Ever hear the phrase ‘Always be prepared’?
As summer turns to fall and fall turns to winter, cold and flu season rolls in. For those with asthma who already experience some lung irritation, a simple virus could trigger an asthma episode.
Asthma is a disease of the airways to the lungs that makes breathing difficult. The airways can swell and narrow, making it hard to breathe. Symptoms can include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or a tight feeling in the chest. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in 12 people, or 25 million, have asthma.
The good news is that asthma can be controlled, especially when planning ahead.
This winter, be prepared and create an asthma action plan. Better day-to-day care improves symptom control. Here are some tips to include in an asthma action plan:
- Create a list of asthma triggers – know what to stay away from and what symptoms to look out for, such as coughing or shortness of breath.
- Track a list of current medications – this allows a health care professional to see all regular and asthma medications and what they control.
- Talk to a health care professional about over-the-counter medications – sometimes these can dry out air passages or cause other negative side effects for those who already experience asthma symptoms.
- Place a rescue inhaler next to the bed – if asthma symptoms flare in the middle of the night, these contain medications that act fast to open airways making it easier to breathe.
- Track peak flow – a peak flow meter measures how fast a person can blow out of their mouth. This number gives an idea of how the asthma is doing and when a possible episode is coming.
For more information about asthma, prevention and resources visit the Priority Health website.
And remember, if asthma symptoms get out of control, call a health care professional.
