Respiration is one of the most important of the body’s functions. If you have a condition that affects your breathing and lungs, such as asthma, the complications to your life and health can be extreme. That doesn’t mean that there is no way to manage your condition and lead a normal life as asthma is not the end to living! With this advice, a life with asthma won’t be so much of a burden.
If you have any children who suffer from asthma, avoid smoking around them at all costs. Secondhand smoke is almost as dangerous to asthmatics as actually smoking a cigarette. You also need to be sure that your child isn’t around those that choose to smoke.
Know situations and conditions that cause asthma attacks for you, and stay away from them in the future as much as possible. For some people, this is allergy related; things like pollen and dust can start an attack. For other people it may physical activities that will set them off. Try to determine your asthma triggers, so you can avoid them and prevent attacks.
During an attack that isn’t severe, force all air from your lungs. Force air out of your lungs with quick, powerful exhalations. Push that air from your lungs with all that you’ve got! 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. This will create a rhythm and will help you be aware of the way you are breathing. It also pushes the air out of your lungs, so that more air can come in. You may cough or generate sputum, this is okay, your main goal is to get your breathing back on track again.
Make sure if you have an inhaler that you are using it the right way. An inhaler is most effective if used in a relaxed location and according to the maker’s instructions. The medicine must go to your lungs for it to work. You need to inhale air while spraying the requisite dosage in your mouth. Hold your breath for at least 10 seconds to allow the medicated mist to fill your lungs.
If you are prone to asthma attacks, avoid any cigarette or other tobacco smoke. Do not smoke! Avoid breathing in the vapors and any other types of chemical fumes. This may cause an asthma attack you can’t stop. If you are around people who smoke, leave the area very fast.
If someone in your home has asthma, make sure to keep a clean house, especially their bedroom so that the risk of an attack is reduced. Never allow anyone to smoke in the home of an asthmatic, and consider using plastic to cover your mattress and pillows. Let in plenty of fresh air if the weather permits, and avoid using harsh chemicals to bleach.
If you are an asthmatic who also has allergies, injected allergy medication may be just the thing you need to get relief. Ask your allergist about omalizumab, an antibody drug that can reduce the severity of asthma symptoms and the frequency of attacks.
Take notes of what can trigger your asthma attacks so that you can be prepared for a future attack or learn how to avoid them all together. The majority of people suffering from asthma have several common triggers, like pet dander, smoke or pollen. Whenever you can, just steer clear of these triggers when you know what they would result in.
Ask everyone in your family to get a flu shot every year. You do not want to have a respiratory infection if you have asthma. This includes preventive measures against sickness, such as practicing good hygiene and getting all recommended vaccinations.
Asthma Attacks
Vitamins C and E can greatly assist you in fighting asthma attacks. You can buy these vitamins to help you get better function from your lungs and control your asthma symptoms. Get these nutrients through supplements or food. These vitamins can also boost the immune system and help prevent asthma attacks.
When it’s colder, wear a shawl, scarf or muffler that will cover your mouth and nose to avoid asthma attacks. Filtering and warming air before you inhale it can help prevent asthma attacks. Cold air can be a nuisance and breathing it has actually proven to trigger asthma attacks. This is especially true for younger children who have severe or moderate asthma.
There are certain types of household cleaning products that can trigger asthma attacks, and using multiple products is particularly dangerous. Organic cleaning products should be selected due to their lack of irritating chemicals.
When you need to take your asthma supplies on an airplane, it is a good idea to bring your doctor’s prescription with you. Having written proof that the item in question is in fact medically necessary can cut down on hassles at the security check.
If you suffer from asthma, don’t expose yourself to secondhand smoke. When tobacco smoke is inhaled, especially in closed-in areas, your lung function can be drastically decreased, which can increase your chances of suffering from an attack.
Monitor how many times, on a weekly basis, you are using your rescue inhaler. If you have to use your inhaler more than twice, then our asthma is not being controlled effectively, and you may need to see your doctor for a way to get it under control again. The amount you utilize your inhaler can remind you to always monitor your environment as a means of effectively managing your asthma.
For those who have asthma, the safest choice is to stick with unscented products. Using products in your home such as incense, perfume or air fresheners can increase the amount of microscopic pollutants indoors and trigger asthma attacks. Be aware that fresh paint and new carpet also can emit harmful odors that irritate sensitive airways. Because the dangers these things represent, it is important to always keep indoor air fresh to the best of your ability.
Anyone with asthma should stay far away from smoke. Smoke is one of the primary triggers of asthma. The fumes from chemicals, or smoke from cigarettes, should be avoided at all costs. These are all common triggers and can aggravate asthma symptoms. Politely request that smokers abstain from smoking in your presence.
Be aware that your asthma medication may need to be adjusted if you are suffering from a cold, flu or hay fever. These kinds of illness can inflame you asthma to a degree that a treatment increase is necessary. Your physician might also work an additional treatment into your therapy until such time as you are healthier.
Your bed linens are where pollen, dust and other allergens like to collect. The easiest way to get rid of these triggering agents is by washing all of your bedding using your washer’s hot setting every Sunday. You will breathe easier at night when you have freshly washed and clean bed linens.
If you suffer from asthma, it’s best to avoid pillows full of feathers. Feathers in a pillow can bring on the symptoms of asthma and decrease lung function. This applies to bedding, as well. Purchase sheets and comforters that are made of hypoallergenic materials.
Refrain from smoking. Most people are educated about how dangerous smoking is, but it is much more harmful for people who have asthma. The lungs of someone with asthma are irritated by smoking, whether by that person or someone nearby.
Even if you are feeling great, don’t skip your asthma check-ups. Asthma can flare-up at any time, and you never know, perhaps your doctor has safer or better medications which can help your symptoms.
Managing your asthma is a lifelong task, but it gets easier every day as long as you stay informed and follow good advice and habits, from your doctor or the tips contained here. Your asthma can be under control, but at the same time you can be on the look out for new, more effective treatments.
During the colder months, avoid asthma attacks by wearing a scarf, shawl or muffler that covers the mouth and nose. This way, the air will be warm before entering your lungs. Inhaling cold air can elicit an asthma attack or create other serious respiratory problems.