Asthma can put a damper on your life, as it is a lifelong medical condition. But, you should be aware that the symptoms of asthma are manageable with appropriate strategies, medicine and tools. This articles gives you tips on how to do this.
An important part of symptom management is knowing what type of asthma you have. Understanding the specifics of your asthma will help you to avoid attack triggers in your day-to-day life. People who suffer from exercise-induced asthma should consider carrying an emergency inhaler in their bag. You can actually start preventing asthma attacks if you are aware and mindful of any patterns that your symptoms present.
If you have moderate asthma attacks, exhale forcefully, so that you force air from your lungs. Force air out of your lungs with quick, powerful exhalations. Try hard to push the air out from your lungs! Take three short breaths, then one last deep breath to ensure your lungs have enough air, then forcefully breath out. The breathing rhythm that you create by doing this will cause you to be aware of every breath you take. In addition, it repeatedly empties your lungs of air, so that you can draw in more oxygen-rich air. You may generate sputum or cough but that is alright, since your main objective is getting you to breathe normally again.
A good tip that can help your child cope with asthma is to make sure you never smoke around them. Secondhand smoke is a leading cause of asthma. You should never put your children in a situation where they are exposed to people who are smoking.
If the room that you’re in is dusty, do not turn on a fan. If you do, the dust will move around, and you can trigger your asthma. Open a window to bring clean, cool air inside instead.
You need to avoid all of the asthma triggers that you know. For some, allergens such as dust and pollen can trigger an attack. For other people it may physical activities that will set them off. Keep a journal of your attacks so that you can start to learn what your triggers are so that you can prevent flareups before they begin.
Prevent Leukotrienes
When you suffer a medium-intensity attack, try and forcefully exhale all air from your lungs. Exhale quickly and with power. This will force the air from your lungs. Then take three quick breaths, next a deeper breath till your lungs fill with air, then repeat the forceful exhalation again. Pay attention to what you are doing and follow a regular rhythm. By repeatedly forcing air out, you make room for new air so that your breathing can get back on track. Regardless of whether spetum is generated, it will aid in returning breathing back to a normal state.
If you are having trouble dealing with asthma, a leukotriene inhibitor might be of good use. These inhibitors can prevent leukotrienes. Leukotriene is a chemical substance that can lead to inflammation that can cause an asthma attack. This inhibitor can prevent leukotrienes, which makes you less likely to have an asthma attack.
Should you wind up inside a really dusty room, don’t activate any fans. The wind will move dust around and get into your airways causing an attack. Encourage air to flow throughout the room by just opening a nearby window or door.
Contact a social worker if you have asthma but do not meet the eligibility requirements for health insurance. Asthma medications are a necessity, and a social worker can help you find an affordable way to keep your prescriptions current.
Injections are available to people who suffer from asthma related to allergies, to help give them some long term relief. Ask your allergist about omalizumab, an antibody drug that can reduce the severity of asthma symptoms and the frequency of attacks.
If you suffer from asthma, be sure your diet includes lots of Vitamins C and E. Since both of these have been attributed to better function of the lungs, they also help to control the symptoms of asthma. You can take a supplement in order to get these vitamins if there is not enough of them in your food. Another great benefit of vitamin C is that it will help to strengthen your immune system overall.
Use your inhaler as directed. Find a comfy spot, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The only way the inhaler will work is if your lungs get the proper amount of medication. While inhaling, spray the dosage in your mouth. Be sure to hold the mist in your lungs for about ten seconds.
If you have asthma, a dehumidifier is something you should consider purchasing for you home. When your home has less humidity, there are less dust mites, and that minimizes the chances of an asthma flare-up. Dehumidifiers remove the humidity by drying out the air that flows through your house.
Be sure you and your family members get a yearly flu vaccination. If you have asthma, it’s important to prevent all respiratory infections, if at all possible. To do this you must take extra precautions against getting sick, like washing your hands often and getting vaccinated every year.
If you or someone in your family has asthma, all family members need to get flu shots every year. Avoid a lot of these infections by getting vaccinated each year.
If you suffer from asthma, make sure that you consume enough Vitamin C and Vitamin E. Both vitamins improve lung function, helping you to better resist asthma attacks and other negative symptoms. These vitamins can be easily obtained, either through your diet or a supplement. These vitamins can boost immune systems, which helps you to avoid illnesses that can be a trigger for your asthma.
In the winter, prevent attacks by wearing shawls, mufflers and scarves that cover the nose and mouth. This will warm the air before it enters your lungs. Cool air has been known to trigger an asthma attack, particularly in very young children who have severe or moderate asthma.
If you suffer from asthma, consider using a feather-free pillow to sleep. People are often allergic to these natural products that can affect breathing and bring on asthma symptoms. The same goes for bedding – try to buy a comforter and sheets that are made from hypoallergenic materials.
Rescue Medication
Some common catalysts of asthma attacks regularly occur in the home. These are dust, mold and spores. To keep your body healthy and to cut down the frequency of asthma attacks, it is important to have your house professionally inspected and cleaned to remove these harmful substances. In addition, cleaning the house regularly can greatly contribute to keeping these substances from building up.
Take the time to understand the proper usage of your asthma medication, particularly any that is labelled as 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.
Wear scarves, shawls and mufflers to cover your noise and mouth during colder weather. This way, the air will be warm before entering your lungs. 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.
As stated, asthma that goes untreated can lead to a fatal respiratory illness. Take standard precautions, including using an inhaler when necessary, and checking the allergy and pollution indices on a weather website. These tips will help you to conquer asthma and restore to you a more normal life.
Asthma is a condition that typically will develop over a long period of time, with symptoms that are not very obvious. There have even been cases where people die from the first asthma attack they had, without knowing they had the condition. If you find yourself with a constant cough or have trouble breathing, consult your doctor, so he can tell you if you have asthma and if you need medication. He might even have suggestions on how to prevent it from worsening.