Help Control Your Asthma With These Simple Tips

Knowing what you can do and what you can avoid to keep your asthma in check, can give you a new lease on life and reduce the constant fear of when the next attack will be. The tips below will give you that information you need to live more peacefully.

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If you have asthma, make sure to cover all your mattresses and your pillows with plastic covers. This will prevent any dust that may be on your fabrics from getting into your lungs. You should also wash all of your bedding in hot water at least once a week. Yes, this is a lot of work, but you will reap the benefits if you make the time to do it.

 

When you know you have asthma be sure to exercise moderately. Excessive and prolonged physical activity may generate asthma attacks. Some people only have attacks during these exercises. Be sure to breathe through your nose when you exercise as breathing in cold air through your mouth can be the trigger of your attacks.

 

Make sure you use your preventative inhaler that is prescribed by your doctor. Note that a preventative inhaler is different than a rescue inhaler, which is used during an acute attack. A preventative inhaler, on the other hand, dispenses medicine designed to keep the air flowing, which reduces acute attacks.

 

Wash bed linens at least once per week and other bedding items, such as comforters, at least every two weeks, in hot water to kill any dust mites that may be present. Dust mites are a common allergen for many asthma sufferers, so frequently washing items where skin cells collect is one way to reduce the amount of mites and subsequently, lessen asthma symptoms.

 

Understanding how to properly administer your asthma medications is important, particularly in regard to rescue medications. Typically, asthma is treated using normal medications along with rescue medication, like an inhaler, for emergency situations. It's important to use both forms of medication properly to treat your chronic condition.

 

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.

 

Focus on your breathing techniques to help you better manage your asthma. You may find yourself breathing rapidly but shallowly because it seems like you cannot get enough air into your lungs. Focus on taking deep breaths from your diaphragm to maximize the amount of oxygen you are receiving and to lessen the sudden inflammation of an asthma attack.

 

Try consuming caffeine products if you feel an asthma attack coming on but do not have your rescue inhaler with you. Caffeine can expand airways, so caffeine consumption may help you prevent an attack. A cup of coffee, hot chocolate or tea may help, or even eating a chocolate bar.

 

Having asthma doesn't have to mean that you live in constant worry or fear of the next attack. It means that you have to be smart about what you do and avoid. The information here should help you to stay breathing easy for a long, long time.