If you keep the asthma dos and don’ts in mind, you are less likely to face asthma attacks. There are not any sure cures for this illness of the respiratory system. But the key to keeping it in check is to make sure that you make some minor alterations to you lifestyle. A lot of people have benefitted by taking regular medication, doing breathing exercises and avoiding certain triggers.
The Don’ts:
• Do not eat certain food items like refined flour, milk products and white sugar which cause mucus to form. Mucus blocks the air pathways. Therefore, some minor changes in your diet might be called for. Children should keep away from chocolates.
• Most people refuse to accept that the breathing disorder they have is asthma. They just brush it aside as breathlessness or some minor breathing problem. It is better to accept and take the necessary medication before it becomes chronic.
• Do not expose yourself to cold weather. When cold hits the chest, the throat and the back, it can bring on an attack. So keep yourself warm at all times.
• The air-conditioning system in the house and offices can also aggravate asthmatic symptoms. The vents and filters should be periodically cleaned.
• Smoking actively or even passively can trigger an asthma attack. Avoid smoking and take care not to expose yourself to smoke.
• Pets that shed hair should not be kept at home. The hair of these pets and their excretions are also known to trigger asthma.
The Dos:
• One main culprit that sets off asthma is dust. There should be adequate ventilation in the house to ensure low moisture levels. Dust mites aggravate asthma attacks; therefore the house should be regularly vacuumed. Beddings, pillow cases and quilts should be washed frequently. Bathrooms too, should be well-ventilated. Excess moisture can breed mildew. Constant exposure to mildew is not good for people with breathing ailments.
• In case of asthma, you should identify the trigger that brings on an attack. Some allergens might cause only minimal reaction whereas other allergens might cause a full-fledged attack. It is better to avoid exposure to these triggers.
• It is better to eat several light meals a day. There is no need for a particular diet but the daily intake of food should include fresh fruit and vegetables. Whole grain cereals are also considered beneficial.
• Learn to identify the early warning signs of an attack. Medicines or breathing exercises can then ensure that it does not become a full-blown attack. Many people benefit from this single cue and are able to manage their asthma better.
The asthma dos and don’ts mentioned above will ensure that your problem is kept control and you can live a normal life. Most asthmatics these days are barely dependent on inhalers and other medicines. These points are not only simple to follow but definitely beneficial if followed. So go ahead, and live a life free from asthma.