One of the most unnerving aspects of asthma is the fact that the disorder affects the sufferer’s ability to breathe. It can pop up for no reason and may be fatal. This creates limits on your life. This article empowers you to treat your asthma by helping you understand how and why it happens, and what to do when it does.
There are many different types of asthma. Being aware of your specific condition will help you combat the effects it has over your body day in and day out. Those whose asthma is exacerbated by exercise will know to always have an inhaler on hand. You can actually start preventing asthma attacks if you are aware and mindful of any patterns that your symptoms present.
If you find yourself having a mild asthma attack, force the air from your lungs until they are empty. Breathe out fast and hard. Really expel the air from your lungs! 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 technique develops a breathing rhythm, allowing you to notice the breaths that you take in. It will also empty your lungs of air, so that they’re ready to take in new, fresh air. If you cough or produce sputum, don’t worry. Just remain focused on your objective, which is to regain a normal rate of breathing.
The symptoms of asthma might not always be apparent, but for those that suffer from the disease, the condition never goes away entirely. Make certain you are doing the most you can each day to keep your symptoms under control. Take the proper medications needed for everyday symptoms, and always have quick relief medication by you at all times in the event an attack occurs. Your physician and allergist are the ones to approach with any questions you have about this disease and its treatment.
Use your inhaler as directed. Find a spot that is peaceful, and then follow the instructions given by the manufacturer. The medicine must go to your lungs for it to work. Spray the required dosage into your mouth while inhaling air. Allow the mist to fill up your lungs by holding your breath at least ten seconds.
Be sure to avoid cigarette smoke if you have asthma. This cannot be emphasized enough: Stay away from cigarette smoke! Avoid breathing in vapors from smoke or other chemical-type fumes. This can aggravate your asthma and it might not stop. When you see people smoking in your area avoid them and move away.
Immune System
Dust will make you have an attack, so keep the air calm in dirty rooms. All this does is circulate the dust, which is an invitation to triggering an otherwise avoidable asthma attack. If you feel you need airflow, open a window instead.
If you suffer from asthma, ensure you consume lots of Vitamins E and C. These vitamins aid in improving the function of the lungs and controlling the symptoms of asthma. You can take these vitamins in pill form, or you can eat fresh fruits and vegetables and get the vitamins that way. These vitamins are great for your immune system, and a strong immune system wards off illnesses that can trigger asthma attacks.
Use the inhaler the right way. Find a spot that is peaceful, and then follow the instructions given by the manufacturer. The inhaler can only help you if the medication actually reaches the lungs. While inhaling air, spray the proper amount of inhalant 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.
If you’ve got asthma, don’t smoke or be near smokers. 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 an asthma sufferer and are denied health insurance, talk to a social worker. You will need asthma medications, and if you are unable to afford them, a social worker can find a hospital or clinic that can offer you medication for free or for a little cost.
Keep your home clean. By keeping a clean environment, especially in a bedroom, you can lower your risk of asthma attacks. Food should only be eaten in the kitchen area, and whatever you do, please don’t smoke. After using chemical to clean, air out the house.
Using four or more cleaners in your home can contribute to asthma attacks. Opt for organic cleaning products that do not contain irritating chemicals.
If you suffer from asthma, it’s best to avoid pillows full of feathers. Feathers may trigger asthma symptoms by irritating your lungs. Be sure to keep the same advice in mind for your bedclothes. They should be made from materials that do not increase allergy symptoms.
Your asthma treatments will likely increase when you suffer from hay fever or a cold. Illnesses like this can often worsen your asthma symptoms, which may require that you up your dosage of certain medications. Your physician might also work an additional treatment into your therapy until such time as you are healthier.
Asthma Support Group
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. Most with asthma share common triggers, like pet dander, pollen or smoke. Avoid your asthma triggers as much as you can to prevent attacks.
Try joining an in-person or virtual asthma support group. Asthma, particularly if it is severe, can incapacitate you and keep you from going about your daily activities. On top of that, an asthma support group will keep you apprised of the latest developments in asthma medication and other significant medical breakthroughs.
Those who have asthma should avoid down pillows. The feathers from a pillow can cause asthma symptoms and decrease your lung function. Patients should also buy hypoallergenic bedding.
When it’s colder, wear a shawl, scarf or muffler that will cover your mouth and nose to avoid asthma attacks. This way, the air will be warm before entering your lungs. Studies have consistently shown that cold air can cause your throat and lungs to constrict, triggering asthma attacks. Children are especially susceptible to cold-induced asthma.
Some of the major causes of asthma, and triggers for asthma attacks, can exist right in the home. These are dust, mold and spores. Have your home inspected for and cleaned of these things to reduce the occurrence of asthma attacks. On top of that, doing housecleaning regularly can prevent build up of these particles.
Be sure you understand how to use the medication you’re given for asthma properly, especially your rescue medication. When you have asthma, you should be on a maintenance medication and have an emergency medicine for asthma attacks. Usually this is in the form of an inhaler. Because asthma can be a lifelong issue, it is vital to take both regular and rescue medications according to the instructions.
Mold and mildew can thrive in a humid home environment. Both mold and mildew are associated with asthma attacks. You will benefit greatly from keeping the moisture out of your home’s air. During the cold, winter months, a dehumidifier can help. In the summer, an air conditioner naturally takes out a lot of the humidity in the air.
Allergens, pollen and other irritants can collect in your linens and aggravate your asthma. It is important to wash your bed linens at least once per week in very hot water if you want to reduce or eliminate the potential aggravators. Fresh, laundered bedding will help you sleep that much easier at night.
Wear a covering over your mouth and nose when you go outdoors in the colder weather. A shawl, scarf or muffler would work well. Filtering and warming air before you inhale it can help prevent asthma attacks. Breathing in the cold air has been shown to trigger asthma attacks, especially in younger children with moderate to severe asthma.
Stay away from smoking. There is a general awareness that smoking is not good for your health. But for the asthmatic, smoking can quickly have serious consequences. Your lungs could become very irritated if you smoke, and you should avoid being around others that are smoking.
Take the time to understand the proper usage of your asthma medication, particularly any that is labelled as rescue medication. Asthma is generally treated with a rescue medication, usually an inhaler, in addition to a regularly-taken maintenance medication. Because asthma has no cure, you must treat it carefully by taking your maintenance medication every day and using your emergency medication responsibly.
You need to be educated in properly using your inhaler if you suffer from asthma. You need to know that you can’t lightly inhale as you just spray it inside your mouth. You must breathe deeply in conjunction with the spray. Proper techniques with your inhaler will keep your symptoms from increasing out of control.
Anytime you clean your house or apartment, wet mopping is superior to sweeping. If you choose to sweep, you’re swirling up a tornado of dust and allergens, both of which are common triggers for asthma symptoms. Also, use damp rags instead of feather dusters to dust your furniture.
Untreated or unmanaged, this condition can turn fatal. That said, however, if you make the preceding tips a part of your self-care routine, you should not only not have to worry about killing yourself, but you’ll also be able to live a full, healthy life.
For people with serious asthma, exposure to household pets should be limited. Even people that do not have allergies are prone to suffer an asthma attack from the pollen and dust on animals.