Asthma is a condition that affects the respiratory system directly. The condition’s main problem is the swelling and narrowing of your airways and also the production of mucus giving the airways in your lungs less space to transport air. This can trigger shortness of breath and wheeze, making your breathing more difficult. Coughing can also be triggered by asthma and asthma attacks.

 

Like many other diseases and conditions, asthma can be chronic or mild. For some people, asthma poses no more threat than a mild breathing problem that sporadically happens if they overwork themselves. For other people, asthma attacks can cause serious repercussions and in some cases can be intense enough to become a life-threatening condition.

 

Here at The Allergy and Asthma Center of Corpus Christi, we understand that asthma can be a delicate condition that has to be monitored and stabilized to avoid attacks that could threaten the person who suffers from it. In this post, we are going to talk about tips to prevent or reduce asthma and asthma attacks from affecting your day-to-day life.

 

Identify Triggers

 

Identifying and recognizing triggers is a good first step to avoid those things that can start an asthma attack. For some people, it can be different triggers that might not affect others with asthma, but some of the most common triggers are:

 

• Air pollution
• Sinusitis
• Smoke
• Fragrances
• Pollen
• A cold or flu virus
• Allergies
• Cold air

 

There are other triggers that can be more dangerous for some people more than others and it is imperative that you stay away from those that cause you to react immediately.

Allergens

 

Once you identify the things and allergens your body reacts to, it is important that you stay aware of what those are and stay away from them.

 

The constant exposure to these allergens can increase the inflammation of your airways, making an asthma attack more likely to happen.

 

If you are uncertain of what could be the triggers that cause asthma, contact us to schedule an appointment to help you define the triggers and allergens that can affect you the most.

 

Avoid Smoke

 

Added to the long list of allergens and triggers, you should also avoid smoking for many reasons. Smoking is not only detrimental to your overall health, but it also diminishes the strength of your respiratory system, making you more prone to shortness of breath which is a terrible problem to add to the list of complications that asthma brings.

 

Asthma and smoke don’t mix well, no matter their origin. Smoke can cause irritation to the airways, and thus, have the potential to worsen your condition and can cause an attack.

 

Cold & Flu

 

When any medical doctor or healthcare provider uses the words “you have to stay healthy” it may sound like common sense and probably a general statement that some people might even take for granted, but it’s a must for those with asthma. Staying and being healthy can boost your immune system, which in turn can help you avoid colds and flu — such diseases can trigger an asthma attack and worsen your breathing overall while being sick.

 

Stay away from people who are sick or are showing symptoms, wash your hands often, and try working out regularly while keeping a healthy diet to make sure that your body is always at its prime. Having overall optimal health can help you battle diseases that otherwise would greatly affect your asthma.

 

Medication

 

Make sure that you are always equipped with the medications that have been prescribed to you and take them as they were instructed. If you have a plan of action for any and every time you suffer from an asthma attack keep following the same plan. The same goes for your prevention plan, like taking your medications even when you are feeling OK.

 

Following the steps that were directed by your asthma doctor can prove to be a great ally in the chance of not knowing exactly what medicine to take at that particular stage of your attack and these steps can even clarify when it’s time to call your doctor or the emergency number.

 

 

At The Allergy and Asthma Center of Corpus Christi, we are always striving to provide our patients with the best measures and information for them to lead a normal life without having their condition curb their enjoyment. If you feel that your asthma has worsened or has gotten out of control, please contact us today to help you determine a new plan of action and get you back to a controlled situation.

 

If you have any questions concerning this and any other asthma or allergy-related matter, our staff would be happy to assist you with answers!