It is common to be scared when a doctor gives you a diagnosis of asthma. It is a severe chronic condition, and that means it lasts a lifetime. However, this does not mean that life stops after a diagnosis of asthma. You will have to make a few changes so you can live as comfortably as possible.
If asthma is something that you are afflicted with, then don’t smoke or immediately quit. Smoking isn’t good for anyone, but it’s worse for those with asthma. It cuts off the oxygen supply that your lungs need to function properly to keep away the asthma attacks.
Smoking is extremely harmful if you suffer from asthma. If you are not already a smoker, don’t start, and if you are, quit as soon as possible. When smoke enters your lungs it cuts off your oxygen supply, and if you suffer from asthma it can make breathing extremely difficult, and result in an increased number of attacks.
You need to avoid all of the asthma triggers that you know. Asthma triggers will vary greatly between individuals. If you have allergy related asthma, you will want to avoid pollen and dust. For others, attacks can be caused by physical activities. Knowing exactly what sets off your asthma is thus, very important.
Some medications that you may take unknowingly can cause you to have asthma symptoms. Some over the counter medications can irritate your asthma. Also, beta blockers, such as medicines used to control heart disease and high blood pressure. If you have asthma paired with heart disease or high blood pressure, tell your doctor.
If you are suffering from a moderate or mild attack, do your best to force as much air out of the lungs as possible. Blow your breath out as hard and fast as you can. Forcefully push the air out from your lungs. Inhale for three quick breaths, and then take one deep breath so that you can allow your lungs to fill with air, and then force the air out again. Pay attention to what you are doing and follow a regular rhythm. By repeatedly forcing air out, you make room for new air so that your breathing can get back on track. You may generate sputum or cough but that is alright, since your main objective is getting you to breathe normally again.
If you are suffering from a mild or moderate asthma attack, expel all the air from your lungs. Exhale quickly and forcefully. Forcefully push the air out from your lungs. Follow this by breathing in three times quickly, and a fourth time deeply to ensure your lungs are filled to capacity, then exhale again as forcefully as possible. The breathing rhythm that you create by doing this will cause you to be aware of every breath you take. It also voids your lungs of old air so that new air can enter. If you cough or produce sputum, don’t worry. Just remain focused on your objective, which is to regain a normal rate of breathing.
If you have asthma and have frequent attacks that are related to allergies, there are medicines that can be injected to provide you with long-term relief. An antibody medicine under the name Omalizumab can be used to reduce these symptoms caused by allergies and might be prescribed by your allergist.
Cigarette smoke and asthma do not mix. Smoking is especially dangerous for asthmatics. Avoid all fumes of chemical products or breathing harmful vapors. More often than not, smoke is going to trigger an unavoidable asthma attack. If people smoke around you, you should get away form that area.
Leukotriene inhibitors can help control the symptoms of asthma. A leukotriene inhibitor helps to prevent leukotrienes. A leukotrienes is a type of chemical that causes inflammation, which leads to asthma attacks. Leukotriene is an oral therapy for the treatment of asthma, but it is not as effective as inhaled corticosteroids.
Be certain to properly use your inhaler. Move to a quiet area, and then simply follow manufacturer’s instructions. The only way the inhaler can help is if the medication can reach your lungs. Spray the stated dose of medicine into your mouth as you inhale. You should keep your breath held for 10 seconds at a minimum to let the medicated mist fill up your lungs.
Proper knowledge of how to use your inhaler is necessary if you have asthma. Find a peaceful spot, and make sure to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer. The inhaler will only reduce symptoms if the medication can get to your lungs. Spray the dosage into the mouth while you inhale air. You should keep your breath held for 10 seconds at a minimum to let the medicated mist fill up your lungs.
Take a lot of Vitamin E and C if you are suffering from asthma. There is some evidence that these two vitamins can improve breathing and lower the frequency of asthma attacks. It doesn’t matter if you get the vitamins for food or a supplement; just get them. These vitamins can improve your immune system to prevent asthma triggers.
When suffering from asthma, there are vitamins that can help, including E and C. These vitamins can help improve your lung function, ultimately controlling asthma. Many foods have these vitamins in abundance, but you can also use a supplemental pill. These vitamins will also help prevent illnesses by boosting your body’s immune system.
Studies show that using a variety of cleaning products in the home can actually increase the odds of triggering an asthma attack. Choose natural and organic products which don’t have chemicals that will irritate your disease.
Unscented products are the safest option for those who suffer from asthma. Scented products should be avoided, such as air fresheners, perfume, and incense. These can increase the amount of air pollution in the home and even trigger an attack. Be aware that fresh paint and new carpet also can emit harmful odors that irritate sensitive airways. Keep the air inside your house as fresh as you can.
Unscented products are the safest option for those who suffer from asthma. Products that contain fragrance, such as perfumes, colognes, or air fresheners, introduce irritants into the air around you that can trigger your asthma. Fresh paint and new carpeting also give off odors that may aggravate the airways. Try to keep the indoor air as clean and fresh as possible.
Asthma treatment dosages will need to be increased if you are sick with a cold or are dealing with hay fever. These kinds of illness can inflame you asthma to a degree that a treatment increase is necessary. Your doctor may prescribe a new medicine or change the dose of your existing medication until the hay fever or cold passes.
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. If you have asthma, it’s most likely triggered by things such as being around animals or pollen. Most asthmatics also can’t tolerate smoke. When it is possible avoid substances that make you have symptoms or attacks.
Be certain you are aware of what triggers an asthma attack so you can avoid it, or at least be prepared to handle the symptoms. Asthma sufferers generally have different triggers in common like pollen, pet dander and smoke. If at all possible, strive to avoid substances and locations that trigger your asthma symptoms or attacks.
As seen here, it is important that you are prepared in order to manage asthma. Educating yourself on your particular asthma challenges and requirements will keep you healthy and minimize the risks you have to live with. Reading this article has been the first important step in getting control of this disease.
Keep all your regularly scheduled asthma appointments, regardless of how you are feeling. You never know when you might suffer another flare-up, or when your doctor might have a better or safer medication to prescribe for your symptoms.