Whether it’s a sigh of relief after meeting a deadline or sprinting to catch the bus, breathing is one of most natural things we do. But for the one in ten New Yorkers with asthma, breathing doesn’t come quite so easily.
“Asthma is a serious condition that causes the airways to tighten, become inflamed, and fill with mucus, causing coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, or difficulty breathing,” says Mary O’Sullivan, MD, attending physician, James P. Mara Center for Lung Disease at St. Luke’s and Roosevelt Hospitals.
Asthma attacks can be triggered by several factors. If uncontrolled, asthma can impact more than physical health. "Uncontrolled asthma can be very disruptive to daily life and prevent you from doing what you really enjoy, Dr. O'Sullivan explains.
Dr. O'Sullivan offers these steps to help you breathe easier:
Understand what triggers your asthma
Asthma attacks can be triggered by exposure to allergens such as dust, animals (cats, dogs, yes, even cockroaches and mice!), mold, trees, grasses, and pollen. Upper respiratory tract infections and irritants like cigarette smoke also are strong triggers. Proper treatment of asthma includes knowing what things your are sensitive to -- and avoiding them. Your doctor can perform allergy tests to help identify the culprits. The more limited your exposure to these triggers, the less irritated your lungs will be.
Use the appropriate medication
There are two main types of medicines to treat asthma on a regular basis. One is a quick-relief inhaler, which relaxes respiratory muscles and opens the airways. The other type, inhaled steroids or controller medications, when used over time, takes the inflammation out of the lungs. Appropriate medications depend on asthma severity.
Know when your asthma is – and is not -- under control
The goal of every asthma sufferer is to have good daily symptom control. This means infrequent wheezing; occasional use of a rescue inhaler (less than 2 times per week); no night time asthma awakenings; and the ability to exercise. When you are well controlled, then when you do catch a cold, or encounter something to which you are sensitive, you are less likely to get an attack.
Managing sudden tightness in your chest
When you need a quick opening of your airways for sudden chest tightness, a relaxer or rescue inhaler containing a bronchodilator is what you most probably need. This type of tightness might happen when visiting a friend with a cat, or when you are inadvertently exposed to trees or grasses to which you are sensitive or allergic. A rescue inhaler should be carried with you at all times as your quick relief medicine. If you find that you require this type of relief more than once or twice a week, it's a sign you need additional medication.
Managing frequent or everyday wheezing
If you suffer from wheezing more than twice a week, you need to take an anti-inflammatory medicine or an inhaled steriod. These medications do not have the same side effects as oral steriods. Only a tiny amount gets in your blood stream. But it takes some time for inflammation and swelling to go away. So, these medicines must be taken on a daily basis until the symptoms are under control. If you are wheezing every day, then you have a much more serious asthma condition. You most likely require a combination of inhaled steriods and a long acting bronchodilator. Some inhaler devices combine these two types of medicine. However, it also is perfectly fine to use these medications from two separate inhalers.
Problems with inhalers
Why is my inhaler not helping me? The most common reason is poor inhaler technique. Don't be embarrassed to practice using your inhaler with your doctor or healthcare practitioner. The secret is to breathe in quickly and pump at the exact same time. Then you must hold the breath in for ten seconds. It requires practice -- and patience. The medicine only works if it lands in your airways, not in your mouth.
Managing allergies with asthma
Allergies cause nose and sinus congestion -- and these can make your asthma worsen. So it's imporatnat to keep your allergies under control as well. There are medications that treat both illnesses, called leukotriene inhibitors. Most are usually taken orally at night. In addition, inhaled nasal steriods can be used for more serious allergies.
Exercising with asthma
Regular exercise is important in managing your asthma. But if you tend to suffer from asthma outbreaks during your workout, here's one helpful tip: Use your inhaler about 10 minutes before you begin. This will help prevent wheezing and shortness of breath.
Heartburn and its effect on ashtma
Controlling heartburn is important to controlling asthma. If you suffer from frequent heartburn, tell your doctor who will most likely recommend that you stay away from triggers in your diet like tomatoes, greasy food, caffeine and mint. Your doctor also will recommend losing weight if that is a contributing factor to your frequent heartburn. In more serious cases of heartburn, your doctor might also prescribe a medication to reduce stomach acid, a major cause of heartburn.
Pregnancy and asthma
The fetus depends on the mother to supply oxygen for growth and survival. Uncontrolled asthma causes a decrease in the mother's oxygen levels which, in turn, results in decreased oxygen supply to the fetus. Therefore, it is crucial for asthma sufferers who are pregnant to control their illness. Certain medications are preferred over others for managing asthma during pregnancy. Your doctor also will guide you as to how to control your asthma with the least amount of medication.
Have an asthma action plan
Being prepared for an asthma attack could help prevent a trip to the emergency room. Make sure to take conroller medications as prescribed and always keep your quick-relief inhaler handy. And be sure to discuss with your physician what to do if you see that your symptoms are worsening.
Boost your immunity
Although people with asthma are not prone to more infections, when they do get sick, especially with a respiratory illness, their asthma symptoms can be more severe and last longer. Some important precautionary steps is to get a flue shot annually, along with two doses of pneumococcal vaccine five years apart to prevent pneumonia. Also, practice other cold and flu prevention strategies.
Keep your physician in the loop
Don't assume you can manage asthma on your own. Keep your physician involved in your treatment plan through regular visits. It is one of the best ways to stay on top of issues before a severe attack occurs.
If you need help identifying triggers or controlling your asthma, find a pulmonologist who can help by calling 1-855-411-LWNY (5969) or visit chpnyc.org
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