Catch Your Breath and Manage Your Asthma

You have a nasty dream that you are drowning and can't get to the surface to catch your breath. Problem is, you wake up and still can't seem to catch your breath. You sit up and you still can't seem to breathe normally; your breath, such as it is, is coming in the squeaks and whistles that resemble a dying person's last gasp of life. It is possible to catch your breath and manage your asthma. Below are some frequent asthma triggers and some ways to manage your attacks.

Examples of things that can trigger an asthma attack:

• Perfumes


• Cold or dry air


• Flour, coffee, or tea


• Exercise


• Enzymes, such as those found in laundry detergents


• Alcoholic drinks


• Sulfating agents such as those found in salads, fruit juice, fresh and dried fruits, and seafood.


• Metal salts like chrome, nickel, and platinum


• Pollutants in the air


• Stress or an emotional time


• Allergens like pollens, animal dander, feathers, and molds


• Some wood dust such as western red cedar, and oak

So, you have encountered one or more of these asthma triggers, or come in contact with one not listed here, what can you do?

If you are new to having asthma, an attack can be pretty scary; even after years of having asthma, an unexpected attack can be unsettling.

The first thing you need to do is relax...yes, I know, easier said than done, so try this: sit down and have a glass of water or another flavored drink. You can't drink if you are freaking out, so drink something and your breathing will slow down.

Try this breathing exercise: Sit down and place your folded hands on your upper abdomen. Take deep breaths (as deep as you can) and then exhale through pursed lips to slowly let the air escape from your lungs. Once your breathing has become calmer, if you use an inhaler, it will work more effectively.

Once you learn to control an asthma attack, you need to get your life free of as many of your asthma triggers as you can. This starts in your home. Here are some tips:

Wipe down all hard surfaces with a diluted bleach solution to clean away any microscopic molds and any mildew. Be sure to wear a breathing mask while you do this so you don't irritate your lungs! Do this at least once a week.

Use a built in vacuum cleaner system or one that releases the least amount of dust back into your house, and use it often.

Keep your windows closed during pollen season. This is typically during the fall and spring; but be aware of when the pollens that trigger your asthma attacks are most apt to be in the air. Use your air conditioner and change the filter at least once per season to keep allergens from getting into your home and to keep your air conditioner working at its peak effectiveness.

During the times of the year that you can open your windows, use an air filterer in the room where you are. It will help to filter out any asthma-triggering agents that make it into your home.