Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

If you have asthma, a lung disease, you are not alone. 26 million people in the US are affected by asthma, and it is also the most common chronic childhood disease. In asthmatic patients, the airways in the lungs are narrowed, inflamed or irritated. Airway obstruction leads to difficulty breathing. Although there is no cure, you should still see your doctor if you are concerned. See a general practitioner or specialist (such as a pulmonologist or allergist). You may also pay less attention to factors: symptoms, doctor / emergency room visits, hospital stay, healthcare expenses and school / vacation holidays.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Get medical help

1. 

   Know your asthma symptoms. One of the most common symptoms of asthma is wheezing. It is a musical, high-pitched, hissing sound, emitted when the airways in the lungs are blocked. Sometimes the only symptom of an asthma attack is a cough. The cough is usually dry, persistent, and mostly occurs at night. You may also notice shortness of breath / difficulty breathing or angina.
   • If you feel nervousness and shortness of breath, this is usually the symptom associated with an asthma attack and not a heart problem.

2. 

   
   
   Know when to see a doctor. If you notice an increase in episodes, intensity or symptoms at night, you should speak with your doctor. Also, see your doctor if you find yourself limited in your normal activities, have to miss school or work a lot, or feel you often can't get to your best level. Seeing your doctor is also a good idea if your asthma medication doesn't seem to work anymore, or if you need to take your reliever inhaler more quickly twice a week.
   • You should also see your doctor at least once a year to get a new prescription.

3. 

   
   
   Call an ambulance when needed. Asthma can be serious and life-threatening very quickly, so seek emergency help if you experience the following symptoms:
   • Extremely difficult to breathe
   • Pale purple lips, fingers and nails
   • It feels like about to faint
   • Can't go or finish sentences

4. 

   
   
   Understand asthma testing and classification. Your doctor may perform some lung tests to find out how well your lungs are working (called spirometry). The lung exams will be done before and after taking certain medications. Asthma will be diagnosed with an improvement in lung performance after taking the drug. Asthma can be classified into categories: intermittent, mild persistent, moderate persistent, and severe persistent.
   • Interruptions: symptoms appear less than once per week, asthma attacks are short, night symptoms do not appear more than twice a month.
   • Lightly persistent: symptoms more than once a week but less than once a day, asthma attacks can affect sleep and activity, night symptoms occur more than twice per month.
   • Medium persistence: daily asthma symptoms and attacks can interfere with sleep and activity, night symptoms appear more than once per week, and short-acting beta-stimulating inhalers must be used daily.
   • Heavy persistence: symptoms appear daily, frequent attacks, night symptoms appear frequent and limited in physical activity.

5. 

   Be aware of asthma treatments. The aim in asthma treatment is to control symptoms and maintain lung function with the use of rapid reliever and long term control if necessary. Rapid reliever medications are very effective at helping to open the airways during severe asthma attacks, but they do not have anti-inflammatory effects. Long-acting medications reduce inflammation of the airways in the lungs and are used to reduce the frequency and intensity of asthma attacks, but are not effective in acute attacks. The long-acting drugs also gradually help maintain lung function; Uncontrolled asthma can lead to irreversible lung damage.The following methods are commonly used to treat each type of asthma: Asthma can be classified into categories: intermittent, mild persistent, moderate persistent, and severe persistent.
   • Interruptions: Short-acting beta-stimulants when needed. No long-term controller needed.
   • Lightly persistent: Short-acting beta-stimulants when needed. Low dose corticosteroid inhalers. Other options include cromolyn or leukotriene inhibitors.
   • Medium persistence: Short-acting beta stimulants when needed. Medium dose corticosteroid inhaler in combination with long-acting beta-stimulating inhaler.
   • Heavy persistence: Short-acting beta-stimulants when needed. High-dose corticosteroid inhalers in combination with long-acting beta-stimulating inhalers, plus one or more of the following if needed: theophylline, leukotriene inhibitors, long-acting beta-stimulating drugs, oral corticosteroids .

6. 

   Use a metered dose inhaler (MDI) with or without a spacer. During an asthma attack, using an inhaler can help you inhale the quick reliever medicine to open the airways. Inhalers are most effective when used with a spacer. Buffer chambers are pressure cartridges that make it easier to get medication into the airways. The cushion is especially helpful when used by children or people with breathing difficulties, but it also helps any patient. The buffer chamber helps the medication to go deeper into the lungs than into the throat, which is especially important in the use of inhaled corticosteroids. How to use the inhaler as follows:
   • Insert the inhaler by opening and attaching the medicine container to the mouth of the inhaler. Shake inhaler well before use. This will ensure that the medicine in the bottle is evenly mixed.
   • Exhale all the way out to feel like there's no air in your lungs.
   • Place the inhaler in the mouth of the inhaler and tighten the lips. This will not cause wastage of drugs.
   • Press the pill bottle, and inhale through your mouth while holding your breath for 2 seconds so the medicine can go into the airway. Repeat this process on prescription.
   • If you are using a buffer chamber, you should carefully read the instructions provided with the device. Using a spacer can change the way the inhaler is used.

