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10 Strategies For Dealing With Asthma
I'm active and like to hike, so I went to Spray Falls which is in the Mt. Rainier area, about 15 years ago. While traversing up the mountain, I had to continuously stop to catch my breath. This seemed odd. I couldn't figure it out. I wanted to get to the top to take pictures because the scenery was stunning, I just was having a hard time getting there. I eventually reached the top and took some pictures. I would love to go again someday. Weeks after my hiking trip, I was still experiencing shortness of breath. Why was this happening suddenly? It made no sense! I was a little scared. I finally went to an allergist, blew in a tube and took some tests, and he informed me that I had asthma! What? How could that be? Where did this come from? He sent me home with an emergency inhaler and a preventive inhaler that I was SUPPOSED to use every day. I refused to use the inhaler for quite a long time, until one day I was out on a trail with a friend and had a severe asthma attack. I carried the preventive inhaler with me, but that never works DURING an attack. I didn't have my emergency puffer with me, but somehow I lived! That awful experience forced me to finally listen to the doctor and start puffing daily. At first my voice went away, but I was breathing and that's all that mattered. After using the higher dosage for a while, I was able to switch to a lower daily dosage. After doing that for a while, I felt like my asthma was gone forever and stopped using my meds. I was so happy that I was cured and could go on with normal life. After about a week, my asthma returned with a vengeance and the attacks got the best of me. I was spending the nights in hotels and hanging out in movie theatres and malls just so I could have some air. I didn't have air conditioning at my condo. This could not continue. I had to do something. I got back on the inhaler again and have used it consistently for years on a daily basis. I puff now about every other day unless I start having symptoms. If that happens, I puff more frequently. Different locations in my house and the cars are stashed with puffers, since I never know when disaster will strike. I used to completely PANIC when having an Asthma attack, but I've learned secrets to deal with it and they've really helped me. 1. Designate a quiet place in your house like the bedroom. Take a puff and relax. 2. Sit down next to a hot pan of steamed water or humidifier or get into a hot steamy shower for about 10 minutes. 3. Outside COLD air can set off an attack. Don't go outside. 4. Don't drink cold water, drink hot water daily. It's good to steam your lungs! 5. Don't EVER STOP using your daily inhaler "cold turkey". Talk to your doctor before making any changes. 6. Don't eat until you are stuffed, it weighs on your lungs. 7. Take your emergency inhaler wherever you go. I have several that are stored in different places like bedroom, family room, purse, and each of our cars. 8. Carpets collect dust. Replace with hardwood floors. 9. Install air conditioning, if you can, it works wonders. ALWAYS keep your windows CLOSED during pollen season. 10. HEPA filter vacuum cleaners are a great way to remove the dust. Other vacuums might redistribute the dust throughout your house. If you are having trouble breathing or think you might have asthma, talk to your doctor. Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Click here for information on Miche Bag Shells and myMiche Bag videos. |
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