Asthma is a very common condition that affects more than three million people in the United States every year. For some people, this condition is chronic and never disappears, for others they might only ever experience it once. A person experiences asthma when the airways in your body become inflamed, restrict, narrow, swell, as well as create excess mucus, therefore, making it difficult for the person to breathe.
How Might You Experience Asthma?
If you have had trouble breathing after a short amount of exercising and you find that your breath is not returning quickly enough you might be experiencing asthma. Luckily there are many ways to help prevent asthma from occurring and simple medications to quickly reduce symptoms and feeling normal again.
How To Tell If You Have Asthma
Asthma requires a medical diagnosis as it may not be the reason someone is experiencing difficulty breathing. If you are unsure whether you have asthma make an appointment with your primary care physician.
Does Your Weight Matter?
A person’s weight often factors into the severity of the condition. It is more common for people who are overweight to experience harsher symptoms and the asthmas occurrence is more frequent. To avoid this, you should try and maintain a healthy lifestyle including exercise, a proper diet to prevent the overproduction of mucus.
How to Treat Asthma?
Asthma is habitually controlled using inhalers often referred to as rescue inhalers. The medication used in inhalers help reduce and treat the symptom (anti-inflammatory) and some even prevent further symptoms by using steroids. In extreme instances, some people may need the help of an inhaler that has a long-lasting effect to make sure the air pathways are clear.
What Can You Do To Help Prevent an Asthma Attack?
There are many things you can do to help prevent an asthma attack. If you are a smoker, then you should quit smoke tobacco or any other substances. As mentioned previously, exercise can also help improve your asthma if done at a steady regular pace. Do not overexert yourself as you may induce an asthma attack. There are also inhalers created specifically for those who are planning to work out on a regular basis. Eating a healthy diet can also aid in preventing the onset of an attack. Foods that produce a lot of mucus such as dairy, thick oil, food that is difficult to digest, or any very heavy food should be avoided.
What To Do If You Experience an Asthma Attack?
Do not panic if you are experiencing an asthma attack. You will lose more air faster, try and calm yourself down and do your best to breath normally. Make sure to sit upright, this will allow air to flow easily into your lungs instead of working against your body. Try your best to take long deep breaths. If there is some sort of trigger (even allergies may be a trigger) try your best to get away from whatever is inducing the attack. Then seek medical help.