Managing asthma is not something your doctor can do for you all by himself. Asthma self-help is an important part of treating and managing your condition so that it doesn’t take over your entire life.
George Arun A
20.04.2023
Your doctor may prescribe both daily medication and medication to take in case of an acute asthma episode, but the task of minimizing risk of asthma attack and taking care of yourself on a daily basis is largely up to you and your family. Learning some key asthma self-help tricks can help you keep your asthma under control so that it doesn’t interfere with your daily life.
Because asthma can be caused, triggered or worsened by so many things, there are many things that you can do to lessen the frequency and severity of the symptoms. Your doctor will offer important suggestions in addition to medication to help you manage your asthma. Think of those suggestions as a personalized asthma self-help plan. A major part of asthma self-help involves avoiding asthma triggers. Some ways that you can help yourself if you or someone in your family has asthma include:
2. If you smoke, quit. Whether the asthma sufferer is you or a child in your family, cigarette smoke is one of the most common asthma triggers known.
3. Keep the house dust-free – or as close to dust-free as possible. Dust is another common asthma trigger. Use a cylinder vacuum instead of an upright – preferably one that encloses the vacuum cleaner bag inside a solid canister to minimize pumping dust back into the air.
4. If you can, remove carpets and heavy draperies. They’re dust-catchers that easily breed dust mites. If you can’t remove them, vacuum them frequently using a canister vacuum cleaner.
6. Cover your mouth and nose with a scarf in cold weather. Cold air is another common asthma trigger.
9. Pet dander can also trigger asthma symptoms. If you can’t part with a pet because of emotional ties, at least keep it out of the bedroom to minimize your exposure to dander.
10. Be aware of any food or ingested allergies, and avoid foods, medications and drinks that cause allergic reactions.
Manage Exposure to Allergens
One of the best things you can do to minimize asthma symptoms is to manage your exposure to allergens. Dust, pollen, animal fur, or whatever triggers your breathing problems should be watched for and monitored. Check allergen forecasts and plan ahead with your health in mind.
Drink Enough Water
Drinking water is good for you in so many ways, including the management of your asthma. Being well-hydrated keeps your mucus thinner, aiding breathing as well as digestion.
Watch What You Eat
Avoid foods that you know trigger allergies, but also avoid foods that are high in sugar or fried fats. Both increase mucous secretion and thickening.
Foods to eat:
Foods rich in Vitamin C such as kiwis, broccoli, berries, oranges and tomatoes
Foods rich in Vitamin E such as almonds, spinach and sweet potato
Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as canola oil, cod liver oil, flaxseed oil and mustard oil
Food to avoid:
Dried fruits like dried apricot
Alcoholic drinks like wine or beer
Frozen or prepared shrimp
Food with high amount of sulphites and preservatives like pickles
Food that is allergic to your body
Change Your Air Filters
To keep the air clean in your home, make sure to regularly clean or change your air filters. When they trap dust and distribute it around your home, it can cause breathing problems and trigger asthma symptoms.
Minimize Dust
In addition to changing air filters, take further steps to minimize the dust in your home, workplace, or other areas where you spend significant amounts of time. A simple routine of dusting, vacuuming, and cleaning fabric surfaces can help prevent dust buildup. Don’t forget to wear a mask while cleaning to avoid inhaling the dust that gets kicked up in the process.
Avoid Fragrance Sprays
Besides dust, another major trigger of breathing problems is fragrance sprays. Perfumes, air fresheners, cleaning sprays, and other mists can cause many problems for your lungs and respiratory system, and they should generally be avoided for your comfort.
Build Up to an Active Lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle that includes physical activity is excellent for your lung health, but it can also be a trigger for certain types of asthma. Under the care of your doctor, build up to a regular exercise routine for best results.
Avoid Smoke
If you suffer from asthma, you obviously should avoid smoking, but you should also avoid areas where you will be exposed to second-hand smoke. Inhaling the smoke of others can be just as dangerous to your health.
Keep Your Inhaler Handy
Of course, you should always keep your inhaler handy in case of emergencies. Keep one in your purse, car, gym bag, emergency kit, or wherever you will have easy access to it at all times.
Watch for and Manage Symptoms
Finally, be aware of your triggers and symptoms of an oncoming attack, and act quickly if you notice that something is wrong. For help managing your symptoms or to ask medical questions, set up an appointment with the experts at the Peconic Bay Medical Center today.
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