One in nine Australians lives with asthma, and without treatment, the condition can lead to hospitalisation or even death. Asthma attacks can be controlled with good clinical care, oxygen administration, medications and other healthy-living tips.
1. Keep an Asthma Diary
Keep note of your asthma symptoms on a daily basis to better understand your condition. You can take note of things like what you were doing when an asthma attack or symptoms occurred, where you were or what you ate that day. The diary could help you to see the patterns in your asthma attacks.
2. Enjoy Some Sunshine
Don’t stay indoors all day! When you are exposed to natural sunlight, you are getting a healthy influx of Vitamin D into your body.
This vitamin is crucial for healthy lungs, muscles, heart, brain and bones, and since asthma is a form of lung disease, it’s easy to see how vitamin D is good for asthma management!
3. Eat an Asthma-Friendly Diet
Seventy-five percent of those suffering from asthma also have gastroesophageal reflux disease. In fact, these two conditions can potentially trigger each other.
Eat smaller meals between shorter intervals and make sure to limit any food intakes which may trigger GERD. Get more vitamin C in your meals and include a cup of joe with them, too!
Vitamin C has antioxidant properties which are natural antihistamines, while coffee acts as a milder version of it.
4. Avoid All Smoke
Did you know that second-hand smoke can be worse than smoke inhaled directly through a cigarette? It also causes more harm to individuals with asthma than others, so try to avoid being at places where people tend to smoke, such as bars and pubs.
Needless to say, smoking will only aggravate asthma attacks even more, so refrain from that as well.
5. Exercise
When it comes to exercises for individuals with asthma, there are various factors to be considered. Exercises that do not require too much exertion on your breathing, such as yoga or indoor cycling, are better suited for asthma patients.
Jogging or running outdoors may not be the best choice because of the amount of pollutants and heavy breathing activities required. If you are not sure which exercises are good for you, you can refer to a physician for advice.
6. Remove Home Allergens
While it is impossible to keep your house completely free from allergens like dust mites, mould or pests, it’s best to keep them away as much as possible.
Installing air filters or air purifiers at home, for example, can help to clear the air as a good start. At the very least, you will be able to manage your asthma symptoms a lot better.
7. Know and Manage Your Triggers
Your asthma diary could help you discern your triggers, but so can allergy testing. Get a test and track the symptoms and possible triggers so that you can minimise exposure to these allergens.
Your triggers could be anything from scented candles to air fresheners and cold air, so try to take note!