Living with asthma can be a challenge. Asthma prevents people from participating in sports and other physically active activities because of the risk of having trouble breathing. If you suffer from asthma, you probably already know this. If you’d like to get help and find ways to improve your condition, read on!
Wash your bedding regularly, at least once a week. Your bedding might contain dust and microscopic acarids which can cause asthma. You should also place a protective plastic cover on your mattress since you cannot wash it. Keep your clean bedding in a drawer where it will not get dusty.
Make sure you breathe fresh air as much as possible. This means you should open the windows of your house everyday. Perfumes, incenses or strong smells can trigger asthma: do not lit any candles or wear too much perfume. Stay out of your house if you need to let smelly paint dry.
If you are going to exercise, start very slowly. Sudden exercise such as taking off running can trigger asthma for most people. You can exercise, but do some warming up exercises that will gradually increase your heart rate until you feel comfortable with harder exercises. Do not force yourself to exercise if you feel you are going to have an asthma attack.
If you are experiencing a moderately severe attack, try to first exhale completely. Breath out as hard and fast as you can. Push that air from your lungs with all that you’ve got! Inhale in a series of three, or three shallow breaths and one deep breath. After your lungs are filled with air, forcefully exhale again. This method forces you to pay close attention to your breathing and create a steady rhythm. It will also help to get the air to come out of the lungs so more can come in. You may generate sputum, but the primary goal is to start breathing regularly again.
It is important that you take vitamins everyday in order to control asthma symptoms and attacks. Vitamins and nutrients help to promote oxygen and blood flow to your lungs which also controls asthma symptoms. Try to eat foods that will also provide you with nutrients, such as green vegetables and fruits.
Products with no scent are the safest and best option for an asthma sufferer. Use of scented products, such as perfume, air fresheners and incense, increase the levels of indoor air pollution and can trigger an attack. Fresh paint and new carpeting also produce smells that can cause irritation to the airways. Keep your indoor air as clean as you can.
If you have asthma, or if your children have asthma, it is vital that you receive the flu shot yearly. Regular vaccinations will help you and your children to avoid lung infections.
As you can see, asthma isn’t an insurmountable problem. By taking the proper measures, you can help manage your condition and do the things you enjoy, without worrying about hurting yourself or taking a trip to the hospital. Apply the advice from this article now and start living a better life!