Asthma
Asthma is an inflammatory disease that causes your breathing passage to become narrow and constricted, making it difficult to breathe. A person with asthma will experience chronic or recurring periods of coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing and tightness in the chest. As the disease restricts breathing, it can be dangerous and therefore requires constant monitoring and treatment. Although there’s no cure for asthma, modern treatments have proven quite effective in managing and controlling asthma, many people are considering natural ways to reduce the onset of asthma, such as using CBD oil for asthma treatment. Asthma can be managed by getting medical help, avoiding triggers, and changing your lifestyle.
Seeking Medical Help
Be aware of all your asthma symptoms so you can seek medical help as soon as you notice them. One of the most common asthma symptoms is wheezing. This is caused by the obstruction of your air passage, which results in a high-pitched, whistling sound as the air tries to squeeze through into the lungs. Other people could experience coughing as the only symptom, where the cough becomes chronic, non-productive, and happens mostly at night. Tightness in the chest, shortness of breath and pain are also common symptoms.
Know when to see a doctor. This would be the time when the severity of the symptoms increases, or if you’re not performing at your full productivity at work or school because of the disease. See a doctor if you notice your asthma medications are not working and you’re forced to use quick-relief inhalers several times in a week. Make it a point to visit your doctor at least twice every year to get new prescriptions for your medication.
Avoid Triggers
Asthma triggers can be classified into allergens, irritants, and other triggers. Irritants may include strong odors, chemical fumes, smog or smoke. Be aware of what kind of weather is bad for your asthma, and limit your outdoor activities at such times. Other things you can do to control the effect of irritants around you are staying in non-smoking hotel rooms or dining places, staying away from fireplaces or wooden stoves, checking air quality reports, using scent-free products, avoiding bleach and ammonia when cleaning and wearing a protective mask when doing tasks like sweeping or dusting.
Allergens are substances that trigger an allergic reaction in your body. Common ones include dust mites, pollen, mold, cockroaches, and pet dander, among others. It may not always be possible to avoid allergens, thus talk to your physician about allergy treatments and prescription medication. You can reduce the effects of allergens by avoiding yard work as much as possible, using HEPA filters, avoiding pets with feathers or fur, controlling roaches with baits, replacing carpet with wood or tile, and using hypoallergenic covers to cover pillows and mattresses.
Adjusting Your Lifestyle
Follow your doctor-given action plan, which will be very specific to your case. Track your asthma using a peak flow meter, which measures the speed at which you push air in and out of your lungs. If the peak flow meter is decreasing, it might indicate an incoming attack, and you’ll need to get prepared. Know when you need a rest, as overexertion will lead to fatigue and possibly an asthma attack. Take time to rest and catch your breath, and establish a good sleep routine. Lastly, drink plenty of water and maintain a healthy diet.