Asthma can put you in critical condition very quickly if you aren’t careful. Asthma attacks are severe and can sometimes even 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. With these easy to follow pieces of advice, you can live a healthier life with asthma.
If you are an asthmatic, it is vital that you never smoke, and if you already do, you should quit as soon as possible. Smoking is a terrible habit but it’s even worse for someone who suffers from asthma as it decreases the amount of oxygen that gets to your lungs.
Certain prescription medications have the potential to cause asthma symptoms. Some NSAIDs and aspirins will do this for you. Beta blockers that are used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease can develop asthma like symptoms. Talk to a doctor if you have any of these conditions along with asthma.
Unfortunately, asthma sufferers must realize that their condition is chronic which requires ongoing treatment. Always be very sure that you’re taking the right type of medication for your condition if you hope to control it. It’s also important to have a quick-relief medication available. Work with your allergist and doctor to find the right treatment program that makes you feel good and allows you to still do the things you want to do.
If you are having an asthma attack (mild or moderate), you need to try to force air out of the lungs. Make your exhalations quick and forceful. Force all the air out of the lungs! Then, follow three short intakes of breath with one longer inhalation until your lungs are filled with air, although not uncomfortably so. Finally, expel the air from your lungs with force again. Not only will you breathe in rhythm, but you’ll focus more intently on how you are breathing and become aware of breathing problems. This technique also forces the air from your lungs to enable more air to come in. You may generate sputum or cough but that is alright, since your main objective is getting you to breathe normally again.
If you’re in a room that has a lot of dust in it, don’t turn on a fan. This will cause the dust to move around, which could cause an asthma attack. It would be better to just open a window if you are needing to get some airflow.
If you have asthma and find yourself having frequent attacks caused by alleries, it may be time to consider a long-lasting medication. It is called omalizumab, and it is an antibody medicine used to control allergic reaction symptoms. You will need to speak to your allergist to find out if this would be helpful to you.
If you are dealing with asthma, make sure you take lots of Vitamins E and C. These vitamins are thought to help improve lung function and control asthma symptoms. Get these nutrients through supplements or food. These vitamins will also provide a boost to your immune system. This will prevent respiratory illnesses that can trigger your asthma attacks.
A dehumidifier is an excellent investment for asthma sufferers. Reducing the amount of humidity in your home reduces the number of dust mites, which in turn reduces the chances of your asthma flaring up. Dehumidifiers remove the humidity by drying out the air that flows through your house.
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.