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10 Self-Care Tips for Asthma Patients

Jun 4, 2018

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While many people require professional care from medical care centers in Suffolk County, NY, everyone with asthma can benefit from making healthy lifestyle changes with their asthma in mind. Read on for top tips to help care for and manage your asthma symptoms.

Manage Exposure to Allergens

One of the best things you can do to minimize asthma symptoms is to manage your exposure to allergens. Dust, pollen, animal fur, or whatever triggers your breathing problems should be watched for and monitored. Check allergen forecasts and plan ahead with your health in mind.

Drink Enough Water

Drinking water is good for you in so many ways, including the management of your asthma. Being well-hydrated keeps your mucus thinner, aiding breathing as well as digestion.

Watch What You Eat

Avoid foods that you know trigger allergies, but also avoid foods that are high in sugar or fried fats. Both increase mucous secretion and thickening.

Change Your Air Filters

To keep the air clean in your home, make sure to regularly clean or change your air filters. When they trap dust and distribute it around your home, it can cause breathing problems and trigger asthma symptoms.

Minimize Dust

In addition to changing air filters, take further steps to minimize the dust in your home, workplace, or other areas where you spend significant amounts of time. A simple routine of dusting, vacuuming, and cleaning fabric surfaces can help prevent dust buildup. Don’t forget to wear a mask while cleaning to avoid inhaling the dust that gets kicked up in the process.

Avoid Fragrance Sprays

Besides dust, another major trigger of breathing problems is fragrance sprays. Perfumes, air fresheners, cleaning sprays, and other mists can cause many problems for your lungs and respiratory system, and they should generally be avoided for your comfort.

Build Up to an Active Lifestyle

A healthy lifestyle that includes physical activity is excellent for your lung health, but it can also be a trigger for certain types of asthma. Under the care of your doctor, build up to a regular exercise routine for best results.

Avoid Smoke

If you suffer from asthma, you obviously should avoid smoking, but you should also avoid areas where you will be exposed to second-hand smoke. Inhaling the smoke of others can be just as dangerous to your health.

Keep Your Inhaler Handy

Of course, you should always keep your inhaler handy in case of emergencies. Keep one in your purse, car, gym bag, emergency kit, or wherever you will have easy access to it at all times.

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Watch for and Manage Symptoms

Finally, be aware of your triggers and symptoms of an oncoming attack, and act quickly if you notice that something is wrong. For help managing your symptoms or to ask medical questions, set up an appointment with the experts at the Peconic Bay Medical Center today.