by EBSCO Medical Review Board

General Guidelines for Managing Asthma

Changing habits can help some people avoid asthma attacks. Some steps may be:

Reducing Exposure to Allergens or Irritants That Trigger Asthma

Allergens may trigger asthma symptoms in some people. Reducing contact may help.

Paying Attention to Warning Signs

Get treatment for these warning signs:

  • Wheezing and problems breathing
  • Chest tightness or pain
  • Using bronchodilators more often
  • Problems sleeping
  • Frequent coughing, especially at night

Asking a Doctor About Physical Activity

Exercise can improve health and mood. It can also reduce asthma attacks. People with asthma should:

  • Have good asthma control before exercise.
  • Warm up for at least 10 minutes before exercise. This can be walking or other low-intensity activities.
  • Avoid triggers when exercising. Examples are high pollution levels, pollen, freshly cut grass, or cold.
  • Increase new activities slowly.

Losing Weight

Weight loss may improve control in people who are overweight or obese.

Getting Vaccines for the Flu and COVID-19

Asthma can lead to more problems from the flu and COVID-19. Adults and children are advised to get:

Avoiding Smoke

Smoking can trigger asthma and make symptoms worse. There are tools that can help people to quit.

Other sources of smoke can also trigger asthma. Examples are wood stoves or campfires.

References

Acute asthma exacerbation in children. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/acute-asthma-exacerbation-in-children. Accessed May 6, 2022.

Asthma exacerbation in adults and adolescents. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/asthma-exacerbation-in-adults-and-adolescents. Accessed May 6, 2022.

Asthma in adults and adolescents. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/asthma-in-adults-and-adolescents. Accessed May 6, 2022.

Chronic asthma in children. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/chronic-asthma-in-children. Accessed May 6, 2022.

2022 Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) report: global strategy for asthma management and prevention. Available at: https://ginasthma.org/gina-reports. Accessed May 6, 2022.

Reduce asthma triggers. American Lung Association website. Available at: http://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/asthma/living-with-asthma/managing-asthma/reduce-asthma-triggers.html. Accessed May 6, 2022.

What causes or triggers asthma. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America website. Available at: http://www.aafa.org/page/asthma-triggers-causes.aspx. Accessed May 6, 2022.

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