Recently we have been getting a lot of tweets asking What is ASMA?
When it comes to dealing with any chronic condition it is effective management that you’re going to want to aim for. Curing the illness might be the overall ambition but in the mean time you want it to have as minimal an impact on your life as is possible. So when people ask us ‘What is ASMA we are happy to explain that the Yourwellness ASMA system is all about attaining that level of management in your life. It should be used alongside any advice you’ve received from your doctors or healthcare specialist and never instead of.
ASMA works on two main principles, these being avoidance and preparedness. You’re trying to avoid the allergens and stimulants which are most likely to cause an adverse reaction as this is the best way to prevent them from happening. When you do come into contact with those things then you’re going to need to be absolutely prepared to deal with the ramifications of that contact.
Avoidance
There are two sets of allergens which could set off your asthma. There are those which you’ll find in the great outdoors and those which can occur in your home. Obviously you’re going to have a lot more control over what goes on in your home than you will outside of it. It’s important to utilise that control so as to make the management of asthma as easy as you can.
The three main indoor allergens are dust mites, mould and animal fur:
– Mould can be avoided by making sure your home is well ventilated. It grows in warm damp environments; ventilation helps to keep air dry. In cases where mould has started to grow, you can remove it easily with a solution of water and bleach. Make sure you get it all!
– Dust mites love dark and humid environments and will often live in bedding, carpets or couches. It’s not the mites that cause the allergic reaction, it’s their excrement. This is a specific protein which can be very dangerous to asthmatic patients. Keeping your home well hoovered and clean can help to eliminate these little creatures and protect your health!
– If you’re allergic to animal fur then I’d have to advise not having an animal. If you already have one then consider getting rid of it. Once you have you’ll need to totally clean your house to remove any fur or feathers.
The two main outdoor allergens are pollution and pollen:
– Pollution is a tricky one if you live in a city. Try and avoid the busier streets and more industrial areas. If you happen to live in one of these areas then move if you can or invest in air filters for your windows etc.
– Pollen is easier to deal with if you’re the resident of a city. For those who live in the countryside it can be really difficult to ever escape it. Most weather forecasts now involve a daily pollen count. If levels are very high then try not to go out into them, or at least wait for them to die down before doing so.
Preparedness
No one can take everything into account and regardless of how hard you work at avoidance, you’re going to come into contact with allergens eventually. This doesn’t have to be a surprise, you can deal with anything that happens if you’re prepared for it.
The main way to be prepared for an asthma attack is by carrying your inhaler at all times. When an attack occurs you’ll need to remember the following guidelines:
- Take either one or two puffs on your inhaler (depending on severity)
- Sit down and attempt to slow your breathing. Take long and steady breaths
- If the symptoms don’t start to diminish take another two puffs, one at a time every two minutes (do not exceed ten puffs in total)
- If you still don’t feel any better then immediately call 999 (or the emergency services number)
- If your symptoms keep getting worse and an ambulance hasn’t arrived within ten minutes then repeat step three
- If your symptoms do improve and you start to feel okay again then you’ll still need to see an asthma nurse or a doctor within 24 hours to be safe.
If you’re at all worried about your symptoms then you need to make a fuss. Go to the A&E to be extra safe and remember to never take any undue risk with your health. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Being caught out without your inhaler can be very scary but there are a short selection of remedies that you can use to slow or halt an attack. At the very least this will give you a chance for emergency services to arrive.
- Caffeine can be helpful. Drink the amount found in two cans of coke or two cups of coffee. This should help to relax any inflammation in your lungs and assist your breathing.
- Take and hold deep breaths. This will build up carbon dioxide levels in your blood which will act as a natural form of inhaler.
- Some fast acting allergy medication can be helpful. Try and find Sudafed, Claritin or Benadryl. Any of these will be very useful in the event of an allergic asthmatic reaction.
- The steam given off by a hot shower can help to ease the symptoms of an attack.
Make sure to contact emergency services as quickly as you can in the event of a severe attack. These methods will buy some time but they won’t prevent the attack entirely.
But, the next time someone asks you ‘What is ASMA?’ you’ll be able to tell them.
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