How To Prevent Asthma

If you are asthmatic, then you know how scary it is to struggle to breath. However, you do not have to live in fear. All what is required is to work closely with your personal doctor, take your medication, monitor your symptoms and avoid your asthma triggers.

Take Your Asthma Medication as Prescribed By Your Doctor
One of your asthma action plans is to ensure that you follow instructions on how to take your medication. There are only two types of medications your personal doctor will prescribe:
Long-term control medication that help in preventing asthma symptoms
Quick relief medication to stop an acute or sudden asthma symptoms
Based on your needs, your doctor will be able to customize the timing and the amount of your medication. If you follow the treatment plan and the symptoms continue getting worse, inform your doctor.

Monitoring Your Asthma Symptoms
It is crucial to monitor your breathing activity level, and symptoms on a regular basis to be able to prevent acute asthma attacks. This would assist you to recognize early warning signs of an asthma attack so that you can take the necessary precaution before the symptoms become severe.
The most typical symptoms of an asthma attack include:
Trouble in breathing or shortness of breath
Cough
Chest tightness
Wheezing, a high-pitched sound made when breathing
To assist you to monitor your breathing, your doctor will show you how to use a peak flow meter. A peak flow meter is a small gadget used to measure the amount of air flowing in and out of your lungs. If your breathing tubes are narrowing, the gadget will indicate a peak flow meter reading, which is an early sign of asthma. You can detect an oncoming asthma attack soon enough if you use the meter appropriately and regularly.

Identify Your Asthma Triggers
Asthma triggers are environmental factors and substances that cause asthma symptoms. Majority of people who are asthmatic also have allergies. Allergies have been known to trigger asthma attacks.
Doctors use a skin patch test to determine your specific allergies. The process involves applying some allergens on the skin to see if they are going to trigger asthma symptoms. The doctor can also test your blood commonly known as radioallergosorbent test to assist in identifying allergens.
Here is a list commonly known allergens that trigger asthma symptoms: dust, pollen, cockroaches, mold and animal dander from animals with feathers or fur.
Other environmental factors that may also trigger asthma symptoms include: air pollution, tobacco smoke, cold air non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and certain foods such as wine, beer, and seafood.

Avoid Your Asthma Triggers
You will be able to minimize your exposure to asthma triggers once you know them. Here are some tips that will help you avoid some common asthma triggers:
Limit exposure to cold air
Beware of air pollution
Stay healthy
Quit smoking
Watch what you eat

Ensure that you follow your asthma action plan. If the symptoms continue to get worse, make an urgent appointment to see your doctor.