Triggers for asthma include pollen, mold, household dust or dust mites, cockroaches, certain foods, animal protein (such as dander or urine), respiratory infections and sinusitis, strong odors and sprays, such as perfumes, household cleaners, cooking fumes, paints, varnishes, chemicals including coal, chalk dust, air pollutants, fluctuating weather conditions, including changes in temperature, barometric pressure, humidity, and strong winds. Also contributing to asthma attacks are on the job chemical exposure, such as occupational vapors, dust, gases, or fumes. Medications, such as aspirin and sulfites, may also cause asthmatic attacks due to sensitivities or allergies to the medications.

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Why use a spray inhaler for asthma at all? Because through inhalation, it takes only five to 15 minutes for short-acting, quick-relief medicine (bronchodilators) to have an effect, compared to oral asthma medicines, which can take one to three hours to have a comparable effect. With an inhaler, there are also fewer medication side effects because the medicine goes directly to the lungs and not to other parts of the body.

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Common asthma symptoms are breathlessness and a wheezing cough, which often gets worse at night. In a severe asthma attack, the breathing rate increases sharply and pulse rate increases. The individual is often not in a position to speak due to asthma-induced breathlessness. The skin of an asthmatic sufferer may turn blue due to lack of oxygen, a condition termed “cyanosis”.

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If you experience an asthma attack you should sit, and lean forward, and place something warm on your chest to relax your chest muscles. Take your asthma inhaler or have a plastic bag to ease your breathing. Use your asthma inhaler or asthma MDI and inhale your prescribed bronchodilator medicine. Some helpful supplements are: ginkgo biloba, mullein, licorice root, marshmallow root or slippery elm.

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