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How To Avoid Asthma Triggers

How To Control Asthma Without An Inhaler

How to Avoid Asthma and COPD Triggers

Asthma is a common disease that affects the respiratory system of the patients and causes wheezing, coughing and breathing difficulties. Asthma is caused by an exaggerated reaction of the immune system. In asthmatics, the immune system has a severe reaction to normal stimuli such as cold air, dust or pollen. This causes inflammation and swelling in the airways that end in the symptoms of asthma.

Take albuterol pills. Albuterol belongs to a class of drugs known as beta-2 agonists. Albuterol is normally ingested in an inhaled form, but it can also be prescribed orally as albuterol sulfate . Albuterol works by relaxing the airways, helping to relieve some of the symptoms of asthma.

Take theophylline. Theophylline is a medication that can be taken as a daily pill. It works helping to control asthma. It works by relaxing the muscles around the airways, helping them to remain open.

Take oral corticosteroids. Asthma is caused by an overactive immune system. Corticosteroids act by repressing it. They are prescribed as an aerosol, but they can also be prescribed orally in the form of pills.

Get an injection of immunotherapy. Many asthmatics have symptoms caused by allergies. Allergies can be suppressed by using some injectable drugs that include omalizumab and others. These medications are usually administered every few months by a doctor.

How To Control An Asthma Attack When Caught Without An Inhaler

Breathing is so automatic for most people that we hardly ever give it a second thought. If you have asthma, or if your child has asthma, though, you never take breathing for granted.

When you suffer from , your airways narrow and swell and can even produce extra mucus, all of which make breathing difficult. Asthma can also cause lots of wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.

This is especially true if you experience a full-blown asthma attack. Most people with asthma try to keep a rescue inhaler with them so they can have quick access to medicine such as albuterol, which can control their symptoms.

But what if you have an asthma attack while you dont have your inhaler with you? This can be a dangerous situation, but at Sulkowski Family Medicine, weve learned a few tips over the years that can help you out. Heres what we recommend:

If Reflux Is A Trigger

Gastroesophageal reflux is when the contents of the stomach flow backward into the esophagus. Some kids also inhale these contents into the lungs, which can harm airways and make asthma worse.;

If reflux is a trigger, treating it can help your child’s asthma symptoms.

Reviewed by: Aledie Amariah Navas Nazario, MD

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What Are My Child’s Asthma Triggers

Triggers are different for each child. Some might cause asthma symptoms only at particular times of the year. Others might stop being a trigger as a child gets older and “outgrows” asthma.

You’ll work with your doctor to find your child’s triggers. The doctor may suggest keeping an asthma diary to record your child’s symptoms, medicines, and peak flow readings. You can also write down when and where symptoms happened to help you identify possible triggers.

If your doctor thinks allergens are triggers, your child might need an allergy skin test.

Asthma Triggers: Gain Control

Asthma Triggers

This video features medical professionals, families and children living with asthma.

Americans spend up to 90 percent of their time indoors, and indoor allergens and irritants play a significant role in triggering asthma attacks. Triggers are things that can cause asthma symptoms, an episode or attack or make asthma worse. If you have asthma, you may react to just one trigger or you may find that several things act as triggers. Be sure to work with a doctor to identify triggers and develop a treatment plan that includes ways to reduce exposures to your asthma triggers.

On this page:

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If Extreme Weather Is An Asthma Trigger

Some weather conditions can trigger asthma flare-ups, including:;

  • windy conditions
  • heavy rain
  • extreme cold or heat
  • humidity or very dry air

If weather conditions are a trigger, keep an eye on the forecast and limit your child’s time outdoors on problem days. If cold weather is a trigger, cover your child’s nose and mouth with a scarf. If hot, humid weather is a problem, keep your child in an air-conditioned environment.

In some cases, your child’s medicine dose may need to be increased.

Know Your Asthma Triggers

Some asthma triggers are things that you are allergic to and some just irritate your airways. Triggers can cause asthma symptoms, and can bring on an asthma attack.

  • Prevent asthma symptoms and asthma flares by staying away from things that make your asthma worse.
  • Asthma triggers are everywhere; outside, in businesses, at your work place, schools, everywhere. Triggers can also be found in your home. You can determine what triggers might exist in your home, by assessing your entire home for triggers. Use an Asthma Home Environment Checklist to identify triggers and how to approach removal or reducing exposure to that specific asthma trigger.
  • Work with your health care provider to identify what triggers make your asthma worse and how to avoid and/or get rid of them.
  • Asthma triggers are not the same for each and every person â they are unique to each individual and every persons lungs react differently to each specific trigger.

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How To Survive An Asthma Attack If Youre Caught Without Your Inhaler

If you have asthma, you probably never go anywhere without your inhaler. But what if, due to negligence, you go out without it and have a sudden asthma attack?

The importance of always carrying rescue medication cannot be understated, says associate professor Loo Chian Min, head and senior consultant, Department of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine, Singapore General Hospital . It is absolutely vital that you dont forget your inhaler wherever you go.

