While many people understand that asthma is a common respiratory condition that can affect someone’s ability to breathe freely, few know much more detailed information beyond that. Fortunately, this handpicked selection of tips and tricks can give you some more detailed insight into the symptoms, causes, and direct triggers of asthma attacks.
Stay away from smoking, or being around any smoke, vapors or fumes. This does mean avoiding all tobacco products as well as being mindful of sources of employment, with special attention to factories that might provide exposure to smoke and vapors.
Go to a doctor and tell them about your difficulties to breathe. Many medicines exist. Do not take something that was not prescribed by a doctor, and do not abuse over the counter medicine. If your medicine is not efficient, go to the doctor again and ask if you can try something else.
A great tip that can help you cope with asthma is to branch out and get in touch with other people who also suffer from asthma. Not only will you be able to get helpful advice from them, you won’t feel so alone and ashamed that you have asthma.
If you enjoy using a vaporizer or a humidifier, you have to make sure it is clean before each use. These types of machines can build up a lot of dust and calcium, that you do not want getting into the air you breath. You need to be breathing the cleanest air possible, at all times.
Learn as much as you can about living with your condition. Knowledge is power! Make sure you are well informed about the causes and known natural and prescribed ways to control your symptoms. Living with asthma can be difficult and cause you to have unwanted stress within your personal life.
Make sure you know your breathing. Observe the way you breathe when you are calm and symptom free. When you realize that your breathing has changed you can consider relaxation and breathing techniques to calm you down to avoid severe asthma attacks. During an attack, try to return your breathing to its normal depth and rate.
It is wise for all asthma patients to purchase peak flow meters for their home. These machines can help you check your lung function so that you know if you are in danger of having an asthma attack. These machines are inexpensive and certain insurances will actually pay for them.
Control the humidity within your home. Many people with asthma have seasonal triggers, meaning that as the humidity changes, they are more prone to attacks. Keeping your home at a steady low level of humidity throughout the year by using a dehumidifer could drastically reduce the number of asthma attacks you have.
Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke because it is as dangerous to asthmatics as smoking a cigarette. 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.
Educate yourself on potential problems caused by your prescription medications. Many commonly prescribed drugs such as beta blockers can worsen asthma or interact with asthma medications. If you experience any of these side effects, talk with your doctor and make sure you are on a prescription regimen appropriate to manage your asthma as well.
Whether you have sought out additional information for yourself or for a loved one who has been diagnosed with this condition, you will do well to remember the advice and facts that you have just learned. This knowledge, combined with the advice of a medical professional, can give you an in-depth understanding of the condition.