Having asthma can be scary because it can make you unable to breathe freely. Its onset can be sudden and potentially lethal, and it can severely limit your enjoyment of life if you allow it to. This article is filled with helpful information about the hows and whys of asthma and offers useful advice on living with the condition and its effects.
What type of asthma are you having to deal with? Before you can develop a self-care plan for your asthma symptoms, you need to know the specific cause of your symptoms. One example of this is exercise-induced asthma. This type of asthmatic will need to carry his inhaler with him when he goes for a run. By knowing the pattern to your symptoms it will be a big help to you avoiding crises.
Avoid anything that can trigger your asthma. For many people, allergens such as dust and pollen can induce 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.
There are medicines out there that may increase your chance of triggering asthma symptoms. Aspirin is a common medication that can affect asthma sufferers. Common medications used for controlling high blood pressure often times contain beta blockers, which asthmatics may be more sensitive to. Talk to a doctor if you have any of these conditions along with asthma.
Always be very mindful of the type of medications you’re taking. Some meds out there might just trigger an asthma attack. Aspirin along with other NSAIDs can have this effect. Many medications for heart disease and hypertension can also cause asthma symptoms. If you’ve been diagnosed as asthmatic and are taking medications unrelated to your asthma, be sure your doctor is aware of them.
If you are experiencing a moderately severe attack, try to first exhale completely. Breathe out hard and fast. Force your lungs to expel as much air as possible. 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 technique develops a breathing rhythm, allowing you to notice the breaths that you take in. It also helps to push air out from your lungs so new air can come back in. If you cough up mucus, don’t worry – just get the breathing back to normal.
If you are experiencing a moderately severe attack, try to first exhale completely. Breathe out aggressively, as hard as you can. Try hard to push the air out from your lungs! Then, follow three short intakes of breath with one longer inhalation until your lungs are filled with air, although not uncomfortably so. Finally, expel the air from your lungs with force again. This technique develops a breathing rhythm, allowing you to notice the breaths that you take in. This is a good way to empty your lungs and let more air 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.
Be sure to avoid cigarette smoke if you have asthma. Smoking is especially dangerous for asthmatics. Avoid breathing in the vapors and any other types of chemical fumes. This can trigger an unstoppable asthma attack. If you find that you have people smoking around you, get yourself out of that area rather quickly.
Leukotriene inhibitors can help control the symptoms of asthma. This prescription will prevent the product of leukotrines and help to abate the symptoms of asthma. Leukotriene is a substance that may cause inflammation. This can make a person have an asthma attack. When used properly, an inhibitor can help reduce symptoms and prevent attacks.
Keep rooms free of dust, and do not turn on a fan if you do have dusty rooms. A fan will spread dust and debris all over. This can very easily aggravate your asthma, and cause serious symptoms. It’s better to open the window if you’re in need of fresh air.
If you use more than four types of chemical cleaning agents in your house the risk of your child having an asthma attack increases. Try to use organic based cleaning products that are not harmful to asthma sufferers.
If you suffer from asthma and allergies that result in attacks, you can get injections of long-lasting medication for relief. Omalizumab, an antibody medicine, might be suggested by an allergist and controls allergic reactions.
If you have asthma, you should get a flu shot once per year. Make sure your child’s vaccinations are up-to-date to avoid as many infections as possible.
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 inhaler can only help you if the medication actually reaches the lungs. While inhaling air, spray required dosage in your mouth. Allow the mist to fill up your lungs by holding your breath at least ten seconds.
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. Those who experience asthma are susceptible to some common things like pet dander, smoke, or pollen. If able, avoid anything that results in symptoms of asthma or an asthma attack.
Vitamins E and C are beneficial to anyone with asthma. These vitamins can help improve your lung function, ultimately controlling asthma. These vitamins can be easily obtained, either through your diet or a supplement. The vitamins will help improve the immune system, which will help you fight off illnesses that cause asthma.
If your home is damp, it can encourage the growth of mildew and mold. These fungi are both common triggers for asthma attacks. A dry home will help you out a lot more. During winter time, use a dehumidifier if necessary to control humidity while running your heater, and use your air conditioner during summer months to keep air dry.
If you have asthma, it is imperative that you stay away from smokers. Tobacco smoke causes your lung function to decrease, increasing the risk of a very severe attack, especially in enclosed rooms without much air flow or ventilation.
Asthma Attacks
Be prepared for your asthma treatment to be increased if you have a cold or hay fever. The effects of an illness can cause the severity of your asthma to temporarily increase, which necessitates a change in treatment. The doctor may choose to pursue additional treatment options during your illness as well.
Making mouth and nose coverings such as mufflers, shawls or scarves a routine part of your winter wardrobe can help you ward off asthma attacks. This will warm the air before it gets in your lungs. Cold air can be a nuisance and breathing it has actually proven to trigger asthma attacks. This is especially true for younger children who have severe or moderate asthma.
Receiving a flu shot annually is very important if you or a loved one are asthmatic. Get yearly vaccinations to keep these potential infections at bay.
It is crucial that you know how to properly use your asthma treatments, particularly rescue inhalers. Asthma is usually treated with an everyday medication that is sometimes supplemented with an emergency treatment, like an inhaler. Because you will have asthma for the rest of your life, it is important that you take your maintenance medication properly, and that you use your emergency medication correctly.
You should know what triggers your asthma attacks; this will allow you to either avoid them or be ready to manage the symptoms. Most asthma sufferers have a few common triggers such as smoke, pet dander or pollen. If able, avoid anything that results in symptoms of asthma or an asthma attack.
You should track how often, in a week’s time, you require the use of a rescue inhaler. If you have to use your inhaler more than twice, then our asthma is not being controlled effectively, and you may need to see your doctor for a way to get it under control again. Counting how many times you reach for your inhaler can be a good aid to remind you of what environments you need to control and what else you may need to manage.
Whenever you travel, always keep your rescue inhaler or other fast-acting medication by your side at all times. Traveling can put additional strain on your body, making you more susceptible to asthma triggers. You won’t be able to control factors in your environment, such as air quality, while are away from home. This also adds to the likelihood of an attack or more symptoms than you are used to at home.
Try to avoid the seasonal pollen that may trigger an asthma attack. Asthma’s not an allergy, but many things that irritate allergies also irritate asthma. Now that local air quality information is available in most areas, asthma sufferers can minimize their outdoor exposure when potential irritants are in the air.
Make regular asthma checkups with your doctor, even if you are not having any issues come up. Medical science is constantly evolving, so the doctor might know about a new treatment for you. Besides, you can never be sure when another attack might come on, so it’s better to be checked out.
Untreated or unmanaged, this condition can turn fatal. By applying the insights in this article to your life, you are able to manage your condition for easier breathing and a more active life.
If your home is damp, it can encourage the growth of mildew and mold. These fungi are both common triggers for asthma attacks. Keeping a home dry and mold-free is important. When you use the heater in the winter, be sure to have a dehumidifier control the humidity in your home. During the summer time, be sure to use the air conditioner to maintain a dry home.