1. Avoid the Asthma Attack
What do kittens, puppies and freshly mowed grass have in common? They are all joyous things unless you suffer from asthma. Possessing the knowledge of what makes your asthma worse is just as important as knowing how to treat an attack. Respect your lung's limits. Common allergens such as pet dander, pollen and pollution can either be avoided or restricted. Don't call the pound or abandon your apartment; there are simple methods available to assist you in decreasing your personal asthma triggers.
2. Poor Ventilation and Pollen
Examine your daily living and work spaces. There are probably many contributors to your asthmatic condition, many of which can be eliminated. Start by tossing your feather duster. Instead, use static or cling wipes to dust all surfaces weekly, if not daily. Hardwood floors never looked so good! If cost is not a factor, ripping out your carpets would make your lungs happy. Carpets (especially shag) harbor nasty little creatures such as dust mites, pollen and animal dander, which are potent asthmatic triggers. Don't forget the other household items that can collect dust; window dressings should be professionally cleaned (they need to get to 180 degrees Fahrenheit) at least four times annually. Those who rent or love their carpets can use one of the many air filtration systems available for $100 or less retail in their homes or office to generate cleaner air.
3. Lung Pollution
Step away from the smoking section. Smoke and other noxious fumes literally paralyze your lung's innate cleansing abilities. Specifically, cigarette smoke constricts and irritates your airways, making the onset of an attack inevitable. There are ways to politely excuse yourself from social or work functions that are polluted without making a scene. Clean air is harder to come by when you are outdoors. While driving have you ever smelled the smoke from the car in front of you? Unfortunately, the air coming into your vehicle is not always purified either. Auto dealers are capable of installing high-speed filtration systems for your car's air conditioner. Consider it the next time you drive behind that diesel bus!
4. Get Vaccinated
The common cold can make your asthma worse. Illness of any form has a way of settling into the asthmatics lungs, prolonging coughs and discomfort for months. Beat your body at its own game and prevent illness whenever possible. Vaccines are an effective tool against common diseases. In addition to getting your routine influenza vaccine each fall, there are other vaccines such as the pneumonia vaccine that can prevent the onset of a lung-debilitating illness. Shy of needles? You will be comforted to know that the number-one way to decrease your chance of infection is to wash your hands routinely. A good hand washing should last for at least twenty seconds and include soap, warm water and a lot of friction.
5. Reduce Stress
Light a candle, take a deep breath and practice the ancient ritual of meditation. Reduced lung capacity as well as being overweight can increase your chances of complicating asthma. Any activity such as yoga, Pilates or meditation can increase your lung volume and strengthen your diaphragm. Once you have more control over this large muscle you will have better ability to harness and use each breath to the fullest.
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