7. 

   Use a dry powder inhaler (DPI). Some drugs come in powder form, so they require a different inhaler. If you have an asthma attack and need DPI, you need to breathe deeply and quickly. You may not taste the medicine when you inhale, and that is normal. Usage is as follows:
   • Get the correct dose of medication prescribed in the prescription according to the instructions that came with the inhaler.
   • Exhale normally, keeping the inhaler away from your mouth. Chin raised.
   • Keep the mouth of the inhaler closed. Inhale quickly and deeply through the inhaler. Lift the mouth of the tube and hold the breath for the count to 10.
   • Exhale slowly without going through the inhaler. The humidity in your breath can cause the powder to stick inside the inhaler. Remember to keep inhaler tightly closed and store in a dry place after use.

8. 

   Try an aerosol inhaler. Nebulizers work by spraying asthma medicine such as mist through the end of a tube or through a mask. This is a good choice for children, the elderly, and patients with difficulty using inhalers. If you feel dizzy while using the nebulizer, stop for about five minutes and then continue using it. How to use the nebulizer:
   • Wash your hands. Place the nebulizer on a stable surface and plug it in. Attach the inhaler / mask and the bulb to the tube. Attach the tube to one end of the machine.
   • Fill the dispenser in the prescribed dose and place the device upright so that the spraying air is more effective.
   • Turn on the engine and breathe slowly. Hold your breath for two seconds for the medicine to be absorbed. Continue until all the drugs are sprayed in the potting medium.
   advertisement

Method 2 of 3: Avoid irritants

1. 

   Avoid factors from the environment. Asthma triggers can be classified into stimulants, allergens, and others. Stimulants include smoke, haze, chemical emissions and strong scents. Pay attention to what weather worsens your asthma and avoid outdoor activities during that time. There are several other things you can do to reduce the effects of stimulants in your surroundings:
   • Choose a non-smoking vehicle and a non-smoking room when renting a car and hotel room
   • Choose a non-smoking area when dining out
   • Avoid burning heaters and wood stoves
   • Restrict access to rooms with incense burning
   • Check the air quality report
   • Use air conditioner instead of opening windows
   • Leave the car air conditioner in the ventilation mode
   • Use fragrance-free products
   • Avoid using bleach and ammonia when cleaning
   • Use an exhaust fan when cooking
   • Wear a mask when doing tasks such as sanding, vacuuming, lawn mowing, and cleaning

2. 

   Identify allergy triggers that trigger an asthma attack. Allergens are substances that cause allergic reactions. Common outdoor allergens include pollen from grasses, plants and weeds. Common indoor allergens include dust mites, cockroaches, mold, and pets. While allergens may not always be avoided, you can talk to your doctor about allergy therapies or medications. You can also try to reduce the effects of allergens on asthma by:
   • Avoid outdoor work, if possible
   • Follow the pollen status report, if available
   • Use hypoallergenic bedding and pillowcases
   • Use a HEPA air filter
   • Replace carpets with wood or floor tiles
   • Take out trash every day
   • Use bait or traps to tame cockroaches (or call an insecticide service)
   • Clean wet areas each week to prevent mold from growing
   • Avoid using humidifiers or vaporizers
   • Avoid pets with cilia or feathers

3. 

   Read food labels and know what you are eating. Asthma is often accompanied by food allergies, especially with food additives. Some additives include sulfites, metabisulfites, and sulfur dioxide. They are commonly found in wine, beer and dried fruit. Check food labels and avoid those containing these additives.
   • Talk to your doctor about preventing, diagnosing, and managing food allergies. Some food allergies are quite severe and an EpiPen injection pen is required in case of sudden exposure.

4. 

   Watch out for drug-induced irritants or diseases. Colds, flu and sinus infections are inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract that stimulate the airways and cause asthma attacks. To fight these diseases, you need to regularly wash your hands and get a flu shot every year. If you suspect that flu or another illness is causing your asthma attack, you should contact your doctor.
   • Note that some aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen can trigger an asthma flare-up.
   • Check the labels of over-the-counter and prescription drugs to avoid these.

5. 

   Control emotions and stress. Emotional expressions such as crying, laughing, or happiness are thought to trigger asthma attacks. Practice slow breathing to relax and stop your asthma attack.
   • Try exercise to manage stress. Don't shy away from exercising when you have asthma. If you have exercise-induced asthma, take a quick dose of reliever inhaler 15 minutes before you start exercising.
   • Note that exercising too hard (or adopting a new exercise regimen too suddenly) can cause an asthma flare-up.
   advertisement

Method 3 of 3: Lifestyle adjustments

1. 

   Follow your doctor's advice. The first thing you need to do is follow the asthma treatment regimen recommended by your doctor. Each case is different, and your doctor can create a treatment regimen for you and your lifestyle.
   • Ask your doctor to give you an emergency plan. This can help you know exactly what to do when you have an asthma attack and can let others know if you need help.

2. 

