Having an asthma attack is scary and stressful, especially when you know you have to deal with it your whole life. However, if you know how to deal with the asthma, you can improve your quality of life drastically. This article will give you some great tips to help you understand, and manage your asthma.
A great idea to help your child with asthmatic problems is to avoid smoking in any areas they frequent. One of the biggest reasons people have asthma is secondhand smoke. It’s best to also keep your child away from places in which others will be smoking.
If you have an asthmatic child, do not allow anyone to smoke around him. Secondhand smoke is something that can lead to serious asthma. Never allow anyone to smoke around your child, and teach them not to smoke as an adult themselves.
When you have asthma, it is vital that you avoid cleaning products. Cleaning products contain a plethora of chemicals that are triggers to exacerbating symptoms related to asthma, as well as the attacks themselves. If you do the cleaning in your house, use natural solutions that are safer for you to breath in.
The symptoms of asthma might not always be apparent, but for those that suffer from the disease, the condition never goes away entirely. Be certain that you are using the right maintenance medicines to control your asthma and that you also have a rescue or emergency medication when you have an acute asthma attack. To determine the best options for you personally, consult your physician and an allergist.
Avoid anything that can trigger your asthma. For some people, this is allergy related; things like pollen and dust can start an attack. It could also be some type of strenuous exercise. Try and figure out what gets your asthma started so you know what to avoid.
If you are suffering from a moderate or mild attack, do your best to force as much air out of the lungs as possible. Breathe out fast and hard. Push that air from your lungs with all that you’ve got! Breathe in by taking three quick breaths, followed by one very deep breath. Doing this will fill your lungs completely, and allow you to expel the air forcefully again. Using this strategy provides your breathing with a rhythm that forces you to focus on it. It also expels air from your lungs so more can enter. You may cough or generate sputum, this is okay, your main goal is to get your breathing back on track again.
If you’re suffering from an asthma attack that’s moderate or mild, then work to force all the air you can from your lungs. When you breathe out, exhale the air quickly and as hard as you can. You want to force all of the air from your lungs. Breathe in by taking three quick breaths, followed by one very deep breath. Doing this will fill your lungs completely, and allow you to expel the air forcefully again. Paying attention this way will help you stabilize your breathing and make it rhythmic. By repeatedly forcing air out, you make room for new air so that your breathing can get back on track. It is okay that you cough up some sputum, you really want to breathe right again.
Be sure to avoid cigarette smoke if you have asthma. Smoking is off limits. Do not breathe in the vapors or any other chemical fumes. These irritants can be a trigger for a severe asthma attack. Leave a room if people smoke, or ask them to stop.
If you have asthma that is not covered by health insurance, contact someone in a government agency, like a social worker. Asthma medications are never cheap, but it’s vital that you receive them and that is the social worker’s goal. He or she will deal with the clinics directly in efforts to remedy the situation.
Asthma Attacks
Using over four kinds of cleaning products in the home can trigger asthma attacks. Try using organic cleaning products that are not comprised of irritating chemicals.
When you are having a difficult time with asthma, you might want to use a leukotriene inhibitor. Leukotriene inhibitors block the effects of leukotrienes. Leukotrienes are molecules that cause the tracheal muscles to contract; having too many leukotrienes makes asthma attacks more likely. Get the inhibitor to prevent the leukotrienes, and your asthma attacks may drop in number.
In order to minimize the chance of an asthma attack, be sure to keep your living area very clean, most definitely the bedroom area. Food should not be eaten outside of the kitchen, and there should be no indoor smoking. Once you have cleaned your house, air it out; you should also eliminate utilizing any toxic chemicals inside.
A dehumidifier is an excellent investment for asthma sufferers. If you lessen your humidity in the house, you will stave off dust mites that may make your asthma flare. Dehumidifiers keep the air in your home dry by eliminating humidity.
If you’re suffering from a cold or allergies, you should talk to your doctor about taking additional asthma medication. Make sure your doctor prescribes a fast acting inhaler for emergency situations. Your physician might also work an additional treatment into your therapy until such time as you are healthier.
If you suffer from asthma, you might want to use a pillow that doesn’t contain feathers. The feathers from a pillow can cause asthma symptoms and decrease your lung function. It is also advisable to use hypoallergenic sheets and comforters for the same reason.
Take notes of what can trigger your asthma attacks so that you can be prepared for a future attack or learn how to avoid them all together. Some common asthma triggers include pet dander, pollen, and cigarette smoke. Whenever you can, stay away from these agents that can trigger symptoms or cause full-blown asthma attacks.
When you are traveling, make sure you have a rescue inhaler with you. Traveling can be somewhat stressful and put added strain your body, which might make you more likely to respond to asthma triggers by having an attack. Controlling your environment is harder when traveling, so this makes it much more probable that you experience worsening symptoms or an attack.
In the winter, cover your mouth and nose with a scarf or shawl to prevent asthma attacks. This lets the air warm slightly before you breathe it in. Inhalation of cold air is proven to initiate asthma attacks, and younger kids afflicted with asthma of moderate or severe proportions are especially at risk.
Humidity in your home causes an environment where mildew and mold are more likely to grow. Both mold and mildew are associated with asthma attacks. Try, then, to ensure your home is dry. You can maintain a dry home by using a dehumidifier and heater in the colder months, and air conditioning when it is warm.
If you are traveling by plane and taking along your asthma medications, make sure to have with you any written doctors prescriptions, especially when carrying some large asthma equipment like a nebulizer. If you have written proof about the item you have,and that it is medically necessary, there will be less hassles going through security.
Anyone who has been diagnosed with asthma should strive to be knowledgeable about the nature of the condition. Once you are educated about asthma, you will be better able to manage your condition. Make sure you apply these tips and keep looking for new information regularly.
If you have asthma, don’t stop using your inhaler unless your doctor tells you to. However, watch for infections in your gums or other mouth discomfort after using your inhaler. You can prevent any of these mouth issues by brushing your teeth and gargling mouthwash as soon as you use the inhaler.