Are you panicking because you have asthma? Asthma is a life-long health condition without a cure. However, a diagnosis of asthma does not mean your life has to be drastically altered. Here you will see some simple methods to manage your asthma to keep you safe and healthy.
Cleaning Products
Asthma can cause increased sensitivity to the ingredients contained in many cleaning products. Cleaning products contain a plethora of chemicals that are triggers to exacerbating symptoms related to asthma, as well as the attacks themselves. Instead of relying on harsh cleaners, check out some organic solutions. They might cost a few dollars more, but the difference is well worth it.
Avoid anything that is known to trigger your asthma. For many people, allergens such as dust and pollen can induce an attack. For others, it may be linked to physical exertion. Try and figure out what gets your asthma started so you know what to avoid.
There are medicines out there that may increase your chance of triggering asthma symptoms. Various NSAIDs and aspirin have been reported to do this. Other medications that may have an effect on the respiratory system include beta blockers used to treat high blood pressure. If you suffer from any of these conditions along with your asthma, make sure you tell your doctor.
When you are suffering from an asthma attack, exhale all of the oxygen from your lungs. Breathe out aggressively, as hard as you can. Try to force the air out of 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 will create a rhythm and will help you be aware of the way you are breathing. It also will push all of your air out of the lungs so that you can get more air 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.
If you're in a dustier room, avoid turning on a fan. This will move all the dust around, and can easily trigger an asthma attack. Instead, you should consider opening a window to get some fresh clean air going through your lungs.
Asthma Attacks
When you are having a difficult time with asthma, you might want to use a leukotriene inhibitor. Leukotriene inhibitors are used to prevent things called leukotrienes. Leukotrienes are molecules that cause the tracheal muscles to contract; having too many leukotrienes makes asthma attacks more likely. Using an inhibitor will counteract the negative effects of leukotriene, thereby decreasing the occurrence of asthma attacks.
Make sure you are using your inhaler properly. Find a peaceful spot, and make sure to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer. The inhaler will only work if the medicine reaches your lungs. Inhale air while spraying the necessary amount of medication into your mouth. It is then necessary to hold the breath for about ten seconds to give the medication time to work in your lungs.
Understand what things make your asthma flare and avoid these things or manage the symptoms. The majority of people suffering from asthma have several common triggers, like pet dander, smoke or pollen. Try to avoid these items as much as humanly possible so as to not trigger a full attack.
When traveling, make sure to have your rescue medication handy at all times. You may find that the stress of traveling makes an asthma attack more likely. Traveling can make asthma symptoms worse, and it is difficult, nearly impossible to control environmental triggers during travel.
Make regular asthma checkups with your doctor, even if you are not having any issues come up. Flare-ups can occur at any time; plus, your doctor may have a new medication that he or she can offer you that will make your treatment safer and more effective.
Wear a covering over your mouth and nose when you go outdoors in the colder weather. A shawl, scarf or muffler would work well. This will warm the air up before you breathe it into 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.
Understanding how to properly administer your asthma medications is important, particularly in regard to rescue medications. A typical asthma treatment plan is daily medication backed up with an emergency inhaler. Because asthma has no cure, you must treat it carefully by taking your maintenance medication every day and using your emergency medication responsibly.
If traveling by plane with your asthma equipment or medications, always carry your written prescription with you to avoid problems. If you have written proof about the item you have,and that it is medically necessary, there will be less hassles going through security.
If you have asthma consider staying away from pets or animals. Even sufferers not allergic to a certain animal need to remember that dust and pollen on the animals can still trigger an attack.
If you use an inhaler more than 2 times a week, talk to your doctor about a new medication potentially. This level of frequency can mean your medication is ineffective for your needs. Also, if you have to refill your inhaler more than twice in one year, then a visit to the doctor for a medication change is also in order.
Educate Yourself
Educate yourself about asthma. The more you educate yourself about your asthma condition, the more you are able to be proactive about your treatment. Do your research, and keep current on available treatment information so you can be sure you're doing all you can to feel well. The only way you can do this is by arming yourself with condition and treatment knowledge.
90% of dealing with asthma is about preparing for attacks. A good knowledge of how to prevent asthma attacks and how to manage your symptoms will make living with asthma easier. This article is stop number one for increasing your knowledge about asthma treatments!