You may be scared after finding out that you have asthma. Asthma has no cure, which makes it a chronic condition. Your life does not have to stop after you have been diagnosed with asthma. This article is like a virtual library full of information on asthma symptoms and treatments.
There are some medications that may contribute to asthma symptoms. Some over the counter medications can irritate your asthma. There are some beta blockers that are given to those trying to control their heart disease or who have high blood pressure that may be harmful to an asthmatic, as well. Make sure your physician is aware of all of your chronic conditions and any medications you are on so they can treat your asthma appropriately.
If you are having an attack that is not severe, push as much air out of the lungs as possible. When you breathe out, exhale the air quickly and as hard as you can. Push that air from your lungs with all that you've got! Take three short breaths, and then take a fourth, deeper breath to fill your lungs comfortably; then, breathe out with force again. Pay attention to what you are doing and follow a regular rhythm. It also voids your lungs of old air so that new air can enter. It is okay that you cough up some sputum, you really want to breathe right again.
If you are dealing with asthma, keep far away from cigarette smoke. Smoking is especially dangerous for asthmatics. Avoid exposure to chemical fumes or vapors. This can cause an asthma attack, and you may be unable to bring it under control. If you find yourself in a situation where you are around smokers, remove yourself as quickly as possible.
Social Worker
Talk to a social worker if you do not have health insurance and need medication for your asthma. Asthma medications are never cheap, but it's vital that you receive them and that is the social worker's goal. He or she will deal with the clinics directly in efforts to remedy the situation.
It has been shown that use of four or more different kinds of cleaning products can raise the risk of asthma attacks. Try using organic cleaning products that are not comprised of irritating chemicals.
If you suffer from asthma, you might want to use a pillow that doesn't contain feathers. The feathers can make it harder to breathe right and trigger an attack. This extends to the rest of your bedding, as well. There are hypoallergenic comforters and sheets you can use to limit asthma symptoms.
You should always have your rescue medication with you when you are traveling. Traveling can make you more likely to suffer from attacks due to the extra strain and stress on your body. It's also hard to control the environment you're in when traveling, which is another reason you might experience more symptoms or have an attack.
Even if your asthma seems like it is under control, always keep your asthma appointments with the doctor. 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.
Some of asthma's major triggers can be right in your home. These generally include dust, mold and spores. To lessen the risk of an asthma attack and to stay healthy, have your house inspected every year by an inspector, and remove those agents when they have been identified. You can help keep your house safe from these harmful substances by regularly cleaning and dusting your home.
Asthma Attack
Asthma is a disease that effects the respiratory system, and can take many years to develop, often times going undetected. There are known cases where someone has actually died from a single asthma attack, because they were unaware that they had the disease. It is advised that you seek out a medical professional if you ever have shortness of breath or experience constant coughing; this may be a sign that you suffer from asthma and need proper medication to prevent an asthma attack and keep your condition under control.
90% of dealing with asthma is about preparing for attacks. Knowing about your personal asthma situation and how you can effectively manage it on a daily basis is going to help you avoid crises. By reading this article, you have taken an important step in gaining the understanding you need to keep your asthma in check.