Advice For Friends And Family
Its important that your friends and family know how to help in an emergency.
It can be useful to make copies of your personal asthma action plan and share it with others who may need to know what to do when you have an attack.
You can photocopy your existing plan, or you could download a blank personal asthma action plan from Asthma UK and fill it in for anyone who might need a copy.
Or you could take a photo of your action plan on your phone, so you can show or send it to others easily.
Page last reviewed: 19 April 2021 Next review due: 19 April 2024
How To Deal With Asthma Attack: Effective Ways To Help Your Loved One
Asthma is one of the most common respiratory disorders affecting a large number of people. While for some people asthma is not really bothersome and triggers off and on with mild discomfort. However for some people asthma can be a major problem to deal with and it could becomes so chronic that it begins to interfere with their everyday living. Sometime asthma can even be a life threatening attack making you visit the hospital emergency room.
Can You Apply For Disability If You Have Asthma
Yes in most cases you can apply for disability if you have asthma, according to the AAFA. Asthma and allergies are usually considered disabilities under the ADA.
Thanks to a change that was made to the ADA in 2008, conditions that may show symptoms only at certain times, like asthma, are included under its umbrella, meaning that people with asthma are protected by the law, according to the AAFA.
If you need to ask for changes to be made at your workplace, talk with your employer or, if possible, a disabilities service coordinator at your workplace. You can also contact the Department of Justic hotline at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 . Operators can answer questions, provide free informational materials, and explain how you can file a complaint. You can ask them about legal options if you feel there has been a pattern of discrimination or there is a public safety risk.
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Caffeinated Tea Or Coffee
The caffeine in black or green tea and coffee is believed to help treat asthma. It works similarly to the popular asthma medication theophylline, which opens up the airways.
A 2010 research review, the most recent available, found that caffeine may slightly improve breathing function in people with asthma for up to 4hours.
Still, there isnt enough evidence to show whether caffeine can improve asthma symptoms.
Book An Urgent Appointment With Your Gp Or Asthma Nurse
Tell reception you need an urgent appointment because you’ve had an asthma attack. Book an appointment even if you feel better now. And even if youve been started on treatment for your asthma attack.
Even if youre OK now you still need a check-up from your GP or asthma nurse to make sure youre not at risk from another attack.
You need an urgent same day appointment if:
- you dealt with an asthma attack at home using your blue reliever inhaler but didn’t need to call an ambulance.
You need an urgent appointment within two working days if:
- you were treated in hospital or by paramedics in the ambulance
- you needed to use any of your ‘rescue pack’ of steroid tablets to deal with your worsening asthma symptoms.
If you had an asthma attack but didn’t see your GP at the time it is still important to see your doctor or asthma nurse now, says Dr Andy Whittamore, Asthma UKs in-house GP.
Your asthma may still not be well controlled and you could be at risk of another asthma attack.
Recover more quickly from an asthma attack with support from your GP
Even though you may have dealt with your asthma attack at home, or been treated for it in hospital, its still important to see your GP or asthma nurse after having an asthma attack.
Your GP or asthma nurse can support your recovery and lower your risk of another attack.
They can:
check your medicines to see if youre on the best dose for you, and that youre taking your inhalers in the right way.
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How To Help Someone With An Asthma Attack Without An Inhaler
Asthma is a very common condition with around one in 13 of us affected. Its been increasing since the 1980s and affects people of all ages and backgrounds. Theres currently no cure for asthma, but typically with the right treatment plan and lifestyle changes, most people diagnosed with asthma are able to live normally without severe symptoms.
However, very occasionally, a person with asthma may be caught off guard. They might find themselves facing an attack without an inhaler to help them. Fortunately, this doesnt need to be as bad as it might sound. With the right assistance, they could get through an attack using some simple coping techniques.
If you know someone with asthma, learning more about their condition, as well as what you can do to help them, can be valuable.
Healthy Tips And Diet For Asthma Patients
- Avoid cold and damp places.
- Go for morning and evening walk for at least 30 minutes.
- Avoid tobacco, wine, smoking, overeating.
- Keep rooms well ventilated.
- Avoid perfumes, incense sticks, mosquito repellants.
- Drink plenty of water is the best natural treatment of Asthma.
- Avoid excessive exercise and indulgence in sex.
- Eat foods with omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish like salmon, sardines and some plant sources like, flaxseed- are believed to have a number of health benefits.
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
- Yoga improves the strength, flexibility, and capacity of the lungs, the three necessary components of overall fitness. Yoga therapy improves lung functions and reduces the frequency of exacerbations. It emphasizes conscious breathing and includes relaxation.
- Medication has beneficial effects on personality, emotions, and psyche. After medication, the asthmatic person can learn to come to a place of peace and stillness.
- Postures recommended for bronchial asthma are: Shirshasana, Dhanurasana, Chakarasana, Bhujangasana, Supta vajrasana are highly beneficial in asthma condition.
