World Asthma Day: How to prevent and manage an asthma attack

While asthma cannot be cured, there are things you can do to manage it well. Here are few strategies to follow.

By: Dr Anitha Anchan | | Updated: April 28, 2017 11:28 am

Asthma cannot be cured, but it can be managed well with a number of treatment options aimed at relieving the symptoms and preventing the occurrence of severe asthma attacks. You can also read specific articles like management of asthma in children, home remedies for asthma, drugs for asthma and useful tips to prevent asthma.

What can I do to prevent an asthma attack?

Limit exposure to allergens

Avoid pets with fur or feathers in the house or keep them outdoors.
Use an air conditioner with a clean air filter.
When pollen counts are high, stay indoors as far as possible.
Dust mites live in fabrics and carpets. Cover bedding and pillows using allergen proof covers. Change bed sheets and pillow covers regularly. Wash the bed and pillow covers in hot water. Replace carpeted floor with hardwood floors or tile.
Avoid stuffed animals or only buy washable ones.
Avoid foam rubber bedding with synthetic materials.
Keep your kitchen and bathroom clean. Keep them dry to prevent mould and cockroaches.
Avoid air pollution, industrial dusts and other irritating fumes as much as possible.
Eliminate tobacco smoke from home. World Asthma Day: First-aid for asthma attacks you should be aware of.

Take regular medications

Control medications should be taken every day to maintain the airways. They prevent an attack of asthma. They maintain the normal diameter of the airways and control airway inflammation. Quit smoking, it can undo the effect of any medicine you are taking. Are you being overmedicated for asthma?

Monitor lung function

Lung function usually decreases a couple of days prior to an asthma attack. A peak flow meter is a simple device to your lung function. It measures how quickly you can move air out of your lungs. It helps you see if an attack is coming and when medication is needed or other action needs to be taken. Peak flow values of 50% – 80% of your best results are a sign of a moderate asthma attack. Values below 50% are a sign of a severe attack. World Asthma Day: Pranayama for asthma relief.

What should I do when I have an asthma attack?

Take a puff from the inhaler. Always keep your inhaler with you.
Open the windows of the room if you are in a warm and humid room.
Loosen any tight clothing. Sit-up.
If you do not feel any better, continue to take a puff every minute for 3 to 5 minutes or until your symptoms improve
If all the above steps fail, contact your doctor.

What are my chances of recovering completely from asthma?

There is no cure for asthma. Symptoms sometimes improve over time. With proper self-management and prompt medical treatment, most people with asthma can lead normal lives. Read more about causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of asthma.

What happens if I do not take my asthma medications? What are the complications of asthma?

Decreased quality of life – Decreased ability to exercise and take part in other activities, fatigue, underperformance or absence from work, psychological problems including stress, anxiety and depression.
Respiratory complications – Asthma can lead to a number of serious respiratory complications like pneumonia (infection of the lungs), a collapse of part or all of the lung and respiratory failure. In acute respiratory failure, the bronchial tubes are completely blocked. Oxygen level in the blood becomes dangerously low, or carbon dioxide level becomes dangerously high. Such patients have to be put on ventilators immediately to avoid fatality. Could your child’s cough be a symptom of asthma?
In pregnant women, asthma complications may include early labour, hypertension, gestational diabetes and haemorrhage. Asthma also puts their babies at risk of low birth weight and breathing disorders.
Status asthmaticus (severe asthma attacks that do not respond to treatment).

Image source: Getty Images

Published: May 4, 2015 12:30 pm | Updated:April 28, 2017 11:28 am

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