March 3, 2011

BREATHE EASIER THIS SPRING – Apply A Few Helpful Tips For Seniors, Their Family Members And Personal In Home Caregivers About Helpful Ways to Manage Asthma

By Carol Carbutti

If you have ever had a nasty dream where you are drowning and can’t resurface to catch your breath, then you wake and hear squeaks and wheezing, you may be experiencing an asthma attack.  Always remember that it is possible to catch and manage your labored breathing. 

 

It is important to identify some common frequent asthma triggers such as perfumes, cold or dry air, flour, coffee, tea, exercise, laundry detergents, air pollutants, wood dust such as red cedar and oak, alcoholic drinks, stress or an emotional time and allergens like pollen, molds and animal dander.

 

For a few seniors, the asthma symptoms may be something new, but for others who have suffered for years, they know an attack can be pretty scary.  If you have encountered one or more of these asthma triggers, then you should contackt your doctor and find out what treatments are available

 

Even though it is easier said than done, the first thing an elderly asthmatic needs to do is relax as much as possible.  A good way to try to relax is to sit down and have a few sips of water or a flavored drink because you can’t drink if you are really upset.  This exercise will help calm you and your breathing will begin to slow down.

 

You can also sit down and place your folded hands on your upper abdomen.  Take breaths (as deep as you can) and then exhale slowly through pursed lips.  Now for seniors who use inhalers it is best to wait till you are calm so it can work more effectively.  Learn to control an asthma attack,  then learn to be proactive in preventing your asthma triggers.  This starts in your home.  Here are some tips:

 

Once a week you need to wipe down all hard surfaces with a diluted bleach solution.  These cleaning solutions will clean any microscopic mold or mildew.  Be sure to wear a breathing mask while you do this so you don’t irritate your lungs!  Another good idea is to find a vacuum cleaner that releases very little dust back in to your home and use this often.

 

During the fall and spring remember to keep your windows closed due to the pollen.  A good way to clean the air in your home is by using your air conditioners and don’t forget to change the filter each season to keep you air conditioner working at its peak effectiveness.  Now when the windows are open you can get an air filterer for the room you spend the most time in.  It will help to filter out any asthma-triggering agents that make it into your home. 

 

If you are still experiencing severe asthma symptoms you may need to go back to your doctor for more ideas on how to manage the problem.  Remember always try to relax and best that you can since anxiety and fear only compound the issue.

 

Spring is almost here and we are all so thankful for its renewal of life and growth.  Let us all be in a healthy state to take our first deep breaths of sunshine.  Keep these tips top of mind.

 

This story is from the office of Comfort Keepers, a non-medical in home caregiving agency of senior citizens of Wallingford, New Haven, Hamden (Zip Code 06514), North Haven, Cheshire, Durham, Middlefield, Middletown, Meriden, Waterbury, Southington, Kensington, Berlin, Newington, New Britain, And Bristol.  Carol Carbutti, the owner/manager, would like to mention that we could help seniors stay living independently in their own home by providing services for as few as 3 hours weekly to live in care.  If you have any questions please call (203) 697-1030 or email us at denisegryzbek@comfortkeepers.com

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