Controlling asthma

  Anyone who is controlling asthma should reduce their exposure to dust mites and others.

Controlling asthma is the goal of anyone who has this respiratory problem. The symptoms, which include coughing, wheezing, tightness in the chest, and difficult breathing, can be frightening – not only for the person experiencing the attack but also for those around them. The vast majority of asthma attacks are not life-threatening but there are cases of attacks that resulted in death. This makes controlling asthma extremely important.

Most asthma attacks respond to fast-acting medication prescribed by a physician. This medication is often delivered in the form of an inhaler and fast action once the first symptoms appear can prevent a full-blown episode. To control asthma, the inhaler needs to be carried everywhere the asthma sufferer goes in an easy to reach location such as a purse or pocket.

Controlling asthma in children can be especially challenging. Children are so active and too much strenuous activity can cause an asthma attack with little or no warning. Children also hide their symptoms at times so they do not have to stop playing with their friends.

To help control asthma in a child, the child’s teachers, day care workers, doctors, health care practitioners of all kinds such as dentists and psychologies, and the family or extended family of the child must all be made away of the child’s asthma and educated about what to do in the event of an attack. They should be made aware of what medication can be used and what the dosage should be as well as what the medication looks like. Tell them where the medication is normally carried so they can locate it should the child be unable to communicate with them during an asthma attack.

When controlling asthma in children, one of the most important measures is to educate the child about asthma triggers and how to avoid exposure to those triggers. It is crucial that the child understand the asthma is not only uncomfortable but it is a very, very serious health problem and they must follow the rules about avoiding triggers. Don’t frighten the child, but make it quite clear that there are no exceptions to the rules about avoiding asthma triggers.

Anyone who is controlling asthma should reduce their exposure to dust mites, household dust, tobacco smoke and other known irritants. This may mean that household chores have to be done so that the maximum amount of irritants will be removed. It can also mean that dust-proof bedding and pillow covers must be used as well.

Controlling asthma is much better than going through the fear, stress and painful attacks that result from lack of management of this disorder. Do not neglect self-management techniques that will help in controlling asthma attacked and minimizing those that do occur.

About the author:
Asthma.

http://asthma.helpfularticle.info/Controlling-Asthma.php

More health information - More asthma information