Living with Asthma

If you have asthma, you will need to adopt a long-term asthma care plan. Asthma can be a debilitating condition and can severely hamper your daily life.

A good news for asthma patients is that it can be brought under control, and many people are living successfully with the condition. Taking care of the different aspects of your life can help you to deal with your asthma better.

You can consult your doctor to formulate an action plan that best suits your particular condition and lifestyle. The plan will help you manage the condition better and will make it easier for you to live with your asthma. It will help you know your triggers and how and when to take your medicines. Most people can manage their asthma symptoms better by following their plan and going for regular checkups.

The main aim of asthma treatment is to achieve maximum control over the condition with the least number of medicines. If you feel that you are unable to follow the plan, or it is not working well, make sure to discuss with your doctor.

Keep a watch for these signs that may indicate that your asthma is getting worse:

• Your asthma attacks and symptoms are more frequent and severe and is impairing your daily activities
• Your peak flow results are varying on a daily basis or are consistently low compared to your best result
• You are using your inhaler more often, and the medicines do not seem to be working

Keep a record of your asthma symptoms to know better about your condition. As an asthma patient, it is important to know how to take your medicines. Make sure you take them as per your prescription. Your doctor may require you to keep a track of your peak flow results too for some time before your next scheduled visit. These records will help you keep track of the condition and let you know how well you are managing and if any adjustments in your asthma treatment are necessary.

If you are experiencing any of these, consult your doctor immediately. Some changes might be necessary for your treatment.

Manage Your Asthma:

Learning to manage your asthma well is the key to staying active and lead a normal life. Here are some changes that you can make in your daily life and activities.

Diet – The right diet can help you tackle your breathing problem better and make living with asthma easier. While there is no specific asthma diet, a healthy diet is good for your overall wellness. Obesity is said to be a major contributing factor in asthma so you can take steps to control your weight. If you are allergic to certain food items, stay away from them as they can trigger asthma. Some research suggests that our diets can have an influence on asthma.

It is found that people who take good amounts of vitamin-C and E, flavonoids, selenium, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium and beta-carotene have lower risks of the condition due to the antioxidant properties present in these items.

Exercise – Find out the exercises that are best for people with asthma. Asthmatics should best avoid activities that involve a lot of exertion. Swimming is well tolerated by asthmatics. Some other beneficial activities include walking, aerobics, running and biking. Know what activities are more suitable for you so that you can continue to enjoy the benefits of exercising.

However, before you begin any asthma program, make sure to consult your doctor. He/she can suggest the activities that are good for you. Some people may need to use pre-exercise asthma medicine before starting exercises. If you are allergic to pollen counts or air pollution, it is best to avoid exercising outdoors. Keep in mind; you need not avoid exercises due to asthma. With the right guidance, you should be able to follow an exercise regimen without having to face any symptoms or asthma attacks.

Wellbeing – Stress can be a major asthma trigger. It can cause you to feel restless, anxious and short of breath. It is important that you learn how to beat stress. Yoga and meditation, soothing music, spending time in nature can help immensely to bring down your stress levels and aid immensely in asthma treatment.

Smoking – Smoking is a powerful asthma trigger. Second-hand smoke is also harmful and can increase your asthma symptoms. Stay away from it to keep your lungs safe from inflammation and irritation.

Conclusion:

While there is no cure for asthma, taking control of your condition will help improve the quality of your life. Keep in mind Asthma triggers and symptoms may vary from one person to another and thus the treatment methods are also different. Know your triggers well, and follow your asthma treatment plan religiously to be able to live with the condition easily.