Because asthma attacks are so terrifying, it is easy to allow yourself to be chronically anxious about the condition. Learning different remedies and techniques for controlling asthma can put you back in the driver’s seat of your own life. Read on into this article for sound strategies to accomplish just that.
Quit smoking or avoid smoke if you suffer from asthma. 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.
Don’t smoke around your child if they have asthma; this could worsen their situation. As far as triggers that cause asthma attacks or causes of the condition in general, secondhand cigarette smoke ranks right up there. It’s best to also keep your child away from places in which others will be smoking.
You want to make sure you can avoid situations that could trigger your asthma. Asthma triggers will vary greatly between individuals. If you have allergy related asthma, you will want to avoid pollen and dust. For other people it may physical activities that will set them off. Try to figure out when your asthma began so it can be avoided.
If you suffer from asthma, it is critical that you not smoke. Smoking is bad in general for everyone, but it is particularly worse for asthma suffers because it decreases the amount of oxygen in the lungs, putting you at higher risk for asthma attacks.
If you have asthma and suffer persistent attacks caused by allergy symptoms, an injectable medicine can be administered for extended relief. An antibody medicine known as omalizumab is very effective at countering asthma attacks related to allergies. Ask your allergist about it.
Avoid Cleaning Products
Consider a leokotriene inhibitor if your asthma is not controlled by other methods. As its name suggests, this inhibitor works by preventing the release and build-up of leukotriene. Leukotrienes are molecules that cause the tracheal muscles to contract; having too many leukotrienes makes asthma attacks more likely. Taking an inhibitor blocks the receptors that leukotrienes normally interact with and leaves your throat less inflamed and attack-prone.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma, you should avoid cleaning products. Many of the harsh chemicals inside cleaning products might trigger symptoms or even a full blown asthma attack. While anyone responsible for cleaning their home can’t avoid cleaning products altogether, it’s best to only use natural products.
If you have asthma or you live with an asthma sufferer, you should ensure you receive an annual flu shot. Stave off these infections immediately by getting your vaccinations yearly.
Some medications can exacerbate asthma symptoms as a side effect. Various NSAIDs and aspirin have been reported to do this. Some medications can cause your asthma to be worse such as beta blockers for high blood pressure or heart disease. Let your doctor know about your asthma and what prescriptions you’re taking.
You need to know what the asthma triggers are so that they can be avoided or treated promptly. Smoke, pollen, or pet dander are common triggers. If at all possible, strive to avoid substances and locations that trigger your asthma symptoms or attacks.
If you find yourself having a mild asthma attack, force the air from your lungs until they are empty. Make your exhalations quick and forceful. This will force the air from your lungs. Then take three small breaths in, followed by a deeper breath to fill your lungs comfortably. Next, exhale forcefully again. Using this strategy provides your breathing with a rhythm that forces you to focus on it. It pushes air from your lungs so you can breathe more in. This breathing technique may cause some coughing or sputum, but it can help regulate your breathing and reduce the attack.
If you suffer from asthma, you might want to use a pillow that doesn’t contain feathers. The pillow feathers can cause asthma to flare up and minimize your lung function. The same reasoning applies to all bedding – only purchase bed sheets and comforters that are manufactured from hypoallergenic materials.
Anyone who has been diagnosed with asthma should strive to be knowledgeable about the nature of the condition. If you arm yourself with knowledge about your asthma, you can learn to live with it easily. There is a lot of information on asthma, such as the advice in this article, and it will help you.
Don’t skip appointments for your checkups, even if you haven’t had any recent asthma attacks. You can not predict when an attack might hit you, or if your doctor has found a different medication that is safer and will help your symptoms more.