Asthma is one of the most common health conditions of today. Studies show a drastic increase in asthma diagnosis among adults and youth. Managing asthma and being educated in asthma related issues is an important step to understanding how to control symptoms or work with your doctor to decide on treatment options that are best for you.
Concurrent health problems can contribute to your asthma symptoms. Many people with allergies find that their asthma symptoms become worse around allergy triggers. If you keep on top of your concurrent health problems, you’ll be less likely to be triggered into an acute asthma attack. Ask your doctor if your other diagnoses could contribute to your struggle with asthma.
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.
A 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 suffer a medium-intensity attack, try and forcefully exhale all air from your lungs. Breathe out fast and hard. Push that air from your lungs with all that you’ve got! Inhale in a series of three, or three shallow breaths and one deep breath. After your lungs are filled with air, forcefully exhale again. This technique develops a breathing rhythm, allowing you to notice the breaths that you take in. This technique also forces the air from your lungs to enable more air to come in. There may be periods of harsh coughing and a substantial generation of sputum, but this is actually what you want in order to get the airways opened and the breathing back on a regular pattern.
Make sure you use the inhaler in the proper, prescribed method. Find a comfy spot, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The inhaler is only useful if the medication within it actually gets to your lungs. Make sure that you spray the required dosage directly into your mouth, inhaling the medication into your lungs. Make sure you hold your breath for 10 seconds or more to get the medications into your lungs.
Persons suffering from severe asthma should take acetaminophen based pain killers. Aspirin, NSAIDs and ibuprofen based medication such as Advil or Motrin may trigger or worsen your asthma attacks. Be sure to carry the right type of medication with you as your coworkers, friends or family members may not have the appropriate one.
It is empowering to have a greater understanding about asthma. Whether it is you, your child, a family member or a loved one, who is suffering from asthma, the above tips will help you greatly. Utilizing them will place you firmly in the right direction of having a full and healthy life; asthma does not have to stand in your way.