About one person in every 15 has asthma. If you have it, your bronchial tubes- the tiny airways in your lungs are inflamed and supersensitive. Most of the time you can breathe normally, not during an asthma attack. During such an episode the airways swell and fill with mucus and the muscles around them tighten. When this happens you may cough, wheeze feel short of breath. Without prompt help asthma can be fatal once you know how to mange it though chances are you can control it by taking medication and by staying away from things that trigger an attack.
Adult Asthma Symptoms:
- Mild or moderate attacks of asthma:
- Coughing.
- Feeling of tightness in the chest.
- Noisy breathing (wheezing) .
- Trouble catching your breath.
Severe attack of asthma:
- Rapid shallow breathing.
- Trouble talking because of rapid breathing.
- Racing pulse.
- Panic.
Asthma Prevention Techniques
- Track your attacks by keeping a diary about how frequent or how severe the attack was.
- Pollen and dirty air: when you know that pollution levels are high, keep windows closed and use air conditioning.
- Dust and vacuum often, wearing a dust mask.
- Humidity dust mites an molds love damp air, so use a dehumidifier to control them.
- Cockroaches are one of the leading causes of asthma attacks in children. Ward off cockroaches by storing food in airtight containers .
- Dust catchers in the bedroom such as large shelves of books should be moved out.
- In bedding, use foam rubber pillows avoid using woolen blankets .
- If you are around cats or dogs and their hair causes attacks don't keep pets with hair or fur .
- Don't smoke, and stay away from smoky rooms and from people who are smoking
- Exercise regularly, but don't overdo it.
- Lower your risk of colds and flu by washing your hands often and getting a flu shot every year.
- Learn relaxation methods such as yoga, meditation, or deep breathing; easing stress can reduce the number and strength of attacks.
Adult Asthma Cure:
- Monitor your breath regularly with a peak flow meter which measures hoe well air moves in and out of your lungs.
- Recognize the signs of an oncoming episode. Typical signs include tightness in the chest, coughing, tiredness.
- Keep your medicines handy, especially the bronchodilator- a spray drug to open the airways.
- Remain calm and quiet, staying relaxed will help you breathe easily.
- Don't lie down, you can breathe better when you sit upright and lean forward slightly, resting your elbows on the table.
- Use the medication exactly as the doctor has advised, overdoses can be dangerous.
- Ask a friend, coworker, teacher or family member to stay with you.
If natural home remedies can't cure, call a doctor when:
- Difficulty talking because you feel you're suffocating.
- Nostrils flaring with the extra effort needed to pull in air.
- Skin between the ribs looks sucked in as you inhale.
- Lips and nails tinged blue.
- If you cough up green, yellow or bloody mucus.
- If you feel strange new symptoms. These may be side effects of your drugs or may mean your asthma is getting worse.
