Do you feel short of breath when you walk fast, jog, run or take a hike?

Do you feel heavy in your chest every time you have a cold or a cough?

Do you have a cough that gets worse?

Then you could have asthma, which is a common but chronic condition that needs medical intervention, treatment, and supervision. 

We discuss the complex nature of the chronic condition of asthma, its persistent challenges and actionable steps for risk reductions and the sustainable management of this disease. 

What Is Asthma? 

Asthma is a serious, chronic respiratory disease where the airways that carry air from the nose and mouth to the lungs become swollen, narrow, the muscles around your bronchial tubes tighten, and produce thicker, excess mucus, making it difficult for you to breathe. 

It’s a myth that asthma only affects children, even though it affects a large proportion of that age group, and being the one of the main reasons for school absenteeism. Asthma can carry into adulthood for many, while adults can experience it for the first time as adults. 

So, how common is asthma? 

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA),

• Over 65 million Americans have asthma and allergies. Some may have one or both the conditions. 
• Around 25 million Americans have asthma (20 million adults and 5 million children).

Why Is It Important To Control Asthma?

Asthma, if not controlled and managed correctly, can be a huge setback to most people as it interrupts your daily activities and can negatively affect your life.

Many people don’t understand the severe impact that asthma has on day-to-day life. How much of a toll on your job, relationship and interests asthma can have. People with asthma find daily life to be a struggle most days without a rescue inhaler. They are constantly on their toes checking the weather and if it can trigger another attack. 

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) survey,

• 97% of people with asthma said that it limits their everyday tasks
• 83% of people said severe asthma negatively affects their relationships
• 78% of people said that their chronic asthma is always in the back of their mind

When uncontrolled, it can also lead to an asthma attack, which can be fatal. 

How To Manage Your Asthma Condition?

While there is no cure for asthma, you can certainly control and manage the symptoms effectively.

Here are some steps that you can take today to manage asthma and live better. 

1. Watch Out For These Asthma Symptoms

It’s important to look out for early signs of asthma before it worsens. 

There is a wide range of asthma symptoms but the most common ones are:

• Wheezing 
• Chest pain
• Chest tightness
• Shortness of breath 
• Breathing difficulties/ Impaired breathing (short, quick or noisy)
• Frequent coughing, especially after exercise or at night

The intensity and frequency of asthma symptoms can vary for individuals. When the symptoms get worse, it is called an asthma attack or flare-up. 

2. Know Your Asthma Triggers 

Asthma is a psychosomatic disorder that causes an overreaction to certain triggers. You can manage your condition by avoiding the below common triggers: 

• Intense exercise
• Food additives like sulfates 
• Dysfunctional relationships 
• Intense emotions such as stress, crying, and laughter 
• Respiratory virus, such as a cold or the flu
• Irritants such as smoke, scented products such as perfumes, and pollution
• Allergens such as mold, pollen, animal dander, dust mites, and pets

3. Stay Fit Through A Healthy And Stress free Lifestyle 

First, there’s a myth that people with asthma shouldn’t exercise. 

While exercise can trigger asthma symptoms, moderate exercise or exercise done correctly (with warm-ups and cool-downs to avoid attacks) is exceptionally important to improve your lung function and overall health. Yoga, breathing and posture exercises are smart options to improve your overall lung functionality. 

If you notice that you’re coughing or are short of breath, then it’s time to pause and even consult your doctor. 

What you eat directly affects your gut microbes. A healthy diet helps better absorption of various nutrients required for your bodily functions. Various studies have proven the connection between an individual’s gut microbiome and their lung immunity. An imbalance in gut bacteria leads to altered immune development and inflammatory responses, influencing asthma development. Having a diet that supports gut health can improve your asthma condition. 

Remaining calm is essential for people with asthma. Our bodies’ natural stress response, called the “fight or flight” mode, can make asthma symptoms worse. If you suffer from asthma, it’s important to check your emotions and operate in a balanced state.

4. Maintain A Clean Surrounding

Maintain a clean-living environment in your home and surroundings to breathe easier and better. 

Check on the weather and air quality regularly via free online services like AirNow.gov for your location via email.

You can improve and maintain healthy air in your home with the following tips:

• Clean spills immediately
• Vacuum to reduce dust particles.
• Cover trash and dispose in trash containers
• Clean bathrooms, kitchens and other surfaces regularly 
• Clean and disinfect surfaces people touch often 
• Check windows, showers and other areas for mold and clean with soap and water
• Avoid scented products 
• Don’t smoke or vape indoors
• Get fresh air in the home by opening the windows and exhaust fans for a while if possible
• Open windows when you use cleaning products and disinfectants
• Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors

You can get your entire family involved in making your home a clean and safe place. While it’s a necessary step to improve your asthma condition, you can also make it a fun family bonding activity. 

5. Collaborate With Your Doctor And Chart An Asthma Plan For You

Consult your doctor and get an asthma action plan that works for you. Share any concerns you have about your asthma condition with your doctor. 

Your doctor might conduct a lung function test, a painless, accurate method that will help assess your lung strength, volume and breathing capacity.

An asthma action plan will typically include short-term medications to provide you with quick relief in case of an asthma flare up or attack and long-term medications that help you keep your condition under control. It should also include medical contacts and emergency information. 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), inhaled medication can control asthma symptoms and allow you to lead a normal, active life.

Some asthma patients do not use the inhaler properly. Learn how to use your inhaler properly and you can ask your doctor to show you the correct way. 

Be Patient, Flexible And Prepared 

While there’s no cure for asthma, there are several advanced treatment plans to help you control it effectively. Without knowing the root cause of your asthma, it’ll be difficult to treat it. 

Be patient, flexible, and prepared with your asthma treatment plan, as you can face an attack. 

If you’ve not been diagnosed earlier with asthma but you suspect you may have it or want to re-evaluate your asthma plan to control the symptoms better, then don’t hesitate to talk to our healthcare team at Los Gatos Doc, the best primary care doctor in Campbell, CA.

Disclaimer: We routinely draw upon public health resources to inform our write-ups. Information in this article may be drawn up from multiple public health sources, including:

• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
• Medline Plus
• National Institutes of Health 
• American Medical Association
• American Association of Family Physicians
• Mayo Clinic
• Family Doctor