Millions of people worldwide have asthma, making it a critical health concern that demands effective management strategies. To help you manage your asthma, we explore evidence-based strategies for the best ways to manage asthma, including the importance of proper medication use, recognizing and avoiding triggers, and implementing lifestyle changes that promote better respiratory health. Continue reading for information related to treating your asthma symptoms.
Why You Need to Treat Asthma
Untreated asthma can have devastating consequences. Specifically, if not treated properly, asthma can progress to severe symptoms, including airway remodeling, lung scarring, and even death. If you are living with this chronic condition, you should understand how to navigate triggers, medications, and lifestyle adjustments so that you can improve your quality of life and avoid these complications.
The best way to get ahead of asthma symptoms is through planned management involving a comprehensive approach tailored to individual needs. This offers the best possibility of success in controlling symptoms and flare-ups. Because planned asthma treatments are the most effective, you should also make a point to never make any changes to your asthma treatment without first consulting with an asthma specialist. Your health is important, and you should always seek the advice of experienced professionals when taking steps that may affect it. Whether you are newly diagnosed, trying to better understand your condition, or seeking to optimize your current management plan, understanding key components can help you take charge of your asthma and breathe clearly.
Personalized Asthma Action Plan
A personalized asthma action plan consists of a written individualized worksheet that outlines the steps that will be taken to keep your asthma under control. Guidance on when to call your asthma specialist or seek emergency care is also contained within your personalized asthma action plan. The following are also effective measures for controlling asthma.
Master Your Asthma Medications
Most medical professionals use a quick-relief and long-term management plan to keep a handle on symptoms and prevent asthma attacks. There are typically two types of asthma medications: quick-relief inhalers and long-term control preventer inhalers.
Quick-relief inhalers
These inhalers are used to relieve symptoms like wheezing and shortness of breath. They are only used as needed when asthma symptoms occur.
- Short-Acting Beta Agonists contain medications like albuterol that quickly relax muscles surrounding the airways, opening them up for better airflow.
- Anticholinergics are medications like ipratropium, having the same objective as SABA’s. They help relax the muscles surrounding the airway, but they work differently.
Long-term control inhalers
These inhalers aim for more long-term symptom management. They are taken daily even when you are experiencing no symptoms for attack prevention and symptom control. There are a number of long-term preventer inhalers, such as:
- Inhaled Corticosteroids: To gain control of your asthma and reduce inflammation in your airways, they are the most effective for long-term management.
- Long-Acting Beta Agonists: Not typically used independently, LABAs are often used in combination with ICS for added prevention from attacks and control.
- Leukotriene Modifiers: Help prevent attacks and reduce inflammation.
- Theophylline: Helps prevent attacks and reduce inflammation.
Identify and Minimize Asthma Triggers
Identifying and minimizing exposure to asthma triggers is an important component of asthma management. The saying “You can’t get well in the environment you got sick in” comes to mind. As such, knowing what triggers your asthma and learning to avoid it is going to make a great impact on your asthma management. Common asthma triggers include:
- Certain medical conditions
- Certain food
- Medicines
- Smoke
- Weather, pollen, air pollution
- Animals
- Pests
- Mold
- Exercise
- Intense emotions
- Strong odor
Monitor Your Asthma Symptoms Regularly
With any medical condition, regularly monitoring your systems can help doctors better understand your condition and make adjustments to your treatment plan when necessary. Monitoring your symptoms is also good for developing good habits. Ultimately, data tracking allows your medical team to make controlled changes to your treatment plan based on what the evidence supports is working and what is not.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a good rule of thumb for anyone. However, healthy living can be especially beneficial if you have asthma. To ensure safety, consult with an experienced asthma specialist before implementing any lifestyle changes.
Managing Your Asthma So You Can Live Free
The best way to optimize your health and get ahead of your asthma symptoms is through proper management. Through asthma management, you can breathe easier and live happier. Evidence-based practices such as mastering your medications, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, minimizing triggers, and more you can get control of your asthma symptoms for both the long and short term.
Asthma Treatment in New York City
Don’t let untreated asthma keep you from living your best life. Talk to an asthma specialist today to get started on managing your asthma.
