Perhaps you are one of the many people who has asthma and suffers from its symptoms? The following article has simple advice for keeping asthma under control.
Do you know what type of asthma you have? You can learn to combat the life changing effects of asthma by understanding your specific type. For example, if your asthma is induced by exercise, it might be wise to always have an inhaler in your gym bag. Knowing the patterns of your symptoms will help you avoid crises.
What kind of asthma do you have? Understanding the specifics of your asthma will help you to avoid attack triggers in your day-to-day life. Asthma caused by exercise can be treated easily if you carry an inhaler when you go to the gym. You can actually start preventing asthma attacks if you are aware and mindful of any patterns that your symptoms present.
If you are having an asthma attack (mild or moderate), you need to try to force air out of the lungs. Exhale as quickly as possible, expelling air forcefully out of your lungs. Force your lungs to expel as much air as possible. Do your inhalations in triple bursts of short breaths, and then follow with final deep inhalation so that you fill your lungs comfortably, before exhaling with vehemence once more. This creates a rhythm to your breathing, making you pay attention to the breaths you take. It also will push all of your air out of the lungs so that you can get more air in. There may be periods of harsh coughing and a substantial generation of sputum, but this is actually what you want in order to get the airways opened and the breathing back on a regular pattern.
A good tip that can help your child cope with asthma is to make sure you never smoke around them. One of the primary causes of asthma is secondhand smoke. Make sure you keep your child away from other people who are smoking, too.
Properly use the inhaler every time you must use it. Locate a quiet place, and follow the label to a tee. The only way the inhaler can help is if the medication can reach your lungs. While taking a deep breath, spray in the recommended dosage. Hold your breath for at least 10 seconds to allow the medicated mist to fill your lungs.
If you suffer from asthma and you smoke, it’s crucial that you quit. Smoking is, of course, unhealthy for anyone. The habit is even more dangerous for asthma patients, however, because anything that reduces the amount of oxygen reaching the lungs can trigger an attack.
If you deal with asthma in your life, always choose products that are free of scents. Using scented products, like air fresheners and perfume, will increase the level of air pollution and is likely to trigger an attack. Certain things around the home, such as newly installed carpet or fresh paint, can also release chemical irritants. Try to make it your goal to keep the indoor air as fresh and allergen free as possible.
Smoke Yourself
To keep from triggering any bad symptoms of asthma or a full-blown attack, it’s important to keep the home clean and tidy, free of dust and other particulates. This is particularly important in a bedroom. Only eat in the kitchen, and never let anyone smoke inside the house. Harsh chemicals, like bleach and ammonia, can trigger asthma.
Anyone suffering from asthma or asthma-like symptoms needs to stay clear of cigarette smoke, whether you smoke yourself, or even if you’re breathing secondhand smoke. Never smoke yourself! It is also a good idea to stay away from the fumes or vapors from harsh chemicals, such as those used in cleaning. This can set off an Asthma attack that you might not be able to stop. If you are around people who smoke, leave the area very fast.
Asthma treatment dosages will need to be increased if you are sick with a cold or are dealing with hay fever. Side effects that are associated with most illnesses can serve as triggers for asthma and may cause an increase in your asthma treatment. Your family doctor may recommend adding another treatment or medication to your current regimen until you recover from your illness.
When you are dealing with asthma, try getting a lekotriene inhibitor. As its name suggests, this inhibitor works by preventing the release and build-up of leukotriene. Inhibiting this chemical can lead to a decrease in asthma symptoms. If you use an inhibitor, you may find that the your asthma attacks significantly decrease.
A yearly flu shot is necessary if you suffer from asthma. Get vaccinated every flu season to avoid a high number of infections.
Asthmatics should avoid being exposed to smoke, regardless if you are a smoker. 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.
If you are on the road, be certain to travel with your inhaler at all hours. Being in odd environments can cause undue stress on your body, which makes you more prone to an asthma attack. While on the road, it is also hard to control the environment you are in, which also makes an attack more likely.
When suffering from asthma, make sure to choose products that are unscented. Indoor air pollution rises with the constant use of anything scented, ranging from air fresheners to incense, and all this can trigger asthma attacks. New carpet and fresh paint can also emit odors that can irritate the airways. Clean your indoor air and keep it as fresh as you can.
Look into becoming a part of a support group. There are many to choose from both online and offline. Asthma can be an extremely debilitating health issue and can stop you from participating in life the way you want to. By joining a support group, you will be able to discuss new scientific breakthroughs or treatment alternatives with those who are interested.
Make sure you get a flu shot each year if you have asthma or if your child does. Get vaccinated every flu season to avoid a high number of infections.
Understand how to properly use your own asthma medication, particularly the rescue medication. Asthma is usually treated on two fronts. One is a standard medication, taken daily, and the other is an inhaler, intended for use in an emergency. Asthma is not curable, so it is very important that you take your medication properly and only use your rescue medication if you need it.
Asthma Attacks
Keep track of the number of times per week you use your rescue inhaler. If you find that you are relying on it more than two times a week, your asthma is possibly not being well-controlled. This number can help you monitor your environment for asthma triggers and let you determine if your treatment plan is working properly.
When it’s colder, wear a shawl, scarf or muffler that will cover your mouth and nose to avoid asthma attacks. This allows you to warm air before it enters your lungs. In multiple studies, breathing cold air is linked to increased asthma attacks. This link is especially pronounced in younger children.
Your bed linen could be filled with dust, pollen or other allergens. You can get rid of these by washing your sheets and other linens in very hot water each week. You will find that having fresh linens will make your breathing while sleeping much easier.
This article provided you with some useful methods for controlling the effects of your asthma. These tips, however, are only effective when you persistently apply them. Asthma symptoms can quickly come back when you neglect warning signs and factors for even a short time. By following the tips in this article, you will be able to manage asthma better.
To make sure all of your medical needs are being met, you will need to consult at least two doctors. It’s true your primary doctor should be your main source for all your asthma help, but it may be wise to see one or two asthma specialists. 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.