- Avoid reckless over-the-counter asthma medication as much as possible
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What Medications Can Help With Asthma
Asthma attacks, airway inflammation, and other issues can be controlled or prevented in many cases. Certain medications can be taken every day, like inhaled corticosteroids and leukotriene modifiers. These can help a child live more easily with their asthma and live a more active life. Of course, rescue inhalers will help too, and can be vital for a child.
Yoga And Practising Mindfulness
The benefits of yoga are manifold. If you want to get relief from your asthma symptoms, make sure you do yoga every single day. Yoga incorporates breathing and stretching exercises. It will help to increase your flexibility and also boost your overall fitness. Some yoga poses that can help open your throat and chest are the bound angle pose, bow pose, bridge pose, camel pose, cat pose, cobra pose, cow pose, and cat pose among many others. Meditate every day and increase focus on your mind and body. The focus on breath and stress control from yoga and meditation will help you a lot in breathing easily.
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Home Remedies For Asthma
1. Best Foods for Treating Asthma
Eating a healthy diet supplies asthma sufferers with antioxidants and nutrients to combat environmental toxins, control inflammatory responses and reduce dietary triggers. Eating a wide variety of foods can ensure that you or your child gets all the nutrients needed to support strong immunity. There have been numerous studies that show consuming the right foods can be the one of the best home remedies for asthma.
Some of the most beneficial foods to include in your asthma diet plan are:
- Brightly colored carotenoid foods: This compound gives fruit and vegetables their orange or red color and can help reduce asthma attacks. Carotenoids are the basis of vitamin A, which is involved in the maintenance of healthy mucous membranes that line the air passageways. Severity of asthma correlates with low vitamin A, so increase your intake of things like root veggies, sweet potatoes, carrots, leafy greens and berries. A study of 68,000 women showed that those who ate more tomatoes, carrots and leafy greens had much lower rates of asthma and that people prone to asthma tended to have low levels of circulating carotenoids in their blood.
- Foods with folate : Folate reduces allergic reactions and inflammation. It might be capable of lowering wheezing by regulating inflammatory processes as well. High-folate foods include green leafy vegetables, beans and nuts.
2. Avoid Foods that Can Make Asthma Attacks Worse
3. Supplements for Asthma
Manage Stress
Stay Calm And Get Help
If someone around you or you yourself, has an asthma attack, always remain calm. In such a situation, being calm helps us gain better control of our breathing. Never leave the person alone but be with them and help to calm them down.
Meanwhile, call for help! Asthma can recur and you would want to see a doctor if this is your first asthma attack. If the person is getting agitated, unable to speak in full sentences, and breathing fast even at rest, chances are he/she is having moderate to severe asthma. Seek help from a healthcare provider immediately!
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Natural Remedies For Asthma
Many things get credit for being natural asthma remedies. But because studies on complementary and alternative treatments for asthma have been limited, itâs not clear how safe and effective all of them are.
These natural remedies have been studied:
. This traditional Chinese treatment involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body. While some people with say acupuncture eases their symptoms, thereâs little proof that it works as an asthma treatment.
Biofeedback. Learning to control your heart rate may help you manage your asthma, but more studies are needed to confirm a benefit.
Herbs and natural dietary supplements. Many people use herbs, plants, and , especially Chinese herbs, to treat asthma. Itâs not clear how well many of them work. More research is needed on supplements like and fish oil . But vitamins C, D, and E may help lower your risk of symptoms.
Asthma diet. If you have a food allergy, avoiding trigger foods may also help with some asthma symptoms.
Plant-based diet. Several studies have found benefits for people with asthma who follow the Mediterranean diet.It involves lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and healthy fats like olive oil. You eat more fatty and poultry than red meat. Experts think this diet helps with asthma symptoms because it helps fight in your body. A similar eating plan called DASH may also improve asthma control.
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:
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How To Deal With Asthma During The Winter
For many of the 25 million people with asthma, controlling it during the cold winter months can be difficult.
People with asthma may experience worse symptoms during winter or be more likely to have an asthma attack because theyre spending more time indoors, theyre more likely to get a cold or the flu, and the air outside is cold and dry.
The cold, dry air outside can trigger asthma, but staying indoors more with the windows closed around dust mites, mold, pet dander and other allergens can also cause asthma to flare up, said Anthony Wylie, D.O., a primary care physician at Geisinger Mt. Pleasant. In addition, when someone with asthma gets a cold or the flu, it can trigger an asthma attack.
Asthma is a chronic lung condition where irritants can cause the airways in your lungs to become inflamed and swollen, making it harder to breathe. Your lungs might also produce mucus as a result, which can further narrow your airways.
If you have asthma, you might experience periods of wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and tightness in the chest. These symptoms sometimes go away on their own however, people with asthma often use a long-term medication to control ongoing symptoms, as well as a short-term rescue inhaler for symptoms that appear quickly.
