How to Stay Healthy with Asthma
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Asthma is a long-term condition that affects how well you can breathe. When you have asthma, the airways inside your lungs can get swollen and tight which can affect how well you can breathe. This can cause symptoms like coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. These asthma symptoms can be mild or severe and can get worse quickly if something triggers them.
We offer full care for people living with asthma. Our doctors, nurses and care teams can help you with education, treatments and support to make daily life easier. With the right help and good habits, you can live a full, healthy life while managing asthma.
In this blog, we speak to Marvin Harvey, M.D., a board-certified family medicine physician with INTEGRIS Health Medical Group Newcastle.
“A severe asthma attack can be a cause for concern, especially to parents whose children experience a rapid onset of symptoms for the first time,” Harvey says. “We can treat acute asthma, but it’s also important to manage the condition with your primary care provider or pediatrician.”
Identifying and avoiding common asthma triggers
Knowing what can cause your asthma symptoms to get worse is a big part of good asthma management. These things are called asthma triggers, and they are different for each person. Learning how to spot and avoid your triggers can help prevent asthma flare-ups and keep your breathing steady.
Common asthma triggers
Some of the most common asthma triggers include dust mites, air pollution, cigarette smoke, e-cigarettes and pet dander. Other triggers can be pollen, mold, cold air, strong smells like cleaning products or perfume, and even exercise-induced asthma. Some people also find that strong emotional responses, like stress or laughing too hard, can make their asthma worse.
Respiratory infections like colds and the flu are another common cause of asthma flare-ups. Infections can make the airways even more swollen, leading to more breathing problems.
How to avoid triggers
Once you know your main triggers, you can make a plan to stay away from them. Keep your home clean to limit dust mites and pet dander. Try to stay indoors when the air quality in your area is poor. If you have a school-aged kid with asthma, you might need to speak with their teacher to make special accommodations for recess when the air quality outside isn’t great. Avoid cigarette smoke and vaping at all times, and talk with your health care team about getting a flu shot every year.
You can also use a peak flow meter to check how well your lungs are working. If you notice your readings dropping, it could mean you are coming into contact with a trigger and need to act fast. Avoiding triggers doesn’t mean you need to avoid the things that make you happy. With smart planning and support from your doctor, you can enjoy life and keep your asthma under control.
Creating and following an asthma action plan
An asthma action plan is a tool that helps you manage your asthma every day and how you can get the help you need if your symptoms start acting up. It gives clear steps to follow when you feel good when you notice asthma symptoms, and when you have an asthma attack. Having a written plan helps you stay in control and know what to do when problems start.
What should be in your asthma action plan?
Your health care provider will help you build a plan that fits your needs. A good asthma action plan usually includes:
- A list of your daily asthma medications and how to use them.
- Signs that your asthma is getting worse, like more coughing or shortness of breath.
- What to do when you have early trigger symptoms or a full asthma flare.
- When to use your quick-relief inhaler or other medicines.
- When to call your health care team or go to the emergency room or urgent care.
The plan will also show how to use a peak flow meter to check your breathing. This tool helps you spot problems before you feel symptoms.
Why following the plan matters
Following your asthma action plan every day helps you keep your lung health strong and lowers your risk for serious attacks. It also teaches you to watch for small changes so you can act before things get worse. When you stick to your plan, you can enjoy better asthma control and a higher quality of life.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with asthma
Living with asthma does not mean you have to give up on being healthy and active. In fact, making smart lifestyle changes can help improve your lung function, lower your chances of asthma attacks and boost your overall health.
Stay active with safe physical activity
Regular physical activity has a ton of benefits, and two of the most important ones for asthma include how it helps strengthen your lungs and heart. It also helps you stay at a healthy weight, which can make asthma easier to manage. Activities like walking, swimming, biking and yoga are often good choices. If you have exercise-induced asthma, your doctor may suggest using a quick-relief inhaler before you work out. Always warm up before exercise and cool down after to help prevent breathing problems.
Eat a balanced diet
Eating healthy foods supports your immune system and your lung health. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains gives your body the nutrients it needs to fight infections and stay strong. Foods with vitamin D may also help lower the number of asthma flare-ups. Staying well-nourished can help you recover faster if you get a cold or another illness that could trigger your asthma.
Protect your lung health
Avoid things that can harm your lungs, like cigarette smoke, vaping and exposure to air pollution. Stay indoors on days when air quality is bad. If you smoke or vape, ask your health care provider for help to quit. Keeping your lungs healthy gives you better asthma control and helps prevent worsening breathing problems over time.
Maintain a healthy weight
Carrying extra weight can make asthma harder to control. Obesity can put more pressure on your lungs and make breathing harder. Reaching and keeping a healthy weight with regular physical activity and a balanced diet can reduce the number of asthma symptoms you experience and help you use fewer medicines over time.
Working with your health care team for asthma management
Managing asthma is easier when you have a strong team supporting you. Your health care team can help you build the best plan for keeping your asthma under control and protecting your lung health for the long term.
Regular checkups
Seeing your health care provider regularly is an important part of good asthma management. Even if you feel well, checkups give your doctor a chance to see how well your asthma treatment is working. They can adjust your medications, check your lung function and help you stay on track with your goals.
Your doctor might use a peak flow meter to measure how well you are breathing. Tracking your numbers over time helps you and your doctor spot early signs of a worsening problem before you notice symptoms.
Reviewing your medications
It is important to use your asthma medications exactly as prescribed. Your doctor can explain the difference between your daily controller medicine, like a preventer or a low-dose steroid, and your reliever or quick-relief inhaler, which you use during an asthma flare. Knowing when and how to use each medicine can make a big difference in how well you feel.
If you have any questions or side effects from your medications, tell your doctor. They can help you adjust your plan so that you feel better without causing new problems.
Updating your asthma action plan
Your asthma action plan should change as your needs change. As you grow older, move to a new area, start a new job or face new asthma triggers, your plan might need updates. Your health care provider will work with you to make sure your plan stays current and easy to follow.
Living well with asthma starts with the right support
We are here to support you with expert care, education and personalized treatment plans. Whether you need help managing severe asthma, adjusting your asthma treatment or improving your overall health, our team is ready to help you breathe easier and live better every day.
