Asthma can sometimes be a frightening condition because it inhibits your breathing ability, something basic to all humans. Asthma attacks come with no warning, and the condition can shorten your life or even bring it to an abrupt halt. This article not only explains some of the triggers of asthma attacks, but also details solutions for reducing the frequency and severity of asthma attacks.
Do you know which type of asthma you suffer from? If you identify your specific causes, you can be prepared to treat the symptoms when they appear during your daily routines. For example, if you have exercise-induced asthma, you will want to always make sure you have an inhaler in your gym bag. You can avoid a crisis by knowing your symptoms’ patterns.
If you find yourself having a mild asthma attack, force the air from your lungs until they are empty. Exhale as fast and hard as you can. Push that air from your lungs with all that you’ve got! Do your inhalations in triple bursts of short breaths, and then follow with final deep inhalation so that you fill your lungs comfortably, before exhaling with vehemence once more. Pay attention to what you are doing and follow a regular rhythm. Expelling the air from your lungs in this fashion also allows you to breathe in deeper. You may generate sputum or cough but that is alright, since your main objective is getting you to breathe normally again.
Some medications can exacerbate asthma symptoms as a side effect. NSAIDs and aspirin are known for their ability to cause symptoms. You can also use medications that can control high blood pressure and heart disease, things like beta blockers. Make sure your physician is aware of all of your chronic conditions and any medications you are on so they can treat your asthma appropriately.
If the room that you’re in is dusty, do not turn on a fan. This can move the dust around and can trigger an attack easily. If possible, open a window to increase the flow of air into the room.
Asthma is a chronic condition that is ongoing over time, and as such, will require a continual treatment and management regimen. 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. To find which treatment options are the best for you and your condition, make sure you speak with a doctor and allergist.
If you suffer from asthma, and have many attacks that are related to your allergy symptoms, there is a medication that is injected and provides long term effects. Omalizumab is an antibody medication that is used to control these allergic reaction symptoms and may be recommended by your allergist.
If you are having trouble preventing asthma attacks, you may find success with a leukotriene inhibitor. Leukotriene inhibitors block the effects of leukotrienes. A leukotriene will cause inflammation in the respiratory system, causing an asthma attack. This inhibitor can prevent leukotrienes, which makes you less likely to have an asthma attack.
A leukotriene inhibitor can be helpful if you have asthma. There are modern medicines that are highly effective at blocking leukotrienes. Leukotrienes has a hand in causing swelling and inflammation in your lungs, and may trigger a asthma attack. If you use an inhibitor, you may find that the your asthma attacks significantly decrease.
Make sure you are using your inhaler properly. Find a comfy spot, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The inhaler can only help you if the medication actually reaches the lungs. While inhaling air, spray required dosage in your mouth. You should keep your breath held for 10 seconds at a minimum to let the medicated mist fill up your lungs.
An annual flu vaccination is highly recommended for yourself and your family. Try to avoid getting any respiratory infections if you have asthma. This means you should also be sure to wash your hands frequently and get vaccinated.
Consider buying a dehumidifier for the home if you have 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 keep your home dry by keeping the humidity out.
You may want to consider purchasing a dehumidifier for your home if you suffer from asthma. Decreasing the humidity in the house decreases dust mites, which decreases asthma flare ups. Dehumidifiers keep your home dry by keeping the humidity out.
If you use any more than four kinds of cleaning product around your home, then the risk of an asthma attack is increased. Organic cleaners are also a safer choice since they contain fewer chemical irritants.
People suffering from asthma should stick to unscented products. Products with fragrance, such as perfumes, colognes, and air fresheners, introduce irritants into the air around you and can cause asthma attacks. Certain things in the home, such as newly installed carpet or fresh paint, can also release chemical irritants. As much as possible, try to keep your home filled with fresh, pure air.
A humid home environment is a healthy environment for mildew and mold to develop. Mold and mildew can have a hand in making you suffer a asthma attack! Therefore, you should always strive to maintain a dry home. When it’s cold, a dehumidifier can keep moisture to a minimum; in hot months, your A/C unit will do the same thing.
Make sure you are aware of what triggers your asthma so you can avoid it or prepare properly. A lot of asthma sufferers have some triggers in common, like pollen, smoke and pet dander. If able, avoid anything that results in symptoms of asthma or an asthma attack.
Making mouth and nose coverings such as mufflers, shawls or scarves a routine part of your winter wardrobe can help you ward off asthma attacks. This will warm the air before it enters your lungs. Breathing in the cold air has been shown to trigger asthma attacks, especially in younger children with moderate to severe asthma.
Support Group
For a deeper and more thorough cleaning, mop your floors instead of simply sweeping them. Sweeping your floor can kick allergens into the air, triggering an asthma attack. Use a dampened rag when dusting, instead of a feather duster, so as to prevent stirring up loose dust particles and other asthma triggers.
