A few lifestyle changes can always be effective in dealing with conditions like asthma and allergies in a better manner. These tips help you live with the disease by causing you lesser pain, reducing the frequency of the symptoms, and improving the overall quality of life. To save you hours of research, we have come up with a few lifestyle tips for sufferers of asthma and allergy.
Lifestyle changes to avoid asthma attacks
Reduce your exposure to irritants or allergens
Certain allergens might trigger an asthma attack in some people. So, try to find out what these irritants are and keep away from them as much as possible.
Be aware of the warning signs
You need to be aware of the warnings signs of an asthma attack and then get treated for the same. Some of the warning signs that require immediate treatment include:
- Pain or tightness in the chest
- Wheezing
- Breathlessness
- Troubled sleep
- Frequent coughing
- Dependence on bronchodilators
Exercise regularly
Exercising has the potential to elevate your mood. It keeps you healthy and reduces the chances of an attack. Anyone who has asthma must:
- Avoid asthma triggers while exercising; these include cold, pollen, dust, pollution, or grass that’s freshly cut
- Induce new activities over time
- Do a warm-up before the main exercises
- Ensure that asthma is not triggered by exercise
Lose weight
Weight loss reduces the risk of an asthma attack. So, working out and eating a balanced diet is a must for asthma and allergy sufferers.
Get vaccinated for flu
Asthma makes you more vulnerable to flu. So, get your yearly flu shot to stay protected.
Do not smoke and avoid smoke-related exposure
Smoking can trigger an asthma attack. So, quit smoking, and as far as possible, stand away from smoke from campfires or wood stoves.
Lifestyle changes to avoid allergies
Avoid insect bites or bee stings
Insect bites or bee stings can make you vulnerable to allergies. To avoid them, you should:
- Not wear deodorants, lotions, or perfumes
- Cover the food that you eat on the streets
- Avoid patterned and bright-colored clothing
- Wear shoes when walking outdoors
Avoid allergies due to medication
If you have any drug allergy, let your pharmacist or doctor know about it. People who have penicillin allergies have to keep away from antibiotics like amoxicillin. If the medicine is highly necessary for you, tell your doctor to prescribe you antihistamines or corticosteroids before taking it.
Some medications that can lead to allergies include:
- Sulfa drugs
- Penicillin
- Anticonvulsive drugs
- Contrast dyes
Keep away from food that triggers allergies
If you do not prepare your meals yourself, avoiding food allergies can be a task. So, every time you eat out, ask about the ingredients used in the food before eating. If there’s something that might trigger an allergy in you, request for a substitute. When you shop for packaged foods, read labels carefully.
Add these lifestyle tips for asthma and allergy to your life if you have been suffering from either condition, or both, to avoid it from playing havoc with your daily schedules.