Asthma can’t be cured, but its symptoms can definitely be controlled. Here are some Tips to manage your Asthma better. These Dos and Don’ts will help you prevent Asthma attacks and manage them better if they do happen. Work with your Physiotherapist to learn techniques to breathe better using Pulmonary Physiotherapy.
Because asthma often changes over time, it’s important that you work with your doctor to track your signs and asthma symptoms and adjust the treatment as required.
Tips for Asthma Management
Dos for Managing Asthma
- Stick to Your Medicine. Taking your asthma medicine, the way your doctor tells you to, allows you to feel in control of your health.
- Be Aware of Your Symptoms. Paying attention to your early warning signs like shortness of breath or tightness in your chest, will help you take quick action helping you to stay on top of your asthma.
- Follow Your Asthma Action Plan. Be sure to discuss your action plan with your doctor. Your action plan will guide you to good asthma control. Know your zones and follow your plan.
- Stay Calm. Keep calm if you have an asthma attack.
- Follow your action plan. Know Your Peak Flow Zones. Peak flow meters are used to check your breathing and these readings allow you to know how you are breathing. It can signal problems early and help to avoid breathing trouble.
- Avoid Your Asthma Triggers. Know and stay away from the asthma triggers that make your asthma flare-up or worsen.
- Talk to The Right People. Talk with your doctor. Talk to your family, school, or friends about asthma and control. Let them help.
Don’ts for Managing Asthma
- Don’t Delay. Know the signs when your asthma is getting worse. Act fast. The faster you act, the faster you will be in control.
- Don’t Be Around Smoke. Smoking increases and worsens asthma attacks.
- Don’t Stop Exercising. Be sure to check with your doctor about exercising, sports, and other activities. Staying fit will help to keep you healthy.
- Don’t Open Windows during Summer and Autumn. During allergy seasons, prevent pollen from entering your home or car. Try to stay indoors when the pollen count is high (from about 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM). Avoid freshly cut grass.
- Don’t Have Pets in your Bedroom. Be pet smart. Carpets and cloth-covered furniture trap dander (animal fur).
Read answers to Frequently Asked Questions related to Asthma here.
Here is a handy list for Asthma patients that will keep them prepared at all times.
- Always keep an inhaler with you while travelling
- Keep yourself as active as you can, exercise regularly
- Keep a regular follow up with the chest physician
- Plan your day to day activities in a proper schedule such that you don’t feel tired easily
- Follow a healthy diet, eating at regular hours
- Ensure your living environment is clean and dust free.
- Relax, meditate. Engage in any activity or hobby which makes you feel calm
Tips for Asthma Prevention
Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide with an estimated 300 million affected individuals [1]. Although effective medications are available, asthma remains incurable and poorly controlled for numerous patients in many countries.2 That is why
Know that Asthma disease cannot be cured but can be controlled effectively. Educating yourself about the asthma causes and understanding the risk factors of Asthma shall help in making right choices and improve the quality of life. Surprisingly, correct prevention can highly alter the condition of Asthma in a person.
Here are a few Tips to prevent asthma attacks at home:
- Know things that trigger your asthma and avoid them as far as possible
- Do not allow pets in the bedroom
- Avoid places where there is a smoke. Stay away from passive smoking as well
- Avoid using strong chemicals for cleaning the house. Fumes and strong fragrance can trigger asthma
- Avoid extreme climates, too hot or too humid weather can worsen your condition
- Any infection can trigger your breathlessness. Consult the doctors immediately even if it is for cough and cold.
- Vaccinate yourself for influenza/pneumonia at regular intervals
A Physiotherapist trained in Pulmonary rehab can teach you breathing techniques that are very effective in dealing with respiratory diseases like Asthma and COPD. Call us at +91 99209 91584 or click to ask for call back here and we will connect you with a physiotherapist near you.
Related Reading:
Manage and Prevent asthma Attacks
COPD- Recovery with Pulmonary Rehab
Believe in Yourself : Story of Patient Recovery
Coughing Hard: Finding Relief for COPD
Scientific References:
1] (o.A.): Global Initiative for Asthma. Global Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention, 2016. Available from: http://www.ginasthma.org. Accessed 5 Mar 2017. [Ref list]
2] Repeated cross-sectional survey of patient-reported asthma control in Europe in the past 5 years.
Demoly P, Annunziata K, Gubba E, Adamek L; Eur Respir Rev. 2012 Mar 1; 21(123):66-74. [PubMed] [Ref list]
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