It is important that you work with your doctor to make an action plan that you are both happy with. As part of this, you will need to:
* Tell your doctor about all other medications, drugs, and natural remedies you are taking, in case one of them affects your asthma.
* Follow your asthma action plan and have regular checkups.
* Learn to use your medication correctly. Ask your doctor to teach you how to use your inhaler. This is very important. If inhalers are not used correctly, less medication gets into the airways.
You also need to learn to identify and avoid the things that can worsen or trigger your asthma symptoms. These include:
* If animal dander is a problem for you, keep your pet out of the house and/or at least out of your bedroom and wash your pet often, or find it a new home.
* Do not smoke or allow smoking in your home.
* If pollen is a problem for you, stay indoors with the air conditioner on when the pollen count is high.
* To control dust mites, wash your sheets, blankets, pillows, and stuffed toys once a week in hot water. You can get special dust proof covers for your mattress and pillows.
* To prevent colds and flu keep your immune system up and strong by taking natural remedies.
* If you get asthma when you exercise or do routine physical activities like climbing stairs, work with your doctor to find ways to be active without having asthma symptoms. Physical activity is important.
* Try to keep humidity levels in the home between 30 and 50 percent. High humidity can promote growth of biological agents that may trigger asthma episodes. Use exhaust fans or open windows in the kitchen or bathroom areas when cooking, using the dishwasher, or taking showers. Make sure clothes dryers are vented to the outdoors, and use a dehumidifier in the basement if necessary.
* Avoid using humidifiers
* Minimize exposure to combustion particles and gases that can cause breathing difficulties for people with asthma. Have combustion-powered furnaces, stoves, or heaters checked yearly to make sure they are operating properly. Change furnace filters according to the manufacturer's instructions, or every month or two during periods of use.
* Avoid sprays like deodorants, perfumes, or air fresheners, odours from paint
* Keep the house clean to reduce allergens like microscopic dust mites, pollen, and animal dander. Use an allergen-proof comforter and encase mattresses and box springs in vinyl covers. Wash bedding frequently in hot (130°F) water. Try to eliminate cockroaches. Try to keep pets out of the bedrooms of family members with asthma. Use a high-efficiency vacuum system that is vented to the outside to clean the house. If possible, remove the carpeting, drapes, and all upholstered furniture from the bedrooms of those suffering from asthma.
Finally, you should adopt a healthy lifestyle. Eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in fats and sugars, get enough rest, exercise regularly, try to find ways to manage stress in your life. And, find out what natural remedies will help you reduce your asthma attacks and symptoms.
If your asthma seems to be getting worse, see your doctor. You may need to change your medication or do other things to get your asthma under control.
