With more than 17 million men, women, and kids suffering from asthma in the United States alone, there is a very good chance that you or someone you know is affected with this respiratory condition. Fortunately, this selection of carefully selected tips and tricks will leave you more informed about asthma.
Remove all kinds of carpets from your house. Carpeting is hard to clean and will contain dust no matter how long you spend vacuuming it. You should choose linoleum floors or wooden floors instead. The same thing applies to furniture: get a leather couch instead of choosing a softer fabric.
When you have asthma, you are more vulnerable to infections. Wash your hands as often as possible, especially before eating. If your child has asthma, teach them this habit early. By washing your hands, you can stop the spread of certain harmful bacteria that would result in a lung infection.
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.
Make proper use of your inhaler. Find a relaxing spot, and be sure that you follow the directions that the manufacturer provided. Proper use delivers the medication to your lungs. While taking a deep breath, spray in the recommended dosage. Don’t exhale for ten seconds so that the medicine can go through your lungs.
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.
Limit contact with animals, especially long-haired indoor/outdoor pets. Many people with asthma also suffer from diagnosed or undiagnosed animal hair allergies. Even if you aren’t allergic to animal fur or dander, long-haired animals that spend time outdoors will track in dirt and dust that can trigger an asthma attack or otherwise exacerbate asthma symptoms.
To avoid or manage asthma, consider taking up yoga. But make sure to practice at a studio that doesn’t just focus on the asana exercises, but also teaches what they call pranayama, which is controlled breathing. When you can control your breath for a while, you will find that deep, clear breathing becomes habitual for the body and seriously prevents asthma attacks.
Make sure to take all of your asthma medications exactly as your doctor prescribes them, even if you haven’t been suffering any symptoms lately. Not having symptoms doesn’t mean your asthma went away; it just means your medications are working! This includes your preventative medications as well as your rescue inhaler.
Now that you have armed yourself with information on the common symptoms, triggers, and courses of treatment for this common respiratory condition, you will be better prepared to discuss medical care and prevention. Remember this useful and highly recommended advice to do whatever it takes to stay one step ahead of asthma.