Use A Peak Flow Meter
A peak flow meter is an inexpensive handheld gadget. You use it to measure how fast air comes out when you exhale hard after a full breath in. This number is called a peak expiratory flow .
Your doctor may want you to use a peak flow meter to help you recognize signs of trouble. Many asthma symptoms result from not being able to move air out of your lungs. If your PEF goes down, thats a sign that your asthma is getting worse and that you need to do something.
How Do You Fix Asthma Without An Inhaler
Caught without an inhaler during an asthma attack?
Need For Emergency Care
There are ways to manage mild-to-moderate asthma symptoms without an inhaler. However, if you experience any of the following conditions, seek emergency medical care immediately.
- Extreme difficulty breathing or stopping breathing
- Bluish color to the lips and face, called cyanosis
- Severe anxiety
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Video: Asthma And Your Sleep
Transcript for Asthma and your sleep
0:04 We hear from a lot of people on our
0:07 helpline and on social media that asthma does
0:10 interrupt their sleep on a
0:11 regular basis. As a health care
0:13 professional I know that unfortunately,
0:14 this means that your asthma is not quite
0:16 as well controlled as it can be. And it’s
0:18 worth making appointment with your GP or
0:20 your practice nurse to see what we can
0:21 do to help relieve those symptoms and
0:24 actually improve your quality of sleep.
What To Do After An Asthma Attack
An asthma attack can be a learning experience if you and your doctor use it to refine your asthma action plan. Get some tips on what to do after an asthma attack.
An asthma attack is a sudden worsening of asthma symptoms that causes your air passages to become smaller and makes your breathing more difficult. Symptoms of an asthma attack may include difficult and painful breathing, coughing, and . Anyone with asthma needs to have a plan for what to do during an asthma attack. But you should also know what to do after an asthma attack.
You cant always avoid an asthma attack, but you can check in with your doctor and use an asthma attack as a way to improve your asthma management, said Jonathan Bernstein, MD, an associate professor in allergy and asthma at the University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center. In some cases, an asthma attack may be an indication that you need to make some changes.
Seeing your doctor after an asthma attack is especially important if you are newly diagnosed. Discussing the attack with your doctor can help you learn more about your asthma and empower you to manage your asthma better in the future, said Sumita Khatri, MD, co-director of the asthma center at the Cleveland Clinic.
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Give Dust Mites The Boot
Allergic asthma is often triggered by microscopic dust mites in your home. One of the easiest and fastest steps you can take to keep these tiny insects under control is to cover bedding with mite-proof barriers, zippered covers in which you encase your mattress and pillows. Then wash all your linens at least once a week in hot water 150 degrees anything less won’t kill the critters. You can’t eliminate dust mites altogether, but you can make your bed into a mite-free zone for asthma relief.
When Should You Go To Er For Asthma
Signs You May Need to Go to the ER Here are some situations that call for emergency care: You take your asthma medicine and your flare-up doesn’t get any better. You feel a little better after taking your medicine, but your symptoms come back quickly. Frequent wheezing, persistent cough, or chest pain.
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Is It Possible To Stop Asthma Attack Without An Inhaler
As per the World Health Organization, asthma can be defined as a chronic condition “characterized by recurrent attacks of breathlessness and wheezing, which vary in severity and frequency from person to person.
Symptoms may occur several times in a day or week in affected individuals, and for some people become worse during physical activity or at night.”
During an asthma attack, the lining of the individual’s bronchial tubes swell. This causes the airways of the individual to narrow and reduces the flow of the air that travels in and out of the lungs.
An asthma attack can range from mild to severe depending on the severity of the condition. The most reliable way to deal with an asthma attack is to use a rescuer inhaler . An asthmatic must always carry an inhaler and use the medication as recommended by their doctor. In addition to that, few steps mentioned below can be considered for added advantage.
1. Adjust The Position
Different positions and postures can influence the opening and narrowing of the airways. It is important that the individual either sits up straight or stands up straight as this will open up the airways and help alleviate some of the asthma symptoms. Do note that under no circumstances should the individual lie down as this could worsen their symptoms.
2. Take A Deep Breath
3. Identify The Trigger
4. Making an Effort to be Calm
5. Look Up The Nearest Hospital/Emergency Room
Signs Of Asthma Absolutely Everyone Should Know
You might think you know the signs of asthma because hey, it seems like one of those health conditions that is absolutely unmistakable. Its kind of obvious if you justcant really breathe, right? Sure, but asthma symptoms can present with a lot more complexity and subtlety than that. Many people do not realize they have asthma and deal with daily symptoms, Purvi Parikh, M.D., an allergist and immunologist with Allergy & Asthma Network, tells SELF. Because of that, you should be aware of the signs of asthma so you dont write them off for months or even years without realizing you have this persistentand ultimately treatablehealth condition.
