Asthma keeps you from breathing properly, which can be extremely scary. Asthma is very limiting for some because an attack can occur very suddenly, and could potentially become fatal. This article can help you to understand why asthma attacks happen and point you toward ways to handle it and reduce the limits that it puts on you.
If you are having an attack that is not severe, push as much air out of the lungs as possible. Breathe out quick and forcefully. Truly pump all air from your lungs! 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. This will create a rhythm and will help you be aware of the way you are breathing. When air is forcefully exhaled, it allows a fresh intake of air to fill your lungs. This may cause you to cough or it may cause phlegm, but your breathing will be back to normal again.
If you have asthma and lack the health insurance coverage to deal with asthma treatment, talk to a social worker. It’s vital that you stay on medication, so there may be programs available to help you get them at a discount.
If you suffer from asthma, taking enough Vitamin E and C can help you. These vitamins make lungs function better and keep symptoms of asthma under control. Either find a good vitamin supplement to take, or change your diet to include more foods rich in Vitamins E and C. Getting enough vitamins is also a good way to prevent asthma attacks by boosting your immune system.
Asthma sufferers should take Vitamins E and C. Since both of these have been attributed to better function of the lungs, they also help to control the symptoms of asthma. It doesn’t matter if you get the vitamins for food or a supplement; just get them. Loading up on these vitamins will energize your immune system, aiding your body in preventing the illnesses that worsen or trigger asthma.
Asthma attacks have been found to be more likely in homes where four or more different cleaning products are in use. Try organic cleaners that are free of irritating chemicals.
It is best to use products that are unscented in the home with someone who is asthmatic. Fragrances are present in hundreds of common consumer products, including cleaning supplies, perfumes, detergents and room sprays. Any of these items could easily increase the of triggering an attack. New carpet and fresh paint can also emit odors that can irritate the airways. Take all necessary measures to ensure that your home is always filled with fresh, clean air.
Stay away from any tobacco smoke, even people that are smoking tobacco. When you breathe in smoke, especially in small spaces, it diminishes breathing ability, which greatly increases the probability of an asthma attack.
Lower the chances of asthma attacks by keeping a spotless home, particularly in the areas where you sleep. Only eat in the kitchen, and never let anyone smoke inside the house. When cleaning your home, try not to use products that contain harsh chemicals, such as bleach. You should also allow fresh air to thoroughly circulate throughout your home after you’re done cleaning it.
Keep your home clean. By keeping a clean environment, especially in a bedroom, you can lower your risk of asthma attacks. Food should be eaten only in the kitchen or dining room, and cigarettes are best relegated to outdoor smoking areas. After cleaning around the house, open windows and allow fresh air into the house. This can reduce the smell and pervasiveness of household cleaners like bleach.
If you or someone in your family has asthma, all family members need to get flu shots every year. Make sure your child’s vaccinations are up-to-date to avoid as many infections as possible.
A yearly flu shot is necessary if you suffer from asthma. Avoid a lot of these infections by getting vaccinated each year.
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. Most with asthma share common triggers, like pet dander, pollen or smoke. If at all possible, strive to avoid substances and locations that trigger your asthma symptoms or attacks.
Make it a habit to always have some rescue medication available when you travel. Traveling to different places might expose you to unexpected triggers, as your body is put under more strain when you travel. It is also hard to predict what will come up or to control your environment when you travel, which increases the chances of experiencing more severe symptoms or an attack.
When you are traveling, make sure you have a rescue inhaler with you. Traveling is hard on your body, opening you up to an asthma attack. Influencing the environment around you is nearly impossible while on the road, which is another opportunity for deteriorating symptoms or attack triggers.
During the colder months, avoid asthma attacks by wearing a scarf, shawl or muffler that covers the mouth and nose. Proper winter wear can keep cold air from agitating your lungs. Breathing cold air can set off an asthma attack, particularly in small children who have have somewhat severe asthma.
Your home’s humidity can cause mold and mildew growth within it. These are harmful substances that can trigger asthma attacks. You should do your best 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.
Inhalers are important to use every day, but be aware that inhalers have been known to cause infections near the teeth and gums. You may be able to avoid this problem by brushing your teeth or rinsing your mouth thoroughly after each use of the inhaler.
Breathing Cold
Avoiding smoke is one of the best asthma-prevention tips out there. Smoking can actually trigger an asthma attack. Avoid any kind of chemical fumes, vapors, and tobacco smoke as much as you can. They can easily increase your asthma symptoms. Ask people around you not to smoke in your presence. Don’t be rude about it, but don’t be afraid to ask for what you need.
Avoid cold-induced asthma attacks by protecting your mouth and nose with a scarf. This will keep you from breathing cold air. In multiple studies, breathing cold air is linked to increased asthma attacks. This link is especially pronounced in younger children.
You should have limited contact with animals, as it can cause you to have an asthmatic reaction. Even if they are not allergic to the animals, the pollen and dust that animals attract can trigger an asthma attack.
Asthma generally develops over a period of time, and the symptoms are not always obvious. Some people have even died from having an asthma attack, and they didn’t even know they had asthma. If you often have difficulty breathing or a persistent cough, it would be wise to make an appointment with your physician, so he or she can confirm whether you have asthma. If you do, your doctor can then prescribe medications to manage or treat it.
Bed linens can collect dust, pollen and other allergens, all of which can further aggravate asthma. To reduce the chance that your bed linens will induce an asthma attack, wash your sheets every week in hot water. Fresh linens, washed regularly, can ensure you breathe better as you sleep.
If you do not control your asthma, it can possibly kill you. By adhering to the advice here, you will see that asthma management is not difficult rocket science; and with a little investment of your time and energy, you can better manage your breathing and get back to a normal life.
Make sure you keep calm if you are having an asthma attack. Calmly use the inhaler. Use it again after 30 seconds has elapsed. If this procedure does not stop your attack, seek immediate treatment from a healthcare professional. Gesture to someone to call 911 if you can’t speak, or have them drive you to the nearest hospital. Breathe into a paper bag for assistance in slowing your breathing during the trip to the hospital.