So, you have just received an asthma diagnosis, and you feel stressed and panicky. Asthma is generally accepted to be a chronic disease that currently has no cure. Do not despair; life will go on and you can deal with your condition. You will have to make a few changes so you can live as comfortably as possible.
What type of asthma do you suffer from? You can learn to combat the life changing effects of asthma by understanding your specific type. For instance, people with exercise-induced asthma would do well to carry an inhaler in their gym bag! If you know and understand your asthma triggers, you can better avoid and handle attacks.
Do not smoke around your children if they have asthma. Secondhand smoke is something that can lead to serious asthma. If your child is in an area where people are smoking, remove him quickly to avoid an asthma attack.
If you are having an attack that is not severe, push as much air out of the lungs as possible. Make your exhalations quick and forceful. This will force the air from your lungs. 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 also keeps air flowing out of the lung,s so that you can refill them. You might start coughing, and some sputum may come up, but this is no problem and your focus is to get back into a relaxed, rythmic breathing pattern again.
Avoid anything that can trigger your asthma. This could be something you’re allergic to like pollen or dust. For other people it may physical activities that will set them off. Determine what sets your asthma off so you can stay away from these things.
Think about buying a dehumidifier if your asthma symptoms are bad. By decreasing the humidity you have in your home, it will decrease the dust mites, which will then decrease your asthma from flaring up. A dehumidifier makes the air in your home dry by keeping humidity to a minimum.
Asthma is a continuous disease that needs ongoing management. Make sure to take the right medication for controlling everyday asthma symptoms, but also have quick relief medication with you in case of an attack. To determine the best options for you personally, consult your physician and an allergist.
Keep your home free of dust and other triggers, especially where the person who suffers from asthma sleeps. Only eat in the kitchen, and never let anyone smoke inside the house. Harsh chemicals, like bleach and ammonia, can trigger asthma.
Exhale Forcefully
Be knowledgeable about the factors that cause asthma attacks in order to avoid the triggers or develop a plan for managing the symptoms of asthma. Smoke, pollen, or pet dander are common triggers. Whenever you can, just steer clear of these triggers when you know what they would result in.
If you have moderate asthma attacks, exhale forcefully, so that you force air from your lungs. When you breathe out, exhale the air quickly and as hard as you can. Exhale with maximum force! Inhale in three short breaths and one fourth deeper breath so that your lungs are comfortably full of air, then exhale forcefully again. This gives your breathing a rhythm and makes you focus on your breathing. It also allows you to take in more air by completely emptying your lungs. You might start coughing, and some sputum may come up, but this is no problem and your focus is to get back into a relaxed, rythmic breathing pattern again.
Monitor how many times, on a weekly basis, you are using your rescue inhaler. If you use it three or more times each week, your treatment plan may not be working effectively or else an atypical situation may be triggering an increased number of attacks. This number can help you monitor your environment for asthma triggers and let you determine if your treatment plan is working properly.
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 all fumes of chemical products or breathing harmful vapors. Doing so can cause an asthma attack you might not have the ability to stop. If you find that you have people smoking around you, get yourself out of that area rather quickly.
If you are cleaning, you should use a mop that is damp instead of a dry broom. Sweeping the floor kicks up dust and other debris that can set off an attack of your asthma. When dusting, try to use a damp rag rather than a feather duster to cut down on the spread of the triggers.
Make sure you are using your inhaler properly. Get to a place out of the way, and read the directions before starting. The inhaler is only beneficial if the medicine gets to your lungs. While inhaling, spray the dosage in your mouth. Be sure to hold the mist in your lungs for about ten seconds.
Avoid smoke to prevent asthma and asthma attacks. Smoke can trigger an asthma attack. Make sure to stay away from chemical fumes and cigarette smoke whenever possible. Things like this can make your asthma worse. If you in the company of someone who smokes, politely ask him to refrain when you are near.
As is evident by what you have read, preparedness is the key to managing asthma. You can avoid the serious complications of an asthma attack by managing your symptoms properly. You may just find the contents of this article makes a useful contribution to your fund of asthma knowledge.
Someone suffering from asthma should avoid animals. While an allergy to animal hair or dander is a possible asthma complication, even those sufferers free of such allergies can experience an asthma attack caused by the dust and pollen all animals tend to carry along with them.