19 Feb How to Manage Asthma
Please seek immediate attention if you are experiencing severe shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
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Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that affects millions of individuals worldwide. It can cause significant discomfort and, if not managed properly, may lead to severe health complications. Fortunately, asthma can be effectively managed with the proper treatment and lifestyle adjustments. This article provides a guide on controlling asthma, including medical treatments, lifestyle modifications, and prevention strategies.
What is asthma?
Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways, making it difficult to breathe. It is triggered by various factors, including allergens, irritants, and infections, and can affect individuals of all ages. Effective asthma management involves medication and lifestyle adjustments to prevent flare-ups and control the condition. Asthma manifests in different forms, each requiring specific management strategies:
● Allergic asthma: Triggered by allergens such as pollen, dust mites, and pet dander.
● Non-allergic asthma: Influenced by factors like stress, infections, and weather changes.
● Exercise-induced asthma: Occurs during physical activity, causing breathing difficulties.
● Occupational asthma: This develops due to prolonged exposure to irritants in the workplace.
● Childhood asthma: Affects young individuals and often improves with age.
● Adult-onset asthma: Develops later in life and may be more persistent.
● Brittle asthma: A rare and severe form of asthma that is difficult to control and prone to sudden, life-threatening attacks despite treatment.
Symptoms of asthma
The symptoms of asthma vary in severity and frequency. The most common symptoms include persistent coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. These symptoms may worsen at night or early morning, affecting sleep quality. Some individuals experience increased symptoms during exercise, exposure to allergens, or respiratory infections.
In severe cases, asthma attacks can lead to significant breathing difficulties, requiring immediate medical attention. Early recognition of symptoms and appropriate management are crucial to prevent complications.
Asthma treatment options
Effective medical treatment is essential for managing asthma. Medications play a crucial role in controlling symptoms and preventing flare-ups.
Asthma Inhalers: Effective asthma management relies on medication to control inflammation and keep airways open. Reliever inhalers, also known as rescue inhalers, provide quick relief during asthma attacks by relaxing the airway muscles. Preventer inhalers, or controller inhalers, are used daily to reduce airway inflammation and prevent future asthma attacks. While reliever inhalers offer immediate relief, preventer inhalers are essential for long-term asthma control.
Oral medications: For individuals with moderate to severe asthma, oral medications may be prescribed in addition to inhalers. These medications help to reduce inflammation and prevent exacerbations. Common oral treatments include leukotriene modifiers, theophylline, and oral corticosteroids for short-term flare-ups.
Biologic therapies: Biologic therapies may be considered for individuals with severe asthma that is not controlled by conventional medications. These targeted treatments are designed to interfere with specific molecules involved in asthma, reducing inflammation and preventing attacks. Biologics are typically administered by injection or infusion and are reserved for patients with severe asthma.
Lifestyle adjustments for asthma
In addition to medical treatment, certain lifestyle changes can significantly contribute to asthma management. These adjustments help to reduce the frequency and severity of asthma symptoms and improve overall lung function.
Identify and avoid triggers: Asthma symptoms can be triggered by various factors, including allergens, irritants, weather changes, and respiratory infections. By identifying your asthma triggers, you can take steps to avoid them and minimise symptoms. Common asthma triggers include:
- Allergens: Dust mites, mould, pollen, pet dander, and cockroach droppings.
- Irritants: Tobacco smoke, strong odours, pollution, and chemicals.
- Weather: Cold air, humidity, and sudden temperature changes.
- Exercise: Physical exertion, particularly in cold or dry environments, can lead to exercise-induced asthma.
Keeping a diary of your symptoms and triggers can help you identify patterns and make necessary adjustments.
Regular exercise: Exercise can trigger asthma in some individuals, but staying active is crucial for overall health and lung function. Consulting a healthcare provider can help to create a suitable exercise plan. Activities like swimming, walking, and cycling are often well-tolerated due to controlled breathing. A bronchodilator inhaler 15–20 minutes before exercise can prevent symptoms, and proper warm-up and cool-down routines help to reduce the risk of asthma attacks.
Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity can worsen asthma symptoms and increase the likelihood of asthma attacks. Maintaining a healthy weight through proper nutrition and regular exercise can help to improve asthma control. A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while low in processed foods and unhealthy fats, benefits overall health and respiratory function.
Manage stress: Stress and anxiety can exacerbate asthma symptoms by triggering bronchoconstriction. Learning stress management techniques, such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, or mindfulness, can help to reduce stress levels and improve asthma control.
Quit smoking: Smoking is a major irritant that can severely worsen asthma symptoms. Quitting smoking is one of the most important steps you can take in managing asthma. Avoiding exposure to secondhand smoke is equally important, as it can also trigger asthma attacks.
Improve indoor air quality: Proper indoor air quality can to help manage asthma. Use a HEPA-filter air purifier to reduce allergens, control humidity with a dehumidifier to prevent mould, and regularly clean to minimise dust and pollutants.
Vaccinations: Individuals with asthma are more susceptible to respiratory infections, such as the flu and pneumonia, which can worsen asthma symptoms. Vaccinations are an important preventative measure. The annual flu vaccine and the pneumococcal vaccine are recommended for most individuals with asthma.
How to monitor asthma?
Regular monitoring helps to detect changes, prevent flare-ups, and improve asthma management. It also ensures that treatment remains effective and adjustments are made when needed.
- Peak flow monitoring: A peak flow meter measures how fast you can exhale, helping to detect early signs of worsening asthma. Daily tracking allows for timely treatment adjustments.
- Symptom tracking: Recording symptoms like wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and nighttime disturbances helps to assess asthma control and identify triggers.
- Spirometry tests: Conducted by healthcare providers, spirometry measures lung function by evaluating how much and how quickly you can exhale air, providing a more detailed assessment of asthma severity.
- Wearable technology: Smart inhalers and mobile apps can track medication use, symptoms, and environmental triggers, offering real-time asthma monitoring.
Immediate actions during an asthma attack
Acting quickly can prevent the attack from worsening and reduce the risk of complications. Stay calm and follow these steps to restore breathing.
- Use a rescue inhaler: Take quick-relief medication (such as albuterol) as prescribed, usually 2–4 puffs every 20 minutes.
- Sit upright: Avoid lying down to keep airways open and improve airflow.
- Control breathing: Take slow, deep breaths to reduce panic and improve oxygen intake.
- Get emergency help: If breathing does not improve within 15 minutes or worsens, seek emergency medical help immediately.
How to prevent asthma attacks
To prevent asthma attacks, follow your asthma action plan, take prescribed medications, and avoid triggers like allergens, smoke, and strong odours. Use long-term control medications to reduce inflammation, practice controlled breathing exercises, and stay active with asthma-friendly exercises like swimming and walking.
If symptoms worsen despite using your rescue inhaler, you experience severe shortness of breath or find it difficult to speak in full sentences, seek immediate medical attention. It’s important to act quickly when symptoms don’t improve.
Conclusion
Asthma is a manageable condition that requires medical treatment, lifestyle modifications, and regular monitoring to control symptoms. Individuals with asthma can live healthy lives by identifying triggers and adjusting daily habits. Understanding asthma management techniques and adhering to a personalised treatment plan is key to achieving long-term control of the condition.
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Last Updated on February 20, 2025 by Marie Benz MD FAAD