Asthma is a very dangerous condition that can really inhibit your lifestyle. There are ways that you are able to keep the symptoms at bay by using coping strategies and effective medications. Do some research and talk to your doctor about effective strategies for controlling asthma.
You need to make sure that you do not smoke and that you stay away from a lot of fumes and vapors if you suffer from asthma. This does mean avoiding all tobacco products as well as being mindful of sources of employment, with special attention to factories that might provide exposure to smoke and vapors.
What kind of asthma do you have? Being aware of your specific condition will help you combat the effects it has over your body day in and day out. An example would be to bring in your gym bag an inhaler if you happen to have exercise-induced asthma. If you are familiar with your symptoms and their patterns, you will be better able to avoid emergencies.
What triggers your asthma? When you know in-depth information about your asthma, you can figure out how to fight against it. For example, if your asthma is induced by exercise, it might be wise to always have an inhaler in your gym bag. Knowing your asthma symptom patterns will help keep you safe.
If you’re suffering from an asthma attack that’s moderate or mild, then work to force all the air you can from your lungs. Breath out as hard and fast as you can. It can’t be said too strongly: you must force the air out! Take three breaths in succession. These breaths don’t have to be deep, just breathe a little. Then take a deep breath, pulling as much air as possible into your lungs. When your lungs are as full as you can stand, force the air out. This will create a rhythm and will help you be aware of the way you are breathing. It pushes air from your lungs so you can breathe more in. This may cause you to cough or it may cause phlegm, but your breathing will be back to normal again.
When you have asthma, you need to be careful around chemical cleaning products. The chemicals in many cleaning products will trigger asthma attacks or symptoms. If you must do the cleaning in your home, opt for natural products with lower chemical content.
Chemical Fumes
You want to make sure you can avoid situations that could trigger your asthma. For some people, it may be related to allergies, such as a reaction to dust or pollen. Others may need to avoid certain physical activities to keep from suffering an attack. You should know what causes asthma, so you can stay away from these things.
Any type of smoke can bring on a serious asthma attack. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, stop. Avoid breathing in any of the vapors or other chemical fumes. Chemical fumes will trigger asthma attacks that you won’t be able to put an end to. If you are around others who are smoking, remove yourself.
Exhale as hard as you can during an asthma attack. If you can’t breathe at all, go to the hospital; however, controlling your exhalation rate can sometimes help stop a less severe attack. Make your exhalations quick and forceful. Force your lungs to expel as much air as possible. Then take three quick breaths, next a deeper breath till your lungs fill with air, then repeat the forceful exhalation again. The breathing rhythm that you create by doing this will cause you to be aware of every breath you take. It also allows you to take in more air by completely emptying your lungs. Do not be alarmed if you cough or generate excess mucous; this is perfectly normal. Your only concern is to return your breathing to normal.
As stated, asthma that goes untreated can lead to a fatal respiratory illness. You should protect yourself by always carrying an emergency inhaler, and watching out for excessive air pollution or allergens. Use this information to help you understand and control the symptoms of your asthma.
Any type of smoke can bring on a serious asthma attack. If you smoke, try quitting. Avoid vapors and chemical fumes from cigarettes. Doing so can cause an asthma attack you might not have the ability to stop. If others are smoking nearby, leave that area as quickly as you can.