SHARES
“I hate it when people without asthma tell me that my illness is “not that bad”, they just don’t know what I’ve been through.”
It can be challenging living with asthma as there is no cure. However, with care and lifestyle changes, you (or your child) can live actively and healthily. Here are some tips that might help manage your asthma and improve your quality of life:
Physical Health
1. Identify Triggers and Symptoms
Identify your triggers. There are two main types of triggers: irritants and allergens. Some common irritants include smoke, air pollution, extreme weather. Examples of allergens are animal fur, dust mites, pollen. It might not be possible to avoid all triggers, but try to stay away from those that are avoidable like smoke and animal fur.
It is also important to recognize your symptoms which varies from person to person. Common symptoms are wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, tightness of chest. Some will also feel some warning signs like headache, difficulty in sleeping, throat itchiness, before asthma gets in.
So, know your triggers and symptoms so that you can manage it appropriately.
2. Exercise
Many thinks that asthma should limit your daily exercise. On the contrary, exercise is actually very beneficial! It can help strengthen your respiratory muscles, maintain weight, and make you feel better mentally. Avoid exercising in dry and cold weather. Also, try to breathe through your nose as much as possible to keep your inhaled air moist and warm.
Photo by Chinese Herbals from Flickr
3. Nutrition
While there is no special diet for asthma, a good diet will help you to live well. Obesity has been associated with more severe cases, so eat a balanced diet to maintain a healthy body weight. Food rich in antioxidants like vitamin C, E, beta- carotene, might prevent your cells from getting damage and reduce lung inflammation. Also, avoid food that you are allergic to as they can worsen your illness.
Mental Health
1. Stress Management
Sometimes it can be frustrating when your daily life is affected by bouts of coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. It’s natural to feel helpless and sad. People with asthma is also more prone to anxiety or depression.
However, stress makes it more likely for you to have asthma attacks. Relieve your stress by doing meditation, breathing exercise or just listen to your favourite music. Be mindful of how you are feeling. If your emotions are out of control, help is always available.
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2. Support
You might feel better talking to someone who is also battling with asthma, or join a local support group. In this sense, work together with your child’s other caretakers, teachers to ease your burden. Make sure they have your child’s asthma action plan.
Monitoring Your Asthma Progress and Control
Keep an asthma diary to monitor your symptoms and effectiveness of medications. This includes records of symptoms and peak expiratory flow rate (PEF), and frequency of medication used during an attack. Also, bring the diary with you during your follow-up, so that your doctor can know how well your treatments is working.
Likewise, your doctor may provide you with some preventive medication. These medications need to be taken everyday to be effective. Do not skip these preventive medications just because you feel well. Talk to your doctor to make sure you understand which medication to take during an asthma attack, and which medication to use on a daily basis regardless of symptoms, as a prevention strategy.
Other than that, it is extremely important to learn how to use your medications correctly and promptly. Use your meter dose inhaler correctly. Know more about your medications: when and how to take it and potential side effects. Always seek help from your doctor if you have any doubt or experiencing any side effects.
Prepare for Emergencies
Always prepare for the worst. Carry your rescue inhaler with you all the time, you never know when you might need it. Save an emergency contact in your cell phone, who knows about your health conditions and can provide doctors the information when you are not able to.
Photo by Faithful&Fearless from Flickr
Conclusion
It is inevitable that your life will change when you are living with asthma. However, with proper care and some patience, most people live normal lives.
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References:
1. Bass P. Living with asthma [Internet]. About, Inc. (Dotdash). 2019. (Available from: https://www.verywellhealth.com/living-with-asthma-201043; last accessed on 2020 Mar 23)
2. Living with asthma [Internet]. Respiratory Health Association. 2020 (Available from: https://resphealth.org/healthy-lungs/asthma/living-with-asthma/; last accessed on 2020 Mar 23)
by Chang Xian
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