Have Asthma, Here is What You Should Do

It’s no secret that people with asthma have a difficult time breathing. For those who have asthma, we know the feeling all too well:

• The tightness in your chest and throat
• The sudden shortness of breath
• The persistent cough

Our lungs work harder to provide oxygen to our blood because they’re not able to fully open up, which can lead to chronic fatigue as well as possible lung damage.

This makes it even more critical for those with asthma to take care of themselves by avoiding specific triggers such as cigarette smoke or allergens like pet dander or pollen so that their symptoms don’t worsen.

What is asthma, and what are the symptoms

There are four types of asthma: 1) chronic bronchitis, 2) extrinsic allergic asthma, 3) intrinsic allergic asthma, and 4) airway hyper-responsiveness.

Chronic bronchitis type of asthma is an inflammatory disease that affects the airways in the lung. Some people who have this type tend to cough up mucus, while others struggle with wheezing.

People with extrinsic allergic asthma will have a constant inflammation in their lungs, leading to increased mucous production.

Still, they also suffer from coughing and shortness of breath when an allergen triggers a reaction.

The most common way for someone to develop this type of asthma is by a hereditary cause if a parent has it or runs in the family.

People with intrinsic allergic asthma suffer from coughing, mucus production, and shortness of breath, but they also have hay fever or other allergies such as eczema, hives, and food allergies.

Lastly, those who experience airway hyper-responsiveness will cough and wheeze all the time because their airways tend to narrow when it’s time for them to breathe, which is triggered by many factors such as allergies, infections, or cold air.

How to prevent asthma from worsening

Asthma is a respiratory disease that can cause shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness.

While there is no known cure for asthma, there are many things that you can do to prevent it from worsening.

First, it is essential to avoid anything that causes allergies or triggers an allergic reaction.

This includes anything from pet dander and pollen to smoke and dust. If you know what your triggers are, then you can take steps to avoid them.

Second, you must never smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol, and both of these activities will only worsen your symptoms.

Lastly, it is essential to be appropriately educated about the best way to manage your asthma symptoms.

This includes knowing your type of asthma and staying on top of your medication.

It’s also essential to speak with your doctor about other forms of treatment that may help you manage your symptoms better, including allergy shots or immunotherapy.

What are the best ways to take care of yourself if you have asthma?

If you know how to prevent an attack, you will never have to worry about an asthma attack.

Some ways to avoid an attack include avoiding allergens, drinking lots of fluids, and getting an annual flu shot.

Other good practices for people with asthma are to keep their rooms clean since dust can trigger allergies or asthma attacks, stay on top of their medication, get plenty of rest (since lack of sleep can cause asthma symptoms to worsen), and exercise in moderation.

What triggers asthmatic attacks

Many things can trigger an asthma attack, including allergens, smoke, dust, and cold air.

For some people, exercise can also be a trigger. It’s essential to be aware of your triggers so that you can take steps to avoid them.

What to do during an asthma attack

If you start experiencing shortness of breath, coughing, or wheezing, then it may be time to take your prescribed medicine or seek medical treatment.

To prevent having an asthma attack in the first place, you should avoid anything that causes allergies or triggers an allergic reaction, such as pet dander and pollen, as well as smoke and dust.

Tips for managing your asthma when you have a flare-up

If you have asthma, the first thing you should do is take your prescribed medication or seek medical treatment if you start experiencing shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness.

To prevent an attack from occurring in the first place, it is essential to stay on top of your medication, get enough rest (since lack of sleep can cause asthma symptoms to worsen), and exercise in moderation.

Ways to take care of yourself in between doctor’s appointments or during an attack

If you have asthma, it’s essential to know how to take care of yourself between doctor’s appointments.

This includes staying on top of your medication, getting plenty of rest, and avoiding anything that causes allergies or triggers an allergic reaction. 

It’s also important to know what to do if you start experiencing shortness of breath, coughing, or chest tightness.

In this case, you should take your prescribed medicine or seek medical treatment. 

If you’re one in five Americans who have asthma, knowing what triggers an attack and how to manage your symptoms is essential.

Asthma can cause shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness, but if you stay on top of your medication and avoid allergens or anything that causes allergies (such as smoke), this may help prevent a flare-up from occurring.

If all else fails and you start experiencing any of the abovementioned symptoms, speak with your doctor about other treatments such as allergy shots or immunotherapy!