When you have asthma, it can be very scary. You can have trouble breathing, and have serious coughing attacks very often. Here are 9 tips to help you learn to deal with your asthma better. The more knowledge you have, the better you will be able to prevent an attack.

Symptoms

1. 1.       Having the proper medications and treatments for your asthma is very important.  If you need to use your inhaler more than once a day, or are awakened by symptoms more than twice a week, it may be time to switch to a more controlling medicine that can prevent your symptoms.

1. 2.       Try to stay indoors when it is pollen season. Pollen can be a major irritant to you if you suffer from asthma. When it is pollen season, the pollen fills the air outside, making your symptoms worse. It is best to stay indoors and to keep your windows closed during this period of time.

Signs

1. 3.       Be alert for any signs of food allergies in your children. If you notice any kinds of hives or breathing problems after they have eaten a particular food, you are going to want to have them tested for the allergy at the doctor. These allergies may be a sign of asthma down the road.

Diagnosis

1. 4.       Some of the most common signs of asthma that are seen in children include an increased rate of breathing, frequent coughing that is aggravated by physical activity and a runny nose. Your child may also wheeze or have a cough that seems to worsen at nighttime.

1. 5.       Your primary care physician is a great starting point for learning about your asthma diagnosis. There are other specialists available, however, that can provide more individualized care. Ask you doctor if a referral to a pulmonologist or an asthma care center is appropriate in helping you manage your condition.

Triggers

1. 6.       If you are struggling with asthma, you should cover your mattresses and pillows with plastic covers. Mattresses and pillows can trap in many triggers for asthma attacks, such as dust and dirt. You should try to wash your bedding once a week in hot water to remove the build up on asthma triggers.

1. 7.       Join a local support group of other asthma sufferers to gain additional information or tips on living with asthma. Others may have experienced specific triggers similar to yours and may offer beneficial suggestions for either avoiding them or lessening their effects. If you move to a new community, a support group can be an invaluable source of information on trigger substances common in the area.

Treatment

1. 8.       See more than one doctor. While your primary care physician should be your go-to source for asthma help, consider making an appointment with a specialist or two. Allergists, asthma centers, pulmonologists, and even nutritionists can work with you to make sure you are taking advantage of all avenues of treatment.

1. 9.       Create and follow a written asthma action plan. This plan has a listing of all of your asthma medications, including rescue inhalers, along with dosages and times to take them. Having a written plan makes it easier to follow your treatment plan exactly, which will result in better control of your asthma.

You know how scary it is when you have asthma and you are having trouble breathing. The more panicked you get, the harder it will be to breath normally. Use this article as a reference and learn it so you will know what to do next time you are having asthma trouble.