Life with asthma isn’t easy, but it’s made easier with good resources. Empower yourself to take control of your lung health with the best asthma resources available. Your health matters; put it first!
Resources to Help You Maintain Your Asthma
Not every asthma resource is a “one size fits all” tool. Since every individual is different, every case of asthma is different. Your triggers, symptoms, timeline between attacks, warning signs, etc. all play a huge role in how helpful the following tools might be. That said, if you are stumped when it comes to asthma control, consider the benefits of these resources.
1. Asthma Action Plan
One of the best personal asthma resources you can utilize is your asthma action plan. This plan essentially acts as a manual for all things related to your lung health. Spirometry scores, triggers, symptoms, medication, and correlations between attacks make up your plan. Your healthcare provider uses this data to improve your treatment and to gain insight into your personal lung health. If you aren’t sure where to start when it comes to creating an asthma action plan, ask your healthcare provider.
2. Air Quality Gauge
Did you know that asthma is very often triggered by poor air quality? Bad air quality occurs both indoors and outdoors when pollution poses health risks to respiratory systems. To protect your lungs and keep yourself breathing easier, consider investing in an air quality gauge. An indoor air quality gauge senses airborne chemicals, allergens, and pollutants and tells you how safe the air in your home is. You can also download apps that inform you of the outside air quality.
3. Air Purifier
If your home is located in an area that suffers from bad air quality, an air purifier can help. An air purifier filters pollutants in your home and reduces the number of harmful particles you inhale. With fewer irritants entering your airway, your risk of suffering an asthma flare-up is greatly reduced.
4. At-Home Spirometer
Did you know that you can test your lung health at home? Not only is it possible, but it is recommended. With the help of an at-home spirometer, you can monitor your daily lung function and see both improvements and setbacks. If your lung function suddenly drops, it indicates recent exposure to a trigger and that you should watch for an attack.
5. Data Monitoring App
If you have trouble staying organized, try monitoring your data with an asthma-specific app. The Aluna app allows you to share data directly with your healthcare provider, track test results, and monitor important information. The advantage of keeping your data on an app rather than on paper is that it is portable. Share data with others who need it, and access anything you need at the push of a button.
Additional Tips for Managing Your Asthma
In addition to using available resources to monitor your lung health, make sure you communicate with others. Your healthcare provider, family, friends, and coworkers need to know how they can help. If you are comfortable, sharing an abridged version of your asthma action plan can help those close to you know how to respond in the event of an emergency. If your child suffers from asthma, make sure his/her teachers and other authorities know how to respond as well.
Freely communicating with your healthcare provider, in particular, ensures that no stone is left unturned. You can work together to find new solutions to triggers and symptoms.
Ultimately, planning and preparation do the most to prevent emergencies. Get to know your body, then build a lifestyle that exists harmoniously around your body’s needs. You don’t necessarily have to sacrifice the things you enjoy (such as exercise or walks outside), but compromise (such as a tailored exercise plan) can go a long way in preventing flare-ups.
As always, your health matters, and it should be your utmost priority!
