It is easy to panic after you learn that you or someone you love has asthma. It is a severe chronic condition, and that means it lasts a lifetime. Believe it or not, however, life does go on even after you are diagnosed with this condition. Here you will see some simple methods to manage your asthma to keep you safe and healthy.
If asthma is something that you are afflicted with, then don’t smoke or immediately quit. Smoking is, of course, unhealthy for anyone. The habit is even more dangerous for asthma patients, however, because anything that reduces the amount of oxygen reaching the lungs can trigger an attack.
It is crucial for asthma sufferers not to smoke. Smoking is detrimental to anyone’s health, but those with asthma suffer especially because cigarettes lessen the oxygen supply that is crucial for the lungs to function properly and prevent an asthma attack.
When you are suffering from an asthma attack, exhale all of the oxygen from your lungs. Exhale hard and fast. Force your lungs to expel as much air as possible. Inhale in three short breaths and one fourth deeper breath so that your lungs are comfortably full of air, then exhale forcefully again. This establishes a regular pattern to your breathing routine, which means you have to pay attention to how you are breathing. It also pushes the air out of your lungs, so that more air can come in. If you cough or produce sputum, don’t worry. Just remain focused on your objective, which is to regain a normal rate of breathing.
You need ongoing treatment for asthma because it’s an ongoing disease. 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. Have a discussion with your doctor or allergist to determine what the best plan for you might be.
Consider consulting a social worker if your asthma medication is not covered by an insurance policy. Asthma medications are a necessity, and a social worker can help you find an affordable way to keep your prescriptions current.
If you have mild to moderate asthma attack, breathe out forcefully to get every bit of air out from your lungs. When you breathe out, exhale the air quickly and as hard as you can. Truly pump all air from your lungs! Take three short breaths, then one last deep breath to ensure your lungs have enough air, then forcefully breath out. This will force you to pay careful attention to all of your breaths. It also voids your lungs of old air so that new air can enter. There may be periods of harsh coughing and a substantial generation of sputum, but this is actually what you want in order to get the airways opened and the breathing back on a regular pattern.
A yearly flu shot is necessary if you suffer from asthma. Avoid a lot of these infections by getting vaccinated each year.
Be sure to avoid cigarette smoke if you have asthma. Avoid smoking altogether. Avoid breathing in the vapors and any other types of chemical fumes. These irritants can be a trigger for a severe asthma attack. If others are smoking nearby, leave that area as quickly as you can.
While traveling, always keep emergency asthma medication on hand and close by. Traveling tends to put extra stain on the body, and you’re more susceptible to your asthma triggers under these conditions. You can’t control the weather or the environment when you travel, so keep in mind you are more vulnerable to symptoms and attacks when you go to a new area.
Make sure if you have an inhaler that you are using it the right way. Find a relaxing spot, and be sure that you follow the directions that the manufacturer provided. The only way the inhaler can help is if the medication can reach your lungs. While taking a deep breath, spray in the recommended dosage. Hold your breath for at least 10 seconds to allow the medicated mist to fill your lungs.
Even if your asthma is not acting up, attend all of your doctor’s appointments. You don’t know when another flare-up will happen, or when your physician can offer you safer or superior medicine for your symptoms.
People who have asthma should stick to using unscented products. Scented products such as air fresheners, incense and perfume heighten the degree of indoor air impurities and may possibly contribute to an attack. Certain things around the home, such as newly installed carpet or fresh paint, can also release chemical irritants. Try to maintain the air in your house as free from possible asthma triggers as possible.
Many of the biggest triggers for asthma can, and do, exist in your home. These causes can include dust, spores and mold. To keep yourself healthy and avoid asthma attacks, you may need to hire an inspector to come out once a year to test your home and remove any irritants. It also helps to clean your home frequently to prevent a buildup of these allergens.
Keep your home meticulously clean to reduce attack potential if there is an asthma sufferer living there, especially the bedroom. Refrain from smoking inside the home, and keep edibles inside your kitchen. Bypass chemicals when cleaning your home if at all possible, and be sure to open doors and windows afterwards.
Being around animals should be avoided. While allergies to dander or animal hair can possibly complicate your asthma, even those with no such allergies can have asthma attacks by inhaling the pollen and dust animals usually carry about with them.
Make sure to examine what it is that causes your asthma attacks in order to best avoid having to deal with them. Generally, it is found that items such as smoke and pollen can trigger attacks in those that suffer with asthma. Whenever possible, avoid those substances that trigger either symptoms or full-blown attacks.