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The Constant Worry Of Forgetting My Inhaler
- Reactions 0 reactions
Ever since I was a child, I can remember being totally panic-stricken if I left my inhaler indoors, or if I thought I had dropped it somewhere. Its a fear that Im sure most asthma sufferers have experienced. The fear itself can actually trigger tightness in the chest which really isnt pleasant. The notion that you have come out without your inhaler is a real and scary prospect.
How To Stop Wheezing If You Do Not Have An Inhaler
If you are prone to wheezing issues and depend on the use of the inhalers to relieve the symptoms, then it would be a nightmare to imagine having to pass through a wheezing episode without an inhaler with you.
However, with health conditions, one should be prepared for the worst, so that your mind can help you keep your cool such that you can take measures accordingly. If for any reason you do not possess an inhaler when wheezing strikes, you could use the below-mentioned techniques to attain quick relief.
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How To Calm The Wheezing And Coughing Of Minor Asthma
Quincy AdamAsthma Lifestyle, Asthma Natural Options, Natural Options
1. Have a Hot Cup of Freshly Brewed Black Coffee
Due to the caffeine content in freshly brewed black coffee, you can find relief from your asthma symptoms after drinking a cup or two. Caffeine acts like theophylline, which is a common chemical in asthma medications, opening up the airways so you can breathe more easily. However, the coffee has to be black without cream or sugar to work successfully.
2. Eat or Breathe in Some Raw Organic Honey
Most often, an asthma attack begins with wheezing. As soon as you begin to feel the wheezing, grab some raw, organic honey. Hold it under your nose and breathe in the vapors. Honey contains natural alcohol and ethereal oils that help reduce asthma symptoms naturally. You can add honey to your tea or take a spoonful of it before bedtime to help relieve chest congestion and soothe coughing, enabling you to get plenty of rest.
3. Chomp on Some Raw Garlic or Onion
Onion and garlic contain sulfur compounds that help relieve wheezing and coughing naturally. They are also rich in antioxidants that reduce airway inflammation, preventing wheezing and coughing from occurring.
In order to receive the relief these super foods provide, you must eat them raw. Eat just one clove of garlic or a slice of raw onion.
4. Savor a Steamy Cup of Honey Lemon Ginger Root Tea
5. Take a Hot Eucalyptus Mint Bath
6. Grab an Organic Dark Chocolate Candy Bar
Tips From Other People With Asthma
If your asthma is keeping you awake at night, youre not alone.
In our recent sleep survey, 45% of people told us they have difficulty sleeping because of their asthma at least once a week, and nearly 50% said theyd had an asthma attack at night.
Here are some of the things that people tell us help them get a good nights sleep, which our nurses agree might be helpful:
- Ease a dry throat with a glass of water
- Try a nasal saline rinse or use decongestants to unblock a stuffy nose
- Take regular exercise
- Relax in the evening using mindfulness, meditation, breathing exercises or yoga
- Avoid caffeine in the afternoon and evening.
If you find reading about other peoples experiences useful, or have some advice to share, join the conversations on our HealthUnlocked forum.
Is your child disturbed by symptoms at night? Read our advice on asthma and your childs sleep.
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Identifying Your Asthma Triggers
Chances Of Asthma Symptoms Getting Worse When Treated With Psoriasis Medicine Is Likelyyour Browser Indicates If You’ve Visited This Link
Psoriasis medicine licensed to treat the skin condition worsened symptoms in patients with severe asthma, according to trial results recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Information found in a University Hospitals of Leicester press release shared the Journal’s data which presented that the study investigated whether risankizumab could potentially improve the symptoms and reduce attacks in people with severe asthma.
Managed Healthcare Executive
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What Are Common Ways To Diagnose Asthma
Personal and medical history. Your doctor will ask you questions to understand your symptoms and their causes. Bring notes to help jog your memory. Be ready to answer questions about your family history, the medicines you take and your lifestyle. This includes any current physical problems. Shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing and tightness in your chest may show asthma. This also includes all previous medical conditions. A history of allergies or eczema increases your chance of asthma. A family history of asthma, allergies or eczema increases your chance of having asthma, too. Tell your doctor about any home or work exposure to environmental factors that can worsen asthma. For example, these might include pet dander, pollen, dust mites and tobacco smoke. The doctor may also ask if you get chest symptoms when you get a head cold.
