When you’re having an asthma attack, you may have a lot of trouble breathing. This can terrify you even if you’ve had an attack before and know what’s going on. Asthma attacks come with no warning, and the condition can shorten your life or even bring it to an abrupt halt. This article can help you to understand why asthma attacks happen and point you toward ways to handle it and reduce the limits that it puts on you.
If you suffer from asthma, don’t smoke, and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke. This means you should stay away from all tobacco products and carefully consider the jobs you apply to, especially in factories, as you may be exposed to harmful smoke or vapors.
Do not smoke around a child with asthma. As far as triggers that cause asthma attacks or causes of the condition in general, secondhand cigarette smoke ranks right up there. Try to keep your children out of environments that are smokey to ensure the health of their lungs.
You should stay away from anything you might believe which can trigger an asthma attack. For many, allergens like dust and pollen, can trigger their attacks. For others, physical activities can cause them. Knowing exactly what sets off your asthma is thus, very important.
Exhale Forcefully
If you have moderate asthma attacks, exhale forcefully, so that you force air from your lungs. Breathe out quick and forcefully. Force all the air out of the lungs! Then take three small breaths in, followed by a deeper breath to fill your lungs comfortably. Next, exhale forcefully again. Doing this means breathing in a conscious rhythm that makes you mindful of your breathing. It also will push all of your air out of the lungs so that you can get more air in. If you cough up mucus, don’t worry – just get the breathing back to normal.
If you are an asthma sufferer and are denied health insurance, talk to a social worker. Asthma patients need their medications, and a social worker might be able to hook you up with programs to help you such as clinics and programs through pharmaceutical companies.
Hay fever and colds can worsen asthma symptoms so prepare to need increased treatments. These kinds of illness can inflame you asthma to a degree that a treatment increase is necessary. Your physician might also work an additional treatment into your therapy until such time as you are healthier.
If you suffer from asthma, you might want to use a pillow that doesn’t contain feathers. Feathers in a pillow can bring on the symptoms of asthma and decrease lung function. The same goes for bedding – try to buy a comforter and sheets that are made from hypoallergenic materials.
Go to your regular medical check-ups, even if your condition seems under control. Your doctor may be able to prescribe more effective treatments and you may be suffering symptoms you’re not aware are related to your asthma.
Consider joining a support group, either on or offline. Suffering from asthma can mean many days are spent at home with your condition stopping you from participating in a full and fulfilling lifestyle. Your peers will be able to provide you with advice and tips that work for them, information about new treatment techniques, and even some home remedies you might not know about.
If asthma is allowed to go untreated and uncontrolled, it can be fatal. That said, however, if you make the preceding tips a part of your self-care routine, you should not only not have to worry about killing yourself, but you’ll also be able to live a full, healthy life.
