't produce any pet dander, such as a fish or an iguana. 3. Pollen. In some cases, pollen cannot be avoided. When the pollen count is high, you might want to stay indoors. Also make sure that all surfaces are wiped down, so that any pollen that may have gotten into the house is removed. 4. Mold. Mold can be removed with bleach. Don't dilute the bleach: Use 100 percent of it on anything that has mold on it. 5. Dust. You may have to dust your house more often than usual to lessen the chances of having an asthma attack. 6. Exercise. Take it easy and don't over-exert yourself. A lot of physical activity can cause an asthma attack.

Taking precautions includes knowing the symptoms of an asthma attack. That way, you are ready when one occurs. The most common asthma symptoms include: wheezing that can be heard by others, or by a doctor with a stethoscope; coughing that doesn't go away and seems to occur when physical activity is performed; shortness of breath; rapid breathing; chest discomfort; and chest tightening.

If you suffer from asthma, you need to keep regular appointments with your doctor. He may be your family doctor or a specialist to whom your family doctor referred you. As a precaution, this doctor can monitor your symptoms and the number and severity of attacks. He can keep you informed of any new drugs or treatments that have become available. The doctor may want to change your inhaler or nebulizer treatments, based on your progress or the worsening of your symptoms.

An asthma action plan is developed by the patient and the doctor. The plan is used as a precaution in case asthma symptoms become worse. This way, the patient has the plan in front of her, and can know what to do by reading it. The action plan should list which triggers the patient has suffered from, and what to do to stay away from those triggers. The plan should also include a list of asthma symptoms the patient exhibits, and what to do when they occur again. Add a list of medications that need to be taken and when. At the bottom of the plan, list emergency phone numbers, as well as family members who need to be contacted.

It is important to be aware how serious asthma can become. If asthma is not monitored or treated and a severe attack occurs, a person can die. Asthma deaths can be prevented if help comes on time. Your doctor will be able to tell you what treatments to perform at home and when to call for an ambulance. Also look for blue lips; a lack of air passing in or out of the nose or mouth; fainting; or no improvement after an inhaler has been used. A hospital has emergency measures on place that its staffers can take to save an asthma sufferer's life.