Asthma can turn a normal life into a nightmare after that fateful first attack. You should know many of the symptoms could be manageable if you could combine effective medication with different coping strategies. In this article you can learn some of these strategies.
What kind of asthma do you have? One of the best ways to combat asthma and its limiting effects on your life is to know and understand as much as you can about your specific condition. People who suffer from exercise-induced asthma should consider carrying an emergency inhaler in their bag. Knowing the patterns related to your symptoms could aid you in avoiding crises.
If your child or another loved one suffers from asthma, you should be sure to never smoke cigarettes when you’re near them. Secondhand smoke is one of the leading culprits that causes asthma. Keep your child away from any area where people are smoking.
If you suffer from asthma and you smoke, it’s crucial that you quit. Smoking is unhealthy for anyone, regardless of their health; however, when you have asthma, smoking restricts the oxygen your lungs needs to breathe and function properly. If your lung function is affected, you run the risk of having more frequent attacks.
Avoid exposing yourself to any of your known asthma triggers. For some people, this can be pollen or other allergy triggers. Others find themselves suffering from attacks when they overexert themselves. Knowing exactly what sets off your asthma is thus, very important.
If you have mild to moderate asthma attack, breathe out forcefully to get every bit of air out from your lungs. Exhale quickly and forcefully. It can’t be said too strongly: you must force the air out! Inhale in a series of three, or three shallow breaths and one deep breath. After your lungs are filled with air, forcefully exhale again. Doing this means breathing in a conscious rhythm that makes you mindful of your breathing. This is a good way to empty your lungs and let more air come in. It is okay to cough, even to generate sputum. Your ultimate goal is getting your breathing regulated.
If you are having trouble dealing with asthma, a leukotriene inhibitor might be of good use. These work by preventing the formation of leukotrienes. A leukotriene will cause inflammation in the respiratory system, causing an asthma attack. Get the inhibitor to prevent the leukotrienes, and your asthma attacks may drop in number.
Social Worker
Talk to a social worker if you have asthma and no health insurance. A social worker can possibly help you with finding treatment and low-cost medications.
If someone in your home has asthma, make sure to keep a clean house, especially their bedroom so that the risk of an attack is reduced. Food should be restricted to the kitchen, and smoking inside the home should never be permitted. Once you have cleaned your house, air it out; you should also eliminate utilizing any toxic chemicals inside.
If your home is damp, it can encourage the growth of mildew and mold. This stuff can easily set off an asthma attack. Therefore, try and keep the home dry. 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.
Asthma can be life threatening if not kept in check or left untreated. Aim to protect yourself from sudden asthma attacks by avoiding areas of high pollution or allergens and keeping a rescue inhaler with you at all times. Put these tips to use, and free yourself from the constant fear of having an asthma attack.