Bed linens are a magnet for nasty allergens and asthma triggers, including dust and pollen. These threats can be reduced or even eliminated by keeping your bed linens laundered every week using hot water. These fresh bed linens will let you breathe easier when sleeping.
If you suffer from asthma, it’s best to avoid pillows full of feathers. Pillow feathers are known to worsen asthma and affect the lungs. This applies to bedding, as well. Purchase sheets and comforters that are made of hypoallergenic materials.
Proper use of an inhaler is crucial if you suffer from asthma. It is not as simple as spraying a little into your mouth and inhaling. Once you spray the inhaler you must take deep breaths for a couple of seconds. Proper use of your inhaler is key when you have asthma.
During colder months, wear a shawl, scarf or muffler to avoid asthma. This lets the air warm slightly before you breathe it in. Young children are especially at risk for an asthma attack if the air they breathe is too cold, but this problem can affect anybody with asthma.
If repainting a room is in your future, purchase a quality mask first to protect your lungs from paint fumes. Paint fumes can be irritating to asthma sufferers, but a mask creates a protective shield. In general practice, in fact, it is best to avoid fumes that will likely trigger an attack.
Inhalers are important to use every day, but be aware that inhalers have been known to cause infections near the teeth and gums. Prevent these unnecessary side effects by gargling and brushing your teeth right after you use the inhaler.
Attending a support group of asthma sufferers, or just sharing with people who have this condition, can really benefit you. They are there to help you win this battle with asthma through great tips and well planned ideas. It is essential that you have a strong support network.
Rescue Inhaler
Make sure you are getting enough vitamin B6. Vitamin B6, aka pyridoxine, is found to reduce asthma attack frequency in a lot of studies. Pyridoxine is essential because it produces certain substances that relax bronchial tissues. Bananas are a great vitamin B6 source.
During the week, you should take note each time your rescue inhaler is used. If you are utilizing your inhaler more than two times per day, you might not be controlling asthma as well as you think you are! How often you use your rescue inhaler should serve as a reminder that your environment needs to be monitored.
Asthma can be the result of genetics, environment or a combination of both. If there are members of your family with asthma, it is important to monitor yourself as well as your children for asthma-like symptoms. There are many environmental factors, like mold, great deals of dust, smoke and pollution that can lead to asthma, so it’s important to keep both yourself and your children away from these things.
When cleaning your house, clean floors with a wet mop instead of a broom. Sweeping can stir up some asthmatic triggers that will exacerbate your symptoms. Dust will adhere to a wet towel instead of being loose in the air like feather dusters do where it can aggravate your asthma.
If you experience three or more allergy attacks in a week, it’s likely that the medication you’re taking isn’t proper. That many attacks in a week can be dangerous, and does not even need to happen according to medical professionals.
Stay away from smoke if you have asthma. Smoke is one of the primary triggers of asthma. The fumes from chemicals, or smoke from cigarettes, should be avoided at all costs. These can aggravate your asthma symptoms. Ask any smokers not to smoke in your presence.
Become stronger and increase the amount of air your lungs can hold over time. Don’t exercise too hard all at once or you’ll end up quitting your workouts due to your asthma.
Someone suffering from asthma should avoid animals. A lot of times the hair or dander will cause an asthma attack, but even if you do not have an allergy to the pet itself they often carry pollen and dust with them.
Hurry to the hospital if you see any symptoms of a dangerous asthma attack. If they’re having a serious attack, look for increased medication use that has little or absolutely no effect and blue or grayish lips and fingernails. Your child can have a hard time speaking.
Get a second opinion. You may use your primary physician for most things, but a specialist can be very helpful as well. Think about going to a pulmonologist, an allergist or even a nutritionist, depending on what is triggering your attacks.
If you do not have your inhaler with you and you are experiencing an asthma attack, take a quick caffeine shot! Strong black tea, coffee and chocolate can help reduce attack symptoms. It works because it opens your airways by constricting your blood vessels.
Preparation is the key to living with your condition. You can avoid the serious complications of an asthma attack by managing your symptoms properly. This article can help you build some knowledge to fight it.
Get your yearly flu vaccination. Even if you don’t tend to get hit by the flu, it’s better to be safe than sorry by taking the time to get vaccinated. People who suffer from asthma are more likely to have respiratory infections, sinus infections, or the flu.