   Monitor the condition of your asthma using a peak flow meter. Your doctor may have you use a peak flow meter to check the speed at which air is pushed out of your lungs. A decreased peak flow reading can signal an impending asthma attack, so it is important to monitor your best effort when using a peak flow meter. The way to use the measuring equipment is as follows:
   • Move the pointer to the zero or smallest number on the scale. Stand up.If you can't stand, you can sit upright in a chair. Make sure to hold the same position every time.
   • Take a deep breath as possible. Place the mouthpiece of the device between the teeth and close the surrounding lips. Take care not to let your tongue block the opening.
   • Blow into the head of the device once, as quickly and as hard as possible. Then lift the device out of the mouth. Check where the line indicator moves on the numbered ladder and record the number.
   • Move the pointer to zero. Measure 2 more times, circling the largest of the 3 numbers. That is your peak flow measurement.

3. 

   Know when to rest. It's important to realize when you need to slow down and rest. Overexertion or fatigue can trigger an asthma attack. Know when your activity is too much to rest and take some breaths before an attack flares. Set a regular schedule of sleep with at least 8 hours of sleep each night.

4. 

   Drink more water. Drinking water will help mucus move in the lungs and prevent them from getting stuck in the airways, possibly causing shortness of breath. Try to drink at least a small glass of water every 2 hours while you are awake.

5. 

   Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight can make asthma attacks worse. Even gaining just 2.5 kg a year can reduce your ability to control your asthma, decrease your quality of life, and take more corticosteroid medications. The key to achieving a healthy weight is nutrition and exercise.
   • Cut back on foods high in fat, sugars and starches. For more information on how to make a healthy diet for you, see healthy eating

6. 

   Reduce stress levels. Stress can trigger an asthma attack because your body can respond by narrowing the airways. Try reducing stress through yoga, deep breathing exercises, biofeedback, guided visualization, and meditation. All of these are methods of relaxation and stress relief.
   • Biofeedback therapy teaches breathing control, muscle tension, heart rate, and blood pressure. This is very effective in treating illnesses caused by severe stress. Guided fantasy therapy is a form of centralized relaxation that creates a harmony between body and mind.

7. 

   Improve lung health by exercising with moderate intensity. Stressful exercise when the lungs are weak can lead to the onset of asthma attacks, but moderate intensity exercise can actually enhance lung health. Start with light or moderate exercises like walking and move on to a more challenging workout regimen. Practice most days of the week for at least 30 minutes. Ask your doctor to design a workout schedule that's right for your asthma.
   • Try doing one of these activities that require oxygen: jogging, swimming, biking or walking. Workout to increase strength with weights or external forces to build muscle.

8. 

   Give up smoking. Tobacco smoke stimulates the mucous membranes in the airways, causing mucus to produce more than usual. It also significantly increases the risk of other lung diseases such as cancer. If you have asthma, you should quit smoking to give your sensitive lungs a chance to recover.
   • Avoid being in smoke-free environments in general. Passive smoking can also cause a lot of damage in the lining of your airways, so try to avoid smoking environments as much as possible.
   advertisement

Advice

• Asthma can be difficult to diagnose, especially in children under 5 years of age. Regular health checkups, including lung function tests and allergies, can help your doctor make an accurate diagnosis.
• Asthma patients should also develop an asthma treatment regimen with their medical team. Asthma regimen includes the measures necessary for better asthma control.
• If you think your emergency inhaler is not working, you are probably using it incorrectly. The vapors need to be focused on the airway, not the tongue or mouth. You also need to inhale and hold the breath in your lungs for as long as possible to absorb the medicine. A single spray is usually not enough; You may need 1-2 sprays every 20 minutes up to 1 hour. You can also ask your doctor to see if you are taking your medication to make sure it is taking it correctly.
• Rapid reliever medications, also called emergency medications, used when needed include short-acting beta-stimulating / sympathetic impulse inhibitors, and oral corticosteroids. The most common short acting beta-stimulant inhaler is albuterol, which works by relaxing the tight muscles of the airways.
• Sympathomimetic impulse inhibitors suppress coughs and can be used in combination with short-acting beta-stimulants during severe asthma attacks. Ipratropium is the most commonly used sympathomimetic impulse inhibitor for asthma. Oral corticosteroids can be used in “burst” therapy for severe asthma attacks. Examples of the corticosteroid group of drugs are prednisone, methylprednisolone, and prednisolone.
• Long-acting medications are taken every day, including long-acting beta-stimulating drugs, corticosteroid inhalers, long-acting beta-stimulating inhalers / corticosteroids, leukotriene inhibitors, mast cell stabilizers, and bronchodilator theophylline.
• The best way to keep track of symptoms is to keep a journal.

Warning

• Respiratory infections will worsen in asthma patients. These infections can often lead to pneumonia and acute respiratory disease.
• Be sure to call your doctor or see a doctor if you have asthma and symptoms of a respiratory illness or flu.
• Asthma patients, both children and adults, are at an increased risk of complications following an influenza virus infection.