Asthma can get uncontrollable if it is left unchecked. Attacks from asthma have been known to be fatal. If you have asthma, you need to talk to a doctor, but there are things you can do on your own, as well. The article below will provide some common sense advice to reduce and manage your asthma symptoms.
Cleaning Products
Asthma can cause increased sensitivity to the ingredients contained in many cleaning products. Many chemicals contained in common cleaning products can aggravate your asthma, triggering an attack. It is advisable to consider using products that have an organic base when cleaning.
You need to avoid all of the asthma triggers that you know. Asthma triggers will vary greatly between individuals. If you have allergy related asthma, you will want to avoid pollen and dust. It could also be some type of strenuous exercise. Keep a journal of your attacks so that you can start to learn what your triggers are so that you can prevent flareups before they begin.
When you are suffering from an asthma attack, exhale all of the oxygen from your lungs. Exhale hard and fast. Truly pump all air from your lungs! Inhale in three short breaths and one fourth deeper breath so that your lungs are comfortably full of air, then exhale forcefully again. This technique develops a breathing rhythm, allowing you to notice the breaths that you take in. Expelling the air from your lungs in this fashion also allows you to breathe in deeper. This breathing technique may cause some coughing or sputum, but it can help regulate your breathing and reduce the attack.
If you are suffering from asthma, stay away from any type of cigarette smoke. Smoking is especially dangerous for asthmatics. Stay away from vapors and all chemical fumes so you are not able to breathe them in. This can aggravate your asthma and it might not stop. You should give up on the smokes if you have asthma and also make sure to avoid other people who are smoking.
If the room that you're in is dusty, do not turn on a fan. An asthma attack can be easily triggered by the moving dust. If you need airflow, simply opening a window would be better.
Proper knowledge of how to use your inhaler is necessary if you have asthma. Find a comfy spot, and follow the manufacturer's instructions. The inhaler is only beneficial if the medicine gets to your lungs. Inhale deeply as you dispense the correct amount into your mouth. Make sure you hold your breath for 10 seconds or more to get the medications into your lungs.
A dehumidifier can significantly reduce the asthma attacks experienced by you or other afflicted members of your household. When your home has less humidity, there are less dust mites, and that minimizes the chances of an asthma flare-up. Use a dehumidifier, and the air you breath will be much less likely to cause your asthma to flare up.
To cut the risk of an asthma attack, keep your house as clean as you can, particularly the bedroom of the person with asthma. Keep food in a kitchen or on the dining room table, and avoid cigarette smoking inside. Air the house out thoroughly after cleaning and avoid the use of bleach and other harsh chemicals indoors.
Hay Fever
If you have hay fever or a cold, you will probably need increased treatment of your asthma. Illnesses like this can often worsen your asthma symptoms, which may require that you up your dosage of certain medications. Your doctor may prescribe a new medicine or change the dose of your existing medication until the hay fever or cold passes.
To stay out in front of your asthma, make sure that you see the doctor to receive regular checkups. A new flare-up may be just around the corner, or your doctor may have news of a more effective new medication you can try.
Asthma is an uncurable disease, but that doesn't mean that the symptoms are permanent and can't go away. However, just like most things in life, overcoming your asthma symptoms takes time and effort. If you follow these easy tips, you'll find that your symptoms will get better over time and you'll be able to enjoy a healthier, more active lifestyle.