What does asthma mean to you? The definition of asthma can be confusing. It can be just a simple “out of breath” situation after a run, or can be a “life threatening” situation. If you are diagnosed with asthma, or if someone close to you is suffering from asthma, you would be happy to know how managing your Asthma can be an easy thing to do.
There might not be a cure, but this is the type of problem that you can actually control. It just takes a matter of discipline to understand the proper way to deal with an asthma attack. Sometimes, an asthma attack doesn’t happen right away. There are symptoms that can warn you before you it actually happens. So here are some simple steps on how to successfully control it.
The Action Plan
The Asthma Action Plan is usually done together with your doctor. It tells you what medications you need to take, what to watch out for when your asthma is getting worse, what to do in these situations, and what to do in the event of an asthma attack. If you are having symptoms more than twice in a week, it’s time to control it.
Use Your Inhaler Correctly
The inhaler is supposed to make you feel better. However, if you are not using your inhaler correctly, you will not be able to get the correct dose of your medication. According to medical surveys, more than 90% of people are not using their puffers correctly. If your current model is not working for you, it’s time to change it. There are lots of types of inhalers available that you can choose from.
Some would use spacers to get the exact dose of the needed medicine. This is commonly used with children both in preventive and reliever puffers. For adults, the preventive puffers are recommended. For the spacers, there are different types for you to choose from. It is best to check with your doctor first before changing it.
Learn How to Identify Triggers
There are a lot of factors that can trigger an asthma attack. Catching a cold from cold air or irritants in the air, strong emotions, too much physical activity, food, or other medicines. These are the most common triggers of asthma. You should always avoid triggers in the environment such as smoking and air pollution. There are also other triggers reported such as exercise, sex, as well as laughing. If these triggers are causing your asthma attacks, it is best to check with your doctor for a different management plan.
For people who have asthma, being extra careful would help prevent the triggers of an asthma attack. Managing the symptoms can be done alone, but it would be best if the people around you can also help. Review your asthma management plan regularly to track your progress. With asthma, prevention is always better than cure. Make sure that you have a strong immune system by eating right and taking necessary supplements if needed. This problem does not have a cure. You can help yourself by managing the symptoms of asthma attacks.