Asthma can limit you in your daily activities. That said, the good news is that most asthma symptoms can be brought under control so long as you take the right medication and make the proper lifestyle changes. This article provides many different strategies.
If you have mild to moderate asthma attack, breathe out forcefully to get every bit of air out from your lungs. Breathe out hard and fast. Exhale with maximum force! Then, follow three short intakes of breath with one longer inhalation until your lungs are filled with air, although not uncomfortably so. Finally, expel the air from your lungs with force again. This method forces you to pay close attention to your breathing and create a steady rhythm. It also will push all of your air out of the lungs so that you can get more air in. If you cough or produce sputum, don’t worry. Just remain focused on your objective, which is to regain a normal rate of breathing.
It is very important that an asthma sufferer refrain from smoking, if you do then it is advisable you quit now. Smoking is a bad habit for everyone, but patients that suffer from asthma are negatively affected by smoke as it cuts the oxygen supply off and induces an asthma attack.
Though it should go without saying, do not turn on any fans or circulation systems when in a room containing visible dust that has yet to be cleaned. This could trigger an asthma attack because this will move the dust around. If you need airflow, simply opening a window would be better.
Avoid anything that is known to trigger your asthma. Some people have allergies that cause asthma, and allergens such as dust and pollen can cause an attack. Others may have attacks that are triggered by physical activity. Do your best to understand and figure what exactly triggers your asthma so that you know what you need to avoid.
If you are an asthmatic who also has allergies, injected allergy medication may be just the thing you need to get relief. Omalizumab is a mediation that is able to control allergic reaction symptoms.
Heart Disease
Using more than 4 different kinds of cleaning products for your house has been known to increase risks associated to asthma attacks. Organic cleaners are also a safer choice since they contain fewer chemical irritants.
There are some medications out there that you could be taking which will actually trigger your asthma symptoms. Aspirin is a common medication that can affect asthma sufferers. Some medications can cause your asthma to be worse such as beta blockers for high blood pressure or heart disease. If you have asthma paired with heart disease or high blood pressure, tell your doctor.
Make sure you are aware of what triggers your asthma so you can avoid it or prepare properly. The majority of asthma sufferers suffer attacks when exposed to some common trigger, including allergens or cigarette smoke. When possible, stay away from these triggers that cause symptoms or ultimately, full-blown attacks.
If you suffer from asthma, try seeing if a leukotriene inhibitor helps. This type of inhibitor is designed to prevent leukotrienes. Leukotrienes are molecules that cause the tracheal muscles to contract; having too many leukotrienes makes asthma attacks more likely. This inhibitor can prevent leukotrienes, which makes you less likely to have an asthma attack.
Think about signing up for a support group locally or online. Left untreated, asthma can be very debilitating and prevent you from enjoying your normal activities. As science marches on, new medications and treatments for asthma become available, and you can keep abreast of this progress through a good support group.
Know how to use your inhaler properly! Find a good place and follow all of the directions that have been provided by the maker of the product. Proper use delivers the medication to your lungs. Inhale air while spraying the necessary amount of medication into your mouth. It is then necessary to hold the breath for about ten seconds to give the medication time to work in your lungs.
Some of the most notorious causes of asthma attacks exist in normal households. Dander, dust and mold are all commonly found in many homes. Having your house inspected yearly is a good way to reduce the presence of these asthma triggers. Cleaning the house on a regular basis will also help prevent the buildup of these hazardous substances.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma then you should avoid cigarettes and smokers like the plague. Tobacco smoke can bring on an asthma attack, especially within areas without good air flow. The smoke restricts the ability of your lungs to breathe, making an attack much more likely to occur.
Mold and mildew thrive in homes with high humidity levels. These substances are prime triggers for asthma attacks. Therefore, it can benefit you to ensure your home stays as dry as possible. When you are using a heater in winter time, you can run a dehumidifier for help controlling humidity. In the summer, running your air conditioner will allow you to keep your humidity down.
Keep your home dust-free and get rid of any carpet in your house to help prevent asthma attacks, especially in a bedroom. Food should be restricted to the kitchen, and smoking inside the home should never be permitted. Make sure that the home is properly ventilated and aired out, especially after cleaning with harsh products, like bleach or ammonia.
During cold months, you could avoid asthma attacks by constantly wearing a shawl, muffler or a scarf that covers both your mouth and nose. This helps warm the air prior to it entering your lungs. Breathing cold air can trigger severe asthma attacks. This is especially true for young children with asthma.
Hay Fever
Asthma often takes time to develop, the symptoms appearing slowly. Sometimes, a person can die from their first asthma attack without actually knowing they had the disease to begin with! Therefore, if you have trouble breathing or a constant cough, you may want to seek a medical professional to determine if you have asthma. Your physician can also determine whether you need medication for either asthma prevention or asthma treatment.
Know that your asthma treatment or medication may have to be increased a bit if you are suffering from allergies, hay fever or a cold. A lot of illnesses can cause your asthma to flare up very badly, resulting in the necessity to increase asthma treatment. Your doctor may prescribe a new medicine or change the dose of your existing medication until the hay fever or cold passes.
If you are going to be flying and are bringing your asthma medicine with you, take written prescriptions from your physician with you, especially if you will be taking large equipment like a nebulizer. You’ll speed up the process of going through security if you have written proof that shows that the items are necessary.
As previously noted, the dangers of asthma loom heavy over anyone who suffers from this condition and cannot get it under control. Make sure you always have an inhaler on you and avoid what triggers attacks. Use this advice to treat your asthma symptoms, ensuring that they do not take over your life.
Contact with pets and other animals should be minimized for the asthma sufferer. Though dander allergies are often seen in conjunction with asthma, even asthmatics who are not allergic may have attacks that are triggered by the ancillary irritants transported by animals, including pollen and dust.