How to Prevent or Decrease Asthma Attacks

People who suffer from Asthma experience shortness of breath, a tightness in their chest, and coughing and wheezing. Some people who have asthma may experience asthma from allergies. Before using medications to relieve your asthma attacks, read on to find out what ways you can decrease your chances of an asthma attack.

What you shouldn't do

1. Do not Smoke

Of course this should be a no-brainer but some people who suffer from asthma actually do smoke and they shouldn't because it makes their asthma symptoms worse. I have an old high school friend who smokes and I didn't know when we started hanging out back then they she had asthma. I knew she smoked because we would smoke together after school. When she told me that she had asthma I was shocked. I thought that someone who had asthma would know that they shouldn't smoke but she was sure smoking up a storm and it didn't seem to matter to her. As far as I know she still smokes, I really don't know because I haven't talked to her in years. Anyway if you have asthma and you smoke, quit. I know it's hard to quit because I have tried but smoking is making your asthma symptoms worse.

2. Stay away from other people who smoke

If you have asthma, stay away from other smokers. This is especially important during the winter months when your house is closed up. If you have asthma and live with someone who smokes, ask them to smoke outside or in another room where they can shut the door. Second hand smoke does as much damage as smoking does. Maybe even more damage. Since smoking makes the asthma symptoms worse then second hand smoke will do the same thing.

3.Don't light a fire

If you use a fireplace or wood stove, don't throw another log on the fire because this will irritate your asthma symptoms and make them worse. Dr. John Carlson says people with asthma shouldn't be around wood stoves or fireplaces because it can fuel asthma. If you must use a wood stove or fireplace then make sure they are airtight and well ventilated so less particles will be released into the room and the lungs.

4. Take an antacid at bedtime

Did you know that by going to bed on a full stomach might also increase the chance of an asthma attack? Asthma may be caused by stomach reflux, or acid reflux and this can cause your stomach contents to leak out and into your airway causing an asthma attack. So to avoid this from happening, take an antacid before going to bed. Also prop your head up to prevent the stomach reflux.

5. Stay indoors when it's cold outside

During the winter months, try to stay inside as much as you can to decrease asthma symptoms. Going out in the cold and breathing in the cold air will make asthma worse. If it is impossible to stay indoors a lot then make sure to wear a scarf or mask to protect your nose and mouth. Breathing in the warm air from the scarf or mask will prevent asthma attacks.

6. Don't go to Arizona for relief

Most people who suffer from asthma or allergies will want to move to a drier climate to reduce or eliminate their asthma attacks. Most people would move to Arizona to find relief but the environment there has changed over the years. Now there is more stuff in the air that often makes asthma worse. If you still want to move to a drier climate to relieve your asthma, look for a warm and dry climate that is less populated than the rest. Once you find the right place, vacation there for a couple of weeks and if you can handle it, then you can move there.

7. Use the right car air conditioner setting

Don't run the air conditioner setting in your car that brings in outside air and cools it. This can bring with it pollutants that can cause an asthma attack. Set your air conditioner on the recirculate or maximum setting, this way it won't bring in allergens from outside.

8. Watch what you eat

Many foods we all eat can cause asthma or make it worse. These foods include milk, eggs, nuts, and seafood. If you suffer from asthma, learning what foods trigger your asthma and avoiding them will be your best bet.

9. Stay out of the kitchen

Sometimes you don't have to just avoid eating the foods that can trigger an asthma attack, just by smelling them can cause asthma attacks. So stay out of the kitchen when someone is frying an egg.

10. Cut Back or quit using salt altogether

Studies have shown that people who suffer from asthma and use salt, have more asthma attacks than those who don't use salt. If you can't quit using salt on food, cut back as much as you can. It could save your life.

11. Stay away from food additives

Studies have shown MSG and metabisulfite found in foods such as Chinese food, beer, shrimp, dried fruits--especially apricots, can trigger asthma symptoms. Avoid any food with these additives in them and when eating out ask for the MSG and metabisulfites to be left out of your food.

12. Use non-aspirin pain relievers

Studies have shown asthma sufferers' who use aspirin for pain relief have found their asthma symptoms worse. Some could even die from taking aspirin while suffering from asthma. Your best bet is to avoid any kind of aspirin pain reliever altogether.

13. Use your inhaler the right way

If you use an inhaler to prevent or ease asthma attacks, make sure you use it right. Don't just spray it on the back of your throat. If you see a mist coming out of your mouth when using the inhaler, you're using it wrong. Hold the inhaler about a half inch away from your mouth, take a deep breath, and just after you start breathing in start depressing the inhaler. Continue to breathe in while spraying and hold your breath for 3 to 5 seconds.

14. Drink coffee

If you are away from your asthma medication and you feel an attack coming on, drink two strong cups of coffee. Studies have shown that caffeine has a strong effect on relieving asthma symptoms. Don't replace your medication with coffee though.

15. Take Vitamin B6

The finding of vitamin B6 having an effect on asthma symptoms came by accident. When scientists were researching the effects of vitamin B6 for sickle cell anemia patients, they also found that most of these patients had a history of asthma. They found that by taking 50 milligrams of vitamin B6 a day reduced the severity of asthma attacks. Higher doses of vitamin B6 can be toxic so stick with the 50 mgs. Just to be safe.

16. Be aware of your symptoms

Listen to your lungs. If you are aware of an oncoming asthma attack, you can do something to prevent it coming on or getting worse. Recognize your symptoms and watch the pattern. By knowing an attack is coming and doing something to prevent it or ease the attack, you will have less asthma attacks.

If you or someone you know suffers from asthma, try these ways to prevent or decrease your asthma attacks. In my next article, I will talk about home remedies you can use to relieve your asthma symptoms.

For more information on preventing asthma attacks, visit the website below:

The Doctors Book of Home Remedies