If you’ve just been given an asthma diagnosis, you may not know what to do. There is not a cure for asthma; it is a lifelong condition. Your life does not have to stop after you have been diagnosed with asthma. You will have to make a few changes so you can live as comfortably as possible.
There are medicines out there that may increase your chance of triggering asthma symptoms. Some NSAIDs and aspirins will do this for you. Some medications for blood pressure and heart disease – those referred to as beta blockers – can also exacerbate asthma problems. It is important to talk openly with your doctor about your asthma so that you do not take any medications that could be harmful to you.
An important part of symptom management is knowing what type of asthma you have. Gaining as much knowledge as you can about the type of asthma you have can make your day-to-day activities a little easier. For example, if your asthma is induced by exercise, it might be wise to always have an inhaler in your gym bag. Treating asthma is less difficult if you and your physician are aware of the triggers that bring on an attack.
When you suffer a medium-intensity attack, try and forcefully exhale all air from your lungs. Make your exhalations quick and forceful. It can’t be said too strongly: you must force the air out! 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. This method forces you to pay close attention to your breathing and create a steady rhythm. It pushes air from your lungs so you can breathe more 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.
Never smoke around a child with asthma, or you could kill them! Secondhand smoke is almost as dangerous to asthmatics as actually smoking a cigarette. It’s best to also keep your child away from places in which others will be smoking.
Stay away from cigarette smoke, even if it’s secondhand. When you breathe in smoke, especially in small spaces, it diminishes breathing ability, which greatly increases the probability of an asthma attack.
If you are afflicted with asthma, it is critical that you don’t smoke. While smoking is bad for everyone, it’s particularly hard on an asthma sufferer as it restricts oxygen getting to the lungs.
If you have asthma, or if your children have asthma, it is vital that you receive the flu shot yearly. Stave off as many of these infections as possible by getting vaccinated every year.
If you are experiencing a moderately severe attack, try to first exhale completely. Exhale as quickly as possible, expelling air forcefully out of your lungs. Push that air from your lungs with all that you’ve got! 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. Paying attention this way will help you stabilize your breathing and make it rhythmic. In addition, it repeatedly empties your lungs of air, so that you can draw in more oxygen-rich air. 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.
You should understand what triggers your asthma attacks in order for you to avoid these causes or prepare yourself for managing your symptoms. Most asthma sufferers have a few common triggers such as smoke, pet dander or pollen. Whenever you can, stay away from these agents that can trigger symptoms or cause full-blown asthma attacks.
Make proper use of your inhaler. Find a quiet spot and follow the instructions the manufacturer has given. The inhaler will only reduce symptoms if the medication can get to your lungs. While inhaling, spray the dosage in your mouth. You should keep your breath held for 10 seconds at a minimum to let the medicated mist fill up your lungs.
Do not allow mold or mildew to grow in your home, because they can be extremely dangerous for asthma sufferers. These substances can easily trigger asthma attacks. Thus, keep the air in your home as moisture-free as possible to avoid asthma-related problems. 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.
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Monitor how often, per week, you find it necessary to use your inhaler. If your records start to show you need the inhaler more than two times weekly, your environment might be causing you problems or your asthma is not being controlled as well as it could be. How often an inhaler is used can help to monitor the environment.
Consider consulting a social worker if your asthma medication is not covered by an insurance policy. A social worker can possibly help you with finding treatment and low-cost medications.
Anyone with asthma should limit their exposure to household pets and other types of animals. 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.
Stay away from any tobacco smoke, even people that are smoking tobacco. Tobacco smoke causes your lung function to decrease, increasing the risk of a very severe attack, especially in enclosed rooms without much air flow or ventilation.
Your bed linen could be filled with dust, pollen or other allergens. 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 find that having fresh linens will make your breathing while sleeping much easier.
If you’re suffering from a cold or allergies, you should talk to your doctor about taking additional asthma medication. Side effects that are associated with most illnesses can serve as triggers for asthma and may cause an increase in your asthma 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.
Visit at least two different doctors. Your usual doctor will be able to help you, but you should also consider seeing a specialist. Allergists, asthma centers, pulmonologists, and even nutritionists can work with you to make sure you are taking advantage of all avenues of treatment.
90% of dealing with asthma is about preparing for attacks. Knowing the flavor of asthma from which you suffer, as well as practicing a good treatment regimen, is the easiest way to stop attacks from happening before they start. This article is the first step to understanding how to battle this disease effectively!
Do not smoke! There is a general awareness that smoking is not good for your health. But for the asthmatic, smoking can quickly have serious consequences. An asthmatic’s lungs are more vulnerable than those of a healthy individual, which makes it especially important to abstain from smoking and avoid secondhand smoke.