Asthma is a chronic condition in which one’s airways swell up and narrow. They produce extra mucus, which can lead to difficulty in breathing. Common symptoms of the disease include coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, and wheezing. Although most patients learn to live with it, asthma can be life-threatening in the case of a severe attack. There is no complete cure for it yet, but there are many methods to prevent or control attacks. This can be done by using inhalers (control and rescue), inhalant steroids, etc. Additionally, one can control their diet and maintain a healthy lifestyle to manage asthma.

Lifestyle tips for managing asthma
By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, asthma can just be regarded as an inconvenience, and not be a condition that disrupts everyday life.

Diet
Maintaining a healthy diet is always in your benefit and avoiding foods that trigger asthma can do the trick. Apart from foods you’re already allergic to, the following are food items that may trigger asthma attacks:

• Eggs
• Peanuts
• Tree nuts
• Shellfish
• Milk
• Soy
• Wheat

To prevent asthma from developing, the following foods are recommended to be taken in abundance:

• Fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids
• Olive oil
• Fresh fruits
• Vegetables
• Whole grains

Exercise
To keep your lungs working well and healthy, it is always best to keep fit. Since it is hard to breathe during attacks, it is crucial to stick to non-intensive regimes as lifestyle tips for managing asthma. You can try things like yoga and meditation, and consult with your doctor about other exercises.

Minimizing environmental triggers

• You can keep your home asthma-friendly by getting rid of triggers such as pet dander, dust mites, mold, cigarette smoke, and chemical irritants like paint, air fresheners, and cleaning agents.
• You can wear a face mask when you’re using a vacuum cleaner
• Put dust-mite covers on your mattresses and pillows
• Get rid of mold on your carpets, if you have any

Managing your prescriptions

• Always follow the instructions of your healthcare provider regarding your asthma treatment.
• You can use quick-relief medication, allergy shots, or long term control medication.
• Set a medicine schedule that plans out when you should take which medicine and make it a routine.
• If your child has asthma, share these schedules and emergency precautions with the child’s teachers and the school nurse.
• If you are undergoing certain procedures to control asthma and it does not seem to lessen your symptoms, consult your doctor, and look for an alternative. Keep a journal regarding your symptoms and what your medication does to ease them.

Alternative medicine

• Some therapies can help as lifestyle tips for managing asthma. These include new breathing techniques, meditation, caffeine, supplements, acupuncture, etc.
• Certain teas are also found to have some beneficial effects. They include black tea, licorice, fennel, green tea, and eucalyptus.

Traveling with asthma

• Traveling can make it hard for you to control environmental triggers that can affect your condition.
• Regardless of the mode of transport you use, always carry your asthma medication. Make sure said medication is easily accessible to you and not packed away in luggage.
• Be sure to take all your protective materials such as dust-mite-proof pillow covers, handkerchief, inhaler, etc.