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Millions of adults and children today are suffering from shortness of breath which leaves them feeling helpless as they strive and strain for air. This is one of the many symptoms of asthma. This is a result of the bodys overreaction to irritants causing the linings of the lungs to expand, muscles to contract and mucus to develop. Because of this patients experience difficulty in breathing which leaves them coughing and wheezing as they try to inhale more air to compensate for what they are feeling. The more depressing news is that, since this is a chronic disease, it is incurable. It is frustrating to find out that nobody can get rid of it.

Severe asthma attacks can be life threatening if proper medical attention and medication is not given immediately. On a brighter note, even though asthma is incurable, there are medications that are available and methods that can be done in order to alleviate the condition. The most important thing that one needs to do first is knowing the triggers.

Is it because of the food you eat? Is it due to extreme exercise or vigorous activities that you deal with regularly? Is it air irritants, dust, pollen, smoke, smog or climate changes that trigger your asthma attack? These particular questions can help you find the answer on how to alleviate the asthma symptoms. After determining the causes of your asthma attack take necessary action at once. Taking extra medication before going into areas where you think you are more likely to have an attack would prove to your advantage, or if you can, total avoidance of these irritants can also be considered. If you think that the cold weather is one of your triggers, wearing scarves or thick clothes will most likely take care of this problem.

By knowing your triggers you will be able to develop specific activities or solutions fitted to your lifestyle and need. Take necessary steps such as proper exercise that will boost your immune system against allergens and sickness coupled with a healthy balanced diet of fresh fruits and vegetables. Rest is also crucial since this will give you energy to handle stressful situations which sometimes can also be a trigger to your attack. Keeping your house clean also helps you minimize the chances as this will lessen the chances of molds and bed bugs to fester. Record or track all the attacks along with the severity, length, and all of the necessary details like the food you were eating or the activity that you were doing. By doing this you will be able to actively participate when you and your physician discuss about what medications and therapies would work best for you.

House cleaning may sound a bit farfetched but this actually has a lot of benefits that will help asthma sufferers out. One is that, since this is also a form of exercise you will not only be cleaning but also exercising at the same time. Second is preventing dust mites from leaving their shedding which are one of the irritants for asthmatic patients as well. Third would be to prevent molds from growing and releasing their spores in the air. In order to help you out with your regimen or program you will need to have an accurate record of all your attacks. Take down all the previous attacks that you have been though along with the time, date, length of the attack, its severity and its cause and you will need to talk about it with your doctor. By doing this your doctor or physician will be able to give you additional advice that will make the treatment more effective. It is important to develop you own techniques but never take your medication out of the equation. There are actually a lot of alternative medicines out there; you will just have to do your research. Alternatives like herbal medicines, breathing exercises, yoga, hydrotherapy, and home remedies can be used before, during or after an asthma attack.

Always try to be open minded to all the possible cures that can work for you, some might actually work but others might endanger or worsen the condition even more. Dont just jump into an alternative treatment unless you have discussed it with your physician and youve done sufficient research on it. The choice for a treatment that works is well within your reach but you have to have the determination and willpower to persevere no matter the situation.