Breath of Relief
If you have a diagnosis of asthma, know that you have a great deal of control over the frequency and severity of your disease symptoms, including asthma attacks. Here are some tips for managing your symptoms and helping in preventing asthma attacks.
Consult with your healthcare provider for individualized information. Seek emergency assistance if you are experiencing serious difficulty breathing and do not respond promptly to home medication therapy.
Many new medications and treatments are available that help prevent asthma attacks. Ask your healthcare provider if any of the newer treatments may benefit you. The more that you know about your illness, and how to prevent flare-ups, the fewer asthma attacks and other symptoms you will likely have.
12 Actionable Tips for Asthma Attack Prevention
1. Develop an Attack Plan
Work with your healthcare provider to develop a written plan for treating asthma attacks. An effective treatment plan will clearly list steps to take at the first sign of an asthma attack to stop its progression. It will also help you to know when to take emergency medications and call for medical assistance. Learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of an asthma attack and its severity.
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2. Enlist Your Friends and Family
Share your asthma treatment plan with your loved ones. Keep it in a conspicuous location and have a current list of all of your medications, health history and allergies handy. Maintain a list of your doctors, your pharmacist and other health care providers, including their telephone numbers. Know how to reach emergency services if needed. Make sure family members know where you keep your rescue medications.
If your asthma symptoms are affected by the changes in season, then seasonal asthma may be at play. Here are six things you can do to manage it.