Asthma is a malady that may be uncontrollable if left untamed. A severe asthma attack can put you in the hospital or kill you. Consulting a medical professional is the first step in any treatment plan. Beyond that, however, you must take an active role in maintaining your health. The following article will give you advice to help control your asthma.
It is imperative that you do your best to avoid cleaning chemicals if you are asthmatic. The complex list of ingredients on many cleaning products makes it difficult know which ones have the chemical compounds that might aggravate asthma symptoms or even initiate an attack. It is advisable to consider using products that have an organic base when cleaning.
When you are suffering from an asthma attack, exhale all of the oxygen from your lungs. Exhale as fast and hard as you can. It can’t be said too strongly: you must force the air out! Take three short breaths, then one last deep breath to ensure your lungs have enough air, then forcefully breath out. Breathing in this rhythmic manner helps you to concentrate on the breaths you’re taking. This technique also forces the air from your lungs to enable more air to come in. You may generate sputum or cough but that is alright, since your main objective is getting you to breathe normally again.
Anyone suffering from asthma or asthma-like symptoms needs to stay clear of cigarette smoke, whether you smoke yourself, or even if you’re breathing secondhand smoke. Asthmatics should also never smoke. It is also a good idea to stay away from the fumes or vapors from harsh chemicals, such as those used in cleaning. More often than not, smoke is going to trigger an unavoidable asthma attack. If you find that you have people smoking around you, get yourself out of that area rather quickly.
Stay away from any tobacco smoke, even people that are smoking tobacco. Inhaling smoke from tobacco products can compromise your lung function, which then makes you more susceptible to an attack. The risk of an attack from cigarette smoke is increased as the space you are in decreases.
Always choose unscented products for your home if you have asthma. Products with a fragrance raise the air pollution indoors, and increase the risk of an attack being triggered. Some of these products include incense, scented body sprays and air fresheners. Irritating odors are also given off by new carpeting and paints. As much as possible, try to keep your home filled with fresh, pure air.
You will need to keep your residence really clean, especially the bedroom where the asthma sufferer sleeps in order to help lessen the chances of an attack. Do not allow smoking in your house, and keep food in your kitchen. Don’t use strong cleaners or bleach and air out the house immediately following cleaning.
Asthma is an uncurable disease, but that doesn’t mean that the symptoms are permanent and can’t go away. However, just like most things in life, overcoming your asthma symptoms takes time and effort. If you follow these easy tips, you’ll find that your symptoms will get better over time and you’ll be able to enjoy a healthier, more active lifestyle.