Follow your prescribed treatment

Your treatment has two goals: relieve symptoms and prevent future complications. Take your long-term control medicine also when you don’t have symptoms. Follow-up with the doctor.

Learn how to use your inhalers

Many patients make mistakes with their inhalers. Ask the doctor, the nurse, or the pharmacist to show you the necessary steps with each of your inhalers.

What to do when your asthma gets worse

• Take your long-term control medicine as prescribed.
• In case your asthma gets worse, use your reliever inhaler.
• If your symptoms keep worsening, contact your healthcare center.

Keep track of your symptoms and inform your doctor

Asthma changes over time and the doctor needs to adjust your treatment. The ideal is to keep track of your symptoms in a diary. You can check it before your consult to inform your doctor.

Find out what triggers your asthma and avoid exposure

Beside your treatment, the most efficient way to control your asthma is to find out what triggers your symptoms. You can get rid of some triggers and limit your exposure to others.

The pursed-lip breathing technique

You can use pursed-lip breathing to calm your breathing. Put your lips together like to blow out candles on a birthday cake and slowly breathe out through your pursed lips by counting to 4.

The deep-breathing technique

This technique will improve your breathing. Breathe in. Let your belly fill with air, feel your belly go outward. Hold your breath. Breathe out. Let your belly empty, feel your belly go inward.

Keep physically active to strengthen your health

In some cases, physical activity may trigger asthma. You can then use relief medicine. It is important that you stay physically active. Exercising regularly strengthens your heart and lungs.

Keep a healthy weight to improve asthma control

Overweight patients may have more severe symptoms. Here are tips to keep a healthy weight: exercise regularly, avoid added sugars, candies, sodas, try to replace fatty snacks with fruit and vegetables.

Avoid second-hand smoking

Be careful to avoid second-hand smoking (especially for children). If you are a smoker, try to quit. Keep in mind that every cigarette you don’t smoke is a win!

Asthma can be challenging or stressful

Pace yourself. If your child has asthma, be encouraging. The best way to overcome anxiety is to take control: avoid triggers when possible, track your symptoms, inform the doctor, exercise.

Full-body medical check-up is important

Some patients have associated conditions such as rhinitis or sinusitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, obstructive sleep apnea. Treating comorbidities appropriately can relieve asthma.