Asthma attacks and asthma symptoms can be scary, but if you have an action plan in place they can be prevented. For this World Asthma Day, we’ll look at our top tips to help you minimise your symptoms and lower your risk of having an attack.
1. Create an Action Plan
Asthma and Lung UK recommend that you should use an asthma action plan to be better equipped to manage your symptoms.
An asthma action plan will contain all the information you need in one place, making it more accessible for you and for anyone else who needs to know. It will remind you to look after your asthma each day (normally using your preventer medication) and tells you what you need to do if your asthma gets worse.
If you don’t have an action plan yet, you can download one from Asthma UK, or speak to your GP or asthma nurse.
2. Know Your Triggers and Avoid Them
Allergens or other airborne irritants can make your asthma symptoms worse by irritating your airways.
Some irritants, like the vapours from cleaning products or aerosols, can be easily avoided by switching to products that don’t cause a reaction.
Other irritants aren’t so easy. Irritants like dust and pollen are naturally present in your home, no matter how much you clean. Pollution can also be a factor, especially if you live in a built-up area. You might find it helpful to use something like an air purifier to reduce the number of irritants in your home.
Air purifiers are designed to remove pollutants and allergens from the air in your home. Most come with a HEPA filter, but some models also use activated carbon filters or UV light to capture and neutralise harmful particles.
Asthma symptoms can sometimes worsen at night, which is why a quiet air purifier is essential for an undisturbed sleep.
Look for models with dedicated sleep modes or a Quiet Mark certification such as the Devola Air Purifier with HEPA and Activated Carbon Filter that has a near silent sleep mode.
To view our full range of air purifiers and dehumidifiers with air purifying capabilities.
Did you know that excess humidity can also trigger your asthma? Humidity isn’t something we often think about, but if you walk into a muggy room and the air feels thick, that’s the humidity. To control this in the rooms most susceptible (bathrooms and kitchens), you might consider a dehumidifier.
Uncontrolled humidity can lead to the growth of black mould, which can cause asthma in those who don’t suffer, so it’s very important for this not to happen.
3.Using Your inhaler
The NHS guidelines state:
"The main treatment for asthma is medicines you breathe in using an inhaler. For most people they work well to reduce or prevent asthma symptoms.
Depending on how severe your symptoms are, you may be offered either:
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an inhaler to use only when you get symptoms – this is called an anti-inflammatory reliever (AIR) inhaler
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an inhaler to use every day to help prevent symptoms, as well as when you get symptoms – this is called a maintenance and reliever therapy (MART) inhaler
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2 separate inhalers – a preventer inhaler to use every day to help prevent symptoms, and a blue reliever inhaler to use when you get symptoms (you should not be given a blue reliever inhaler to use on its own)"*
Using your inhaler correctly is very important, for more information see www.NHS.uk
4. Quit Smoking and Avoid Second Hand Smoke
Tobacco smoke, either directly or indirectly, and other smoke like that from bonfires can irritate your airways and exacerbate your symptoms. As well as this, smoking cigarettes can reduce the effectiveness of your asthma medication, so if you smoke and then need to use your inhaler, it might not work as well as you hope.
5. Go for Your Annual Asthma Review
Your once-a-year asthma review is a chance for you to, as you might expect, review your asthma for the last year. You can update your action plan and check your inhaler technique.
You can also raise any issues and check that you’re taking the right medication in the right doses to manage your symptoms.
Even if you’ve been living majorly symptoms-free, it’s worth attending this appointment to make sure that this continues.
However, if you’re noticing your symptoms getting worse or using your reliever inhaler 3 or more times a week, don’t wait for your next review.
6. Get Active
Being active can help improve asthma by boosting stamina, strengthening lung function, and supporting your immune system. However, exercise can trigger asthma symptoms in some people, so make sure your asthma is well controlled and consult your GP or asthma nurse before starting a new activity routine.
7. Try to Avoid Getting Sick
In an ideal world it would be as easy as that, and we know it isn’t, but colds and flu can make your symptoms worse and put you at risk of having an asthma attack.
You can also get the flu shot and ask your GP or asthma nurse if the pneumonia shot is worthwhile for you.
Managing asthma can be challenging but it is possible with proper care and precautions. Avoiding triggers, taking medication as prescribed, and having a plan in place for emergencies are all important steps in controlling asthma symptoms. Additionally, investing in an air purifier can help alleviate symptoms by reducing indoor air pollutants.
So, don’t let asthma put limitations on your life -
Take control and breathe easy.
*This information is not intended to diagnose or treat asthma. Always consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before making any changes to your asthma management.
