Millions of people of all ages and genders who suffer from asthma understand that even a task that requires minimal effort can leave them out of breath. Luckily, there are many different treatment options that are very effective, and can make living with asthma a little less worrisome. You will likely be better informed about and better prepared to deal with asthmatic respiratory concerns after you have taken a look at the tips below.
You should use the AC as much as possible so that you can breathe fresh air. But make sure you clean up your AC unit regularly. If you are going to use a humidifier, clean it too. An unclean AC system could make your life absolutely miserable if you have asthma.
A good tip that can help you if you suffer from asthma is to make sure you have some kind of emergency plan in place. You never know when your asthma is going to flare up. When this happens, you should have some kind of emergency plan to act on so that you don’t waste any time.
Keeping your allergies in check is important in order to keep your asthma in check. Allergies and asthma commonly go together, and when your allergies or flairing up, your asthma probably will to. In addition to your inhaler, be sure to use an allergy medication when allergy season is at its peak.
Make sure that you do not have any food allergies if you have asthma. Many people find out the hard way that they are allergic to certain foods. Having an allergic reaction can also effect your asthma because your breathing can be decreased. Be sure to go to the emergency room if you think you are having an allergic reaction to food.
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.
If you use a preventative inhaler without a spacer, gargle with salt water and brush your teeth immediately after using it. The medication from a preventative inhaler will collect at the back of your throat, which is a moist environment, perfect for the growth of bacteria and fungi. If your inhaler were to become contaminated, you could contract thrush from using it. Gargling and brushing your teeth should help prevent this.
Keep an asthma diary to help you identify substances that trigger attacks or worsen symptoms. In this diary, keep track of foods and activities to help you pinpoint those items that cause asthma attacks. Your asthma diary is also beneficial when working with your doctor on your long-term management plan.
Now that you know more about how to handle your asthma, you can confidently handle it, and support others with the condition. Whether you use this advice for yourself or for a loved one with the condition, you should take comfort in knowing that a diagnosis of asthma is not the end of the world.