is steam from a hot shower good if your having a asthma attack to open airways
hello I just got out of the hospital I was diagnosed with asthma with acute exacerbation I was on 4 liters of oxygen and they weened me down to 2 liters im having a lot of trouble breathing but a nurse told me to sit in the bathroom with the shower running and breath in the steam I was wondering what you thought about this I need help I sit here tyoing and my breath is very rasspy I have never had asthma before and im 41yrs old Could you please help cause im really scared im a mom and a grandma and im afraid Thank you Jill
Hi Jill,
Asthma attacks can be very scary, so you're not alone in those feelings and you're right to have them.
Yes, I have heard that sitting in a hot shower or steamy room can ease breathing trouble, but I think that works best for people with rhinitis, stuffy nose, or phlegmy cough. Have you tried it for your asthma? If it works for you, then I say keep doing it. But you'll never rid yourself of asthma symptoms just with hot showers. You have to have the right medication to get your asthma under control and avoid the scary attacks.
Did the doctor prescribe you with any asthma medications? Usually, you'll get a bronchodilator -- which is a fancy word for a drug that relaxes the muscles in your lungs that squeeze your airways when you're having an asthma attack. Bronchodilators can work fast, relaxing the muscles within a few minutes, or they can be long acting, continually working fpr hours to keep the muscles relaxed, but they don't work quickly.
You'll also probably need an anti-inflammatory drug. The anti-inflammatory keeps your airways from swelling, which also makes it hard to breathe. Some asthma inhalers have both kinds of medicine in them.
Go back to your doctor and explain your concerns and your symptoms. Your doctor has to help you determine which medicines are best for you.
You can also click the blue links below to learn a lot more about asthma treatment:
Building An Asthma Action Plan
Combination Asthma Inhalers = Increased Convenience + Better Asthma Control
Hang in there!
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Hi Jilly
guess what? I was diagnosed with asthma when I was 47, Im 53 now and since learned from lung exrays I didnt have asthma, it was just an easy HMO Dr to get me out of the office. I found I have bad bad allergies and I take the Walmart generic claritain daily during the spring and early summer I have to take something stronger, allergia I think its called, otherwise I get really dizzy and I came down with vertigo from my inner ear being messed up from fluid pressure. NOW I keep my chest and/or nasal area clear as I can when it gets stuff, I take a combo nasal and chest decongestion med I get it generic OTC at Walmart. I think I am also allergic to my cats litter, I have 3 cats and clean the litter box 1-2 a day. Its best to keep your chest and nasal areas clear and know the feb- sept is the worst for allergies! Look for new things around you, did you get a new tree or plant that is now blooming where it didnt before? Did you have your carpet cleaned with a new soap? GOOD LUCK
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