Around 7.7 percent of the adults and 8.4 percent of children in the US have asthma. While the percentage might look like it’s a small number, see it this way. There are around 25 million Americans who are living their life with a dependency on their inhalers as they have asthma.
And that is a vast number. The number of people who have asthma is significantly increasing over the past few years. Did you know that asthma that starts in childhood can go away if you take the necessary precautions and make a few lifestyle changes? However, asthma that you develop as an adult is less likely to go away.
While that looks like sad news for a few, did you know that making a few lifestyle changes can reduce your chances of having an Asthma attack? These changes relate to the factors that generally aggravate your risk of an asthma trigger. Read on to know more about the five lifestyle habits that could exacerbate your asthma.
Smoking
Smoking is the primary cause of numerous health problems. It triggers and aggregates various breathing disorders, and asthma is one of them. Research suggests that not just active smoking, passive smoking can aggravate asthma too. According to a study, children exposed to passive smoking had a higher risk of asthma and breathing disorders in comparison to children who were from a smoke-free environment.
Besides cutting down on smoking, it would be best to avoid the smoke and pollution of all kinds. This includes avoiding places that have high smog, vehicular pollution, industrial pollution, etc. All these make it difficult for you to breathe and might trigger an asthma attack. While it is impossible to avoid these places at all times, you could make sure to wear a mask to protect yourself from inhaling the smoke directly.
Stress
Stress takes a toll on your immune system and becomes the root cause of numerous ailments. A study suggests that stress has been one of the most common triggers for people with asthma. So, make sure you control your stress levels by practicing a healthy lifestyle. You could meditate regularly to calm yourself and de-stress.
If you have an attack, make sure you do not panic as it adds to your stress and makes the attack only worse. Instead, calm down and follow your asthma attack recovery plan. When you have a plan or a strategy to deal with the attack, you are more likely to relax and deal with the crisis better.
Lack of Physical Activity
Weight gain could aggravate your asthma. So, watch your weight and make sure you hit the gym regularly. Even if going to the gym is not a possibility, try and have ample physical activity daily. This not just keeps your body fit but also keeps your asthma attacks at bay. Regular exercise boosts the aerobic capacity of your lungs, which in turn enhances lung health. And when your lungs are healthy, you’re less likely to have an asthma attack.
Dependency on Food Loaded with Preservatives
Cold foods and foods with preservatives are bad for your asthma. Most foods with preservatives are rich in substances like sulfur dioxide and sodium metabisulphite. These chemicals trigger an asthma attack or worsen an attack.
Besides that, preservative foods or canned foods cause numerous health issues when you regularly consume them. Instead, you should switch to the consumption of fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole grains in your diet. Cooking them, along with lean meat, is a great way to treat your asthma and boost your physical health.
Not Treating the Common Cold
Common cold or the flu could worsen your asthma if you do not treat it right away. As a common cold could persist for days if not treated right away, it puts people with asthma at risk. It might lead to instances as severe as pneumonia, asthma, and even hospitalization. You should also make sure you get your vaccine shots on time. This will avoid any possible risks in the future. It will also help you prevent any lung infections or disorders.
Make sure you identify your triggers and avoid them. Make sure you are ready at all times, have your asthma kit ready and handy always. Consulting your doctor and making a lifestyle change will help you keep your asthma under control.