Asthma can be a serious condition that can negatively affect your life. It is important to take proactive measures to get asthma under control before you experience a critical event that puts you in the hospital. There are many tips in this article that can help you control your asthma.
A great idea to help your child with asthmatic problems is to avoid smoking in any areas they frequent. Secondhand smoke is one of the leading culprits that causes asthma. Keep your child away from any area where people are smoking.
Asthma Attacks
When you are suffering from an asthma attack, exhale all of the oxygen from your lungs. Exhale as fast and hard as you can. Forcefully push the air out from your lungs. Then take three small breaths in, followed by a deeper breath to fill your lungs comfortably. Next, exhale forcefully again. This will force you to pay careful attention to all of your breaths. Expelling the air from your lungs in this fashion also allows you to breathe in deeper. You may cough or generate sputum, this is okay, your main goal is to get your breathing back on track again.
In order to prevent asthma attacks, keep away from triggers. Allergens such as dust and pollen can bring on an asthma attack at any time. Others have asthma attacks when they participate in physical activities. Know your asthma causes so you can avoid putting yourself in a situation where you may suffer from an attack.
Use the inhaler properly. Move to a quiet area, and then simply follow manufacturer’s instructions. The only way the inhaler can help is if the medication can reach your lungs. As you are inhaling air, spray the correct dosage in your mouth. Be sure to hold the mist in your lungs for about ten seconds.
When you suffer a medium-intensity attack, try and forcefully exhale all air from your lungs. When you breathe out, exhale the air quickly and as hard as you can. This will force the air from your lungs. Follow this by breathing in three times quickly, and a fourth time deeply to ensure your lungs are filled to capacity, then exhale again as forcefully as possible. This establishes a regular pattern to your breathing routine, which means you have to pay attention to how you are breathing. It will also empty your lungs of air, so that they’re ready to take in new, fresh air. You may cough or generate sputum, this is okay, your main goal is to get your breathing back on track again.
Make sure you are taking plenty of Vitamins E and C if you suffer from asthma. Since both of these have been attributed to better function of the lungs, they also help to control the symptoms of asthma. Either find a good vitamin supplement to take, or change your diet to include more foods rich in Vitamins E and C. These vitamins will also help prevent illnesses by boosting your body’s immune system.
If you have asthma and suffer persistent attacks caused by allergy symptoms, an injectable medicine can be administered for extended relief. Omalizumab, an antibody medicine, might be suggested by an allergist and controls allergic reactions.
To minimize the chances of triggering a bout of asthma, keep your house extra clean, particularly rooms where asthma patients sleep. Only eat in the kitchen, and never let anyone smoke inside the house. After using chemical to clean, air out the house.
Know how to use your inhaler properly! Find a peaceful spot, and make sure to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Remember that using an inhaler is only going to help you if the medication contained within makes its way to the lungs. Inhale the air and spray the right amount down your throat. After inhaling, it’s important that you hold the medication in by holding your breath for 10 seconds at the least.
Mold and mildew can grow in your home where there is humidity. Protect yourself against allergens, dust mites and fungus to avoid exacerbating your asthma symptoms. A dry home will help you out a lot more. Using a dehumidifier during cold weather and turning on your air conditioner when the weather gets hot again can help keep humidity out of your home to ensure your asthma is under control.
A dehumidifier is a beneficial investment for anyone with asthma. If you lessen your humidity in the house, you will stave off dust mites that may make your asthma flare. Dehumidifiers work by pulling the moisture out of the air of your home.
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. Brushing or gargling immediately after use can help reduce the risk of infection and other problems.
If you are an asthma patient, be sure to stay away from people who smoke, even if you are not a smoker yourself. When you inhale tobacco smoke, particularly in closeted areas, the functioning of your lungs can decrease, and you may suffer an attack.
Keep notes on how often you are compelled to use your inhaler each week. If you use it very often, you may not have it under control. The frequency of use of your inhaler can give you an idea about your surroundings and the need to watch them.
