If you do not treat your asthma, it can quickly become dangerous. Asthma attacks are unpleasant, and in some cases, can be fatal. It is important to get the assistance of a medical professional; however, this should stop you from taking steps yourself. Here are a few easy tips to help you get a handle on your asthma symptoms.
If you suffer from asthma, don’t smoke, and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke. Thus, you need to avoid cigarettes and cigars and be vigilant about steering clear of environmental or workplace exposure to smoke.
Avoid being around any known asthma triggers. For many people, allergens such as dust and pollen can induce an attack. Some things, such as physical exertion, can cause an asthma attack. Determine what sets your asthma off so you can stay away from these things.
If your child or another loved one suffers from asthma, you should be sure to never smoke cigarettes when you’re near them. As far as triggers that cause asthma attacks or causes of the condition in general, secondhand cigarette smoke ranks right up there. Always ensure your child is in a smoke-free area.
If you are suffering from a mild or moderate asthma attack, expel all the air from your lungs. Exhale as quickly as possible, expelling air forcefully out of your lungs. Try to force the air out of your lungs! Take three short breaths, and then take a fourth, deeper breath to fill your lungs comfortably; then, breathe out with force again. Paying attention this way will help you stabilize your breathing and make it rhythmic. It will also help to get the air to come out of the lungs so more can come in. You may generate sputum or cough but that is alright, since your main objective is getting you to breathe normally again.
If you have asthma and suffer persistent attacks caused by allergy symptoms, an injectable medicine can be administered for extended relief. Omalizumab is an antibody medication that is used to control these allergic reaction symptoms and may be recommended by your allergist.
Social workers are there for your assistance if you live with asthma, yet can’t get approved for health insurance. A social worker can possibly help you with finding treatment and low-cost medications.
An annual flu vaccination is recommended for you as well as other members of your family. Asthma patients should try their best to avoid getting respiratory infections. The preventative measures you can take against such sickness range from simple habits of hand washing to getting your annual flu shot.
Be sure not to smoke as well as stay away from any smokers in general, this can be very harmful for you if you have asthma. When tobacco smoke is inhaled, especially in closed-in areas, your lung function can be drastically decreased, which can increase your chances of suffering from an attack.
If you have asthma, avoid people who 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.
Make sure you are aware of what triggers your asthma so you can avoid it or prepare properly. Generally, it is found that items such as smoke and pollen can trigger attacks in those that suffer with asthma. If at all possible, strive to avoid substances and locations that trigger your asthma symptoms or attacks.
Know that your asthma treatment or medication may have to be increased a bit if you are suffering from allergies, hay fever or a cold. The effects of an illness can cause the severity of your asthma to temporarily increase, which necessitates a change in treatment. Your physician might also work an additional treatment into your therapy until such time as you are healthier.
Don’t skip appointments for your checkups, even if you haven’t had any recent asthma attacks. Your doctor may be able to prescribe more effective treatments and you may be suffering symptoms you’re not aware are related to your asthma.
If you’ve been diagnosed with asthma, be sure to get flu shots every year. This is doubly important for asthmatic children. Getting vaccinated yearly can help keep many of these illnesses at bay.
Most of the triggers for attacks, and causes of asthma, are found inside the home. Such irritants include mold spores, dust, smoke and chemical fumes. To keep these triggers out of your home, have a professional inspector come to your home each year to remove these nasties from your home. Also, cleaning your house can help with this buildup.
Think about signing up for a support group locally or online. Asthma, especially severe asthma, can be a debilitating condition and prevent you from participating fully in daily life. As science marches on, new medications and treatments for asthma become available, and you can keep abreast of this progress through a good support group.
Asthma is an uncurable disease, but that doesn’t mean that the symptoms are permanent and can’t go away. However, just like most things in life, overcoming your asthma symptoms takes time and effort. If you follow these easy tips, you’ll find that your symptoms will get better over time and you’ll be able to enjoy a healthier, more active lifestyle.
When it’s colder, wear a shawl, scarf or muffler that will cover your mouth and nose to avoid asthma attacks. This will keep you from breathing cold air. Breathing cold air can set off an asthma attack, particularly in small children who have have somewhat severe asthma.