What happens during an asthma attackAsthma occurs when the airways in the lungs become inflamed and are blocked by mucus, making breathing difficult. The chest tightens and the lungs seem to produce a wheezing sound.

There could be many triggers for an asthma attack.Air pollution, exposure to irritants such as dust, cigarette smoke and pet dander, physical exertion and emotional outbursts can all trigger an asthma attack.

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Six things to do if caught without an inhaler during an asthma attackNever, ever let up on your asthma medications even if you feel your condition has improved, says Loo. Asthma needs constant care and proper management at all times. Your very life depends on it.

However, should you be caught without your inhaler due to unforeseen circumstances, you could try these coping techniques:

  • Sit upright

Stop whatever you are doing and sit upright. Bending over or lying down can constrict your breathing even more.

  • Take long, deep breaths

Take Asthma Medications As Prescribed

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Long-term asthma medications are designed to prevent symptoms and attacks. You need to take them every day, even if you donât have symptoms. Theyâll ease inflammation in your airways and keep your asthma under control, so itâs less likely to flare up. If side effects bother you, talk to your doctor about switching to another treatment.

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Monitor The Person Until Well Or When Help Arrives

Monitor closely on persons breathing rate, heart rate, lip colour, and whether they are losing attention or not. Generally, if the asthma is improving, the persons breathing slows down to normal, and he/she is able to speak in full sentences without finding themselves out of breath.

However, if the person is becoming less aware of the surrounding, very out of breath, very shallow and rapid pulse, and lips turning pale or even blue, you would want to find ways to get medical help faster! If the person collapsed and stop breathing, lie the person down and start doing CPR until help arrives.

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Common Allergy Triggers Of Asthma Symptoms

Allergy triggers that can lead to asthma symptoms include:

  • animal dander especially from cats and dogs
  • mould spores which can be worse at certain times of the year
  • pollen from grass, weeds and trees and usually occurring seasonally;
  • workplace substances such as latex, wood dust or flour.

Food allergies;do not usually cause asthma themselves, but people with food allergies can be more susceptible to symptoms of asthma. Also, sulphites in food and drink may cause asthma symptoms.

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What Are My Triggers

Most people are allergic to more than one trigger and sometimes the response is different, so you could get itchy eyes around cats but a runny nose during;pollen season. The severity of the;allergic reaction varies between people;and depends on the circumstances.;A reaction may not be immediate.

Sometimes it can be fairly obvious what triggers your asthma. If you have;symptoms after coming in contact with cats or;dogs then pets are probably one of your triggers. The same applies for contact with smoke from cigarettes or open fires.;

Triggers like pollen can be more difficult to determine because the allergens are not visible.;It is important to keep a diary of when you experience symptoms and note where you were at the time, what the weather conditions were like and what things you were exposed to including stress.

Practicing The Buteyko Method

Avoid these triggers and keep your asthma under control! # ...

So how exactly do you perform this technique? Start by sitting upright comfortably on the floor or in a chair, breathe normally for a few minutes. Then, after a gentle exhale through your nose, hold your breath and plug your nose with your thumb and index finger. Hold your breath as long as you can and when you feel the urge to breathe, inhale through your nose. Breathe normally again for about 10 seconds and then repeat the exercise a few times.

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Consider Immunotherapy Allergy Shots

If your doctor finds that you have allergies, allergy shots may help prevent allergy symptoms and keep your asthma from getting worse. With allergy shots, the doctor injects small doses of allergens under your skin on a regular schedule. Over time, your body may get used to the allergen and respond less when youâre exposed. This can help keep your asthma under control.

Tips To Reduce Exposure To Cigarette Smoke

Aim for a smoke-free environment, both for yourself and your children. If you smoke, speak to your doctor about quitting. If you are pregnant and you smoke, your child is at much greater risk of asthma. Babies of mothers who smoke are 4 times more likely to develop asthma.

Do not allow anyone to smoke in your home. Smoking in a small area like a car is especially bad and opening the windows does not help. Even if you do not smoke near your children, the smoke remains in your clothes and can still affect children.

Talk to your doctor about how to quit smoking. There are a range of effective medical prescriptions available to support this important step. Call Quit;Tel. .

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What Can I Do If Dust Mites Trigger My Asthma

As dust mites are, for all intents and purposes, unavoidable, the best advice regarding this issue is to try and keep your asthma as well-managed as possible in order to try and prevent a potential asthma attack from occurring. This means that you should take all medicines prescribed by your doctor precisely as instructed.

At the same time, studies have shown that pesticides, regular vacuuming and using air filters wont significantly reduce your chances of coming into contact with dust mites.