Physical exam. If your doctor thinks you have asthma, they will do a physical exam. They will look at your ears, eyes, nose, throat, skin, chest and lungs. This exam may include a lung function test to detect how well you exhale air from your lungs. You may also need an X-ray of your lungs or sinuses. A physical exam then allows your doctor to review your health.
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
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What Asthma Treatment Options Are There
You have options to help manage your asthma. Your healthcare provider may prescribe medications to control symptoms. These include:
- Anti-inflammatory medicines: These medicines reduce swelling and mucus production in your airways. They make it easier for air to enter and exit your lungs. Your healthcare provider may prescribe them to take every day to control or prevent your symptoms.
- Bronchodilators: These medicines relax the muscles around your airways. The relaxed muscles let the airways move air. They also let mucus move more easily through the airways. These medicines relieve your symptoms when they happen.
- Biologic therapies for asthma when symptoms persist despite being on proper inhaler therapy.
You can take asthma medicines in several different ways. You may breathe in the medicines using a metered-dose inhaler, nebulizer or other inhaler. Your healthcare provider may prescribe oral medications that you swallow.
How Can You Tell If You Have Asthma
It can be hard to tell if someone has asthma, especially in children under age 5. Having a doctor check how well your lungs work and check for allergies can help you find out if you have asthma.
During a checkup, a doctor will ask if you cough a lot, especially at night. He or she will also ask whether your breathing problems are worse after physical activity or at certain times of year. The doctor will then ask about chest tightness, wheezing, and colds lasting more than 10 days. He or she will ask whether anyone in your family has or has had asthma, allergies, or other breathing problems. Finally, the doctor will ask questions about your home and whether you have missed school or work or have trouble doing certain things.
The doctor may also do a breathing test, called spirometry, to find out how well your lungs are working by testing how much air you can breathe out after taking a very deep breath before and after you use asthma medicine.
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Why Asthma Can Wake You Up At Night
If your asthma isnt under control, you might get more symptoms at night.
There are several reasons why this might happen:
- At night, your body produces fewer natural steroid hormones, which can affect your symptoms and more of the cells that cause inflammation in your airways.
- When you lie flat on your back, gravity places extra pressure on your chest and lungs, making it harder to breathe. This position can also trigger a cough, as mucus in your nose could drip down to the back of your throat.
- Your bedroom might contain triggers that can make your asthma worse, such as dust mites in your mattress, pillows and blankets.
- Pet hair is a common asthma trigger, so avoid letting your pet sleep on your bed, and ideally keep them out of your bedroom.
- Mould is another common asthma trigger, so check your bedroom for damp patches on walls and mould growing around windows.
- Lots of people find pollen triggers their asthma symptoms. When pollen is high, try using a fan to keep your bedroom cool rather than opening a window.
- Some people are triggered by cold air at night, or by sleeping in a cold room. If this is you, keep windows closed and keep the heating on low in the bedroom if you can.
If your GP has prescribed steroid pills for your asthma, youll probably be advised to take them in the morning after food, as they might cause difficulty sleeping if you take them at night, but always take them exactly as prescribed.
Staying Away From Triggers
Triggers can further worsen your asthma attack so the best practice is staying away from them as much as possible. You should also try and identify your triggers. Some common triggers include:
- Allergens including certain food items, pet danders, and pollen.
- Exercising
- Irritants such as tobacco smoke and pollution.
- Certain medications such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and beta-blockers.
- Cold air or dry air
- Anxiety or stress
- Respiratory infections such as mycoplasma, flu, or common cold.
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Understanding An Asthma Attack
Asthma is a condition caused by an allergic reaction in the lungs, often to substances such as dust, traffic fumes, or pollen.
Muscles surrounding the bronchioles go into spasm and constrict, making it very difficult for the patient to breathe.
Most asthma patients carry medication around with them, usually in the form of an inhaler. Ask the patient. The blue inhaler is for relieving an attack, dilating the bronchioles to relieve the condition.
An asthma attack is a traumatic experience for the patient, especially a child, so reassurance and a calm approach from the First Aider is essential. If the patient is not reassured and calmed down by the First Aider, an attack can lead on to hyperventilation after the inhaler has relieved the constricted airways.