Although asthma is often a chronic respiratory condition, it doesn’t mean that the affected individual will live a life of impaired quality. If you’re having a hard time controlling your asthma, it’s important that you collaborate with a pulmonary doctor to determine the best way to control and treat it. Doing so will allow you to keep flare-ups at bay and continue performing activities that you enjoy.
How to Manage Your Asthma More Effectively
Learn Your Triggers
Although not always possible, getting to the root cause of your asthma exacerbations can help you avoid them. Some of the triggers of an asthma attack include cold air, exercise, and certain types of allergens, such as pet dander and pollen. Strong odors from certain chemicals can also trigger asthma attacks, so it is recommended to avoid products that contain scented chemicals, such as hairspray, perfume, and cigarette smoke. If you’re a smoker, quitting this habit can benefit your health immensely.
Get Your Body Accustomed to Regular Exercise
Although certain types of exercise can be harder on asthma, regular exercise is still beneficial for your health. It can help lower your risk of worsening lung health and improve your overall well-being. If you’re not able to train or run hard enough, try other lower-impact activities, such as yoga or hiking.
Keep Your Environment Clean
Dust mites and other allergens can be “silent” precipitators of asthma attacks. If you have asthma, breathing in these agents can make your symptoms worse. However, if you can make a few changes in your home environment, you can greatly reduce their numbers. One of the easiest ways to get rid of them is by washing your sheets frequently (ie, every week) in hot water.
If you have asthma, try keeping your home’s humidity at around 30% to 50%. Doing so can help keep the air at optimal humidity and prevent dust mites from rapidly breeding.
Pay Attention to the Air
Dry and cold air can irritate the lungs and make it difficult for an individual with asthma to breathe. If you’re prone to coughing or wheezing when you’re outside, try taking a break from your usual outdoor exercise routine and going to the gym. During allergy season, try keeping track of the pollen levels in your area and try staying indoors when conditions are most severe.