subject: Keeping Your Asthma Under Control [print this page] Asthma. Just saying the word puts some people into a minor panic attack. It's not an easy thing to live with for anyone who has been diagnosed, but, for some, it's a daily struggle to perform even the simplest of tasks. I have compiled a list of 6 tricks to help keep your asthma under control. Even if your asthma is only mild to moderate, these tips can help lessen the severity and frequency of your asthma attacks.
Number 1: Understand your asthma. Know what asthma is and what your symptoms are. Wheezing, coughing, tiredness due to lack of oxygen, chest tightening, waking up at night coughing or wheezing, etc. The longer you ignore your asthma, the harder it is to treat. Be aware of symptoms early so you can prevent an attack.
Number 2: Understand how your asthma medications work. Asthma medications fall into the following categories: Preventers, treat the inflammation inside your airways; Relievers, relax the tight bands of muscle around your airways; Symptom Controllers, long acting relievers that lasts 12 hours and should be used in addition to the preventer inhaler; Combination Inhalers, that contain both preventer and symptom controller medicine in one, and; Steroid Tablets, that work slowly over several hours to reverse the swelling of the airways.
Number 3: Take your medications as directed, meaning every day if the doctor said every day. Not when you feel like you need it, it might be too late by then to stop an attack.
Number 4: Know triggers and avoid them if at all possible. Common triggers include cigarette smoke (stay away from smokers), colds and flu (stock up on that vitamin C and get plenty of rest), strong emotions (breathe deeply, stop excessive worrying, etc.), over-exercising (don't push it too hard, keep it low-impact and consistent), and allergies to dust mites, pets and pollen (replace your air filter often, perhaps even invest in an electrostatic air filter that is washable).
Number 5: Use a symptom diary and/or a peak meter flow. Based on your symptom diary, make a self-management plan with your doctor or asthma nurse. Discuss with your doctor the patterns of your asthma, what triggers it, and how to keep it under control.
Number 6: Learn to cope with stress. I mentioned strong emotions as a possible trigger, even if it's not actually a trigger for your asthma, it's just good advice. Eat healthy, work moderate exercise into your daily routine, get a good night's sleep (at least 7-8 hours for most adults is recommended), be positive and try to reverse negative thinking patterns, and, last but not least, learn to ask for help when you need it. We all do at some point, and that's okay, it's part of being human.
