Having an asthma attack can feel like a death sentence. No matter how much you try, you just cannot pull enough oxygen into your lungs, to be okay and breathe. You feel as if you are going to burst if you don’t get some oxygen in your body. Asthmatics work long and hard to avoid ever having this feeling. Read on for tips to keep your asthma attack at bay.
If you’re caught without your inhaler when you have an attack, grab a cup of coffee. The caffeine in the beverage will open up your airways and allow you to breathe a little easier. If you don’t have a caffeinated beverage on hand, the small amounts of caffeine in a chocolate bar can also help.
Beware of certain medications like aspirin and penicillin if you suffer from asthma. These medications can actually worsen your asthma symptoms or trigger an attacks. Try to use substitutions such as paracetamol when you have a headache, or you are in pain, and be sure to ask your doctor what medications are safer to take.
For help with asthma, maintain the humidity in your home. A great treatment for asthma is a clean, dry environment. Using a dehumidifier will reduce the amount of seasonal triggers that are present in your house.
If you suffer from asthma then you should avoid using NSAIDS or aspirin. These can trigger asthma or make it worse. Stick to Tylenol or acetaminophen for your pain control and fever reducing needs. You can also talk to you doctor about other possible substitutions.
When you know you have asthma be sure to exercise moderately. Excessive and prolonged physical activity may generate asthma attacks. Some people only have attacks during these exercises. Be sure to breathe through your nose when you exercise as breathing in cold air through your mouth can be the trigger of your attacks.
When you are packing for a vacation and you have asthma, be sure to pack an extra rescue inhaler. In case your inhaler gets lost, having a back up will ensure that you do not go without medications. Also, do not forget to bring any pills you take for your asthma.
If you have children with asthma, complete a regular inspection of your home. The most common triggers of asthma attacks in children are dust, mold and other harmful spores in the air. Checking your home once a year for these air pollutants is an effective way to prevent and treat your child’s asthma attacks.
Change your sheets and comforter once a week, and wash them in hot water. One of the best ways to prevent attacks or common triggers is to ensure your home is clean and dry. Your bedding starts to collect dust, dander, dirt and other debris that can pollute the air you breathe. Frequent washing in hot water ensures these pollutants are kept to a minimum.
The tips you use from this article, will vary based on what triggers your asthma attacks. The important thing is that you take the tips that cover your triggers and start to apply them to your life. Talk to your doctor, in order to get help isolating what your exact triggers are, so you can start working to prevent your next asthma attack.