Asthma is a medical condition that can take over your life if you do not treat it. The attacks can be life threatening in some instances. Along with advice you get from medical experts, it is also important to do research on your own. Here are a few easy tips to help you get a handle on your asthma symptoms.
You need to make sure that you do not smoke and that you stay away from a lot of fumes and vapors if you suffer from asthma. Thus, you need to avoid cigarettes and cigars and be vigilant about steering clear of environmental or workplace exposure to smoke.
If you suffer from asthma, don’t smoke, and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke. Stay far away from any tobacco products. You should also consider where you work, as factories may expose you to harmful vapors or smoke.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma and you are a smoker, it is time to quit. Smoking is terrible for everyone, but it lowers the oxygen supply in asthma patients who need as much oxygen as possible.
There are medications that can unknowingly cause asthma-like symptoms. Aspirin is a common medication that can affect asthma sufferers. Common medications used for controlling high blood pressure often times contain beta blockers, which asthmatics may be more sensitive to. If you have asthma and these other conditions, let your physician know.
Prescriptions and over-the-counter medications can actually trigger an asthma attack. Some over the counter medications can irritate your asthma. You should also pay attention to heart medications you may take, or ones that treat abnormal blood pressure. If you have any of these conditions along with your asthma, make sure you tell your doctor.
If you are experiencing a moderately severe attack, try to first exhale completely. Make your exhalations quick and forceful. Really force that air out of your lungs! Breathe in by taking three quick breaths, followed by one very deep breath. Doing this will fill your lungs completely, and allow you to expel the air forcefully again. The breathing rhythm that you create by doing this will cause you to be aware of every breath you take. It will also help to get the air to come out of the lungs so more can come in. This may cause you to cough or it may cause phlegm, but your breathing will be back to normal again.
Asthma is an ongoing disease and requires ongoing health management. You need to keep taking your medications to control the asthma symptoms every day, and if an attack should occur, you should have quick relief medication at your disposal. Have a discussion with your doctor or allergist to determine what the best plan for you might be.
Though it should go without saying, do not turn on any fans or circulation systems when in a room containing visible dust that has yet to be cleaned. Otherwise, the dust will fly into the air and could give you an attack. If you feel you need airflow, open a window instead.
When you are suffering from an asthma attack, exhale all of the oxygen from your lungs. Breathe out hard and fast. Try hard to push the air out from your lungs! Take three breaths in succession. These breaths don’t have to be deep, just breathe a little. Then take a deep breath, pulling as much air as possible into your lungs. When your lungs are as full as you can stand, force the air out. This gives your breathing a rhythm, which makes you aware of how many breaths you take. It also pushes the air out of your lungs, so that more air can come in. It is okay to cough, even to generate sputum. Your ultimate goal is getting your breathing regulated.
Asthma is an uncurable disease, but that doesn’t mean that the symptoms are permanent and can’t go away. However, just like most things in life, overcoming your asthma symptoms takes time and effort. If you follow these easy tips, you’ll find that your symptoms will get better over time and you’ll be able to enjoy a healthier, more active lifestyle.
If you suffer from asthma, and have many attacks that are related to your allergy symptoms, there is a medication that is injected and provides long term effects. Omalizumab can effectively control allergy symptoms you may be experiencing and can be suggested by your local allergist if it fits your needs.