Asthma is a chronic illness in which the airways become inflamed and clogged, making it difficult to breathe. Surrounding elements and situations often trigger this condition. People who have asthma may experience:
- Labored breathing
- Wheezing
- Lightheadedness
- Chest tightness
- Coughing
- Watery and red eyes
- Excessive sneezing
Managing asthma may seem overwhelming if you don’t monitor it closely. It often does not go away unattended. Suppose you are suffering and have not devised a plan to handle asthma. It is best to acknowledge it and consider your options. Here are some asthma tips.
What Triggers your Asthma and How to Avoid It
Do you find that your asthma is worse in some places than others? Or maybe certain situations are easier to manage asthma? If you aren’t already sure of your triggers, you’ll want to start recording your asthma attacks as soon as they happen to discover a pattern.
Once you have discovered a pattern, you can figure out how to control asthma attacks. Whether through dust and pollen or exercise and overexertion, knowing what triggers your asthma will aid in the proper management solutions. Next are some common triggers and tips for asthma relief.
Keep your home clean
A messy home is ideal for pollutive air particles and irritants. When breathed in, these pests can inflame the airways and cause discomfort. Contaminant issues that are prone to spread in an unclean home include:
- Labored breathing
- Mold
- Pet hair
- Mildew
If you are struggling with your asthmatic health, keeping a clean home will prevent you from breathing in unhealthy air particles. Tips for asthma relief largely surround the home’s health since it makes up most of your air.
Additionally, installing an air purifier may offer relief in managing asthma. As its name suggests, an air purifier cleans the air by running it through a filter to remove contaminants. Be sure to clean filters regularly to avoid buildup and keep your machine functioning.
Avoid outdoors
Fresh air is typically a refreshing aid for your health unless you struggle to manage asthma. Unfortunately, each season brings its assortment of triggers, making going outdoors a miserable experience. Here are things to watch out for by the season.
Spring: The spring is generally the worst time for pollen. Pollen is a significant irritant on the lungs and airways, as it causes buildup and irritation. When trees and plants flower, pollen is spread into the air. Be sure to check your local air quality before planning a day outdoors.
Summer: Bugs sometimes kickstart an asthma attack, especially if you are allergic to their bites or stings. Light a citronella candle when staying in one outdoor location, and use bug spray. Be careful of which bug spray you use, as some bug sprays trigger asthma attacks.
Fall: Ragweed is a primary source of pollen and blooms primarily in early to mid-fall. Make sure you are familiar with different types of ragweed, so you know what to avoid when you see it.
Winter: In wintertime, the cold air can dry out your airways, causing your body to produce more mucus. Combat this by placing a humidifier in areas of your home that you frequent the most.
Get regular exercise
Getting outdoors may be difficult, but that doesn’t mean exercise is not an option. A body that regularly trains in physical activity is less likely to experience regular asthma attacks. That is because maintaining a healthy weight and producing stress-relieving hormones increases the effectiveness of your immune system. The better your immune system functions, the less susceptible you are to asthma-related ailments.
Start slow if you are asthmatic and want to become more physically active. Activities like yoga, Pilates, and swimming are great exercises to incorporate into your workout. However, it is vital that you always start with a warm-up and cool-down period to allow your body to acclimate to your new physical regimen.
Know how to use your medications
If you have received medical assistance for asthma, you likely have an inhaler or similar steroid for bronchial performance. If you have an inhaler for asthma, you must use it correctly.
A misused inhaler can be dangerous for the lungs. Using an inhaler too frequently is hazardous to your lungs, as the buildup can create alarming side effects.
Get an Asthma Action Plan
Maintaining a good asthma action plan is vital for managing asthma, as it is often a lifelong condition. Typically, your doctor creates an asthma action plan to ensure you always have appropriate guidance, especially in an emergency. Most asthma plans consist of three color-coated parts, representative of a traffic light:
- Green: All is well and normal. You may proceed with your day as usual.
- Yellow: You are feeling slightly off and might need your inhaler at some point in the day.
- Red: It is difficult to breathe, and medication is not offering as much aid as required. When experiencing symptoms associated with red parts, call for immediate medical attention.
The following asthma tips will help to ensure that your action plan is effective as possible
- Make sure medications are up to date and that there are refills available. Medicines should always be quickly accessible.
- Identify emergency contacts
- Know your triggers
- Washing hands regularly/maintaining general hygiene
Life with Asthma
Living with asthma is not easy, but that does not mean it is without enjoyment. A comprehensive plan, awareness of surroundings, and quickly identifying when you feel symptoms of an attack are all essential parts of managing asthma. A healthy lifestyle makes an asthma diagnosis and treatment much more bearable in the long run.
If you are living on or visiting the island of Kauai and experiencing asthmatic symptoms, the doctors at Poipu Mobile MD Clinic are a visit away. We offer online booking and walk-ins for Urgent Care services and cater to house calls. Visit our website to learn more about how we can help you manage your asthma! Call or text us at 808-652-7021 today.
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