Each year, millions of people suffer from asthma attacks, which are especially prominent among children. An asthma attack refers to a life-threatening incident in which a person has difficulty breathing due to swelling, inflammation, narrowing, and excess mucus production in their airways. A variety of different triggers can cause asthma attacks—from airborne allergens to strenuous physical activity. By avoiding such triggers, one can reduce their likelihood of having an asthma attack. To learn more about how to reduce your chances of an asthma attack, continue reading.
Improve the indoor air quality in your home
Airborne allergens in the home are common culprits for asthma attacks. Examples of some of the most common indoor asthma triggers include dust mites, mold, pet dander, and pollen. Proper ventilation is essential to preventing such irritants from accumulating in your home and potentially triggering an asthma attack. By ventilating your home, you can breathe easier, as contaminants will be filtered and flushed out of the air in your home. In addition to ventilating your home, it’s also important to dust, sweep, and vacuum regularly to eliminate any irritants that have settled in your home.
Exercise with caution
Strenuous exercise can increase your likelihood of experiencing asthma attacks. When exercise-induced asthma occurs, the muscle bands around your airways become sensitive to temperature and humidity changes, which can cause them to constrict. Performing endurance exercises in cold and dry environments is especially risky for people who suffer from asthma. However, people with asthma shouldn’t avoid exercising entirely. They just need to be cautious of the risks involved and prepare accordingly. For example, properly warming up and cooling down, taking pre-exercise inhaled medication, exercising in warm and moist environments, and avoiding exercising outside when air pollution levels are high can prevent the occurrence of exercise-induced asthma attacks.
Steer clear of all types of smoke
Smoke is another common cause of asthma attacks. If you currently smoke cigarettes, quitting is essential to preventing dangerous attacks from occurring. You should also avoid letting anyone smoke in your car or home and leave the area if you notice people smoking in your general vicinity, as secondhand smoke is also highly dangerous. Cigarette smoke, however, isn’t the only type of smoke that’s dangerous to people who suffer from asthma. You should also steer clear of bonfires, candles, incense, and other sources of smoke.
Avoid catching the cold or flu
The common cold and the flu are two of the leading causes of asthma attacks. As such, it’s important to avoid catching these illnesses. Eliminating your chances of getting the cold or flu may be impossible, but you can take some measures to prevent catching them. Drinking plenty of water, eating a well-balanced diet, exercising regularly, washing your hands often, and keeping your distance from people who are sick can decrease your chances of getting infected.
