Asthma is a chronic lung condition that affects millions of Americans of all ages, adults and children alike. If breathing is difficult for you and you are interested in ideas and suggestions for managing your asthma, then you have chosen the right article to read! Take control of your asthma.
If you suffer from asthma, you should not smoke or expose yourself to any type of vapors or fumes. You should avoid all tobacco products. You also need to consider where you see employment. If you have asthma, you should not work in areas where you will be exposed to smoke or vapors as they could cause you to have an asthma attack.
Avoid being in contact with pets. Pets carry a lot of dust and other impurities on them. If you have a pet, wash it every week, and try keeping its hairs as short as possible. If you are going to be in contact with an animal, perhaps you should wear a mask.
Go to a doctor and tell them about your difficulties to breathe. Many medicines exist. Do not take something that was not prescribed by a doctor, and do not abuse over the counter medicine. If your medicine is not efficient, go to the doctor again and ask if you can try something else.
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.
If you suffer from asthma, it is crucial that you are using your inhaler properly. Make sure that you take a deep breath before taking your asthma pump. By not using your asthma inhaler properly, you may not be getting the proper treatment in order to control your asthma symptoms.
Medications that will help you control symptoms when you have an attack are oral corticosteroids and bronchodilators. Bronchodilators, usually referred to as “rescue medications”, are usually inhaled but also come in liquid, tablet, or they are injectable. These are the most popular forms of ‘rescue medications’ that you can get.
Your doctor may thing that corticosteroids are the best relief from your asthma attacks. This is especially true if you have really bad attacks. They may be a little harder to diagnose but can be swallowed or injected in the case of an attack to open up your passages more effectively.
Medications can be taken on a regular basis to control inflammation in your airways. Inhaled corticosteroids such as cromolyn and leukotriene modifiers are some such medications. Consult with your doctor about which one is the best for you. You may need to try several of them.
Although there is no known cure for asthma, you can take steps to reduce the severity and intensity of your symptoms. Education is a vital part of lessening your symptoms, and by implementing some of the tips and suggestions from this article, you are on the road to easier breathing!