Tuesday, July 17, 2012

How You Can Take Control Of Your Asthma

Obviously, being unable to breathe properly because of asthma severely impacts your ability to live normally. There are a lot of ways to control asthma and live a healthy life, so don't think this is impossible. With this advice, a life with asthma won't be so much of a burden.

If you suffer from asthma attacks, familiarize yourself with how to properly use your inhaler. It is not as simple as spraying it into your mouth and breathing in. Every time you spray the inhaler, breathe deeply inward for about three seconds. Proper techniques with your inhaler will keep your symptoms from increasing out of control.

Should you wind up inside a really dusty room, don't activate any fans. The fan will cause the dust to circulate through the air, which can cause you to suffer an asthma attack. The better way would be to open a window to increase the airflow in the room.

Stand ready for a boost to your asthma treatment should you suffer from illnesses like colds or hay fever. Adjusting your medication may be necessary to manage the symptoms of these and other illnesses. Your physician may even recommend that you take additional medication until you recover.

Although it is wise to use your inhaler as needed, be aware that the medication itself may cause problems with gums and teeth. To prevent these issues, brush and use mouthwash immediately after inhaler usage.

It is important to track how often you use your fast-acting inhaler each week. If you use it three or more times each week, your treatment plan may not be working effectively or else an atypical situation may be triggering an increased number of attacks. If you notice an increased use in your inhaler, reexamine your management plan and check for any changes in your surroundings that may be triggering the asthma.

The pillows on which you sleep should be replaced fairly often. For daily needs, use pillowcases and towels that are made from 100 percent cotton, because dust mites can penetrate other materials. Of all the household triggers for asthma attacks, dust mites rank at the top of the list.

If you are traveling by plane and taking along your asthma medications, make sure to have with you any written doctors prescriptions, especially when carrying some large asthma equipment like a nebulizer. Having evidence from a doctor that the medication is necessary for your health will greatly help with security at the airport.

During the months that are colder, wear a shawl, muffler or scarf that will cover your nose and mouth to help you avoid asthma attacks. This allows you to warm air before it enters your lungs. In multiple studies, breathing cold air is linked to increased asthma attacks. This link is especially pronounced in younger children.

Speaking to your peers, who also suffer from asthma, can be an eye-opening and life-changing experience. They can provide you with advice and tips on how to better deal with fighting asthma. Support from people around you is key.

If you have asthma, get a dehumidifier for your home. Lowering humidity will reduce the amount of dust mites in your home, and help your asthma improve. Dehumidifiers reduce attacks in your home by making the air cleaner and drier.

Remain calm in the event of an asthma attack. Use the inhaler, wait thirty seconds, and use once more. If this procedure does not stop your attack, seek immediate treatment from a healthcare professional. Gesture to someone to call 911 if you can't speak, or have them drive you to the nearest hospital. Try breathing into a paper bag in order to slow down your breathing while on the way to the hospital.

Although asthma is a chronic, lifelong condition, managing it gets easier over time. It's especially helpful to follow tips like the ones you just read and your doctor's advice. New medications and treatments are always under development, and hopefully a cure for asthma is not far off.

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