Asthma is a lung condition that is more common than people think. While a lot of Americans have been diagnosed with asthma, a lot of Americans still do not know they are suffering from this condition. This article explains asthma in detail, along with treatment, as well as helping you find out if you are suffering from this awful lung condition.
To make sure you’re getting the most out of your inhaler, hold your breath for 3-5 seconds each time you puff. This will give you time to inhale the medication deeply into your lungs so that it can take effect quickly. Once you have finished holding your breath be sure to exhale slowly.
A great tip that can help you manage your asthma is to keep your home clean. If your house is messy, you’ll be much more susceptible to having an asthma attack. Make sure you don’t use any cleaning products that have harsh chemicals in them because they can also trigger asthma.
If you own any type of pet and have asthma you need to be extremely cautious. The pet dander can easily set off an asthma attack. You should try hard not to have close contact with the animal, and have someone else bathe the pet thoroughly on a weekly basis.
Educate yourself on potential problems caused by your prescription medications. Many commonly prescribed drugs such as beta blockers can worsen asthma or interact with asthma medications. If you experience any of these side effects, talk with your doctor and make sure you are on a prescription regimen appropriate to manage your asthma as well.
Asthma is known to intensify the effects of the common cold and the flu, particularly the associated sinus and respiratory infections. It is therefore suggested to stay on top of flu shots during the winter if you have asthma. You should also take care to dress warmly and stay dry to reduce the chances of catching a cold.
Keep your family engaged in your treatment and care by ensuring they understand how your disease affects your life. When you have support from your family, making changes that benefit you are much easier. Likewise, with help from your family, the treatments and steps that you take to prevent asthma attacks, will be much easier to implement.
When cleaning your house, clean floors with a wet mop instead of a broom. Sweeping your floor can kick allergens into the air, triggering an asthma attack. Use damp rags instead of a dry feather duster so triggers won’t be filling the air.
With asthma, it is not a good idea to have pets. Many people are allergic to the dander in pets’ fur. Your pet may also have dirt and dust that is trapped in the fur. If you have a pet, try to make sure that it is bathed frequently. Pets should be bathed once a week.
In conclusion, asthma is a highly common lung condition that disrupts the lives of many. However, we have also discovered that not everybody knows that they are actively suffering from this condition. Now that you have read this article, you should know a little more about asthma and its treatments, as well as whether or not you have this condition.