Asthma is a serious condition that many people suffer from. Some have more serious cases than others, but it is a condition that is easily controlled. Many people think that you have to limit your activities to prevent your asthma from flaring up. On the contrary, this article discusses tips that help you keep your asthma under control so you can do anything you so desire without worry.
If you are out of shape, a solid exercise regimen can help improve your asthma symptoms. The fact is that under-exerting ourselves can lead the body to exhaustion more easily. By pushing your boundaries, you tone functions vital to your body’s general balance, making your body less likely to go haywire.
Know your triggers, and know them well. Most types of asthma have specific triggers that will lead to acute asthma attacks. By knowing your triggers, you can either limit your exposure to them or take measures to counteract their presence before you go. Preventing attacks is sometimes as simple as knowing what will cause them.
A great tip that can help you alleviate your asthma is to make sure you’re properly using your inhaler. A lot of people don’t use their inhaler correctly because they take shallow breaths. In order for the medicine to work, you need to inhale deeply when using your inhaler.
Do not swim in pools that contain chlorine if you have asthma. The chlorine can trigger asthma attacks or make your symptoms worse. If you are unsure if the pool that you are going to swim in has chlorine or not, ask a lifeguard or the manager of the facility.
If you have asthma, and you have no choice but to live in a cold environment, try not to spend too much outside when it is cold. The cold will worsen your asthma symptoms or cause attacks. Spend as much time as you can in a hot environment and when you have to go outside, wear a scarf.
It is wise for all asthma patients to purchase peak flow meters for their home. These machines can help you check your lung function so that you know if you are in danger of having an asthma attack. These machines are inexpensive and certain insurances will actually pay for them.
Stop what you are doing when you feel that an asthma attack is coming. This is especially true when you are driving or operating heavy machinery. Explain to the people around you what is going on as they may become overly excited which in return can stress you out even more.
If you find yourself using your emergency inhalers more than two times a week, you might want to consider changing asthma medication. Certain medications work better or worse for different people, so you shouldn’t just stick with the first one you try. If you feel that your symptoms aren’t getting better, ask your doctor about trying another medication.
Do not try to “tough it out” if you notice an oncoming asthma attack or a general worsening of your symptoms. Your doctor prescribed you a rescue inhaler for a reason; use it. If your symptoms seem to be getting worse overall, you should speak to your doctor about adjusting your medication plan.
Many people that have asthma also have allergies. These allergies can trigger asthma symptoms. Some common allergens include animal dander, dust mites, molds and pollen. If you have allergies, you can visit a doctor and he can let you know exactly what you are allergic to and help you find ways to avoid it.
Asthma is commonly linked to allergies. People with allergies tend to develop asthma more often than people who do not, and also allergic reactions can serve as triggers for asthma attacks. It is therefore important to have your allergies properly diagnosed, and more specifically to be aware of which allergens you have to watch out for. This knowledge will allow you to avoid situations where you could be at risk of an asthma attack.
If you have asthma, it is important to avoid allergens. These irritants can trigger an attack and cause coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. Things you should stay away from are tobacco smoke, pollen, dust, mold and pet dander. Some people are also sensitive to cold air or overexerting themselves.
It is important to stay indoors during certain seasons when you have asthma. Some times of the year when the air is especially humid, spending too much time outdoors can make it difficult for you to breathe. Other times, the pollen count gets very high and can trigger an asthma attack.
Asthma is something that can strike at any moment and sometimes people simply don’t have their inhaler handy. If you find yourself in this position, try a couple cups of coffee or tea to calm your lungs. Also try things such as hot chocolate, or chocolate bars. The caffeine in them has been known to help open up your airways.
One thing that you must do is figure out what triggers your asthma attacks. Write down potential asthma triggers in a journal and talk to your doctor about them. Once you know your triggers, do what you can to eliminate them from where you are, as much as possible.
Develop an asthma attack action plan. Get to know your symptoms so you can tell when an attack is coming, and have a plan to deal with emergencies. Make sure your doctor approves of your plan, and see if he or she has any suggestions. Share your action plan with family and friends.
Sometimes you can be having an asthma attack and not know it. This is normally called a silent asthma attack. A way to tell if you are having a silent asthma attack is to make sure that your fingernails or lips are not purple, as this indicates a lack of oxygen to your lungs.
As we have discovered, asthma is a widespread condition that limit peoples’ activities. Because it can cause shortness of breath and many other complications, people are scared to do the activities that they love. However, if you just follow the advice given in this article, you will discover that life should not be disrupted by asthma anymore.
