It is easy to panic after you learn that you or someone you love has asthma. Asthma is a chronic condition, meaning there is no cure. Your life shouldn’t come to a standstill once you are diagnosed with asthma. Keep reading to gain insight as to what you can do to keep this serious disease under control.
What type of asthma are you having to deal with? Understanding the specifics of your asthma will help you to avoid attack triggers in your day-to-day life. An example would be to bring in your gym bag an inhaler if you happen to have exercise-induced asthma. Knowing your symptoms’ patterns can help you avoid big problems.
Quit smoking or avoid smoke if you suffer from asthma. 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 those things that you know can trigger your asthma. Certain asthma sufferers experience attacks when they around around allergy triggers, such as dust or pollen. For others, certain physical activities may be the trigger. Determine what your trigger is so you can easily avoid an attack.
If you are experiencing a moderately severe attack, try to first exhale completely. Force air out of your lungs with quick, powerful exhalations. Try hard to push the air out from your lungs! Inhale in a series of three, or three shallow breaths and one deep breath. After your lungs are filled with air, forcefully exhale again. This will force you to pay careful attention to all of your breaths. It also allows you to take in more air by completely emptying your lungs. Do not be alarmed if you cough or generate excess mucous; this is perfectly normal. Your only concern is to return your breathing to normal.
If you’re someone who gets an asthma attack related to allergy like symptoms, there’s medication you can use to help. An antibody medicine known as omalizumab is very effective at countering asthma attacks related to allergies. Ask your allergist about it.
Talk to your doctor about getting a leukotriene inhibitor if you have asthma. Leukotriene inhibitors work to prevent leukotrienes. Leukotriene, a chemical substance, can cause asthma attacks by causing inflammation. Leukotriene is an oral therapy for the treatment of asthma, but it is not as effective as inhaled corticosteroids.
Social Worker
If you have asthma and cannot afford health insurance or have no eligibility, bring up your situation with a social worker. Asthma medications are a necessity, and a social worker can help you find an affordable way to keep your prescriptions current.
Using four or more cleaners in your home can contribute to asthma attacks. Choose organic products, and stick to as few products as possible.
Make sure you get a flu shot each year if you have asthma or if your child does. A yearly vaccination will help minimize the number of infections your children have to deal with.
If you suffer from asthma, you should refrain from sleeping on a pillow that contains feathers. Feathers may trigger asthma symptoms by irritating your lungs. The same reasoning applies to all bedding – only purchase bed sheets and comforters that are manufactured from hypoallergenic materials.
Preparation and forethought are at the foundation of any asthma plan. If you educate yourself about the type of asthma that is affecting you, and the measures you can take to work through an attack, you can learn to manage your illness on a daily basis. You may just find the contents of this article makes a useful contribution to your fund of asthma knowledge.
