A diagnosis of asthma can affect all areas of your life, whether you yourself have been recently diagnosed with the condition or perhaps if you are caregiver to an asthmatic. Combined with the information and instructions given by a licensed healthcare professional, these tips and tricks can be the first step to relief of asthma symptoms.
Buy cleaning products that are labeled as environmentally-friendly. This will not cost you more, and they are just as efficient as chemical products. These green products will reduce the risk of asthma attacks and allow you to keep your house clean at the same time. Look for non-toxic cleaning products.
There are medications that can unknowingly cause asthma-like symptoms. Some NSAIDs and aspirin might do this. Many medications for heart disease and hypertension can also cause asthma symptoms. It is important for your doctor to know your complete medical history, including any medications you are currently taking, so they can best treat your asthma.
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.
Protect yourself against pneumonia and bronchitis if you have asthma. These illnesses are related to your lungs and cause breathing to be labored. As bad as it is for a regular, healthy person, it is even worse for an asthma patient because your lung function is already low.
Believe it or not, doing breathing exercises can be beneficial for asthma patients. Activities like blowing balloons, playing a woodwind instrument, and singing can increase your lung capacity which can help to ease the symptoms of asthma. If you feel like your breathing is labored while doing these activities, take a break.
Pay attention to your attack triggers. If you know what is likely to trigger your attacks, such as smoke, animals, or pollen, then you can make a better effort to avoid them. Asthma triggers are different for everyone. Unfortunately, the only real way to know what will trigger an attack is to have one, and then remember what happened.
Start and stick with a regular exercise regimen to help you control your asthma. Be aware of how your asthma affects your physical abilities, but remain active. This helps your endurance and lung capacity as well as serves as a stress relief. As a side benefit, regular exercise improves your overall health, making it easier to manage a chronic condition like asthma.
Now that you have become more familiar with the basic principles and hidden ways of coping with this respiratory condition, you can be well on your way to providing relief from the key symptoms of asthma, especially shortness of breath. You can also use your newly discovered knowledge to identify the main triggers of asthma.