How Do You Treat Asthma Without An Inhaler
If these don’t work CALL AN AMBULANCE.
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.
How To Treat An Asthma Attack Naturally When You Dont Have An Inhaler
If you are one of the more than 25 million Americans who suffer from asthma, you know exactly how scary an asthma attack can be. When you are coughing, wheezing, and struggling just to breathe every second count.
Most asthmatics rely on a rescue inhaler to provide immediate relief but what can you do if you dont have your inhaler? There are a number of natural herbal remedies for asthma that can help you combat your attacks and help provide immediate relief. There are also a number of herbs that you can take regularly to help lessen the frequency of your asthma attacks and improve your breathing.
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Asthma Treatment Without Inhaler
Asthma symptoms can start out as a little cough before you find yourself wheezing and struggling to breathe. You are not alone in this affliction. More than 18 million Americans live with this condition the bronchi of the lungs become inflamed and constricted, leading to poor respiratory function and wheezing. In severe cases, a person may die from asphyxiation. The most common treatment for asthmatics is the inhaler. Oral medications are given as well to control asthma symptoms such as airway inflammation and acute attacks. Medication helps to keep asthma patients out of the hospital as much as possible.
Will I Always Have To Take The Same Amount Of Medicine
Not always. You will probably take more medicine when you begin treatment to get control of your asthma. Work with your doctor to learn which medicine control your asthma best and how much you need. Once your asthma is well-controlled, your doctor may be able to reduce the amount of medicine you take. The goal is to gain control of your asthma as soon as possible and then control it with as little medicine as possible. Once long-term anti-inflammatory therapy begins, your doctor should monitor you every one to six months. This is to see how your asthma medicines are working and if your asthma is well controlled.
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Can Certain Foods Help With Asthma
Theres an increasing amount of evidence that suggests certain foods can help to control asthma. One example is ginger. Researchers found that ginger, when combined with commonly used inhaled medications, enhances airway dilation. It is believed that the ginger reduces the contraction of the muscles surrounding the airways.
A study showed that omega-3 fatty acids may help patients be less reliant on rescue medications, and improve quality of life. Its easy to get more foods high in these fats. Sources include walnuts , salmon, pumpkin seeds, and more.
Additionally, it may help your child to get more vitamin B6. It has been shown to help with breathing early in the morning and reduce acute wheezing episodes, and its especially beneficial for patients who are dependent on a steroid for their asthma.
It may also help your child to increase their intake of vitamin C. Studies showed that this reduced episodes of wheezing in children.
You may want to talk to a professional before incorporating new foods into your childs diet.
Whats The Best Body Position For An Asthma Attack
Generally speaking, sitting up straight is the best position for an asthma attack. This is because sitting up allows air to more effectively enter your lungs while bending over or lying down may constrict your breathing.
A 2017 study investigated lung function in a small group of 20 people with asthma. Lung function was found to be highest when participants were in the standing position, followed by the sitting position. Function was lowest when participants were lying down.
Another investigated the effect of body positioning on the lung function of healthy people and those with certain health conditions. In people with lung diseases like asthma, lung function was found to be higher in more erect positions.
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Of : Taking Medications
How To Treat Allergy
Among the various types of asthma , allergy-induced asthma is the most common, affecting about 60 percent of people with the condition, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. In allergy-induced asthma, an allergen such as dust or pollen finds its way into your body, where it triggers your immune system to release a substance called immunoglobulin E to try and rid your body of the allergen. In turn, this causes your airways to become inflamed. Although the cause of this type of asthma is specific to allergens, the symptoms are no different than other types of asthma, so the treatment is similar as well. Your doctor will talk with you about quick-relief and controller medications, as well possibly allergy shots which introduce your body to micro amounts of the allergen to reduce your sensitivity.
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Eat A Banana With Black Pepper
This remedy might sound odd, but if you eat a banana sprinkled with black pepper, it can help stop wheezing and relieve congestion and coughing, enabling you to breathe more easily.
Why? Black pepper thins the thick mucus in the airways and the banana contains nutrients that relieve inflammation, helping you to breathe. The next time you have an asthma attack without your inhaler, head to the kitchen and try this remedy. If you dont have black pepper on hand, ground cinnamon, ginger root, and red cayenne pepper are alternatives that have the same healing powers of black pepper.
Preventing An Asthma Attack
The best way to prevent having an asthma attack is to make sure that your asthma is under control. People with asthma typically use two types of medication:
- Long-term. This involves medication that you take every day to control airway inflammation and prevent asthma attacks. These medications can include things like inhaled corticosteroids, leukotriene modifiers and long-acting bronchodilators.
- Quick-relief. This is rescue medication that you take for short-term relief of asthma symptoms. These medications are referred to as short-acting bronchodilators and work to open your airways.
