An asthma attack is a very scary thing. In the most severe cases, you feel like someone is choking you from the inside so you try to get in as much air as you can. You labor to just breathe and the sound of wheezing is a testament that your body is working against you. You will also feel pain in the chest as you try hard to get precious air into your lungs. For the person watching an asthmatic having an attack, it’s not easy either. It is especially distressing if you’re a parent and your child is having an asthma attack. You can really see them suffering.
Causes of Asthma
Even with the dramatic advancements in modern medicine, it is sad to say that doctors today still have no concrete and definitive answer to to what causes asthma. It is generally agreed upon, though, that asthma is probably due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. If your family has a history of asthma attacks, then you have a good chance of inheriting it, too. The same also applies if you’re particularly sensitive to climate or environmental changes.
The most common trigger of an asthma attack is exposure to various allergens and irritants. The list that follows are just some of the most common asthma triggers:
- allergens such as pollens or animal dandy
- air pollutants and irritants
- smoke
- physical exertion
- cold
- sinusitis
- strong emotions or feelings
- strong odors or scents
- preservatives added to food
Since not all asthma patients have the same triggers, it is always better to ask your doctor about your particular asthma case and what triggers it. That way, you will know what to avoid in the future.
Getting Rid Of Asthma
There’s no way to totally get rid of asthma — it is treatable, but non-curable. Oftentimes, asthma goes into remission after the child reaches their teen to adult years, and then comes back as they reach their later years.
Since you can’t really get rid of asthma, here are several ways for you to alleviate or at least prevent an asthma attack from happening as much as possible:
- Get exercise. It may seem counterintuitive to be exercising when one of the triggers of an asthma attack is rigorous physical activity; however, regular moderate exercise like aerobics or light jogging can help strengthen your heart and lungs so you’ll be able to breathe more easily. Don’t shock your body by doing rigorous exercise right away. Start slow and then gradually build up to a higher level. Don’t exercise in cold conditions as this may trigger an attack instead. Better yet, ask your doctor in conjunction with a health trainer for a good exercise program you can adopt.
- Avoid allergens or irritants that trigger your asthma attack. The best way to avoid an asthma attack is to stay away from the things that trigger it. It may seem simple at first, but keep in mind the fact that most of the asthma triggers are things you can’t avoid such as cigarette smoke, cold, or strong emotions or even stress. Worse, they can be things you enjoy.
- Maintain climate and temperature control. If you have to work under cold conditions, use a face mask or a scarf to keep the air you breathe warm. During summer, when it’s hot and humid, getting an air conditioner will keep your room cool and dry. Air conditioners also helps lessen the amount of dust and pollen in a room that may have come from outside. Consider getting a dehumidifier as well.
- Use hypoallergenic pillows and blankets. Some allergens are also common triggers for an asthma attack. To minimize these, use pillows or blankets that are hypoallergenic or those that are dust-resistant, such as foam pillows. As much as possible, avoid using cotton-stuffed materials.
- Maintain a clean home. Keep your home free from dust or molds by cleaning it regularly. Vacuum carpets and dust off furniture and surfaces. Be sure to wear a dust mask while cleaning so you won’t inhale the dust and microscopic irritants. If your asthma is triggered by chemicals, then use products that do not contain them or better yet, switch to natural cleaning methods and solutions.
- Treat heartburn or gastrointestinal reflex disease, if you have them. Gastrointestinal reflex diseases (GERDs) or heartburn can worsen asthma by damaging the lung airways. Acid from your stomach may back up to your esophagus, causing it and the lungs to reflexively contract, resulting in shortness of breath and chest tightness. Coupled with an asthma attack, this may cause a worse asthma condition than the usual.
- Take your asthma medications. There are two types of asthma medications you can take: the long-term medications and the short-term ones. Long-term medications are usually taken on an everyday basis and they are used to control persistent asthma attacks. Examples include:
- inhaled corticosteroids
- leukotriene modifiers
- theophyline
Last Words
Managing your asthma is a task that requires ongoing, life-long dedication. Whether you like it or not, you will be stuck with it all your life. The best way to deal with asthma is to constantly get in touch with your doctor and, by working together, devise a plan to live with it as comfortably as possible. Know the warning signs and symptoms so you can treat it as early as possible. Acting quickly can lessen the severity of an asthma attack, so you don’t need to labor more than necessary or, heaven forbid, get admitted to a hospital. Engage yourself in activities that will help you relax and improve your respiratory condition, such as taking yoga classes or breathing lessons.
Most of all, don’t let asthma take control of your life. Do what normal people do, within check. Enjoy life. Enjoy living. Taking control of the treatment can make you feel like you’re taking control of your life in general, making you feel and live better.
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