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Asthma can be one of the most frightening and potentially dangerous, primarily because an asthma attack triggers a sense of panic and helplessness.
When an asthma attack occurs, the air passages in the lungs constrict, and there is much less room available for air to move in and out of your body. You end up gasping and wheezing, struggling for that breath of air that will end the attack. People have died from prolonged, unstoppable asthma attacks.
Prevention and Control is key
You should be ready to prevent asthma before it starts. You do that by avoiding triggers – smoke, cold wind, dust and pollens, animal hair – you’ll soon learn which set you off. Just stay out of their way.
Get a peak flow meter
This is a small, inexpensive device for measuring breathing that can be used anywhere – at your job, on a bus, on a bus, in a shopping mall. It fits in a purse or briefcase. The device will measure your lung capacity. That’s important because lung function decreases before symptoms of an attack – thus the meter is an early warning sign of an attack. Using a peak flow meter gives the patient information to share with the physician, so both can make decisions about the treatment plan.
You and your doctor should develop a written action plan to guide your overall asthma attack plan. This plan should spell out which medicines to take and when, when a doctor is a must, and so forth.
Stay Calm
Asthma is worsened by your stress. It’s a vicous circle – you feel an attack coming on, you get upset, the asthma gets worse, you get more upset, and you’re soon off to asthma hell. Being prepared will help you be calm because you will know that your defenses are ready when you need them.
Stay Fit
What you do to your body everyday affects your likelyhood to suffer an asthma attack. Get enough rest, eat properly, drink plenty of liquids, and exercise regularly.
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