Whether you find yourself or a relative dealing with asthma, it is definitely a trying and scary experience. Learn more about asthma so you can manage this condition. The following tips will help you better understand what to expect when coping with asthma.
You want to make sure you can avoid situations that could trigger your asthma. Allergens such as dust and pollen can bring on an asthma attack at any time. Others may have attacks that are triggered by physical activity. Try to determine your asthma triggers, so you can avoid them and prevent attacks.
Never take medications without getting your doctor’s approval so you don’t wind up taking one that has a side effect of exacerbating asthma.. Some over the counter medications can irritate your asthma. You should also pay attention to heart medications you may take, or ones that treat abnormal blood pressure. Make sure your doctor knows if you are taking such medicine and also have asthma.
If you are suffering from a moderate or mild attack, do your best to force as much air out of the lungs as possible. Exhale quickly and hard. Really force that air out of your lungs! Do your inhalations in triple bursts of short breaths, and then follow with final deep inhalation so that you fill your lungs comfortably, before exhaling with vehemence once more. This creates a rhythm to your breathing, making you pay attention to the breaths you take. It also helps to push air out from your lungs so new air can come back in. If you cough or produce sputum, don’t worry. Just remain focused on your objective, which is to regain a normal rate of breathing.
Use the inhaler the right way. Find a peaceful spot, and make sure to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer. The medicine in the inhaler only works if it actually makes it to your lungs. Spray the required dosage into your mouth while inhaling air. Continue holding your breath for approximately 10 seconds. This way, the medication will soak into the cells of your lungs.
Social Worker
Consider consulting a social worker if your asthma medication is not covered by an insurance policy. It is important that you are able to afford your asthma medications, so a social worker may be able to find you a clinic or hospital that offers your medication at little to no cost.
Asthmatics should avoid being exposed to smoke, regardless if you are a smoker. When you inhale tobacco smoke, the lung’s function can be decreased, and you will increase the chance you have an asthma attack. Smaller areas without proper ventilation make you even more susceptible to an attack.
As stated earlier, there is a lot that you should know about asthma. This article is just a sample of the hints that are useful in managing asthma, or helping a loved one manage asthma. Follow all directions given by your doctor and use prescription medications exactly according to the manufacturers instructions. This can reduce asthma’s impact on your life.
