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.
If you are going to exercise, start very slowly. Sudden exercise such as taking off running can trigger asthma for most people. You can exercise, but do some warming up exercises that will gradually increase your heart rate until you feel comfortable with harder exercises. Do not force yourself to exercise if you feel you are going to have an asthma attack.
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.
Sometimes it is easy to get caught without your inhaler. If you feel and asthma attack coming on, but you don’t have your inhaler handy to deal with it, consume some caffeine. Coffee, tea, energy drinks, or whatever you can find. The caffeine will open up your airways and make it easier to breathe.
Having the proper medications and treatments for your asthma is very important. If you need to use your inhaler more than once a day, or are awakened by symptoms more than twice a week, it may be time to switch to a more controlling medicine that can prevent your symptoms.
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.
Have your home inspected at least once a year for mold and mildew if you have asthma. As bad as mold and mildew is for healthy people, it is even worse for people with asthma because it can decrease lung function and make breathing harder. If you suspect you do have mold in your home, be sure to let your doctor know.
If you are suffering an acute asthma attack and your emergency inhaler doesn’t seem to work to bring it under control, get help. Asthma attacks can worsen very quickly. It’s better to visit a doctor or even a hospital for a minor attack than to stay home through a major attack and suffer the consequences. It’s a good idea to keep your cell phone charged up and within easy reach. Keep emergency contacts on speed dial.
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.