Lifestyle Changes to Manage Asthma
- Home
- |
- What is Asthma?
- |
- Lifestyle Changes to Manage Asthma
当哮喘和过敏症患者思考等ing symptoms, they often turn to medications that specifically address their respiratory issues. However, many experts say patients should take a broader view of their health and consider lifestyle factors that can impact their breathing.
Taking a whole-body approach to lung health is not just about quality of life. It can also be a matter of life and death, says Purvi Parikh, MD, board-certified allergist with Allergy and Asthma Associates of Murray Hill in New York City.
“We see 10 deaths a day in this country alone from asthma,” she says. “Many people think it’s a benign disease, but it can be very dangerous if not controlled.”
While you should always consult with your doctor about specific symptoms and medications, you should also evaluate your lifestyle – sleep, exercise, nutrition, stress management and environmental factors.
“These things are all connected. They are not isolated,” Dr. Parikh says. “Your lungs work with every organ in your body, so if something else is not working right, it will affect your lungs.”
How to take a “whole body” approach to managing your allergies and asthma
- Prioritize good sleep and relaxation.
- Try to keep your weight in a healthy range.
- Forget junk food. Focus instead on fresh fruits and vegetables and lean meats.
- Aim for at least a little exercise every day.
- Don’t skip doctor’s appointments.
- Take medications as prescribed and refill prescriptions before they run out.
- Stay current with your vaccinations, especially influenza and pneumonia.
- Keep windows and doors closed on days when pollen counts are high and air quality is poor.
See Asthma Resources Courtesy of Asthma.com by GSK
Good sleep is important for allergy and asthma management
Getting enough sleep is key to overall health, not just for asthma or allergy management. People who do not get enough sleep on a regular basis will struggle to control their immune system, which plays a huge role in lung health.
“When you don’t sleep enough, you are more likely to have uncontrolled asthma or allergies, and you are also more likely to catch infections or viruses that can affect your lungs,” Dr. Parikh, board-certified allergist with Allergy & Asthma Associates of Murray Hill in New York City, says.
Adults should aim for eight hours of sleep a night, with more recommended for children.
If you snore heavily, wake up a lot at night or wake up still feeling tired, consider seeing a specialist to be tested forsleep apnea, a disorder in which breathing is briefly and repeatedly interrupted during sleep.
Don Bukstein, MD, a board-certified allergist who practices with Allergy, Asthma & Sinus Center in Greenfield, Wisconsin, suggests several steps to create a healthy sleeping environment:
- Avoid exposure to the blue light emitted by cellphones, laptops and tabletsfor 1-2 hours before going to bed. This light suppresses melatonin production, an important trigger to the brain that it’s time for rest.
- Avoid alcohol or caffeine near bedtime.Both can disrupt sleep.
- Stick to a routine bedtimeso your body gets used to a schedule. Try not to take naps during the day.
Exercise can help with airway inflammation
While it’s common knowledge that exercise plays an important role in a person’s overall health, it is less commonly known that it can help keep airway inflammation under control.
If your asthma is not well-controlled, with frequent coughing and wheezing, exercise can be risky. It’s important to get clearance from your doctor before starting an exercise regimen, otherwise you could be putting strain on your lungs.
Board-certified allergist Maeve O’Connor, MD, of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Relief in Charlotte, North Carolina, keeps a treadmill in her office that she uses to evaluate patients’ readiness to begin an exercise program.
She encourages patients to trylow-impact activitiessuch as 10-15 minutes of walking.
“I don’t want patients to start out trying to go too fast. It just sets them up for failure,” Dr. O’Connor says. “Low and slow are the best ways to start.”
Strength training with light weights or resistance bands can help build stamina without impacting the lungs. Even lifting canned goods on the way home from the grocery store can be a good start.
While it’s common knowledge that exercise plays an important role in a person’s overall health, it is less commonly known that it can help keep airway inflammation under control. If your asthma is not well controlled, with frequent coughing and wheezing,exercise can be risky. It’s important to get clearance from your doctor before starting an exercise regimen, otherwise you could be putting strain on your lungs.
Benefits:
- improved lung function
- reduced airway inflammation
- greater endurance and stamina
- improved immune system reduces the risk of respiratory infections
- stronger muscles that promote blood flow to the lungs and heart
- a healthy body weight
- stress reduction
Yoga has long been touted as a way to improve physical and mental well-being and some people with asthma say it helps them better control symptoms. Learn more about the benefits of Yoga for Asthma support. ➛
If your doctor has approved you for moderate to heavy exercise, visitMay Fitness Challenge 2021andJuly Fitness Challenge 2021.
Good nutrition is valuable for allergy and asthma management
Keep your weight within a healthy range, no matter your age. “There are a lot of links between being overweight and having problems with your lung health,” Dr. Parikh says.
Following an anti-inflammatory diet can play a valuable role in asthma and allergy management. It involves eating lean meats, fresh fruits and vegetables while limiting carbohydrates and alcohol. Strive for a clean, healthy diet that does not promote inflammation.
Consider taking an anti-inflammatory supplement, such as curcumin, essential fatty acids or a multivitamin, especially if you struggle to eat right. A natural antihistamine, such asquercetinandbromelain, is also helpful for some.Keep your weight within a healthy range, no matter your age. “There are a lot of links between being overweight and having problems with lung health,” Dr. Parikh says.
Control stress and anxiety to reduce asthma symptoms
Studies show stress can worsen all medical conditions, but it’sespecially hard on lung diseases,often triggering a particularly difficult cycle of breathing problems. Symptoms can mimic asthma and trigger flares.
Controlling stress and anxiety needs to be a priority. “The mind is a very powerful thing, so certain activities like meditating or yoga can create a calming effect and help immensely with lung health,” Dr. Parikh says.
Asthma and allergy patients with untreated depression should seek counseling because the condition can lead to poor adherence to their treatment plan and an overall worsening of symptoms.
Children face different stressors than adults, such as peer pressure and homework, but they can also benefit from stress-reduction efforts. For example, encourage them to play outside so they can burn off stress and anxiety instead of sitting inside playing video games.
Minimize effects of environmental factors that impact asthma and allergies
When managing asthma and allergies, there areair quality factorsthat are controllable (cigarette smoke in the home or the presence of mold) and uncontrollable (living or working near industry or a highway).
The first step is knowing your triggers and thenadjusting your medications on days when the air quality may be particularly bad, Dr. Parikh says.
“It’s important to see an allergist who can identify your asthma and allergy triggers ‒ whether it’s dust mites, pollen, mold, animals, cockroaches or all of the above,” she says.
Environmental allergies and air quality may worsen in the years ahead.
“气候变化是影响哮喘和过敏,” she says. “Warmer temperatures are causing pollen seasons to last longer, which in turn causes plants, grasses and trees to produce more potent pollen.”
Asthma Action Plan
Asthma Journal
Asthma Triggers
Impact & Goals
My Asthma Goals
Preventing Symptoms
Sponsored by
See Related Pages
- Asthma Attack
- Asthma Symptoms & Triggers
- Asthma Medication and Treatment
- Asthma Diagnosis and Testing
- Lifestyle Changes to Manage Asthma
- Asthma Management and Control
- Asthma Patient Assistance
- Asthma Action Plan
- What is Severe Asthma?
- Asthma and Exercise
- Asthma in Babies and Children
- Asthma and Pregnancy
- Vaping and Smoking with Asthma
- Asthma Dictionary
- Asthma Statistics
- Asthma Webinars
- Ask the Allergist About Asthma
