Asthma is a disease that can easily go out of control if left unchecked. Asthma attacks are severe and can sometimes even be fatal. Consulting a medical professional is the first step in any treatment plan. Beyond that, however, you must take an active role in maintaining your health. This article provides easy tips to help alleviate some asthma symptoms and to help you to better treat your asthma.
You should not smoke or be anywhere near smoke if you suffer from asthma. This means you need to keep away from tobacco products and only seek out jobs where you aren’t exposed to any harmful chemicals, smoke or vapors.
If you have asthma, you should definitely avoid smoking or being exposed to any kind of fumes or vapors. This does mean avoiding all tobacco products as well as being mindful of sources of employment, with special attention to factories that might provide exposure to smoke and vapors.
If your child has asthma, do not smoke cigarettes near them. As far as triggers that cause asthma attacks or causes of the condition in general, secondhand cigarette smoke ranks right up there. You should also make sure your child is never in an environment where other people are smoking.
There are medications that can unknowingly cause asthma-like symptoms. Examples of medications that may contribute to asthma are aspirin and other NSAIDs. Beta blockers that are used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease can develop asthma like symptoms. If you suffer from asthma, be sure that your medical professional is aware of this.
Keep clear of anything that you know to be a trigger for your asthma. Perhaps you have allergies or are sensitive to dust and pollen. For others, attacks can be caused by physical activities. Try to figure out when your asthma began so it can be avoided.
Asthma is ongoing. Therefore, it also requires continual management of your health. It is crucial that you have the proper medications for controlling asthma, as well as medication, such as a rescue inhaler to treat sudden attacks. Talk to your doctor and allergist to see what is the best idea for you.
Some medications are known to cause asthma symptoms. Aspirin is an example of a widely used medicine that can cause asthma problems. Some medications for blood pressure and heart disease – those referred to as beta blockers – can also exacerbate asthma problems. If you suffer from these conditions and also have asthma, be sure to let your doctor know.
If you are having an asthma attack (mild or moderate), you need to try to force air out of the lungs. Breathe out hard and fast. Push that air from your lungs with all that you’ve got! Then take three small breaths in, followed by a deeper breath to fill your lungs comfortably. Next, exhale forcefully again. This will create a rhythm and will help you be aware of the way you are breathing. It will also help to get the air to come out of the lungs so more can come in. It may cause you to cough or even generate sputum, but that’s fine, you goal is for your breathing to get back to normal.
Unfortunately, asthma sufferers must realize that their condition is chronic which requires ongoing treatment. Your doctor may prescribe medications that must be taken daily. In addition, you will likely have medication to take in the event of an attack. A variety of options are available for the treatment of asthmatic attacks. Consult your doctor and an allergist.
Cleaning Products
If you’re having an asthma attack, a great way to handle this is to immediately evacuate the air from your lungs. Force air out of your lungs with quick, powerful exhalations. It can’t be said too strongly: you must force the air out! Inhale in a series of three, or three shallow breaths and one deep breath. After your lungs are filled with air, forcefully exhale again. This technique develops a breathing rhythm, allowing you to notice the breaths that you take in. It also expels air from your lungs so more can enter. This breathing technique may cause some coughing or sputum, but it can help regulate your breathing and reduce the attack.
Studies show that using a variety of cleaning products in the home can actually increase the odds of triggering an asthma attack. Consider purchasing and using organic cleaning products since they are void of irritating chemicals.
Consider getting allergy shots if you have asthma that is caused by allergies that aren’t under control. There are antibody medications used to control allergic reactions that come recommended by allergists.
If you’re suffering from a cold or allergies, you should talk to your doctor about taking additional asthma medication. Treatment may be increased in these cases as many illnesses have side effects that can cause flare ups in your asthma. It is possible that your doctor will decide to modify your treatment, or even add additional treatments, until you are back on your feet.
Learn how to properly use your inhaler. Try to locate a calming location, and be certain to adhere to any directions given by the inhaler’s maker. The inhaler will only work if the medicine reaches your lungs. You need to inhale air while spraying the requisite dosage in your mouth. It is then necessary to hold the breath for about ten seconds to give the medication time to work in your lungs.
You should understand what triggers your asthma attacks in order for you to avoid these causes or prepare yourself for managing your symptoms. Generally, it is found that items such as smoke and pollen can trigger attacks in those that suffer with asthma. Do your best to avoid coming into contact with substances that you know will trigger your symptoms.
Talk to a social worker if you do not have health insurance and need medication for your asthma. You will need asthma medications, and if you are unable to afford them, a social worker can find a hospital or clinic that can offer you medication for free or for a little cost.
Avoid feather pillows if you suffer from asthma. Feather can decrease lung function and trigger asthma symptoms. This applies to bedding, as well. Purchase sheets and comforters that are made of hypoallergenic materials.
Make certain that you and your loved ones receive annual flu shots. Asthma sufferers need to be careful and guard against any upper-resperatory illnesses. This includes taking standard precautions against illness, like hand washing, as well as getting vaccinations that can keep you from getting sick.
Even if you seem to be fine, see your doctor regularly for your asthma checkups. Asthma can flare-up at any time, and you never know, perhaps your doctor has safer or better medications which can help your symptoms.
Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke because it is as dangerous to asthmatics as smoking a cigarette. Tobacco smoke can bring on an asthma attack, especially within areas without good air flow. The smoke restricts the ability of your lungs to breathe, making an attack much more likely to occur.
A lot of times asthma will develop over time, and has symptoms that aren’t always obvious. People can even die from their very first asthma attack as they’re not prepared for it! If you have any trouble breathing or are coughing a lot, you need to see a doctor to determine what it is and if you need any medication or treatment for asthma prevention.
Avoid pillows stuffed with goosedown or other feathers if you have an asthma problem. The feathers from a pillow can cause asthma symptoms and decrease your lung function. The same can be said for bedding, try to get hypoallergenic comforters and sheets.
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.
Some of the most notorious causes of asthma attacks exist in normal households. Some triggers include spores, dust and mold. 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.