Even if you have asthma, you can learn to keep it under control. Most people with asthma can lead normal lives.
However, if you have an asthma attack, this can be terrifying. If not taken care of properly, it can be serious and even fatal.
An asthma attack can be terrifying for both children and adults. Additionally, emergency room visits for asthma sufferers, both young and old, are very common. Even worse, thousands die every year as a direct or indirect result of an asthma attack. Most of these deaths could be avoided with proper treatment. In the United Kingdom, for example, approximately 1400 people every year die from an asthma attack. That's about four people a day.
In short, people are dying needlessly. If you learn to deal with your asthma, you can not only live a normal life, but you may very well save your own life. If you're an adult and have recently been diagnosed with asthma, make sure you talk to your doctor and get proper information. The Internet is also a fine resource to find information on treatment. However, you should take care that that the sites you get information from are endorsed by the proper professionals and not simply "quack" treatments. Remember that information is power, and if you have the proper information, you're well armed to deal with an asthma attack, should it occur.
To find out what your triggers are, keep a log for a few days and note when asthma attacks occur. It is a trigger dust? Animal hair? By keeping track of your symptoms and when they occur, you can learn which substances trigger asthma attacks. Or perhaps it's situational, wherein you have an asthma attack triggered when you breathe in cold air, for example. In that case, it would be advised to limit your outdoor exposure during winter months, or wear a scarf over your mouth to help warm the air that you breathe in.
Your doctor may mention a peak flow meter. This is an instrument you use daily to measure your lungs' strength and efficiency. It can help you predict when an asthma attack is going to happen. Should you have an attack, remember to keep calm.
This may be difficult for you if you've just been diagnosed with asthma, but once you become experienced at this, you will be able to do this easily. Place your hands palms down in your lap and focus on breathing in slowly. Try not to take big gulps of air. The attack should subside in 5 to 10 minutes. However, if symptoms don't go away, go to the hospital or call an ambulance immediately, so that you get medical intervention right away.
Gaetane Ross is a Certified Natural Health Consultant who has spent over 4 years focusing on Nutrition and Health. She also specializes in Alternative Medicine, Spiritual Healing and Healthy Lifestyle. Gaetane's mission is to positively transform the lives of everyone she meets by providing advice on Healthy Living.
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