Asthma has no cure because it is a genetic change that when associated with environmental factors can trigger symptoms such as intense difficulty breathing because of the narrowing of the places where the air passes until reaching the alveoli of the lungs.
However, when controlling the disease, one can live many years with asthma and the individual can have a normal life, doing physical activity and even serving the army.
How to live with asthma
Since there is no cure, the person with asthma should learn to recognize the most intense symptoms and know what to do in an emergency. It is advisable to always have the asthma bomb near, even when it seems that the attacks are controlled.
To control asthma it is important to:
1- Use the asthma medications prescribed by the pulmonologist
Asthma can be controlled with the use of asthma medications, popularly known as 'asthma bomb'. Asthma medications should be prescribed by the pulmonologist after asthma diagnoses can be done by observing their symptoms and conducting respiratory tests that show the lack of air in the lungs.
In addition to the remedies to be used in an emergency, the physician should prescribe a remedy that must be inhaled daily to control the inflammation present in the bronchi, preventing asthmatic crises. Usually these remedies are used for life, but are well tolerated and the newer ones do not alter cardiac function. Learn more about asthma remedies.
2- Identify what causes the asthma crisis
Some environmental factors can trigger an 'asthma attack', such as perfumes, air fresheners, dust mites in domestic dust, and pet hair such as dog and cat. In some cases strenuous physical exercises can trigger an asthmatic crisis, in which case exercise should be avoided until asthma has been properly controlled.
3 - Keep the house clean
The home of the asthmatic should always be clean and organized, with few surfaces that can accumulate dust and care must be taken especially in the individual's room. The house should be cleaned daily with water and a damp cloth, avoiding scented candles, incense, air spray and cleaning agents with an intense odor.
You should avoid or even not have carpets, curtains, plush toys or thick blankets that can not be washed weekly. Despite this, there are several practical solutions to having the house clean and comfortable for the asthmatic. Here are some tips on how to care for your baby with asthma.
4 - Take exams regularly
At least once a year, the person with asthma should go to an appointment with a pulmonologist to assess their respiratory capacity and adjust the dose of the medication.
Taking an allergy test is very helpful for asthma sufferers because it makes it easier to identify the main care you should take with your asthma. After identifying the allergens the doctor can indicate the use of the 'vaccines for asthma', which consists of a treatment to desensitize the patient and thus he may not have certain allergies, facilitating the control of asthma.
Learn more about exams to diagnose asthma.
5 - Improve breathing
To improve breathing it is advised to exercise regularly. After learning to control the disease, using the medicines and avoiding anything that can trigger an asthma attack, the asthmatic can start exercising. To start you should opt for walking or cycling because they are aerobic exercises that improve lung function.
It is recommended to use the remedy for asthma control before starting physical activity and at the end of the activity. If you feel shortness of breath during exercise you can decrease the intensity to see if your breathing improves or you use the 'asthma bomb' and rest for 5 minutes or until your breathing is controlled and then return to activity.
Usually with improved fitness, there is no need to use the 'pumpkin during exercise'. At this point, the patient can choose the physical activity that he likes best to be able to dedicate himself to it. Here are some examples: The best physical exercises for asthma.
Also see how eating can help relieve the symptoms of asthma:
Learn how to treat asthma:
- Asthma Treatment
- How to avoid asthma attacks
- How to use the asthma bomb correctly