Flu Shot
When preventing asthma, stay away from smoke. Cigarette smoke will often trigger an asthma attack. Avoid triggers like vapors, chemical fumes, and cigarette smoke as much as you can. These can increase symptoms of asthma. If you know someone who smokes, politely ask that they do not smoke in your presence.
Receiving a flu shot annually is very important if you or a loved one are asthmatic. Prevent those flu infections before they happen by getting a flu shot each year.
Asthma sufferers should minimize their contact with animals and pets. While allergies from animals can complicate asthma, those without allergies can get asthma attacks from dust or pollen that the animals carry.
You should understand what triggers your asthma attacks in order for you to avoid these causes or prepare yourself for managing your symptoms. Smoke, pollen, or pet dander are common triggers. If able, avoid anything that results in symptoms of asthma or an asthma attack.
Dust, pollen, allergens and other asthma aggravators tend to collect in bed linens. You may cut down on these potential inducers of an asthma attack by cleaning your sheets and pillows in hot water each week. If you are sleeping on freshly laundered linens, you will sleep much easier.
When you travel, your rescue medication should be with you all the time. Traveling can make you more likely to suffer from attacks due to the extra strain and stress on your body. Traveling can make asthma symptoms worse, and it is difficult, nearly impossible to control environmental triggers during travel.
Asthma support groups can also provide moral support to help you deal with difficult times and the frustration of asthma. Your support group can give you some suggestions on how deal with certain situations, and help you to fight your asthma. Support from people around you is key.
Think about the benefits of joining an online or in-person support group. If you have asthma, it can stop you from participating in basic activities like sports, especially if the condition is severe. 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.
Finding out what causes your asthma attacks can be the most effective way to prevent them. Consider keeping a journal to help you identify possible asthma triggers and discuss the results with your doctor. Once they are known, do whatever it takes to prevent triggers from going off, and if possible, just wipe them out of your life and environment completely.
Mold and mildew can thrive in a humid home environment. These fungi are both common triggers for asthma attacks. You should therefore try to keep your home dry. During winter time, use a dehumidifier if necessary to control humidity while running your heater, and use your air conditioner during summer months to keep air dry.
You can help slow down an asthma attack by drinking the equivalent of two Coca Colas worth of caffeine. Only use this as an emergency measure if your asthma inhaler is not close by during an attack. You can actually reduce some asthma attack symptoms with coffee, strong black tea and even chocolate, be sure to check into other items as well. Caffeine constricts your blood vessels, which causes your airways to open.
Wear a covering over your mouth and nose when you go outdoors in the colder weather. A shawl, scarf or muffler would work well. Proper winter wear can keep cold air from agitating your lungs. Breathing in air that’s cold can trigger an attack, particularly in younger children that have moderate or severe asthma.
If you live with a person who smokes and you suffer from asthma, obviously smoking should not be permitted in your home. If there is a smoker present, they should be directed to smoke outside or away from asthma sufferers. Heavy smokers may trigger an asthma attack just by carrying the scent of smoke on their clothing.
If you are taking your prescriptions with you on a flight, make sure to take your prescription. Having proof in writing from a doctor that states the item is a medical necessity can eliminate security hassles.
Get a flu vaccination every year. Even if you never get sick, or the flu doesn’t affect you, a vaccination is still preferred. If you’re prone to getting asthma attacks, it’s more likely that you’ll seriously suffer from respiratory or sinus infections caused the a virus or the flu.
Talk to your physician if you feel your symptoms aren’t improving. Apply these tips where you can and you are sure to keep your negative symptoms away and improve your way of life.
If your toddler has asthma, be sure to be vigilant of symptoms that may necessitate professional emergency care. Difficulty breathing, breathing with a gasping sound and difficulty talking can all be serious signals. Any of these signs signifies that your child requires immediate medical attention.