Asthma is an autoimmune disease that occurs when airways become blocked due to increased inflammation. For most, attacks tend to occur after being exposed to specific allergic triggers. For others, exercise can bring on an attack. One of the best treatments for asthma is prevention. There are many things that you can do to prevent reactions from becoming severe and turning into an attack.
Preventative Medication
In cases of chronic asthma, it is imperative to keep the swelling of the airways reduced at all times. Reducing inflammation is key in preventing asthma attacks. Corticosteroid inhalers, such as Advair, are highly prescribed, because of their ability to dispense medication directly to the lungs, and effectively decrease swelling. Another medication that helps prevent attacks, is a leukotriene blocker, such as Singulair. Leukotrienes are known to cause inflammation in the body, so taking a blocker can dramatically help to reduce the swelling. Both of these medications can be taken simultaneously and are known to prevent attacks when taken over time.
Indoor Prevention
Because there are many allergic triggers inside, it's important to try and remove them as best as possible. For pollen and pet dander allergies, use products with Hepa filters around your home. Hepa stands for high efficiency particulate air. Its ability to remove 99.97 percent of airborne particles that are 0.3 micrometers, make it an important asset for asthma sufferers. Hepa filters can be found in vacuums and air purifiers. Dust mite allergies can also be a major cause of asthma, so using protective bedding can dramatically help prevent attacks as well. Both mattress encasing and pillow covers are available, and are highly recommended to reduce asthma attacks due to dust mites.
Outdoor Prevention
Preventing asthma attacks in the outdoors can be tricky as most allergic triggers are in the air, and unavoidable. Doing a little air quality checking will help you make good decisions that can help prevent attacks. During allergy season, check pollen counts online daily. If they are high, it's a good idea to schedule activities for indoors. If your asthma flares up from exercise, also check weather conditions. Cold air is known to exasperate symptoms that can lead to an attack. For severe asthmatics, a variety of masks are available that can not only filter out allergens, but can also keep the cold air from entering your lungs.
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