By Blondell Liscomb
How many of you were diagnosed with Asthma as an ADULT like I was? It was QUITE shocking!
About 15 years ago, I took a hike in the Mt. Rainier area to Spray Falls. Being the active person that I am, I didn't understand why I was short of breath when traversing up the mountain, and had to keep stopping. I think it was the longest hike I ever did. Somehow I eventually made it to the top and was able to take a ton of pictures. To this day, Spray Falls is one of the most beautiful sites I've ever seen. Sadly, I haven't been back yet!
The shortness of breath continued at home. I didn't understand what was going on. I had to keep stepping outside for air. What was up? It was getting scary!
I finally went to an allergist, blew in a tube and took some tests, and he informed me that I had asthma! What? How could that be? Where did this come from?
He sent me home with an emergency inhaler and a preventive inhaler that I was SUPPOSED to use every day. I refused to use the inhaler for quite a long time, until one day I was out on a trail with Mark and had a severe asthma attack. I carried the preventive inhaler with me, but that never works DURING an attack. I didn't have my emergency puffer with me, but somehow I lived!
After that horrifying experience, I started to take it seriously and began using my very strong preventive inhaler two puffs twice daily. I started feeling much better but actually lost my voice, which didn't matter. At least I could breathe!
My asthma eventually was under control and I was able to go to a lower daily dosage. After feeling fantastic for a long time, I decided to take it upon myself to completely stop using my daily inhaler right before spring. I mean, I was cured, right? Wait a minute, NOT SO FAST! I started having the worst attacks of my life. Mark used to have to drive me to air conditioned malls and movie theatres. A couple of nights we spent in hotels just for air. It was getting ridiculous and expensive!
Back on the inhaler I went. I've been using it every day for years and seem to have it under control. I'm down to the lowest dosage, maybe a puff every other day. If I start flaring up, I use it more frequently. I actually am doing quite well now. I keep a few preventive and emergency puffers around my house and in the car just in case!
I used to completely PANIC when having an Asthma attack, but I've learned secrets to deal with it and they've really helped me.
1. Don't panic, go to a designated quite place (mine was my bedroom) and puff, lie down, and RELAX.
2. Sit down next to a hot pan of steamed water or humidifier or get into a hot steamy shower for about 10 minutes.
3. Don't go outside and breathe cold air; it can set off an attack.
4. Don't drink cold water, drink hot water daily. It's good to steam your lungs!
5. Don't EVER STOP using your daily inhaler "cold turkey". Talk to your doctor before making any changes.
6. Don't eat until you are stuffed, it weighs on your lungs.
7. Take your emergency inhaler wherever you go. I have several that are stored in different places like bedroom, family room, purse, and each of our cars.
8. Put hardwood floors into your house.
9. Install Air conditioning, if you can, it works wonders. ALWAYS keep your windows CLOSED during pollen season.
10. Buy a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter in it. Make sure it sucks the dust up and doesn't redistribute it in another part of the house.
Always remember that If you are short of breath or think you have asthma please consult your health care professional.
READ MORE - 10 Secrets For Surviving Asthma
How many of you were diagnosed with Asthma as an ADULT like I was? It was QUITE shocking!
About 15 years ago, I took a hike in the Mt. Rainier area to Spray Falls. Being the active person that I am, I didn't understand why I was short of breath when traversing up the mountain, and had to keep stopping. I think it was the longest hike I ever did. Somehow I eventually made it to the top and was able to take a ton of pictures. To this day, Spray Falls is one of the most beautiful sites I've ever seen. Sadly, I haven't been back yet!
The shortness of breath continued at home. I didn't understand what was going on. I had to keep stepping outside for air. What was up? It was getting scary!
I finally went to an allergist, blew in a tube and took some tests, and he informed me that I had asthma! What? How could that be? Where did this come from?
He sent me home with an emergency inhaler and a preventive inhaler that I was SUPPOSED to use every day. I refused to use the inhaler for quite a long time, until one day I was out on a trail with Mark and had a severe asthma attack. I carried the preventive inhaler with me, but that never works DURING an attack. I didn't have my emergency puffer with me, but somehow I lived!
After that horrifying experience, I started to take it seriously and began using my very strong preventive inhaler two puffs twice daily. I started feeling much better but actually lost my voice, which didn't matter. At least I could breathe!
My asthma eventually was under control and I was able to go to a lower daily dosage. After feeling fantastic for a long time, I decided to take it upon myself to completely stop using my daily inhaler right before spring. I mean, I was cured, right? Wait a minute, NOT SO FAST! I started having the worst attacks of my life. Mark used to have to drive me to air conditioned malls and movie theatres. A couple of nights we spent in hotels just for air. It was getting ridiculous and expensive!
Back on the inhaler I went. I've been using it every day for years and seem to have it under control. I'm down to the lowest dosage, maybe a puff every other day. If I start flaring up, I use it more frequently. I actually am doing quite well now. I keep a few preventive and emergency puffers around my house and in the car just in case!
I used to completely PANIC when having an Asthma attack, but I've learned secrets to deal with it and they've really helped me.
1. Don't panic, go to a designated quite place (mine was my bedroom) and puff, lie down, and RELAX.
2. Sit down next to a hot pan of steamed water or humidifier or get into a hot steamy shower for about 10 minutes.
3. Don't go outside and breathe cold air; it can set off an attack.
4. Don't drink cold water, drink hot water daily. It's good to steam your lungs!
5. Don't EVER STOP using your daily inhaler "cold turkey". Talk to your doctor before making any changes.
6. Don't eat until you are stuffed, it weighs on your lungs.
7. Take your emergency inhaler wherever you go. I have several that are stored in different places like bedroom, family room, purse, and each of our cars.
8. Put hardwood floors into your house.
9. Install Air conditioning, if you can, it works wonders. ALWAYS keep your windows CLOSED during pollen season.
10. Buy a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter in it. Make sure it sucks the dust up and doesn't redistribute it in another part of the house.
Always remember that If you are short of breath or think you have asthma please consult your health care professional.
