4 leading ways to manage asthma

There are a few restrictions on your life with asthma, as long as you take care of yourself.

Asthma is a primary non-communicable disease that affects both children and adults. Asthma is the most common chronic disease found among children. Though there is no outright cure for asthma, many steps can be taken to manage and control the symptoms.

According to a study, about 9.8% of female adults have asthma compared to 6.1% of males. Currently, there are 5.1 million children under 18 with asthma. In addition, it is recorded that asthma has affected an estimated 262 million people and caused 455000 deaths in 2019.

So if there is no cure, how do we find light for this issue? Developing asthma can cause serious hazards to your health. Many medical practitioners have devised many methods by which asthma can be managed.

The key to managing asthma is working on a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs with your doctor. So now, let’s see how asthma can be managed.

Monitor your symptoms:

People with asthma can manage their symptoms in many ways. So where do we start? First, let’s start with the symptoms that cause asthma.

Then, write down the symptoms you face in a diary so you can adjust your treatment plan when you have to. This will help to alter your treatment plan when needed. The asthma symptoms are as follows:

•      Breath shortage or whistling sound when you exhale.
•      Disturbed sleep is caused due to shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing.
•     Chest tightness or pain.
•     Quick-relief rescue inhaler.

Note the timings when you use the quick-relief inhaler, and write down how many puffs you take.

•      Any disturbances caused to day-to-day activities like work, school, exercise, etc.
•     Do you get any asthma symptoms during exercise?
•     Changes in the colour of phlegm you cough up.
•     Having symptoms of hay fever-like running nose.
•     Anything that triggers asthma flare-ups.

Keeping track of these four symptoms could help keep asthma under control.

• Daytime symptoms:

How often do you have asthma symptoms in the day, like coughing, wheezing, etc.?

• Nighttime symptoms:

Do you wake up at night due to asthma symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, etc.?

• Quick Relief or Rescue Inhaler Use:

How often do you use the rescue inhaler? 

• Activity level:

Do you have difficulty performing everyday activities like walking, climbing stairs, etc.?

Check how well your lungs are working:

 You will be glad to know that there are natural ways to manage asthma. One such way is to check how well your lungs are working. Your doctor might advise you to check if your lungs are functioning correctly or not. There are two main lung function tests.

• Peak flow:

This simple handheld device measures how well you can force air out of your lungs. This test can be done at home with a peak flow meter device. The peak flow readings indicate how your lungs work at their best. It is also called your personal best peak flow.

• Spirometry:

This test can be taken home with a handheld spirometer or at the doctor’s office. This test detects how much air your lungs can hold and how much air you can exhale in one second. This measurement is called forced expiratory volume and is compared with someone who doesn’t have asthma.

Adjust treatment according to the asthma action plan:

Air pollution could affect your lungs. Cigarette smoke can also harm your lungs. Asthma is triggered when you have difficulty breathing. When your lungs are not working correctly, you need to change your medication according to the asthma action plan you made with your doctor beforehand.

Your written asthma plan will let you know how and when to adjust. Your asthma treatment plan will help boost your immune system.

Still worried about how to control asthma. The table below guides you on when to adjust your medications depending on your symptoms.

Levels of asthma control in children over 12 and adults.

There are two main types of asthma medicines.

• Long-term medications:

Medications such as inhaled corticosteroids are essential medicines to keep asthma under control. In addition, daily, these medicines can reduce asthma flare-ups.

• Quick-relief inhalers:

Also known as rescue inhalers, these medications open the airways to make you breathe quickly. Knowing when to use this medication can prevent asthma attacks.

Work with your doctor: 

Autism symptoms can change frequently. Therefore, sticking to your asthma action plan to treat asthma symptoms is advisable.

Physical activity is a must in fighting asthma. Trying breathing exercises can also help to treat asthma. Breathing techniques can alleviate breathing problems. It can clear out respiratory infections.

Following up with your doctor is a leading method for managing asthma symptoms. Take your asthma action plan and change the treatment depending on your needs. Visit your doctor frequently, get feedback on your action plan, revise it regularly, and change it when needed.

You would also be surprised to know that our hair mineral analysis test can help resolve asthma symptoms by detecting trace elements and deficiencies in the body. For example, it is medically proven that low zinc levels could lead to asthma symptoms. Hair mineral analysis detects these deficiencies and suggests ways to balance them.

Conclusion:

Following the above steps can successfully manage your asthma symptoms and stay ahead of the disease. In addition, keeping track of your symptoms and checking with a doctor regularly will help you change your asthma action plan and find new ways to manage the disease symptoms.

You will also find our hair mineral analysis test to your advantage. Our HMA test detects mineral deficiencies that could cause asthma. By following the diet, we provide and other wellness tips like yoga and exercise, you can balance the mineral content in the body and treat asthma symptoms.