Does Self Help / Healing Have Any Importance In Asthma Treatment?
No disease can be treated without the active participation of the patient in the treatment process. In asthma cure treating and managing your condition so that it does not take over your entire life is most important. No doctor can manage your asthma condition by himself. Your doctor may prescribe both daily medication and medication to take in case of an acute asthma episode, but the task of minimizing the risk of an asthma attack and taking care of yourself on a daily basis is largely up to you and your family. Learning some key asthma self-help tricks can help you keep your asthma under control so that it doesn’t interfere with your daily life.
Because asthma can be caused, triggered, or worsened by so many things, there are many things that you can do to lessen the frequency and severity of the symptoms. Your doctor will offer important suggestions in addition to medication to help you manage your asthma. Think of those suggestions as a personalized asthma self-help plan. A major part of asthma self-help involves avoiding asthma triggers.
Some ways that you can help yourself if you or someone in your family has asthma include:
- STRICTLY FOLLOW YOUR DOCTORS ORDERS: This is the first and most important step in asthma self-help. Don’t stop taking daily medication just because you feel better. If he’s prescribed daily peak flow measurements, be sure to follow instructions carefully and measure daily to monitor your condition.
- QUIT SMOKING: Whether the asthma sufferer is you or a child in your family, cigarette smoke is one of the most common asthma triggers known.
- DUST CONTROL IN THE HOUSE: Keep the house dust-free – or as close to dust-free as possible. Dust is another common asthma trigger. Use a cleaner that encloses the vacuum cleaner bag inside a solid canister to minimize pumping dust back into the air.
- MINIMISE DUST CATCHERS: Carpets, heavy draperies, stuffed toys, pillow covers etc. are dust catchers that easily breed dust mites. If you can’t remove them, vacuum them frequently using a proper vacuum cleaner.
- USING DUST-FREE BED LINEN: Avoid using down feather pillows and comforters, and use a plastic cover on your mattress. Mattresses and pillows can harbor dust mites. The same goes for stuffed animals and other ‘soft’ decorations.
- CARE DURING COLD WEATHER: Avoid infection during winter months. Cover your mouth and nose with a scarf in cold weather. Cold air is a common asthma trigger.
- AVOID POLLUTED AREAS: Allergens cause asthma attacks. Avoid open fields and woodsy areas during peak pollen and harvesting seasons. Take extra care when air quality is in danger ranges.
- CONTROL HUMIDITY: Humid conditions breed mold and mold is another common allergen that triggers asthma. Keeping mold down is a very important part of asthma self-help care. Dry wet laundry immediately, and wash and disinfect bathrooms and showers regularly. Remove houseplants, as mold grows in their soil.
- KEEPING OR NOT KEEPING PETS: Preferably do not keep a pet in the house since pet hair-trigger asthma. If you can’t part with a pet because of emotional ties, at least keep it out of the bedroom to minimize your exposure to pet dander.
- IDENTIFY YOUR TRIGGERS: Be aware of the causes of your asthma attacks. Recognize any food or ingested allergies, and avoid foods, medications and drinks that cause allergic reactions.