Asthma 101: Everything You Need To Know If You Have Been Diagnosed
Whether you are a longtime asthma sufferer or have only recently been diagnosed with the condition, chances are that you have come here to find only the best and most useful advice for managing the symptoms and discomfort of asthma. Continue reading for a selection of the best tips and tricks for asthma care.
Use natural cleaning products in your home instead of store bought chemical cleaners. Harsh chemicals can produce harmful fumes that can trigger an asthma attack. Even if you are not the one doing the cleaning, the fumes linger and can affect you for days. Use natural cleaners: they are better for you lungs and the environment.
Although it may seem trivial to most people, it is important that you live near your doctor or an emergency room if you have asthma. Living in a rural area can mean that paramedics cannot get to you in time to save your life if you have a severe asthma attack.
Buy cleaning products that are labeled as environmentally-friendly. This will not cost you more, and they are just as efficient as chemical products. These green products will reduce the risk of asthma attacks and allow you to keep your house clean at the same time. Look for non-toxic cleaning products.
Be sure to do your research. If you have asthma, be proactive about it. The more you know, the better. There is always a wealth of information handy in books and on the internet. Learning as much as you can about things that directly affect you is always a good idea.
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.
Stay indoors during high pollen count days. Pollen and other airborne allergens account for many asthma symptoms. When pollen counts reach higher levels, the number of patients in the ER with severe asthma attacks increases. Avoid an attack, by staying indoors with an air conditioner or other air filtering system.
When you use your asthma inhaler, you must be sure to use it right. Remember that the target is your lungs, not your mouth! Inhale deeply and hold your asthma medication in your lungs for at least three seconds, at most five seconds. Follow this by exhaling very slowly and deliberately.
An excellent suggestion for improving control over your asthma is to limit the amount of time you spend with animals. Even if animals themselves may not cause you to have an attack, they can also carry dirt and other substances that can potentially cause an attack. Because of these things, you should keep your time with animals to a minimum.
So if you or someone you know has been diagnosed as an asthmatic, keep these helpful words of wisdom in mind as you discuss symptoms, triggers and preventive measures to combat the discomfort and breathing difficulties that come with the territory. Combined with the care of a healthcare professional, you can use this information to breathe more easily.
