Asthma can impede your lifestyle and is potentially life-threatening. You should take the correct measures to avoid and manage asthma. Use these tips to get rid of symptoms and not let it take over!
What kind of asthma do you have? Being aware of your specific condition will help you combat the effects it has over your body day in and day out. If people who have asthma suffer attacks triggered by exercise, they should bring an inhaler with them when they work out. Treating asthma is less difficult if you and your physician are aware of the triggers that bring on an attack.
If you are suffering from asthma, it is essential that you quit smoking cigarettes. Smoking is bad for everyone, but it's particularly dangerous for an asthma sufferer, as it cuts off vital oxygen to the lungs.
As a chronic disease, asthma must be managed continuously. 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. Speak to an allergist and doctor to see what's best for you.
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. Truly pump all air from your lungs! After that, take in three shallow breaths and one deep breath. Once your lungs are full again, do another forceful exhale. This will make your breathing rhythmic and help you pay more attention to it. In addition, it repeatedly empties your lungs of air, so that you can draw in more oxygen-rich air. It is okay to cough, even to generate sputum. Your ultimate goal is getting your breathing regulated.
If the room that you're in is dusty, do not turn on a fan. Otherwise, the dust will fly into the air and could give you an attack. It could be better to open the window if you need to get airflow.
Ask everyone in your family to get a flu shot every year. Keep yourself healthy, and without respiratory infections as best you can. This includes taking standard precautions against illness, like hand washing, as well as getting vaccinations that can keep you from getting sick.
Make sure to examine what it is that causes your asthma attacks in order to best avoid having to deal with them. There are some quite common triggers that can invoke an attack in asthma sufferers, for example cigarette smoke, pollen, or pet hair and dander. Try to avoid these items as much as humanly possible so as to not trigger a full attack.
Asthma Symptoms
Avoid pillows stuffed with goosedown or other feathers if you have an asthma problem. Feather can decrease lung function and trigger asthma symptoms. This extends to the rest of your bedding, as well. There are hypoallergenic comforters and sheets you can use to limit asthma symptoms.
When you are traveling, make sure you have a rescue inhaler with you. Traveling is hard on your body, opening you up to an asthma attack. You also have little control over your surroundings as you travel, and this may result in an increase in symptoms or frequency of attacks.
Even if you have not had any recent breathing problems, you should nonetheless schedule regular checkups. It is impossible to predict the next attack. Furthermore, newer or safer asthma medications may be approved in the time since you last visited your doctor.
Think about becoming a member of a support group, whether it is online or somewhere local. Suffering from asthma can mean many days are spent at home with your condition stopping you from participating in a full and fulfilling lifestyle. On top of that, an asthma support group will keep you apprised of the latest developments in asthma medication and other significant medical breakthroughs.
Many people underestimate asthma, or at least think that they can't do anything about it since it is an incurable disease. However, you'll be amazed at how much difference you can make simply by following these simple steps to try and relieve symptoms and reduce the sources of asthma attacks.