6 Tips for Better Managing Asthma

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that makes it difficult for you to breathe. At Primary Care Walk-in Medical Clinic, the skilled physicians understand how frightening an asthma attack can be. They provide urgent care services to restore your breathing ability and protect your respiratory health.

The Primary Care Walk-in Medical Clinic team is also passionate about helping you prevent asthma attacks and related complications. They offer resources to reduce your risk for respiratory issues and help you keep your asthma well-managed.

Why you have asthma

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that may develop because of certain genetic factors or your environment. There’s no clear understanding of why certain people have asthma while others don’t.

For those with allergy-induced asthma, exposure to certain elements in your environment can trigger an allergy attack. During an attack, your airways begin to swell and narrow, limiting how much oxygen you can take in. Your body also produces excess mucus that further complicates your breathing.

What’s triggering your asthma

Asthma can be triggered by substances in the air you breathe at home, at work, and in nature. Some of the most common environmental triggers of asthma include:

• Mold
• Cold air
• Pollen
• Pet dander
• Cigarette smoke
• Respiratory infections

In some, underlying medical conditions, like gastroesophageal reflux diseases (GERD) or excess stress, can cause an asthma attack.

If you have exercise-induced asthma, any type of strenuous physical activity can trigger asthma-related breathing problems.

While there are over 19 million adults in the United States living with asthma, not everyone is affected by the disease in the same way. For some, asthma symptoms are mild and occasional while others experience extreme breathing issues that can become life-threatening without prompt treatment.

6 tips for getting your asthma under control

You can play an active role in your everyday life to reduce your risk for additional asthma attacks. The medical team at Primary Walk-in Medical Clinic offers customized treatment plans and ongoing monitoring services to help you cope with your asthma condition.

While there’s no cure for asthma, there are things you can do to prevent a severe asthma attack and related respiratory complications.

1. Follow your doctor’s recommendations

If you’re on medications to treat your asthma, make sure you follow through with your treatment. This is important for preventing asthma attacks, even when you’re feeling fine.

Because asthma is a chronic condition, the medications you take are important for keeping your asthma well-controlled. On-going treatment reduces your risk for additional attacks and asthma-related lung complications.

2. Know how to use your medications

Many people use an inhaler device to deliver quick-acting medications into their airways during an asthma flare-up. However, not everyone is using it properly.

The Primary Care Walk-in Medical Clinic staff works closely with you to ensure you can use your inhaler and other breathing treatment technologies correctly and safely.

3. Get to know your triggers

In order to avoid the irritants and allergens that trigger an allergy attack, you have to know what they are. Pay attention to how you feel when you’re around certain substances or environments.

The team at Primary Walk-in Care Medical Clinic can also identify what substances cause an allergy-induced asthma attack through on-site allergy testing. Once you understand your triggers, you need to make the necessary lifestyle changes to avoid them.

4. Stay physically active

Exercise is important for keeping your immune system healthy and your breathing muscles strong. Regular exercise also helps you maintain a healthy body weight to prevent additional stress on your lungs.

You can exercise safely despite having asthma by following through with your treatments and working with your physician on the right type of exercise plan.

5. Protect yourself from viruses

Colds and the seasonal flu can have a significant impact on the health and function of your lungs. When you have asthma, it’s important you protect yourself from such viruses by following a good hygiene routine.

Be sure to wash your hands often and avoid touching your face when out in public. Get a seasonal flu shot and stay away from others who are sick whenever possible.

6. Create an emergency plan

Because you can come into contact with asthma triggers unexpectedly, you need to have an emergency plan in place to treat an attack.

The Primary Care Walk-in Medical team can help you design a plan that ensures you have access to medications when you need them and know when to seek medical treatment at the hospital or by calling 911.

Life with asthma can be difficult but with the right treatment and support of your doctor, you can enjoy a high-quality, active lifestyle. To get help with your asthma, call Primary Care Walk-in Medical Clinic to schedule an appointment in advance or visit the clinic in person today.