Chronic Asthma

One of the key elements of controlling and managing chronic asthma is to routinely and diligently stay on regular asthma treatments. These medications may be prescription, herbal, alternative or a combination of the three. Prescription medications are usually a combination of the following two types of treatments:

• Bronchodilators – these medications work to relax the muscles of the respiratory system. During an asthma attack, or even during regular breathing, these muscles contract, making it difficult for the individual to breathe. The use of bronchodilators also helps break up mucus plugs that form in inflamed airways.
• Anti-inflammatory Medications – these medications work to keep the inflammation in the lining of the air passages as minimal as possible. The most common anti-inflammatory medications are corticosteriods that can be taken orally or through inhalers or nebulizers.

With regular use of this combination of medications, the person with chronic asthma will have the maximum ability to breathe both during an asthma attack and during exposure to asthma triggers.

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Eating Right and Exercising

Individuals with chronic asthma need to be very careful about managing their weight and eating a balanced diet. Those asthma sufferers that are overweight have a higher incidence of asthma attacks, plus they tend to be more intensive and last longer than asthmatic individuals that are within the appropriate weight range.

Eating right includes avoiding fatty and sugary foods, high carbohydrate foods like white bread, and fried or deep-fried food items. It also includes adding more fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats and whole grains to the diet.

Exercising includes some regular physical activity at least every other day that increases the heart rate for at least 20 minutes. This may be a brisk walk or a slow jog on a treadmill. Starting slow is the key and trying to go a little farther or a little faster each day is the best way to have success with an exercise program.

Avoiding Triggers

Once you are aware of the triggers, environmental factors or stress factors that cause asthma symptoms, the next step is to avoid these conditions. Chronic asthma sufferers may find it beneficial to keep an asthma journal to help pinpoint exactly what is causing the asthma attacks.

Focusing on the three major aspects of controlling chronic asthma will help in preventing and minimizing asthma problems in the future.