Asthma and allergies can lead to problems with your breathing. Knowing some tips to manage your asthma and allergies or the best asthma treatment to have on hand can help you have a healthier life. Allergens such as pollen and dust can trigger asthma attacks, but so can other stimuli. Some asthma triggers are biological and others are the result of poor health habits. Here are a few ways you can manage your asthma and allergies:
What Are Some Factors That Worsen Asthma and Allergies?
Image via Flickr by allispossible.org.uk
Smoking, secondhand smoke, and smoke particles in the environment through third-hand smoke. Third-hand smoke is smoke particles that have settled into painting on the walls, onto furniture, carpet, flooring, clothes, and objects in the environment. These can trigger asthma because the particles contain the same toxic chemicals as in tobacco smoke. Vaping can trigger asthma episodes as much as smoking, whether the vaping is tobacco or flavored juice-based vaping. The chemicals in vaping can disable immune system cells in the lungs, causing lung inflammation that creates asthma attacks.
Infections such as colds, flu, or pneumonia can set off asthma. Allergens such as food allergens, dust mites, pollen, mold, and pet dander can trigger asthma. Exercises that are too vigorous can cause shortness of breath. Drugs such as aspirin and NSAIDs can contribute to asthma. Other triggers are emotional stress and acid reflux.
Often, triggers are in the environment. Some asthma triggers are air pollution, perfumes, sudden changes in weather, and humidity levels in your house. Too high humidity can grow mold. Humidity in your house that is too dry can make it difficult for you to breathe.
Ways to Manage Asthma and Allergies
The main way to manage asthma and allergies is to avoid the things that trigger them.
- Avoid Smokers
Avoid people who smoke, including vaping. Avoiding places where it is smoky is one of the primary ways you can protect yourself against asthma attacks. Avoid smokers and smoke-filled places to prevent respiratory illnesses such as colds, flu, or pneumonia that can trigger asthma.
- Biological Asthma Avoidance
Another way to manage your asthma and allergies is to avoid food and drug allergens. Your health care provider can help you learn what foods or drugs you are allergic to via allergen testing. Find a way to deal with stress. Emotional stressors can make managing asthma difficult. Ask your health care provider for tips on managing emotional stress, and seek referrals from your care provider for emotional or psychological support.
You can also talk to your health care provider about exercises that won’t trigger your asthma. You don’t have to give up healthy exercise because you have asthma. Appropriate exercise can help you stay fit so you can fight off asthma triggers such as colds and flu.
- Your Furnace
Have your furnace inspected, and frequently change your air filter to have clean indoor air. If you have questions about your furnace or air quality, a certified HVAC person can help you. Talk to a trustworthy HVAC company, such as Custom Air Inc., to find ways of reducing asthma-inducing factors in your home.
Managing asthma and allergies mainly means being aware of your surroundings and the situations you find yourself in. Know what causes your asthma and allergy problems, and take steps to avoid those causes.