Seven Smart Tips for Asthma Sufferers

People with asthma are susceptible to inflammation and irritation of the tiny tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. If you have been diagnosed with asthma, you have probably experienced wheezing, breathlessness, and a feeling of tightness in your chest. These symptoms can be exhausting and can severely reduce your enjoyment of life, so it is important to reduce their frequency and severity. Although you will have been prescribed a reliever inhaler and may have been given a preventative inhaler as well, there are some lifestyle factors that can also play an important role in helping or worsening your asthma symptoms. Read on to discover seven smart tips that will help to keep your asthma under control...

1) Try to minimize your exposure to pet hair:
If you are a cat or dog owner, you are unlikely to want to rehome your pet even if their presence worsens your asthma symptoms. However, there are some steps you can take to minimize the impact that pet hair has on your respiratory condition. For example, you should restrict the movements of your pet so that it does not sleep on your bed or spend time in your favorite chair. In addition, try to make sure that your friends and family understand that pet hair can cause you to experience asthma symptoms. If you make this clear, loved ones will be more likely to vacuum their home before you arrive and may make an attempt to keep the pet out of the main rooms.

2) Be careful in cold weather:
In the chilly winter months, you may find that you feel particularly tight-chested and wheezy after spending time walking outdoors. Indeed, studies show that three quarters of all asthma sufferers think that cold air triggers the onset of their symptoms. If you cannot avoid going out in the cold, at least make sure that you wear a thick scarf that can be placed over your mouth. This will limit the amount of freezing air that you inhale.

3) Accept the flu vaccination every year:
Doctors strongly recommend that all asthma sufferers receive the latest flu vaccine on a yearly basis, so if you want to take care of yourself then this is an important step to take. Although the vaccination will sting and may make you feel tired for a few days, you should remember that catching a particularly virulent flu will lead to severe respiratory distress and hospitalization for some asthma sufferers.

4) Keep your home clean:
The presence of mold can cause wheezing and shortness of breath in people with asthma, so try to keep your shower and windows clean and make sure that you get rid of condensation after bathing. Since asthma sufferers typically struggle in dusty environments as well, it is also a good idea to start vacuuming more often and consider investing in a hypo-allergenic bed. Finally, it is vital to wash your sheets and duvets at a high temperature in order to eliminate dust mites, are these mites can produce waste that is highly irritating to asthmatic lungs.

5) Avoid strong fumes:
Inhaling any strong fumes can irritate the airways, leading to wheezing and respiratory discomfort in asthma sufferers. There are a few different things that you can do to limit your exposure to such fumes. Firstly, try to find some personal care products that contain no added scents or perfume. Secondly, replace bleach-based cleaning products with ones that have a less pungent odor. Thirdly, do you very best to avoid smokers, as being around cigarette smoke could trigger a dangerous asthma attack.

6) Keep an eye on the pollen count:
Many people with asthma find that their symptoms worsen when there is a high pollen count, so check your weather forecast on a regular basis and try to stay indoors (with the windows closed) if the numbers look daunting. If you do need to go outside when the pollen count is high, always take your reliever inhaler with you.

7) Find new ways to relax:
Finally, stress can trigger asthma symptoms in some patients. It is important to try to keep your stress levels under control by indulging in relaxing activities such as practicing meditation, taking long baths and reading fiction books. If you know that you are entering a stressful situation that cannot be avoided (such as a job interview), make sure that your reliever inhaler is in your bag.