Asthma Management Strategies — 6 Easy Steps To Better Breathing
Asthma is more common than you might think, affecting over 300 million people worldwide.
While it certainly doesn’t make life any easier, you don’t have to let it slow you down.
A surprising number of individuals with asthma go on to become top athletes — they just have to do a bit of extra work to manage their symptoms.
If you’re ready to take control of your asthma, instead of letting it control you — then there are steps you can take.
Whether it’s improving your physical health, using a breathing device, or optimizing your inhaler use — you can make breathing a lot easier with a little effort.
There are lots of interesting ideas that may be helpful, but for this article, we’re going to focus on a few, proven techniques that are sure to make a difference.
Here are 6 tips that can have you breathing easier in no time.
1. Exercise, Exercise, Exercise!
Those top athletes have the right idea — but you don’t need to take it to that extreme.
Staying healthy and active is the key, though.
You don’t need to work yourself into the ground, but staying active enough to keep your lungs healthy will make a huge difference in your breathing.
2. Inhaler Optimization
You may think you know how to use an inhaler already — but there’s likely room for improvement.
Many people don’t exactly use their inhalers “wrong,” but they don’t use them as well as they could, either.
Ask your doctor to watch you using your inhaler, and they can likely suggest a tip or two for improving how the medication reaches your airways.
3. Breathing Device
Oscillating Positive Expiratory Pressure (or OPEP) devices can bust up all that mucus blocking your airways, and let in the oxygen.
They don’t use any drugs or chemicals — just gentle pressure that helps to clear the path for your breathing.
4. Know Your Triggers
There are some things that can set off an asthma attack, and it’s just best if you do what you can to avoid them entirely.
Some triggers are common to most people, and some will be unique to the individual.
Maybe for you, the problems are leaf mold and cat fur — or dogs and pollen.
Whatever your triggers are, get to know them, and figure out how you can avoid them whenever possible.
5. Quit Smoking
This doesn’t require any further explanation.
If you smoke — just quit.
6. Stay Healthy
What may be a harmless virus for someone else could be a serious problem for an individual with asthma.
Take care to avoid colds, the flu, and other viral nasties that can wreak havoc on your body.
This means extra hand washing, avoiding sick people, and a flu vaccine if you can.
With a little extra care and a bit of effort, there’s no reason for your asthma to slow you down.
The main thing is to keep yourself healthy with exercise and good hygiene, clear your airways and keep them strong with an OPEP breathing device and proper use of your inhaler — and for heaven’s sake, quit smoking.
Follow these steps, and you’ll be running marathons before you know it — or if you’re like me, mostly walking them.
Either way — I’ll see you at the finish line.
