Most asthma patients are likely to experience allergies. However, there are various other infections like flu which you might have with asthma. The good news is, your healthcare provider may help minimize the severity of your symptoms, enhancing your life quality. At your trusted Bellmawr urgent care, the healthcare team will identify the severity and frequency of your attacks and design the best treatment plan to help minimize irritation in your airway. Asthma may interfere with your everyday life. However, the condition does not mean you cannot enjoy an active life.
How Can You Manage Asthma?
- Know your triggers
Allergens and irritants in your environment can worsen your symptoms by irritating your airways. Therefore, the only way to minimize your risk of having an attack is to know your triggers and how you can avoid them. Asthma symptoms are unpredictable. As a result, they can worsen or improve depending on several things, including a room with poor ventilation. Thus you must know when and how to adjust your medication.
- Follow your doctor’s prescription
Most asthma patients get the temptation of skipping their medications, especially when the symptoms are absent. Being a chronic ailment, you will have asthma at all times, even when you do not have symptoms. Your doctor might advise you to manage the condition daily, even when you do not have symptoms.
- Know how to use the inhaler
An inhaler will always be the first device you may use to clear your airways. Your healthcare provider might show you how to use the inhaler effectively to help the medication reach your airways. The medical professional may also suggest ways to enhance your technique to immediately ease your symptoms and minimize the irritation on your airways.
- Quit smoking
If you smoke, your doctor might advise you to quit. Smoking and second-hand smoke significantly increase the frequency and severity of your symptoms. Additionally, smoking may minimize the effectiveness of your medication. Therefore, staying far from second-hand smoke and quitting smoking may prevent your symptoms from worsening.
- Do regular exercises
Exercises help strengthen your breathing muscles, thus boosting your immune system. However, your doctor might advise you to control your asthma before you begin exercising.
- Avoid exposure to viruses
Flu and cold viruses are likely to affect your airways whether you have asthma or not. Unfortunately, viral infections are common triggers of asthma symptoms. Therefore, your healthcare provider might advise you not to expose yourself to viruses, if possible, to minimize your symptoms. The medical expert might suggest the following:
- Go for a flu injection.
- Consult with your physician if you should go for the pneumonia shot.
- Wash your hands often.
- Get adequate sleep.
Take note of your symptoms, especially when you suspect a viral infection. Contact your doctor immediately when the symptoms worsen. The treatment options the medical professional recommends help:
- Prevent the condition from interfering with your everyday life.
- Keep your disruptive symptoms under control.
- Minimize flare-up risks.
- Keep your lungs healthy.
Though asthma is a chronic ailment, proper management of the condition can help you live an active, normal life. Therefore, developing an action plan with your physician can be the best way to keep the symptoms under control. Do not let your asthma symptoms prevent you from leading a fulfilling life when you can contact your doctor for help.