To make sure you're getting the most out of your inhaler, hold your breath for 3-5 seconds each time you puff. This will give you time to inhale the medication deeply into your lungs so that it can take effect quickly. Once you have finished holding your breath be sure to exhale slowly.
Learn as much as you can about living with your condition. Knowledge is power! Make sure you are well informed about the causes and known natural and prescribed ways to control your symptoms. Living with asthma can be difficult and cause you to have unwanted stress within your personal life.
Remove all kinds of carpets from your house. Carpeting is hard to clean and will contain dust no matter how long you spend vacuuming it. You should choose linoleum floors or wooden floors instead. The same thing applies to furniture: get a leather couch instead of choosing a softer fabric.
Let your friends know that they should not give you gifts of household plants. Plants can be a severe trigger for certain asthmatics. Having them constantly in your home would be like fighting a war with your environment every day. If someone does give you a plant, see if it can be planted outside. If it can't be moved outdoors, thank them nicely for the gift and then give it away later.
Keeping your allergies Read Even more 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.
If you have hay fever or a cold, you will probably need increased treatment of your asthma. Side effects that are associated with most illnesses can serve as triggers for asthma and may cause an increase in your asthma treatment. Your doctor may choose to also add an additional treatment until the illness gets better.
Be careful when starting an exercise program, and always ease into strenuous activities. Physical exertion isn't an asthma trigger for everyone, but all asthmatics suffer from some degree of airway constriction all the time, by definition, which makes it harder on your system when you work out. For those whose asthma is triggered by exercise, easing in can make it possible to exercise without suffering an attack.
Avoid bringing plants into your home. Unfortunately, this includes decorative bouquets and similar gifts. The pollen and scents produced by these plants can trigger asthma symptoms, or they can trigger the environmental allergies that go along with asthma for many sufferers. If someone does bring flowers into your home, thank them politely but remove the flowers at the first sign of symptoms.
Mold and mildew thrive in homes with high humidity levels. Both of these substances are known to trigger asthma attacks. Therefore, it is important to maintain a dry home. During the cold, winter months, a dehumidifier can help. In the summer, an air conditioner naturally takes out a lot of the humidity in the air.
If you suffer from asthma, you might want to check if you have any allergies to certain foods or your environment. There are many things that could contribute such as pets, cleaning products, feather pillows or bed, even certain perfumes. Dairy products as well as refined foods like white flour and sugar likely causes.
Take a friend or member of your family with you when you visit your doctor. Often, you are discussing so much information with your doctor that it can be difficult to keep track of all the data. Having someone with you gives you another set of ears to listen to the information and think of relevant questions. As a side benefit, having someone with you hear what the doctor says can help you engage your support network in your efforts to manage your asthma.
If you feel like an asthma attack is coming on and you do not have your inhaler around you, try caffeine. Drink a couple cups of tea, coffee hot chocolate, or even eat a candy bar or two. Caffeine helps because it will open up your airways and allow you to breath easier.
You may want to consider acupuncture if you have asthma. Acupuncture is used for a variety of different illness, and for asthma, it is used to help relax you so that you can have better lung function. Speak with your doctor about an acupuncturist in your area. Some even take medical insurance.
Consider using a spacer with your inhaler. A spacer is a device that goes between your puffer and your mouth. Using a spacer can help more of your medication end up in your lungs where it can work, instead of sitting in your mouth and throat where it doesn't do you any good.
If you or a family member suffer from severe asthma, consider having a professional cleaning company clean your home. They have access to steam cleaners and other deep-cleaning equipment that a private individual may not be able to afford. If you do have a cleaning crew come, make sure the asthmatic is not in the home during the cleaning.
Asthma typically develops over a long time, and sometimes the symptoms aren't very obvious. There are many cases where people have died from their first asthma attack, without even being aware that they were at risk. Given that fact, if you have any kind of consistent cough or respiratory ailments, consulting a physician for testing is a good idea, since you want to know if you are suffering from asthma and if so, what to do about it.
Focus on breathing through your nose to reduce the loss of excessive carbon dioxide, especially during strenuous activities. Breathing through your mouth can cause a sudden decrease in carbon dioxide levels, making your airways more prone to contraction. Breathing through your nose keeps levels more stable, making it easier to manage your asthma.
You should definitely use your preventative inhaler on a daily basis. However, you should be warned that the drug can also cause infections in your mouth, particularly near your teeth and gums. You can prevent any of these mouth issues by brushing your teeth and gargling mouthwash as soon as you use the inhaler.
The information here will surely help to guide you through your asthma, as well as gain more control over it. Use the tips and advice from the article above to be proactive in handling your asthma and maintain the lifestyle you love.