Asthma means that your airways are often inflamed and swollen. Your inflamed airways can be triggered to respond more strongly at times by a stimulus that has the potential to cause an asthma attack, as it is popularly called; in the medical literature, bronchospasm.
Try to avoid as many triggers as possible. This is one of the most important aspects of managing your asthma. Here are some ways to do it.
Control your indoor environment
• Use an air conditioner. Air conditioning reduces airborne pollen in your home, lowers indoor humidity, and generally reduces your exposure to dust mites. If you don't have an air conditioner, close the windows when pollen is high. • There isn't as much dust around. Dust always bothers you at night. Use dust-proof mattress, box spring, and pillow covers. Remove all your carpets. Curtains and blinds should be installed with materials that can be cleaned. Once a week you should dust and vacuum your place. If you're dusting or vacuuming, put on a mask, or better still, hire someone else to do it. • Stay at optimal humidity. When you live in a wet area, it's a good idea to run a dehumidifier. • Never allow mold to grow. • Cleaning damp areas in your bathroom, kitchen, and basement. • Avoid pet dander. Don't own fur- or feather-bearing pets. • Bathe and brush your pets regularly to remove dander from your home. • Get rid of cockroaches. The protein in cockroach waste is a common allergen. Store food in tight containers, wash dishes and spills promptly, clear countertops, sinks, tables, etc. • Stay away from secondhand smoke. • Smell carefully. Avoid using fragrances when possible. Keep a window or door open and ventilated after using strong cleaning products.
Control your outdoor environment
• Monitor the Air Quality Index. Follow the weather forecast on television/internet to be aware of the air quality in your area for each day and plan to spend time outdoors. • Avoid going outside on high pollen days. • Keep windows closed to prevent pollen particles from entering your home. • Avoid wood smoke or grass smoke. Do not burn wood indoors as well. • Wear a cover over your nose and mouth when the weather is cold. Wearing a face mask will also help as your asthma flares up in dry or damp air.
Manage powerful emotions and stress
• Avoid extremes of emotion. Shallow and rapid breathing is known to precipitate an asthma attack. Some physical and emotional precipitants may be: anger, fear, laughing, screaming and crying. • Learn self-help techniques for stress relief.
Try to avoid as many triggers as possible. This is one of the most important aspects of managing your asthma. Here are some ways to do it.
Control your indoor environment
• Use an air conditioner. Air conditioning reduces airborne pollen in your home, lowers indoor humidity, and generally reduces your exposure to dust mites. If you don't have an air conditioner, close the windows when pollen is high. • There isn't as much dust around. Dust always bothers you at night. Use dust-proof mattress, box spring, and pillow covers. Remove all your carpets. Curtains and blinds should be installed with materials that can be cleaned. Once a week you should dust and vacuum your place. If you're dusting or vacuuming, put on a mask, or better still, hire someone else to do it. • Stay at optimal humidity. When you live in a wet area, it's a good idea to run a dehumidifier. • Never allow mold to grow. • Cleaning damp areas in your bathroom, kitchen, and basement. • Avoid pet dander. Don't own fur- or feather-bearing pets. • Bathe and brush your pets regularly to remove dander from your home. • Get rid of cockroaches. The protein in cockroach waste is a common allergen. Store food in tight containers, wash dishes and spills promptly, clear countertops, sinks, tables, etc. • Stay away from secondhand smoke. • Smell carefully. Avoid using fragrances when possible. Keep a window or door open and ventilated after using strong cleaning products.
Control your outdoor environment
• Monitor the Air Quality Index. Follow the weather forecast on television/internet to be aware of the air quality in your area for each day and plan to spend time outdoors. • Avoid going outside on high pollen days. • Keep windows closed to prevent pollen particles from entering your home. • Avoid wood smoke or grass smoke. Do not burn wood indoors as well. • Wear a cover over your nose and mouth when the weather is cold. Wearing a face mask will also help as your asthma flares up in dry or damp air.
Manage powerful emotions and stress
• Avoid extremes of emotion. Shallow and rapid breathing is known to precipitate an asthma attack. Some physical and emotional precipitants may be: anger, fear, laughing, screaming and crying. • Learn self-help techniques for stress relief.
Exercise wisely
• Use activities that are appropriate for you and your signs and symptoms. • Take your asthma medications before exercising. Unless your healthcare provider has told you otherwise, take all your medicines exactly as directed and take them with you when you exercise.
• Use activities that are appropriate for you and your signs and symptoms. • Take your asthma medications before exercising. Unless your healthcare provider has told you otherwise, take all your medicines exactly as directed and take them with you when you exercise.