1. Breathe through your nose
2. Wear a scarf around your mouth when outside
3. Clean frequently
4. Get a flu shot
5. Work out indoors
6. Create an action plan
Can You Treat Asthma Without An Inhaler
Unfortunately, there is no other effective first aid treatment for asthma. Placing the victim in a comfortable position to aid their breathing and keeping them calm will help, but these first aid measures will not stop the swelling and inflammation of the small airways. The victim will require treatment to improve their breathing.
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After An Asthma Attack
You should see a GP or asthma nurse within 48 hours of leaving hospital, or ideally on the same day if you did not need hospital treatment.
About 1 in 6 people treated in hospital for an asthma attack need hospital care again within 2 weeks, so it’s important to discuss how you can reduce your risk of future attacks.
Talk to a doctor or nurse about any changes that may need to be made to manage your condition safely.
For example, the dose of your treatment may need to be adjusted or you may need to be shown how to use your inhaler correctly.
Adjust Your Treatment Plan
The only way to know if your pets are worsening your asthma symptoms is to get tested.
Allergy tests can provide insight into which animals youre allergic to, if any. Its possible to mistake pet allergies for other causes, such as dust mites, mold, and pollen.
Also, consider getting allergy testing before taking in any more pets. Cats and dogs are the most allergenic, but its also possible to be allergic to birds and rodents.
Unfortunately, nonallergenic cats and dogs dont exist. Even certain breeds without fur emit dander.
If your pets are indeed causing asthma flare-ups, try the above steps along with following your asthma action plan. Take your medications as directed and talk to your doctor about adding antihistamines or other medications to your treatment plan.
If you find yourself needing your quick-relief medications more than 2 times per week, it may be time to adjust your treatment.
See your doctor if your asthma symptoms are also interfering with daily activities, such as walking your dog, or if flare-ups keep you up at night.
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Asthma Symptoms In A Severe Allergic Reaction
People having a severe allergic reaction can also have asthma-like symptoms. If the person has an anaphylaxis action plan, follow the instructions. If they have known severe allergies and carry an adrenaline autoinjector , use that before using asthma reliever medication.In case of an emergency, call triple zero and ask for an ambulance.
What Are Natural Remedies For Asthma
With all the studies on alternative medicine and natural remedies, you may wonder if thereâs a natural cure for asthma. Unfortunately, there is no cure for asthma at this point. In fact, you should avoid any treatment or product natural or otherwise that claims to be a cure for .
Some natural therapies may help you manage symptoms of asthma. For instance, a negative response to emotional can cause an asthma attack. Some natural relaxation remedies like deep , progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, and can help relieve stress.
Other findings suggest that plays a role in easing asthma symptoms. For example, omega-3 fatty acids found naturally in high-fat like , mackerel, and cod may help your body fight . Whether this may help people who have is still unproven.
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What Is The Panchakarma Treatment For Asthma
According to Ayurveda, the accumulation of Vata and Kapha in the respiratory tract and the digestive system are responsible for breathing problems, including Asthma. Panchakarma therapies are very effective in cleansing the body toxins and removing doshas which clears up any obstruction in the respiratory channels.
Superlife World HealthCare provides the best Panchakarma treatment for Asthma. These therapies are conducted by well-trained staff under the supervision of Ayurvedic Doctor. Following therapies are recommended for asthma patients:
Dont commit a suicidal mistake of medicine for asthma over the counter. Self-medication can prove fatal. Asthma isnt to be ignored. Visiting a qualified medical practitioner is a must. And avoid reckless over-the-counter asthma medication as much as possible.
What Are The Different Types Of Delivery Devices For Asthma Medicines
You take most asthma medicines by breathing them in using an inhaler or nebulizer. An inhaler or nebulizer allows the medicine to go directly to your lungs. But some asthma medicines are in pill form, infusion form, or injectable form.
Inhalers
There are four types of asthma inhaler devices that deliver medicine: metered dose inhalers , dry powder inhalers , breath actuated inhalers, and soft mist inhalers.
- Metered dose inhalers have medicine plus a propellant. The propellant sprays the medicine out of the inhaler in a short burst.
- Dry powder inhalers do not have a propellant and do not spray the medicine out of the inhaler. The medicine is released from the inhaler when you breathe it in.
- Breath actuated inhalers have a dry powder or aerosol medicine. The medicine does not spray out of the inhaler. The medicine is released from the inhaler when you breathe it in.
- Soft mist inhalers do not have propellant, but they do spray the medicine out of the inhaler. They create a cloud of medicine that sprays out softly.
Different types of asthma devices
For inhalers to work well, you must use them correctly. But 70 to 90% of people who use inhalers make at least one mistake when using their inhaler.1 Inhaler mistakes can lead to uncontrolled asthma. Ask your doctor or nurse to watch you use your inhaler to make sure you are using it correctly.
Spacers and valved holding chambers
Nebulizers
Injectables
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