Asthma affects everyone differently, and your symptoms change over time. That’s why it’s important to work with your doctor to create a personalized treatment plan.
This plan should spell out when you take your asthma medication and why. It should also include a list of your triggers. Make sure your friends and family have copies too, so they can help you if needed.
Medications
If you have asthma, medications are important to keep it under control. Medication can include quick-relief medicines that treat symptoms when they happen (also called exacerbations) and long-term control medicine that prevents your symptoms from getting worse. It’s important to follow your medication schedule, especially with your quick-relief medicine, because it can be dangerous to skip doses.
You should also be aware of the signs that might indicate a flare-up is coming, which can vary from person to person. These can include a wheeze, shortness of breath or tightness in the chest, a cough that’s not going away, or feeling tired. Having an action plan to help you know when to call your health care provider or get emergency help is important.
There are also other medicines you may take that do not improve breathing, but which can make you feel better and help prevent an asthma attack, such as antihistamines, cough suppressants, mucolytics (medications that thin the mucus in your lungs) and expectorants. Over-the-counter “cold and flu” remedies such as eucalyptus oil, tea or peppermint should not be used to treat an asthma attack.
Your doctor will work with you to find the best combination of medicines for your asthma, including quick-relief and long-term control medicine. Duolin Inhaler uses is very useful for Respiratory infections. Many people with asthma take a daily controller medicine in addition to a quick-relief medication, and sometimes take other medicines to treat related symptoms, such as nasal sprays to reduce allergy-related sinus irritation.
Another class of medicines is biologics, which target the cells or pathways that lead to inflammation in your lungs. This type of treatment is typically prescribed as add-on therapy to your other treatments and is given by injection every two to eight weeks.
It’s important that you and your health care provider monitor your asthma over time, by talking about the frequency and severity of your symptoms and having regular measurements of your lung function. Auto Parts Outlet This will help your doctor determine whether you need to increase (“step up”) or decrease (“step down”) your medicine, and work with you to create an asthma action plan.
Avoiding triggers
Asthma triggers are materials or activities that cause asthma symptoms to get worse and can lead to a full-blown asthma attack. Everyone with asthma has different triggers and avoiding them is an important part of managing your condition. Keeping an asthma journal is a great way to record your symptoms and note possible triggers. It can help you understand your symptoms and know when to call your doctor.
Some common triggers are tobacco smoke, dust mites, mold, pet dander and allergens from pollen, cockroaches, and viruses like the flu. You can have some control over your home environment, but you may encounter triggers while traveling or at work that are difficult to avoid.
Exercise is great for your overall health and can be especially helpful for people with asthma. However, it can be a trigger for some people with asthma, so it is important to talk to your doctor about it before you start any workout routine. If you do decide to exercise, it is a good idea to carry your emergency inhaler with you just in case of an asthma attack.
You can still enjoy life and have fun without worrying about your asthma if you take your medicine as directed and avoid the things that make your symptoms get worse. You should also have an asthma action plan written by your doctor that outlines the steps you will take if your symptoms are getting out of control. This is a great document to have on hand, and you should share it with anyone who cares for you or your children with asthma, including daycare providers and school nurses.
Staying active
For most people with asthma, regular exercise is an important part of a healthy life. But exercise can make asthma symptoms worse, so it’s important to take medicine as directed and avoid triggers. If your asthma is under control, you can do almost anything – even climb a flight of stairs or go for a brisk walk. The key is to follow your personal written asthma action plan, which spells out simple instructions for routinely managing your asthma and what to do if your symptoms flare up.
Talk to your doctor before you start exercising if you have asthma. Your doctor can help you develop an exercise plan. This may include advice about when to exercise, what kind of exercises are safe and how often you should exercise. You should also discuss whether you need to use asthma medicines before or during exercise. Also, be sure to warm up and cool down before and after exercise.
You should always carry your emergency quick-relief medicine (usually an inhaler) with you if you have asthma. This helps you get back to normal breathing if your symptoms become severe. It is also a good idea to carry your long-term control medicine, too. It helps prevent symptoms from occurring in the first place.
Avoid contact with smokers and other sources of smoke, snmpanel as these can make asthma symptoms worse. Smoke also decreases the effectiveness of your medications. If you smoke, quit smoking and ask your doctor for help.
If your asthma is not under control, it can interfere with everyday activities and cause you to feel frustrated or angry. This can lead to self-pity and depression. Instead, try to stay positive and focus on all the things you can do. Also, join a support group for people with asthma or other chronic illness. There are many resources online and in the community that can help you cope with asthma.
Talking to your doctor
For most people with asthma, symptoms can be prevented by taking medications as directed and avoiding their triggers. But it’s also important to have a plan in case symptoms happen — so that you know what to do, and when. Talk to your health care provider about getting an asthma action plan. These written instructions from your doctor give you clear, step-by-step directions on what medicines to take and when, how to avoid your triggers and how to monitor your symptoms.
There are many different health care providers who can help you manage your asthma, including primary care doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants, or for more complex cases, allergists and pulmonologists. Talk to your doctor about a health care team that works best for you.
Asthma is a long-lasting disease that can start at any age. But, with proper treatment and management, most people who have asthma can lead active, fulfilling lives. Even professional athletes with asthma can set records while controlling their symptoms.
It takes time to learn how to control your asthma, and it’s important to talk to your doctor about how it’s working. Your doctor will help you identify and avoid your triggers, give you an asthma action plan and teach you to use a peak flow meter to keep track of how well your lungs are functioning. A low number may be a sign of an asthma attack and you’ll need to take quick-relief medicine.
