Asthma can be so scary, whether it is you or a loved one that is afflicted. You need to know the possible complications of asthma and the signs of an attack in order to deal with it effectively. Learn about when and what to expect, and be sure to use these tips too.
It is vital that neither you, nor anyone else, smoke around a child with asthma. Secondhand smoke is a leading cause of asthma. Never allow anyone to smoke around your child, and teach them not to smoke as an adult themselves.
Certain prescription medications have the potential to cause asthma symptoms. Aspirin and some other NSAIDs may do this. Some medications can cause your asthma to be worse such as beta blockers for high blood pressure or heart disease. If you have asthma and these other conditions, let your physician know.
If you are an asthmatic, it is vital that you never smoke, and if you already do, you should quit as soon as possible. Smoking isn’t healthy for anyone, but if you are afflicted with asthma, preventing oxygen from getting to your lungs is just begging for an attack.
If you are suffering from a moderate or mild attack, do your best to force as much air out of the lungs as possible. Breath out as hard and fast as you can. Get the air all out of the lungs. Inhale three times with short breaths, and then on the fourth one take a deeper breath so your lungs are full of air but still comfortable. Then breath out as hard as you can again. The breathing rhythm that you create by doing this will cause you to be aware of every breath you take. By repeatedly forcing air out, you make room for new air so that your breathing can get back on track. Do not be alarmed if you cough or generate excess mucous; this is perfectly normal. Your only concern is to return your breathing to normal.
If you find yourself having a mild asthma attack, force the air from your lungs until they are empty. Exhale quickly and forcefully. Force your lungs to expel as much air as possible. Inhale in a series of three, or three shallow breaths and one deep breath. After your lungs are filled with air, forcefully exhale again. This will make your breathing rhythmic and help you pay more attention to it. It also helps to push air out from your lungs so new air can come back in. This may cause you to cough or it may cause phlegm, but your breathing will be back to normal again.
Use your inhaler as directed. Go to a quiet place, and be sure to follow all instructions from the manufacturer. The inhaler only can help if it’s medicine reaches the lungs. While taking a deep breath, spray in the recommended dosage. Continue holding your breath for approximately 10 seconds. This way, the medication will soak into the cells of your lungs.
If you’re someone who gets an asthma attack related to allergy like symptoms, there’s medication you can use to help. Ask your allergist about omalizumab, an antibody drug that can reduce the severity of asthma symptoms and the frequency of attacks.
Asthma Patients
Use the inhaler properly. Find a quiet spot and follow the instructions the manufacturer has given. The medicine in the inhaler only works if it actually makes it to your lungs. Inhale deeply as you dispense the correct amount into your mouth. Allow the mist to fill up your lungs by holding your breath at least ten seconds.
Asthma patients without health insurance can get help by asking a social worker and getting access to programs with the resources asthma patients need. You must have the ability to afford your medication, so a social worker might be able to locate a hospital or clinic that can offer them at little cost or free.
Both Vitamin C and Vitamin E are important if you suffer from asthma. These vitamins have been known to improve the function of the lungs and reduce some asthma symptoms. Either find a good vitamin supplement to take, or change your diet to include more foods rich in Vitamins E and C. These vitamins will also provide a boost to your immune system. This will prevent respiratory illnesses that can trigger your asthma attacks.
Make sure that everyone in your family gets their flu shot. You do not want to have a respiratory infection if you have asthma. Making sure to consistently wash your hands, and getting the proper vaccinations are two standard precautions.
A dehumidifier is an excellent investment for asthma sufferers. A reduction in humidity will also lessen the amount of dust mites in your home. This lessens the chance of an asthma flare up. A dehumidifying device reduces the moisture in the air.
Consider supplementing your diet with Vitamins E and C when you suffer from asthma. It is widely believed that these vitamins can help control asthma symptoms by improving lung function. You can gain vitamins from supplements or the old fashioned way, from food! These vitamins can also boost the immune system and help prevent asthma attacks.
Receiving a flu shot annually is very important if you or a loved one are asthmatic. Get yearly vaccinations to keep these potential infections at bay.
Asthmatics should avoid being exposed to smoke, regardless if you are a smoker. When you inhale tobacco smoke, particularly in small areas without much ventilation, lung function may be severely impacted, and you have a higher chance of having an attack.
Be knowledgeable about the factors that cause asthma attacks in order to avoid the triggers or develop a plan for managing the symptoms of asthma. Most asthma sufferers have a few common triggers such as smoke, pet dander or pollen. Whenever you can, stay away from these agents that can trigger symptoms or cause full-blown asthma attacks.
Try to keep your home as clean as possible, especially the bedroom of the asthma sufferer, to reduce the risk of an asthma attack. Food should be eaten only in the kitchen or dining room, and cigarettes are best relegated to outdoor smoking areas. Thoroughly air out your house after every cleaning, and stay away from bleach and similar harsh chemicals while cleaning indoors.
If you are an asthma patient, you may want to sleep with a pillow that does not contain feathers. The feathers can make asthma worse and take away from your ability to breathe. The same reasoning applies to all bedding – only purchase bed sheets and comforters that are manufactured from hypoallergenic materials.
You may have to take more asthma medicine if you suffer from seasonal hay fever or catch a cold. The side effects of many illnesses can flare up your asthma so bad that you have to have an increase in treatment. Your physician might also add more treatments to your regimen until your asthma is under control again.
Make it a habit to always have some rescue medication available when you travel. Traveling can be somewhat stressful and put added strain your body, which might make you more likely to respond to asthma triggers by having an attack. Traveling can make asthma symptoms worse, and it is difficult, nearly impossible to control environmental triggers during travel.
Make it a habit to always have some rescue medication available when you travel. Travel adds stress on your physical body, and it might increase your chances of falling prey to asthma triggers. It is often hard to maintain the right kind of environment when you are traveling, and this may heighten the risk of an asthma attack or worsening symptoms.
Asthma develops over an extended time period, and its symptoms aren’t always obvious. There are many cases where people have died from their first asthma attack, without even being aware that they were at risk. If you have any trouble breathing or are coughing a lot, you need to see a doctor to determine what it is and if you need any medication or treatment for asthma prevention.
It is crucial that you know how to properly use your asthma treatments, particularly rescue inhalers. When you have asthma, you should be on a maintenance medication and have an emergency medicine for asthma attacks. Usually this is in the form of an inhaler. Asthma is considered a chronic condition. For this reason, you should take the management of it very seriously.
Take note of how often, from a weekly standpoint, you use the rescue inhaler. If the inhaler is used more than twice, the asthma problems you are suffering from may not be well-managed or something else might be causing additional attacks to come on. The number of times you use your inhaler can serve as a good reminder to monitor your environment and other aspects of your asthma management plan.
As previously mentioned, there is so much you can learn about asthma. The information that was presented here is only the tip of the iceberg of advice that is available for asthma sufferers. Together, you can minimize the impact that asthma has in your life.
Bed linens are a magnet for nasty allergens and asthma triggers, including dust and pollen. You can eliminate or reduce these inducers by washing your pillowcases and sheets weekly in hot water. The freshly laundered linens will make it easier for you to breath when you are sleeping.