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10 ways to manage asthma !!!

Your doctor can offer treatments and suggestions for managing asthma, but there are plenty of things you can do yourself as well. A doctor can prescribe medication to help, but prevention is really the best medicine.

Because asthma can be triggered by so many things, there are lots of ways you can decrease the chances of an attack. The following are 10 of the easiest ways:

1. Follow your doctor's orders. This kind of goes without saying, but do what your doctor tells you. Don't stop taking medication if you're feeling better, follow it according to the doctor's recommendations. If he has you taking daily peak flow measurements, make sure you follow those instructions carefully.

2. Quit smoking. Cigarette smoke is one of the most common triggers for asthma, so if you smoke, quit. This should be the case whether it's you that suffers from asthma or someone else in your household - second hand smoke is bad too.

3. Keep your house as dust-free as possible - dust is another one of the common triggers. Use a cylinder vacuum rather than an upright - preferably one that has a sealed canister to stop dust from escaping back into the air.

4. If possible, remove any carpets and heavy draperies from the house. They catch dust and are breeding grounds for dust mites. If they can't be removed, make sure they get vacuumed regularly (again with a cylinder vacuum).

5. Avoid down and feather pillows or comforters and cover your mattress with plastic. Pillows and mattresses can also harbor dust mites, as can stuffed animals and other 'soft' items.

6. Use a scarf to cover your nose and mouth in colder weather. Cold air is another common trigger for asthma.

7. If allergens trigger your asthma, keep track of the outside air quality every day. Avoid fields and wooded areas during pollen season and take extra care on days when the air quality is particularly bad.

8. Mold is another common asthma trigger. Dry wet laundry right away and wash and disinfect showers and bathrooms regularly, to help minimize the chance of mold growth.

9. Pet dander is another common trigger for many people. If you have pets, be sure to keep them out of the bedroom and main living areas to minimize the exposure to dander.

10. Avoid any foods, drinks or other items that may cause allergic reactions.


Dr. Dinesh Sharma

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?10-Ways-To-Manage-Asthma&id=34...
 
  drdineshsharma on 2010-06-06
This is just a forum. Assume posts are not from medical professionals.
With regard to the Indian context, one important point that a senior pulmonologist told me was that when there is an asthmatic in your house, never sweep the floor with a broom (this may cause the dust to rise up in the air).

Always WET MOPPING is recommended.

She even went on to mention that Air conditioning would be good because it regulates the dust as well as the humidity. But again, the cold air, in my opinion, could be a trigger for many. Therefore, only personalized suggestions will work. It is as if one man's food is another's poison!

One important thing to do is to identify the triggers - what causes the allergic reaction. If one is objective enough, he / she can tell when the symptoms are worse - what weather / food affects him/her etc.

Some people realize only when they get a severe attack and I have often seen asthmatics who cannot tell what makes them worse or better!!!

For such people, the triggers / modalities for aggravation, amelioration etc can be identified by preparing a detailed diary of every day activities, weather info and foodstuff consumed along with the health condition of the patient. so referring to the diary can tell us possible factors that worsen / improve the asthma.

-sriram
 
sriram last decade
If the patient is worse in cold weather, and is of chilly disposition, he/she can take the precautions such as wearing socks and covering the ears (monkey cap) while going to bed. This will protect the patient from taking cold.

I have also observed that in cold weather, if before bath, some mustard oil (slightly warmed) is applied to the chest and back, the patient can tolerate the cold much better.

Some asthmatics will find relief from drinking a glass of hot water during an attack. This will dissolve the phlegm and make breathing easier.

-sriram
 
sriram last decade

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Information given in this forum is given by way of exchange of views only, and those views are not necessarily those of ABC Homeopathy. It is not to be treated as a medical diagnosis or prescription, and should not be used as a substitute for a consultation with a qualified homeopath or physician. It is possible that advice given here may be dangerous, and you should make your own checks that it is safe. If symptoms persist, seek professional medical attention. Bear in mind that even minor symptoms can be a sign of a more serious underlying condition, and a timely diagnosis by your doctor could save your life.