So, you have just received an asthma diagnosis, and you feel stressed and panicky. Asthma has no cure, and as such the condition is chronic. That doesn’t mean you need to curl up into a ball doing nothing, for fear that doing anything else would bring on an asthma attack. Keep reading to gain insight as to what you can do to keep this serious disease under control.
Figure out what type of asthma you are suffering with. Before you can develop a self-care plan for your asthma symptoms, you need to know the specific cause of your symptoms. If your asthma is triggered by exercise, throw an inhaler into your gym bag. Knowing symptom patterns will help you prevent emergencies.
If you find yourself having a mild asthma attack, force the air from your lungs until they are empty. When you breathe out, exhale the air quickly and as hard as you can. Try hard to push the air out from your lungs! Inhale in three short breaths and one fourth deeper breath so that your lungs are comfortably full of air, then exhale forcefully again. This creates a rhythm to your breathing, making you pay attention to the breaths you take. When air is forcefully exhaled, it allows a fresh intake of air to fill 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.
Certain prescription medications have the potential to cause asthma symptoms. Aspirin and some other NSAIDs may do this. Beta blockers, such as those used to control high blood pressure or heart disease may also have this effect. Make sure your doctor knows if you are taking such medicine and also have asthma.
Keep rooms free of dust, and do not turn on a fan if you do have dusty 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.
Asthma is not a curable disease and will require life-long health management. You need to keep taking your medications to control the asthma symptoms every day, and if an attack should occur, you should have quick relief medication at your disposal. Discuss your best options with your allergist and doctor.
If you’re someone who gets an asthma attack related to allergy like symptoms, there’s medication you can use to help. Your allergist might recommend Omalizumab, which is an antibody type medicine that can regulate your symptoms of allergic reactions.
Asthma sufferers should avoid smoking cigarettes and any place that has cigarette smoke. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, stop. Avoid vapors and chemical fumes from cigarettes. This may cause an asthma attack you can’t stop. Avoid secondhand smoke by leaving physical distance between yourself and the smoker.
Make sure you use the inhaler in the proper, prescribed method. Locate a quiet place, and follow the label to a tee. The only way the inhaler can help is if the medication can reach your lungs. Inhale deeply as you dispense the correct amount into your mouth. Hold your breath for at least 10 seconds to allow the medicated mist to fill your lungs.
If allergens are causing you to suffer from frequent asthma attacks that are moderate to severe, there is an injectable medication that can provide you with long-term relief. Omalizumab is a mediation that is able to control allergic reaction symptoms.
An annual flu vaccination is recommended for you as well as other members of your family. Keep yourself healthy, and without respiratory infections as best you can. Take standard precautions against any kind of illness, and start washing those hands and getting vaccinations that will protect you from getting very sick.
Know how to use your inhaler correctly. Find a comfy spot, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The inhaler is only beneficial if the medicine gets to your lungs. Breathe in through your mouth while you’re pressing the spray button. After inhaling, it’s important that you hold the medication in by holding your breath for 10 seconds at the least.
Immune System
A dehumidifier is a beneficial investment for anyone with asthma. With less humidity, there will be fewer dust mites, and that means that there is less of a chance that your asthma will flare up. Dehumidifiers work by pulling the moisture out of the air of your home.
Vitamins C and E can greatly assist you in fighting asthma attacks. Since both of these have been attributed to better function of the lungs, they also help to control the symptoms of asthma. Vitamin C is available in multiple forms. You can find it in citrus fruits, supplements, and in many other places. Vitamins C and E are necessary for a healthy immune system. If your immune system isn’t healthy, it won’t be able to fight off illnesses that cause asthma attacks.
Stay away from cigarette smoke, even if it’s secondhand. When you inhale smoke, especially in close quarters, lung functioning is decreased, and it can trigger an attack.
Keep dust and dirt to a minimum in any bedroom where an asthma sufferer sleeps. Keep food consumption to the kitchen and the dining room, and never allow anyone to smoke in the house. Try not to use bleach or other irritants inside, and always thoroughly change the air in your house after cleaning.
You should be ready to increase asthma treatments if you suffer from hay fever or a cold. The side effects of many illnesses can flare up your asthma so bad that you have to have an increase in treatment. Your physician may even recommend that you take additional medication until you recover.
If your child or yourself are asthma sufferers it is very important that you get the flu shot every single year. Make sure your child’s vaccinations are up-to-date to avoid as many infections as possible.
Don’t skip appointments for your checkups, even if you haven’t had any recent asthma attacks. A new flare-up may be just around the corner, or your doctor may have news of a more effective new medication you can try.
Sleep with a feather-less pillow if you have asthma. Feathers in a pillow can bring on the symptoms of asthma and decrease lung function. Your other bedding, such as sheets, blankets and comforters, should be hypoallergenic, too.
Think about the benefits of joining an online or in-person support group. If you have asthma, it can stop you from participating in basic activities like sports, especially if the condition is severe. By joining a support group, you will be able to discuss new scientific breakthroughs or treatment alternatives with those who are interested.
Wear scarves, shawls and mufflers to cover your noise and mouth during colder weather. This way, the air will be warm before entering your lungs. Breathing in the cold air has been shown to trigger asthma attacks, especially in younger children with moderate to severe asthma.
Mold and mildew grow in a home due to the humidity that creates a friendly environment for them. These can very easily cause an attack. A dry home will help you out a lot more. You can maintain a dry home by using a dehumidifier and heater in the colder months, and air conditioning when it is warm.
The key to successfully managing asthma is preparation. If you educate yourself about the type of asthma that is affecting you, and the measures you can take to work through an attack, you can learn to manage your illness on a daily basis. By reading this article, you have taken an important step in gaining the understanding you need to keep your asthma in check.
Avoid cold-induced asthma attacks by protecting your mouth and nose with a scarf. This will warm the air before it enters your lungs. Cold air can trigger severe attacks, especially for young children.