Try joining an in-person or virtual asthma support group. Asthma is a disease that can affect your everyday life and prove debilitating in so many ways. Being a part of a support group can help provide you with honest information about products and helpful hints, as well as medical news.
Avoid smoke to prevent asthma and asthma attacks. Smoke can cause asthma attacks. Stay away from chemical fumes, vapors, and cigarette smoke at all times. These can increase symptoms of asthma. If someone starts smoking near you, politely inquire whether they can smoke in your absence.
Some of the major causes of asthma, and triggers for asthma attacks, can exist right in the home. These triggers include dust, spores and mold. To keep yourself healthy and avoid asthma attacks, you may need to hire an inspector to come out once a year to test your home and remove any irritants. Clean up your house regularly so these substances do not accumulate.
Bed linens tend to collect asthma triggers like pollen, dust and other allergens. You can get rid of these by washing your sheets and other linens in very hot water each week. Fresh bed linens, washed regularly, will ensure that you can breathe a little easier while you sleep.
Rescue Medication
If you are suffering from an asthma attack, try to remain calm and do not panic. You should use your inhaler immediately upon the first signs of an attack. Once you have used it, use it again 30 seconds later. If you do this and you notice that your attack is worsening then you need to get help. Have someone call an ambulance for you, or have them bring you to a hospital. To calm yourself on the drive, bring a paper bag and breathe into it, as this will slow your breathing.
Know how to properly use asthma medicine, especially your rescue medication. Asthma is generally treated with a rescue medication, usually an inhaler, in addition to a regularly-taken maintenance medication. It’s important to use both forms of medication properly to treat your chronic condition.
Talk to your doctor about adjusting your medication if you find yourself using the inhaler 3 or more times per week. Frequent use may be a signal that the medication is not effective. It also isn’t working right if you’re having to refill the inhaler more than two times a year.
Using your preventative inhaler should be done daily. It’s important to know, though, that it can cause sores and infections near your gums and teeth. Prevent these unnecessary side effects by gargling and brushing your teeth right after you use the inhaler.
Buy a mask to keep yourself from breathing in harmful fumes if you plan on painting in your home. Paint can irritate your asthma a lot, so this mask acts like a protective barrier to prevent this. Don’t use certain chemicals and substances that could aggravate your asthma.
Smoking is particularly bad for people with asthma. Most people know how dangerous smoking is, but for someone afflicted with asthma, the dangers are ten times more serious. An asthmatic’s lungs are more vulnerable than those of a healthy individual, which makes it especially important to abstain from smoking and avoid secondhand smoke.
Knowing your catalysts for asthma attacks is the first step to preventing them. A notebook is a good idea for finding specific triggers, so you can talk about them with your physician. By identifying the causes of your asthma symptoms, you can then work to eliminate these triggers from your life completely.
Try to avoid the seasonal pollen that may trigger an asthma attack. Even though asthma is not considered to be an allergy, asthma is triggered by the same things that cause allergies. The same air quality reports available in the local news for allergy problems can also help those with asthma issues stay indoors on particularly hazardous days.
Keep an eye on your allergy attacks and consider switching your prescription if you suffer from more than two asthma attacks a week. Both doctors and nurses claim having a larger number than two attacks each week can be very hazardous. This can be easily prevented.
If you’re finding that you need to use your inhaler 3 or more times a week, it’s best to talk to your doctor about switching medications. This means your inhaler isn’t working right. Similarly, if you need to purchase refill inhalers more than twice a year, your medication is ineffective.
Caffeine is a good thing to take if you happen to leave your asthma controller medication at home and then have an asthma attack. Many people have found that consuming black tea, coffee or chocolate may lessen the effects of an attack. What happens is that your airways open by your blood vessels constricting.
Treatment Plan
Sometimes food allergies can trigger an asthma attack in children. Pay attention to any allergy symptoms your child develops after eating. You should test your children for a food allergy if they experience any strange symptoms such as hives when they eat something in particular. These allergies may indicate the possibility of asthma in the future.
Schedule regular appointments with your physician to keep tabs on your asthma. Your physician needs to have the opportunity to see what is happening with you, and alter your treatment plan if necessary. The responsibility of scheduling these appointments falls on you. Make sure you attend each and every one so that your doctor can stay updated on how your treatment plan is working in order to help you remain healthy.
Asthma sufferers should take care to warm up before doing and strenuous exercise and cool down well afterwards. Avoid asthma problems by incorporating both into your exercise regime.
If asthma is allowed to go untreated and uncontrolled, it can be fatal. Utilize the content provided here, you can learn to control your asthma and enjoy a healthier, more active lifestyle.
Waking up with an asthma attack at night more than 3 times a week, or using your inhaler 3 or more times a week is a sign that your asthma medication needs to be evaluated. Talk to your doctor as soon as possible.