Asthma is a chronic condition of the respiratory system that can be difficult to manage and is potentially life-threatening. However, if you and people close to you are educated about the condition, it is manageable. This article is full of tips on how to manage, treat and cope with asthma.
You should stay home as much as possible when it is humid outside or when there is a lot of pollen in the air. Humidity and pollen will make it hard for you to breathe. If you must go outside, you can wear a mask over your nose and mouth.
Get a bronchodilator or an inhaler. These products usually allow you to breathe better a few seconds after you use them. There are risks inherent to using these products, but if you use them as prescribed they should make your life easier. Ask your doctor about what kind of inhaler you should use.
A great tip that can help you deal with asthma is to exercise indoors. A lot of people just assume that they can’t exercise because they have asthma, but that’s not the case. The cold air outside is what aggravates asthma and you can avoid it by exercising indoors.
Smoking should never be done around children, especially a child who suffers from asthma. Secondhand smoke is something that can lead to serious asthma. Make sure you keep your child away from other people who are smoking, too.
If you suffer from asthma, and have many attacks that are related to your allergy symptoms, there is a medication that is injected and provides long term effects. Your allergist might recommend Omalizumab, which is an antibody type medicine that can regulate your symptoms of allergic reactions.
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.
If you have asthma and are going to exercise, be sure you take breaks in the middle of your workout, even if your asthma symptoms are not acting up. Many times, asthma symptoms can sneak up on you in the middle of the workout. This can be prevented if you take breaks.
Always get your annual flu shot! Even if you are not normally susceptible to colds and the flu during the seasons for them, when you have asthma, it is always best to protect yourself as much as possible from developing sinus infections or respiratory issues – both of which are sometimes caused by the flu.
No matter what your asthma is triggered by, the effects of asthma symptoms and attacks can range from annoying to life-threatening. To manage your asthma effectively, learn everything you can about your condition and follow the advice outlined in this article. You can live your life and enjoy it when you know how to manage your asthma.