What Is Triggering Your Asthma Attacks?
If you struggle with asthma, you know the extreme toll that this chronic lung condition can take on your life. If you are able to identify the triggers of your asthma, you will be in a much better position to be able to manage the severity of your asthma attacks. Do you know what's triggering your symptoms?
Many people with asthma find that their symptoms worsen considerably when they are exposed to tobacco smoke. Is this the case for you? If so, you will do your asthma a big favor by avoiding places where tobacco smoke is common. Make a commitment to only frequent restaurants and bars where smoking is banned, and avoid being around people who smoke.
Many asthmatics find that their symptoms worsen when they are sick with a cold or the flu. To decrease your chances of getting sick, make sure to always get a flu shot, and take preventative measures to ward off other illnesses. Our bodies are most vulnerable when we have not gotten adequate amounts of sleep, so as much as you can, do your best to get a decent amount of sleep each night. Make sure you are eating well and giving your body the nutrients it needs to fight off infection. Drink plenty of water each day to help flush out harmful toxins.
Additionally, some medications can increase your chances of having a severe asthma attack. Take a list of all your medications and the doses of each of them with you to your doctor's office to see if the culprit behind your asthma attacks could be a medication that you are currently taking. It could be that switching to a different type of medicine might give your asthma some relief. Your doctor will be able to evaluate the likelihood that your current medications are to blame and suggest alternatives that may work better for you.
Anxiety and stress has been known to trigger asthma attacks. Are you stressed or worried a lot of the time? If so, taking steps to reduce your anxiety may be beneficial. Many people find that journaling about their day is a good way to process the events in their life. Getting all your thoughts and feelings out on paper can be a helpful way to let go of the things that you cannot control. Other people find that engaging in regular exercise is an excellent way to get rid of stress in their life and elevate mild levels of depression. Consider engaging in regular exercise three to four times a week; after several weeks of this, evaluate the difference that this has made on your asthma. You will likely notice that you have an easier time sleeping at night, increased energy during the day, and a more positive outlook on life.
We wish you luck in managing your asthma! Knowing what triggers your attacks will do a lot towards reducing the severity of your asthma symptoms. Make the commitment to manage your asthma today!
