Asthma is a common disease among children as well as adults. Asthma contracts the airways that impact your lungs. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this disease led to the deaths of at least 400,000 people in 2019.
Experiencing an asthma attack can be scary, to say the least, and it comes with consequences that shouldn’t be taken lightly if it isn’t sustained in time. Because there is no known cure for this disease, the best way to keep it under control is through early detection. It is worth mentioning that asthma symptoms differ for each individual.
If you struggle with asthma, here are seven tips to keep your asthma under control.
1. Identify What Your Triggers Your Asthma
Asthma triggers can make you cough and wheeze and make it difficult for you to breathe properly, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. It is important to identify any potential symptoms that result in asthma attacks. You should monitor your symptoms daily and not exclude any environmental and emotional factors. Try writing your symptoms in a notebook or diary to bring up to your doctor for your next visit.
You May Also Like
Asthma can be triggered by severe scents including a strong whiff of perfume or secondhand smoke from cigarettes. Other triggers could be allergens that show up in pollen and pet dander. If you are confronted with an asthma attack, make sure to track it and assess what may have triggered it.
There can be a handful of causes for an asthma attack; the key takeaway is to point out the primary source of asthma symptoms. Once you become familiar with the cause, it will only get easier to manage.
2. Be Aware of Which Medications to Take
Skipping out on asthma medication is not a good call; people often tend to brush it off when they suspect they’re fine and assume their asthma has gotten better. However, asthma is a disease that lasts for a long time. It doesn’t make a difference whether you suffer from symptoms or not. The idea is to proceed with caution about it at all times.
There are two kinds of medicine for asthma, and both are especially essential when it comes to controlling asthma attacks.
You May Also Like
RELATED: Nebulizers vs. Inhalers for Asthma: Which One Fits Your Lifestyle?
3. Try Controller Medications
Controller medications help prevent asthma attacks by soothing the muscles that are found in the windpipes and making them less prone to respond negatively to asthma triggers. There are instances where in long-term treatment, medicines are taken every day to decrease the chances of an asthma attack, or doctors might advise you to consume medication solely when symptoms arise.
4. Use Medicines for Instant relief
These medicines relax the muscles surrounding your airways. If you are told to take this medication more than two times weekly, there is a likelihood that your condition is getting worse. If this is the case, try consulting with your doctor as soon as possible.
5. Come up with an Action Plan
It is in your best interest to create an emergency action plan with your doctor regarding your asthma treatment. The plan should have all the necessary documentation, information, and safety measures to take to prevent an asthma attack.
Red, yellow, and green colors show how severe an asthma attack is within an action plan. It is better to speak with your doctor if you notice any shifts in your asthma as time progresses, as there might be a requirement to modify your plan of action and meds. If you still have symptoms of an asthma attack following these adjustments, have a conversation with your doctor and alter your action plan as needed.
6. Keep Your Setting Allergen-Free
One of the primary things to blame for asthma is allergies. They can build up inflammation in the airways, creating blockages in air passages. You should always limit exposure to allergic conditions.
You can keep your environment safe by:
- Frequently washing your bedsheets and pillows in hot water to eliminate dust mites
- Switching up bed linens on the regular
- Using HEPA-certified air filters to diminish air pollution in your humble abode
- Vacuuming the floor at least two times a week with vacuum cleaners equipped with HEPA-certified filters
7. Avoid Smoke or Secondhand Smoke
Smoking worsens your risk of an asthma attack as it develops mucus that blocks your airways, causing your airway to swell up and constrict.
Smoking can also take away from the effectiveness of the medicines you take. It is in your best interest to avoid any public smoking spot at all costs. Any smoke can be dangerous for your health whether it is from tobacco fire, or even candles. Secondhand smoke is a common trigger of asthma.
RELATED: Breathe Easier: 10 Everyday Ways To Open Your Lungs
8. Work Out Consistently
Working out consistently can help enhance your lung capacity. Physical activity is great for reducing stress on your lungs, supporting your immune system, and maintaining body weight.
Asthma doesn’t prevent you from being able to exercise, but you should check with your physician for recommendations on the proper way to do fitness that keeps you healthy and in check.
9. Always Keep in Touch With Your Doctor
Keep in touch with your physician. Your asthma, setting, and medicine will change with time. Only your doctor can ensure the best guidance to moderate your asthma and live the fulfilling life that you deserve.
