Be it a sudden attack, chronic symptoms or just the threat of it looming constantly in your life, asthma is a frightening and obtrusive condition to deal with. Learning different remedies and techniques for controlling asthma can put you back in the driver’s seat of your own life. Read further to learn some helpful ways to cope with asthma.
If you suffer from asthma, it is vital that you avoid smoking; if you do, you should quit. Smoking is unhealthy for anyone, regardless of their health; however, when you have asthma, smoking restricts the oxygen your lungs needs to breathe and function properly. If your lung function is affected, you run the risk of having more frequent attacks.
People afflicted by asthma should make it a priority to always avoid exposure to smoke, vapors and fumes. This means you need to keep away from tobacco products and only seek out jobs where you aren’t exposed to any harmful chemicals, smoke or vapors.
When you are suffering from an asthma attack, exhale all of the oxygen from your lungs. Exhale hard and fast. Force your lungs to expel as much air as possible. Take three short breaths, then one last deep breath to ensure your lungs have enough air, then forcefully breath out. This will force you to pay careful attention to all of your breaths. In addition, it repeatedly empties your lungs of air, so that you can draw in more oxygen-rich air. It is okay to cough, even to generate sputum. Your ultimate goal is getting your breathing regulated.
Don’t smoke around your child if they have asthma; this could worsen their situation. Second-hand cigarette smoke is a leading cause of asthma. Any place where smoking is allowed should be avoided if you have a child with asthma.
Never use a fan in a dirty, dust-filled room. This can move the dust around and can trigger an attack easily. Open some windows if you want fresh air.
In order to prevent asthma attacks, keep away from triggers. For many people, allergens such as dust and pollen can induce an attack. Some people get attacks after being physically active. Figure out what sets off your asthma so you can avoid it.
A dehumidifier is a beneficial investment for anyone with asthma. Cutting down the humidity in the house will lower the amount dust mites in the air, and that will mean fewer asthma flare-ups. Dehumidifiers eliminate your home’s humidity, leaving dry air.
Actually Trigger
Using four or more cleaners in your home can contribute to asthma attacks. To limit the chemicals in the air, look for organic cleaning alternatives.
There are some medications out there that you could be taking which will actually trigger your asthma symptoms. Believe it or not, something as seemingly innocuous as aspirin can actually trigger symptoms. You should also pay attention to heart medications you may take, or ones that treat abnormal blood pressure. If you suffer from these conditions and also have asthma, be sure to let your doctor know.
If you suffer from asthma, don’t expose yourself to secondhand smoke. Inhaling smoke from tobacco products can compromise your lung function, which then makes you more susceptible to an attack. The risk of an attack from cigarette smoke is increased as the space you are in decreases.
If you suffer from asthma and allergies that result in attacks, you can get injections of long-lasting medication for relief. Omalizumab is an antibody medication that is used to control these allergic reaction symptoms and may be recommended by your allergist.
Unscented products are the safest option for those who suffer from asthma. Products that contain fragrance, such as perfumes, colognes, or air fresheners, fill the air with irritants that can trigger an asthma attack. In addition, paint that is fresh or carpet that is new release odors that can cause breathing irritations that lead to an asthma attack. Keep the air inside your home clean and fresh, and free of any asthma triggers.
If you or someone in your family has asthma, all family members need to get flu shots every year. You can ward off a great number of these infections by having annual vaccinations.
Try to keep your home as clean as possible, especially the bedroom of the asthma sufferer, to reduce the risk of an asthma attack. Refrain from smoking inside the home, and keep edibles inside your kitchen. Harsh chemicals, like bleach and ammonia, can trigger asthma.
When you are traveling, make sure you have a rescue inhaler with you. Being in odd environments can cause undue stress on your body, which makes you more prone to an asthma attack. You won’t be able to control factors in your environment, such as air quality, while are away from home. This also adds to the likelihood of an attack or more symptoms than you are used to at home.
Be prepared for your asthma treatment to be increased if you have a cold or hay fever. The side effects of many illnesses can flare up your asthma so bad that you have to have an increase in treatment. Your physician might also add more treatments to your regimen until your asthma is under control again.
Mildew and mold grow best in a home with high humidity. Both of these substances are known to trigger asthma attacks. Thus, keep the air in your home as moisture-free as possible to avoid asthma-related problems. Use a dehumidifier during the winter time so that you can keep humidity in control when you use a heater. You can use the air conditioning in your household during summer time to get the same affect.
If you are asthmatic, it may be a good idea to use a pillow that is not filled with feathers. Feathers can decrease lung function and cause asthma symptoms. Also, make sure your other bedding is made with hypoallergenic materials.
If you are an asthma sufferer, you must learn how you can live a healthy life. The frustration of dealing with asthma can be easier if you have the right tips, and know how to manage it. Thankfully, we have learned much about asthma, and the advice given in this article is sure to help improve your quality of life.
You should always have your rescue medication with you when you are traveling. Traveling can put additional strain on your body, making you more susceptible to asthma triggers. It is also difficult to control your environment while traveling, making it more likely that you may experience an attack or worsening symptoms.