More people than ever are looking for effective treatments for asthma. Due to a high demand, there are many creative therapies for this disease. Now is the best time to discover a method that can work well for your particular asthma. By reading this information below, you will have a pretty good idea about different avenues you can explore to find an asthma remedy.
Do you know the type of asthma that you suffer with? When you’re informed about your asthma, you’ll be able to do more to cope with the illness and prevent it from having a negative effect on your life. People suffering from asthma that is exercise-induced, for example, had best be prepared for asthma attacks at the gym! If you know and understand your asthma triggers, you can better avoid and handle attacks.
What triggers your asthma? Before you can develop a self-care plan for your asthma symptoms, you need to know the specific cause of your symptoms. People suffering from asthma that is exercise-induced, for example, had best be prepared for asthma attacks at the gym! When you know what triggers your asthma, you will be more prepared to stop attacks before they begin.
If asthma is something that you are afflicted with, then don’t smoke or immediately quit. 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.
Asthma is a continuous disease that needs ongoing management. Ensure you’re taking the proper medications in order to manage everyday asthma symptoms. In addition, you should have a quick-fix medication handy in the event you suffer from an attack. Consult with your physician and allergist to find out what is best for you.
Always be very mindful of the type of medications you’re taking. Some meds out there might just trigger an asthma attack. Some of these include aspirin and NSAIDs. Some medications can cause your asthma to be worse such as beta blockers for high blood pressure or heart disease. If you’ve been diagnosed as asthmatic and are taking medications unrelated to your asthma, be sure your doctor is aware of them.
To minimize the chances of triggering a bout of asthma, keep your house extra clean, particularly rooms where asthma patients sleep. Food should be eaten only in the kitchen or dining room, and cigarettes are best relegated to outdoor smoking areas. After you clean, let the house air out completely, and stay away from using any harsh chemicals (especially bleach) inside.
If you have mild to moderate asthma attack, breathe out forcefully to get every bit of air out from your lungs. Exhale as fast and hard as you can. You want to force all of 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. This creates a rhythm to your breathing, making you pay attention to the breaths you take. It also allows you to take in more air by completely emptying your lungs. You might cough hard or create mucus, but its just a sign your breathing is getting back to normal.
You should know what triggers your asthma attacks; this will allow you to either avoid them or be ready to manage the symptoms. Most asthma sufferers have a few common triggers such as smoke, pet dander or pollen. If able, avoid anything that results in symptoms of asthma or an asthma attack.
If you are prone to asthma attacks, avoid any cigarette or other tobacco smoke. Don’t smoke! Avoid fumes and vapors of any kind. Chemical fumes will trigger asthma attacks that you won’t be able to put an end to. Do everything you can to avoid cigarette smoke, air pollution, allergens and harsh chemical fumes to keep your asthma symptoms under control.
Rescue Medication
Never use a fan in a dirty, dust-filled room. This will move all the dust around, and can easily trigger an asthma attack. If you wish to have a breeze, open a window instead of running a fan.
Know how to properly use asthma medicine, especially your rescue medication. Typically, asthma is treated using normal medications along with rescue medication, like an inhaler, for emergency situations. Asthma is not curable, so it is very important that you take your medication properly and only use your rescue medication if you need it.
Properly use the inhaler every time you must use it. Find a comfy spot, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The inhaler is only useful if the medication within it actually gets to your lungs. As you are inhaling air, spray the correct dosage in your mouth. Holding your breath for a minimum of 10 seconds gives the medicinal mist from the inhaler time to spread itself throughout your lungs.
Asthma takes a long time to develop and doesn’t yield obvious symptoms. A few people have even died from an asthma attack without knowing they even had this dangerous condition. Always consult with a doctor to see if a persistent cough or difficulty breathing is a sign that you require treatment for asthma. There may even be things you can do to prevent it from getting worse.
Talk to a social worker if you’re not eligible for any health insurance and you’re an asthma sufferer. Asthma patients need their medications, and a social worker might be able to hook you up with programs to help you such as clinics and programs through pharmaceutical companies.
Using a preventative inhaler is important, but you need to know the side effects it can cause such as mouth infections. Brushing or gargling immediately after use can help reduce the risk of infection and other problems.
Asthma attacks have been found to be more likely in homes where four or more different cleaning products are in use. Opt for organic cleaning products that do not contain irritating chemicals.
Rescue Inhaler
Keep all your doctors appointments even if your asthma symptoms aren’t bothering you. Your health care provider may have new prescriptions that could benefit you in case the need arises.
Keep track of the number of times per week you use your rescue inhaler. You should not have to rely on a rescue inhaler more than twice per week. If you find yourself needing it more often, it could be a sign that your asthma is not being controlled well or that there is a new environmental factor causing attacks more frequently. Remembering the times you use the inhaler provides a good way to keep checking your environment, as well as other things in your plan to manage your asthma.
You may want to join an online or offline support group. Asthma, especially if it is severe, can be quite debilitating and can keep you from being an active participant in life. Your peers will be able to provide you with advice and tips that work for them, information about new treatment techniques, and even some home remedies you might not know about.
It should be clear to you now: there are plenty of different treatment options available to asthma sufferers. You have to find the treatments that work best for you. You can speak with your doctor about any information you learn about treatments you think may benefit you. If you use this advice to full advantage, you’ll also be able to use your lungs to full advantage.
See how many times a week you typically use the rescue inhaler. Using it more often than twice weekly means that you should have your asthma assessed by a doctor. How frequently you need to use the inhaler can help you recognize any environmental changes you need to make.