World Asthma Day, which is celebrated on the first Tuesday of May every year, aims to spread awareness, care, and support for people suffering from this severe health problem. The theme of World Asthma Day 2019, which falls on 7th May, is STOP– Symptom Evaluation, Test Response, Observe & Assess and Proceed. On this World Asthma Day 2019, with an initiative to help you stay healthy, we discuss 5 effective ways to control your asthma problem.
1. Always Keep your Inhaler Handy
If you suffer from asthma, keep your inhaler handy. When the symptoms of asthma aggravate along with severe wheezing and coughing, an inhaler can come to your rescue. Inhalers are the most effective way to take asthma medicines as they help in delivering your medicines directly to your lungs. This relieves cough, chest tightness, wheezing and shortness of breath caused by asthma. However, when it comes to inhalers, the one-size-fits-all formula is not applicable. Consult your doctor to find out the type of inhaler that will be best for you.
2. Allergy-Proof Your Home
Allergy-proof your home to minimize exposure to elements that trigger asthma. The most effective way to allergy-proof your home and manage asthma is by installing an air purifier. The indoor air is 5 times more polluted than the outdoor air, which is why you need to take special care to keep the indoor air healthy. Pollutants such as dust, pollen, pet hair, PM2.5 are some of the common asthma triggers. A HEPA air purifier effectively catches and traps these pollutants present in the indoor air, thereby helping you avoid asthma triggers.
3. Keep a Check on your Diet
Not just air pollution, but some of the food items can also trigger an asthma attack. Considering this, it is important to keep a check on your diet and avoid foods that trigger an attack. Food items such as wheat, soy, peanuts, milk, eggs, and fish trigger an asthma attack. However, including a lot of fruits, vegetables, omega-3 fatty acids in your diet can help you stay healthy and manage asthma.
4. Avoid Taking Stress
A trigger that many asthma patients ignore is stress. In fact, stress is a major factor in triggering an asthma attack. Stress increases the inflammation in the airways of the lungs, thereby worsening the asthma symptoms. Practice yoga regularly or meditating for an hour can be of great help in coping and managing stress as much as possible.
5. Stay away from Smoking Areas
Active and passive smoking can trigger severe asthma and block your airways. Make sure you stay away from all sources of smoke, which includes incense, fire, cigarette smoke or candles wherever possible. Follow the tips to stay away from smoke:
- Avoid smoking zones in public areas
- Make your home a smoke-free zone
- Use an air purifier
Final Words
With approximately 1.5 – 2 crore asthma patients, at least one in every 10 asthma patient globally, lives in India. The deteriorating air quality is one of the reasons why there has been a sharp increase in the cases of asthma. However, with proper care, eating habits and precautions, it is possible to manage asthma. Following the tips mentioned above can be of great help in managing asthma. However, if you get frequent asthma attacks, it is a sign that you need to take additional precautions to avoid asthma triggers. In such a situation, it is necessary to consult your doctor and opt for some lifestyle changes.