Your lungs are pretty important for healthy body function, so it’s not all surprising that a condition like asthma can put a damper on activities of daily living. Don’t give up, though; there are ways to participate in many activities while keeping your asthma control. In the following paragraphs, you’ll find suggestions on how to deal with your asthma.
Cigarette Smoke
Second hand smoke can cause asthma to develop in children, and can trigger an asthma attack if they already suffer from asthma. As far as triggers that cause asthma attacks or causes of the condition in general, secondhand cigarette smoke ranks right up there. Keep your child away from cigarette smoke and any other kind of fumes.
If you are having an attack that is not severe, push as much air out of the lungs as possible. Breathe out fast and hard. Expel the air in your lungs with great force! Then take three small breaths in, followed by a deeper breath to fill your lungs comfortably. Next, exhale forcefully again. This gives your breathing a rhythm, which makes you aware of how many breaths you take. In addition, it repeatedly empties your lungs of air, so that you can draw in more oxygen-rich air. It is okay to cough, even to generate sputum. Your ultimate goal is getting your breathing regulated.
When you are suffering from an asthma attack, exhale all of the oxygen from your lungs. Exhale hard and fast. It can’t be said too strongly: you must force the air out! Inhale for three quick breaths, and then take one deep breath so that you can allow your lungs to fill with air, and then force the air out again. This establishes a regular pattern to your breathing routine, which means you have to pay attention to how you are breathing. It also will push all of your air out of the lungs so that you can get more air in. 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.
You and your loved ones need to get a flu vaccination every year. When you are afflicted with asthma, steer as clear as you can of all types of respiratory infections. Making sure to consistently wash your hands, and getting the proper vaccinations are two standard precautions.
Always choose unscented products for your home if you have asthma. Use of scented products, such as perfume, air fresheners and incense, increase the levels of indoor air pollution and can trigger an attack. New carpet and fresh paint can also emit odors that can irritate the airways. Try to maintain fresh air inside your home.
Though it should go without saying, do not turn on any fans or circulation systems when in a room containing visible dust that has yet to be cleaned. The fan will circulate the dust along with the air, which can cause it to get into your lungs and make your asthma worse. If possible, open a window to increase the flow of air into the room.
To lower the chances of an asthma attack, keep your house as clean as can be, especially the bedroom. Don’t smoke indoors, or allow any junk food in your home. Bypass chemicals when cleaning your home if at all possible, and be sure to open doors and windows afterwards.
Flu Shot
A yearly flu shot is necessary if you suffer from asthma. Prevent those flu infections before they happen by getting a flu shot each year.
If you’re someone who gets an asthma attack related to allergy like symptoms, there’s medication you can use to help. Omalizumab is one such medication, and can control the allergic symptoms you may be experienced. An allergist will be able to tell you if this is a good option.
To stay out in front of your asthma, make sure that you see the doctor to receive regular checkups. You never know when you might suffer another flare-up, or when your doctor might have a better or safer medication to prescribe for your symptoms.
Managing your asthma is a lifelong task, but it gets easier every day as long as you stay informed and follow good advice and habits, from your doctor or the tips contained here. There are new developments in treatment and medications every year that make asthma easier to manage.