What Causes An Asthma Attack Common Asthma Triggers And How To Avoid Them

Understanding Asthma Triggers and How to Avoid Them

An asthma attack denotes a sudden and acute exacerbation of symptoms of asthma, leading to serious breathing difficulties. As all asthmatics know, these attacks can be caused by different factors and stimuli, usually called triggers. They can be very varied and can affect different individuals in different ways. So, while there are no universal asthma triggers, we can still single out the most common ones that affect the largest percentage of asthmatics. Usually, breathing in allergens is considered to be the most common trigger, but even then, the exact type of those allergens will play a crucial role in the possible onset of an asthma attack.

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Can I Avoid Triggers

It is not always possible to avoid your triggers however;reducing exposure to your asthma or allergy;triggers may make your symptoms easier to manage.

The first step is to know what your triggers are so you focus your efforts in the right area. Your doctor will be able to help you work this out and give you some helpful advice and tips on how to avoid your triggers.

What Is A Peak Flow Device

Asthmatics generally learn to determine their lung function by measuring how fast they can blow out air. A monitor measures peak flow to establish a baseline and create a plan for managing symptoms and fluctuations.

It also helps determine whether a physical discomfort, such as chest tightness, is actually related to an asthmatic episode.

We advise asthmatics to keep a peak flow diary, measuring breath every morning and night.

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Of : Identifying Your Asthma Triggers

  • 1Learn about common triggers. Coughing can be triggered by a variety of substances like allergens and irritants . Other common asthma triggers include:XTrustworthy SourceNational Heart, Lung, and Blood InstituteResearch and education center within the National Institutes of HealthGo to source
  • Medications: these may include aspirin, other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and nonselective beta-blockers
  • Chemicals used to preserve foods: usually the sulfites found in a number of foods and drinks
  • Upper respiratory infections: such as colds and other viral infections of the lungsXExpert Source
  • Different Types Of Triggers

    Asthma Triggers

    There are two types of asthma triggers:

    Inflammatory triggers set off an allergic reaction and can cause inflammation of the lung airways or tightening of the airway muscles. Inflammatory triggers include dust mites, animals, cockroaches, moulds, and pollens. Identification of allergic triggers is best confirmed by an allergists assessment.

    Symptom triggers generally do not cause swelling, but they can provoke twitchy airways, especially if theyre already inflamed. Symptom triggers include smoke, exercise, cold air, chemical fumes , and intense emotions.

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    What Is The Best Medicine To Cure Asthma

    There are two main types of medications used to treat asthma:

    • Long-term control medications such as inhaled corticosteroids are the most important medications used to keep asthma under control.
    • Quick-relief inhalers contain a fast-acting medication such as albuterol.

    Here are 7 teas that may provide asthma relief.

  • Ginger tea. Ginger tea is made by boiling the roots of the ginger plant .
  • Green tea. Green tea is a popular beverage derived from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant.
  • Black tea.
  • How To Avoid Common Asthma Triggers

    Since most triggers fall into the categories of allergens or environmental concerns, you can take measures to minimize their impact in your life.

    1. Clean regularly.

    Since many common allergens can cause asthma attacks, clean your home regularly. This protects you from ingesting excessive dust, dirt, and other pollutants. Dust, vacuum, sweep, and if you have carpet, hire a professional cleaner once or twice a year.

    2. Keep an eye on the weather.

    Check the weather forecast before leaving your home. Wind or rain can carry pollen, smoke, and other airborne particles right into your lungs, causing a flare-up. Prepare for potentially hazardous weather.

    3. Tell your doctor about your asthma triggers.

    To maintain control over your asthma, stay in constant communication with your asthma doctor.

    Although there is no;cure for asthma,;it is possible to combat it with the proper attack plan. Work with your doctor to develop a plan for medication, tracking triggers, and maintaining data. Knowing ahead of time what you will do in the event of an asthma attack could save your life.

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    How To Stop An Asthma Attack

    Stopping an asthma attack is easier if you know what to do once one starts. In some cases, it may not be possible to stop an asthma attack entirely without an inhaler. However, there are certain steps you can take to lessen the duration and intensity of an asthma attack. These include:

    • Use your inhaler
    • Stay calm

    Once I Know What My Asthma Triggers Are What Should I Do

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    If possible, avoiding the trigger is the best strategy. By avoiding allergens, you will have less inflammation and fewer symptoms.1

    You may need to make several changes to control the allergens in the home.1 Making just one change is rarely enough. For example, if you are allergic to dust mites, using an impermeable bedcover alone may help, but will not solve the problem. You may also need to wash your bedding in hot water each week or remove carpeting from the room.1 The specific steps will depend on the asthma trigger.

    One general recommendation is to start with things in your bedroom that trigger asthma.1 For example, keep pets out of the bedroom if removing a pet from the home is not an option.

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    Reducing Asthma Triggers At Home

    An asthma attack can occur when someone with asthma is exposed to things in the environment that trigger their asthma. One persons triggers can be very different from those of another person with asthma. Do what you can to decrease these triggers in the environment. more Triggers may include:

    • Secondhand smoke
    • Breathing in cold, dry air

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