For millions of asthma sufferers, even easy physical tasks can seem overwhelming. Different options are available to make living with asthma easier. The next few paragraphs will give you basic information about the nature of asthma, as well as how to treat it effectively.
Do not smoke around a child with asthma. One of the primary causes of asthma is secondhand smoke. If your child is in an area where people are smoking, remove him quickly to avoid an asthma attack.
Asthma is an ongoing disease and requires ongoing health management. Make sure you are taking the right medications to control your everyday asthma symptoms, and have a quick relief medication on hand if you have an attack. Have a discussion with your doctor or allergist to determine what the best plan for you might be.
During an attack that isn’t severe, force all air from your lungs. Blow your breath out as hard and fast as you can. Force your lungs to expel as much air as possible. Then take three quick breaths, next a deeper breath till your lungs fill with air, then repeat the forceful exhalation again. This will make your breathing rhythmic and help you pay more attention to it. By repeatedly forcing air out, you make room for new air so that your breathing can get back on track. You might start coughing, and some sputum may come up, but this is no problem and your focus is to get back into a relaxed, rythmic breathing pattern again.
Exhale Forcefully
If you are having trouble dealing with asthma, a leukotriene inhibitor might be of good use. This prescription will prevent the product of leukotrines and help to abate the symptoms of asthma. Leukotrienes are inflammation-causing chemicals that can bring on asthma attacks. When used properly, an inhibitor can help reduce symptoms and prevent attacks.
If you have moderate asthma attacks, exhale forcefully, so that you force air from your lungs. Exhale quickly and forcefully. You have to force the air out. Inhale in three short breaths and one fourth deeper breath so that your lungs are comfortably full of air, then exhale forcefully again. Pay attention to what you are doing and follow a regular rhythm. It will also help to get the air to come out of the lungs so more can come in. You may generate sputum, but the primary goal is to start breathing regularly again.
You should ensure that every family member in your household gets a flu vaccine yearly. Do everything you can to avoid a respiratory infection if you have asthma. Making sure to consistently wash your hands, and getting the proper vaccinations are two standard precautions.
If you are an asthmatic who also has allergies, injected allergy medication may be just the thing you need to get relief. Known as Omalizumab, this antibody medicine can control the body’s allergic senses and lower the symptoms or reactions that asthma patients suffer.
If you suffer from asthma, ensure you consume lots of Vitamins E and C. Both vitamins improve lung function, helping you to better resist asthma attacks and other negative symptoms. These vitamins can be easily obtained, either through your diet or a supplement. The vitamins will help improve the immune system, which will help you fight off illnesses that cause asthma.
Leukotriene Inhibitor
If you use more than four types of chemical cleaning agents in your house the risk of your child having an asthma attack increases. Opt for organic cleaning products that do not contain irritating chemicals.
Talk to your doctor about getting a leukotriene inhibitor if you have asthma. A leukotriene inhibitor stops the release of a chemical that causes the inflammation that is responsible for some asthma attacks. Leukotrienes are molecules that cause the tracheal muscles to contract; having too many leukotrienes makes asthma attacks more likely. If you get a leukotriene inhibitor, it can get rid of them in the air and help you with asthma symptoms.
If you have asthma, it is imperative that you stay away from smokers. When you breathe in smoke, particularly in an enclosed area, your lungs cannot function as well, and it increases your risk of having an asthma attack.
Think about buying a dehumidifier if your asthma symptoms are bad. Not only will a dehumidifier decrease humidity, but it will also be helpful in controlling the dust mite population. Both are causative factors in asthma attacks. Dehumidifiers reduce attacks in your home by making the air cleaner and drier.
In order to minimize the chance of an asthma attack, be sure to keep your living area very clean, most definitely the bedroom area. Food should be restricted to the kitchen, and smoking inside the home should never be permitted. After cleaning around the house, open windows and allow fresh air into the house. This can reduce the smell and pervasiveness of household cleaners like bleach.
It’s been proven that you should use no more than four cleaning products in the home. If you do it can increase the risk of asthma attacks. Choose natural and organic products which don’t have chemicals that will irritate your disease.
Avoid using a feather or down pillow if you have asthma. Feathers can trigger asthma symptoms and reduce lung function. This extends to the rest of your bedding, as well. There are hypoallergenic comforters and sheets you can use to limit asthma symptoms.
Scented products could cause averse reactions to asthma sufferers. It is safest to use unscented products when possible. If you are using scented products like perfume, incense, or air fresheners you should up the level of air pollution in your home. Fresh paint and new carpeting also produce smells that can cause irritation to the airways. Aim to make the air inside your home allergen free, and as fresh and clean as possible.
Avoid cold-induced asthma attacks by protecting your mouth and nose with a scarf. Bundling up puts heat between the air and your lungs, which can help lessen your risk of an asthma attack. Breathing cold air can set off an asthma attack, particularly in small children who have have somewhat severe asthma.
To cut the risk of an asthma attack, keep your house as clean as you can, particularly the bedroom of the person with asthma. Food should not be eaten outside of the kitchen, and there should be no indoor smoking. Try to avoid using any harsh chemicals or bleach in the home while cleaning; and, once the home is cleaned, air it out.
Know the right way to use any asthma medication you are taking, in particular your rescue medication. Asthma is generally treated with a rescue medication, usually an inhaler, in addition to a regularly-taken maintenance medication. Because asthma has no cure, you must treat it carefully by taking your maintenance medication every day and using your emergency medication responsibly.
Your asthma treatments will likely increase when you suffer from hay fever or a cold. Many illnesses have side effects that could cause your asthma to flare up so badly that you need to have an increase in treatment. It is possible that your doctor will decide to modify your treatment, or even add additional treatments, until you are back on your feet.
If you are taking an airplane and you need to travel with your asthma apparatus or medications, bring your written prescription with you. Carrying your prescriptions along with written proof that they are medically necessary, will cut down on potential problems at the airport checkpoints.
Flu Shot
Visit at least two different doctors. While your primary care physician should be your go-to source for asthma help, consider making an appointment with a specialist or two. You’ll want to visit an asthma center, or consult with a pulmonologist to get additional help improving your lung function. In addition, you should get tested for allergies so that you can avoid allergic reactions that trigger asthma attacks.
If your kid or you suffer from asthma, you should get a yearly flu shot. Prevent those flu infections before they happen by getting a flu shot each year.
The only way that you should use a vaporizer or humidifier when you have asthma or allergies is if it has been cleaned thoroughly. Bacteria can breed in moist parts of the machine, and if it is unclean when you turn it on, it will just pump out allergens.
Now that you know the basic treatment options for asthma, you can either ask your doctor about them yourself or support a loved one in his or her search for effective treatment. Asthma is not a terminal illness nor is it guaranteed to cause you suffering, so work hard on controlling it and enjoy your life!
If you use your rescue inhaler more than two times a week, see a doctor to have your medication adjusted. Frequent need of an inhaler is an indication that the medication prescribed is not the right strength. This is also true if you are refilling your rescue inhaler prescription more than twice a year.