If you have asthma, you probably have medications from your doctor to treat and prevent attacks but there are some simple things you can do on your own to reduce the likelihood of an attack. Here are some helpful recommendations to help you make your home environment work with you, instead of against you, in your quest to cut down on asthma attacks.
Avoid being in contact with pets. Pets carry a lot of dust and other impurities on them. If you have a pet, wash it every week, and try keeping its hairs as short as possible. If you are going to be in contact with an animal, perhaps you should wear a mask.
First Aid Courses great tip that can help you get over an asthma attack is to try drinking a few cups of coffee. Coffee can help when you're having an asthma attack because the caffeine opens up the airways. With your airways opened, you'll be able to breathe much better.
If you have asthma and you live in a cold weather environment, you may want to consider moving. It is a medical fact that cold weather triggers asthma attacks, whereas hot weather helps keep asthma attacks and symptoms in control. Places like Florida and the Caribbean have a smaller asthma population.
If you get a bad cough that isn't clearing up, ask your doctor if it could be related to your asthma. Asthma can trigger both coughs and bronchitis. The treatment for asthma trigger bronchitis is different from the treatment for a normal cough, and finding out if asthma is part of the issue will help you get relief for your cough quickly.
First Aid Courses great tip that can help you manage your asthma is to start using nutritional supplements. Supplements such as vitamin C, D, and B are all wonderful for preventing asthma. If you aren't getting enough vitamins from your food you should definitely look into purchasing some of these vitamin supplements.
When you have asthma, you should always be under a doctors care. You will probably be prescribed medicine that should make it easier for you to breath. If you find that your medicine is not working well, you need to contact your doctor as soon as you can, and they can find a different drug that will help you.
If you have asthma and you are going to be traveling by air, be sure to get a note from your doctor stating your condition and what medications you take. Airports are picky on what can be brought on board, but asthma patients are always permitted to bring medications and inhalers on board, as long as they have a doctor's note.
Vitamins C and E can greatly assist you in fighting asthma attacks. Since both of these have been attributed to better function of the lungs, they also help to control the symptoms of asthma. Get these nutrients through supplements or food. These vitamins also help boost your immune system, which helps to prevent illnesses that trigger asthma.
Consider using a spacer with your inhaler. A spacer is a device that goes between your puffer and your mouth. Using a spacer can help more of your medication end up in your lungs where it can work, instead of sitting in your mouth and throat where it doesn't do you any good.
Focus on your breathing techniques to help you better manage your asthma. You may find yourself breathing rapidly but shallowly because it seems like you cannot get enough air into your lungs. Focus on taking deep breaths from your diaphragm to maximize the amount of oxygen you are receiving and to lessen the sudden inflammation of an asthma attack.
Reduce the amount of stress in your life to improve your ability to manage your asthma. Stress can trigger an attack, so taking steps to lessen controllable stress helps with management of the condition. While stress cannot be completely avoided, reducing it through actions such as time management plans can lessen the effect.
Many people that have asthma also have allergies. These allergies can trigger asthma symptoms. Some common allergens include animal dander, dust mites, molds and pollen. If you have allergies, you can visit a doctor and he can let you know exactly what you are allergic to and help you find ways to avoid it.
Be your child's asthma advocate, especially at school. Many schools have policies in place that prohibit children from carrying medications on them. This is not acceptable when it comes to an emergency rescue inhaler. Find out what steps you need to take to make sure that your child has access to their medication as needed.
With these tips, you can make your environment cleaner and safer, which can help prevent asthma attacks. Prevention is much easier than treatment, so implement these tips and reduce your exposure to common asthma triggers. These tips, used in conjunction with your doctor's advice and medications, can reduce the length and severity of asthma attacks.