You should also work with your doctor to develop a personalized asthma action plan. This can help you to better understand and control your asthma. An asthma action plan includes:
- your asthma triggers and how to avoid them
- how and when to take your medications, both for symptom control and for quick relief
- indicators of when youre controlling your asthma well and when you need to seek emergency medical attention
Your family and those close to you should have a copy of your asthma action plan so that theyll know what to do if you have an asthma attack. Additionally, it may be helpful to keep it on your phone as well, in case you need to reference it quickly.
Its possible that you may still have some questions regarding asthma attacks. Well try to answer some of these now.
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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!
What Are The Different Types Of Asthma Medicines And Treatments
There are four types of asthma medicines and treatments:
The difference between these asthma treatments can be confusing. It is important to understand what each treatment does and how they help your asthma. Learning how to use each correctly can you help keep your asthma well-controlled. Always take your medicines as directed by your doctor and follow your Asthma Action Plan.
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What To Do If You Have An Asthma Attack
If you think youre having an asthma attack, you should:
Never be frightened of calling for help in an emergency.
Try to take the details of your medicines with you to hospital if possible.
If your symptoms improve and you do not need to call 999, get an urgent same-day appointment to see a GP or asthma nurse.
This advice is not for people on SMART or MART treatment. If this applies to you, ask a GP or asthma nurse what to do if you have an asthma attack.
How To Survive An Asthma Attack Without An Inhaler
Richard Firshein, DO, director and founder of Firshein Center for Integrative Medicine in New York City, and author of several books, including , , and . .
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If you have asthma, then you know how scary it can be when you have an attack and have trouble breathing for anywhere from a few minutes to a few days, depending on its severity.
So youre probably careful to keep your rescue inhaler with you at all timesin case of an emergency.
But what happens if an attack starts and you discover that your inhaler is empty or you dont actually have it??
How can you lessen the severity of an asthma attack and/or stop it altogether without your trusty inhaler?
To find out, I called Richard Firshein, DO, director and founder of The Firshein Center for Integrative Medicine in New York City and author of Reversing Asthma: Breathe Easier with This Revolutionary New Program. And he had some very interesting advice
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5 Mistakes To Avoid If You Have Asthma
HOW TO BREATHE EASIER
Change your location. Asthma is typically triggered by an irritanteither an allergen or toxinthat inflames the airways. So remove yourself from the environment that contains the trigger as fast as you can. If youre reacting to dust, pets, mold or smoke, for example, get away from itor at the very least, breathe through a sleeve, a scarf or your jacket collar to reduce your exposure.
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What To Do If Youre Having An Attack
Weve previously discussed what to do if youre having an asthma attack without your inhaler. Now lets talk about what to do if youre experiencing an asthma attack and do have your inhaler.
If youre having an asthma attack, take the following steps:
Its also important to see your doctor after an asthma attack, even if you feel better. Its possible that your asthma medications or asthma action plan may need to be adjusted. This can help to reduce your chances of having another asthma attack in the future.
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.
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Knowing Your Asthma Action Plan Is Step One
For most people with asthma, managing the chronic condition involves a multi-pronged approach tailored to your symptoms and lifestyle.
Step one for everyone, however, is having a firm grasp of your asthma action plan.
Work with your doctor to create an asthma action plan that covers how to:
- Take your medication properly
- Quit smoking, if you do
In addition, monitor your symptoms carefully. Keep track of what they are, when they occur, and their severity.
Journal of Asthma and Allergy,
- In cold, dry air
- In environments with airborne irritants, such as cigarette smoke
How To Stop The Wheezing Without Medication
An asthma attack can be disturbing to say the least it can limit the activities you can enjoy and put acrimp on your quality of life. Controlling and managing asthma is the key to a happier, more fulfilling life. While medications can and do help, many people choose to take more natural approaches to managing the wheezing that asthma causes.
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Relax In A Hot Steamy Shower Or Bath
If you have no rescue inhaler when wheezing and coughing starts up, relax in a hot, steamy shower or bath immediately. Steam will soothe your airways, relieve chest congestion and loosen thick mucus so you can breathe freely again.
If a hot, steamy shower or bath is not an option, consider gently placing your face over a pot of water and breathing in the steam from it. It will work the same wayjust be careful not to burn yourself.
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 asthma, 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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Contact Doctor During Office Hours
- Donât have written asthma action plan from your doctor
- Use an inhaler, but donât have a spacer
- Miss more than 1 day of school per month for asthma
- Asthma limits exercise or sports
- Asthma attacks wake child up from sleep
- Use more than 1 inhaler per month
- No asthma check-up in more than 1 year
- You have other questions or concerns
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Will Medicine Help Me Sleep Better
Yes, if you have nighttime asthma symptoms. Many people wake up with asthma symptoms such as coughing or wheezing. You can control nighttime symptoms by taking asthma medicines as directed by your doctor.
Removing triggers where you sleep may help you sleep better. Many people are allergic to dust mites and mold found in bedding materials. Using mattress or pillow encasements can help contain those allergens. Dehumidifiers can also be helpful to reduce the humidity in your home that dust mites and mold need to exist. Using air cleaners in your bedroom may also help reduce your exposure to allergens and irritants .
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