8 Ways To Protect Yourself As An Asthmatic Individual

Are you one of the millions who suffer from asthma? If so, then you should know how bothersome and even frightening a full-on asthma attack is. Not only can its symptoms interfere with your daily activities, but it can also make it difficult for you to breathe. This can result in a life-threatening situation, especially if you are unable to access your medication or receive urgent medical attention promptly.

As someone living with asthma, it can be difficult to feel positive about your condition, especially if you suffer attacks daily. However, by keeping in mind and practicing the following tips, you can better protect yourself from suffering the worst of asthma and continue to go about your usual activities.

Get trained and certified in first aid

One of the best things you can do to protect yourself as an asthmatic individual is to get proper first aid training, preferably from an accredited first aid training center like those managed by Australia Wide First Aid. By doing so, you will be able to recognize the clinical signs of asthma in yourself and in others, enabling you to quickly do what you need to do to in order to remedy the situation. Australia Wide First Aid will also be able to help you come up with an asthma action plan to prevent future attacks. Depending on the course you take, you may also be able to provide aid in other types of emergencies, not just for yourself but for others as well.

Follow your asthma action plan faithfully

Create a detailed asthma action plan with your doctor, and follow it religiously. Asthma is a lifelong health condition that requires regular monitoring and constant treatment. By being on top of your asthma status and ensuring that your medication is current, you can rest assured that you are in control of your health and can easily deal with any symptoms that may come your way. This will give you the confidence to do the activities you want without constantly being in fear of your condition.

Get vaccinated for certain diseases such as influenza and pneumonia

Pneumonia and influenza are just two of the many diseases that can trigger or exacerbate your asthma attacks. By getting vaccinations for these diseases, you can help minimize the chances of an asthma attack happening or becoming so bad that you have to get urgent medical attention.

Identify your asthma triggers, and avoid them as much as possible

Work with your doctor to find out what your asthma triggers are, and take steps to limit your exposure to them. For example, if your main triggers are airborne pollutants or particulates such as smoke and pollen, then wear a face mask or even a respirator when you’re stepping outdoors. If it’s a food-based allergen, then limit your intake of such foods, and make sure to notify restaurant staff about your condition before ordering.

Take note of your breathing

Now and then, listen to and take note on how you’re breathing. Are you coughing more than usual? Is there a wheezing noise or sensation at the tail end of each breath you take? Is it suddenly difficult to catch your breath? These are all symptoms that can signify that an asthma attack is about to occur. If you train yourself to notice these symptoms quickly, you can stop the attack from becoming a full-blown one.

Stop unhealthy habits

If you have any unhealthy habits such as smoking, staying up late, or excessive alcohol consumption, consider stopping them and adopting a healthier lifestyle. Doing so will help strengthen your body’s immune system, allowing you to recover from asthma attacks and other illnesses more quickly. Moreover, daily exercise and a healthy diet will also improve your overall health and sense of well-being.

Clean your home of potential asthma triggers

Give your home a thorough cleaning to clear it of any potential asthma triggers such as dust, pollen, mold, animal dander, and dust mites. For example, if you have wall-to-wall carpeting, then have it professionally vacuumed and cleaned more often, or have it replaced with something hypo-allergenic like tile or engineered wood flooring. Replace your pillows periodically as they can become dust and dust mite magnets, and make sure to wash your pillowcases and bedcovers regularly. Also consider purchasing a HEPA air filter to improve the overall indoor air quality of your home. By doing these changes, you can turn your home into an asthma-free place for you to relax and recover in.

Keep your medication with you at all times

Finally, always ensure that you have an adequate supply of your prescribed asthma medication with you at all times. Keep your supply in your pocket or in a container that you wear on you. This may be inconvenient, but it significantly cuts down the chances of you forgetting your medication or misplacing it somewhere while you’re outdoors.

Asthma may be a lifelong condition, but it can be managed

Asthma can be difficult to live with. However, with proper medication, a healthy lifestyle, and the strict observance of the tips listed above, you can keep your asthma symptoms in check while being able to once more do the daily activities you once enjoyed without fear.

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Written By:

Briana Jones is a digital marketer from the Philippines. She is passionate about living a healthy lifestyle and finding ways to achieve modern comforts in a sustainable manner. In her free time, you can find her prepping meals in the kitchen or exploring new running routes in the neighborhood. She also loves traveling. 

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com. 

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