Asthma is a chronic condition, meaning that there is no cure and you will have it forever. Yet, regardless of the lack of care, there are ways that you can manage your asthma. Effective management can help avoid flare-ups and ultimately decrease the amount of stress you have surrounding your condition. If you or a loved one has asthma and you’re looking for ways to curb it, here are some of the best tips for managing your symptoms.
Identify And Avoid Triggers
The conditions and situations that flare up your asthma can vary from person to person. That’s why it’s important that you identify what yours are and avoid them at all costs. Perhaps you need to clean your air ducts or avoid contact with cats. For other people, it may be a question of avoiding exposing themselves to icy air or extreme weather changes.
It helps to keep a journal of when your symptoms flare up and what the conditions were. This will help you identify your triggers and then take action to minimize your exposure to them.
Monitor Your Breathing
One of the best ways to avoid a flare-up is to stop it before it can even begin. Recognizing the early warning signs of asthma can help you take action before your asthma attack is severe. Look for symptoms like increased coughing or wheezing sounds.
You also want to be careful you’re aware of any shortness of breath or chest tightness. If your symptoms get worse, you need to adjust your treatment plan according to your symptoms and contact your doctor as soon as possible if necessary.
Maintain Healthy Habits
A healthy lifestyle is the best way to strengthen your immune system and your overall lung function. The more you can maintain healthy habits, the fewer asthmatic issues you’ll see come up. Healthy habits include exercising regularly and partaking in activities (that are of course approved by your doctor.)
You should also make sure they eat a balanced diet full of plenty of lean proteins fruits and vegetables. In addition to exercise and getting enough nutrients, it’s important to remember how critical sleep is. Getting enough sleep can make a world of difference in your overall well-being, so prioritize enough rest in your schedule.
Take Medication
There are two different types of asthma medications, inhalers, and long-term control medications.If your doctor has provided medications with specific instructions, it’s important that you take these medications as prescribed. A quick relief inhaler will provide immediate relief if you’re having an asthma attack, whereas long-term medication will help prevent your symptoms from coming on. It’s important that you take these medications as prescribed—even when you feel fine. Stay in touch with your doctor, and adjust your treatment plan as needed.
