Asthma is an incurable and chronic condition that affects the lungs making it difficult to breathe. The airways become narrow, swell, and produces excess mucus. This can trigger shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing. For some, asthma is a minor inconvenience, but for others it can interfere with day to day activities and can lead to a potentially fatal asthma attack. The causes can include a family history of allergic diseases, second-hand smoke, indoor and outdoor air pollution, and even work environments.

Symptoms of asthma can vary from person to person and can even change over time. They typically include shortness of breath, whistling or wheezing noises when exhaling, chest tightness or pain, and coughing attacks that are made worse by respiratory viruses. Even though there is no cure for asthma, there are ways you can manage your symptoms and they mainly include lifestyle changes to live a healthier life:

1. Annual flu shot
Asthma can lead to a higher risk of flu-related complications. Flu viruses change each year and with it so does the flu vaccine. Influenza can cause further inflammation in the airways and lungs and possibly trigger asthma attacks and worsen symptoms. It can even lead to pneumonia and other acute respiratory illnesses. It’s critical for your health when you have asthma that you receive the annual flu shot so as to avoid becoming even more sick.

2. Quit smoking
By now we can all agree that smoking is a terrible habit for our health. Smoke from cigarettes, pipes, and cigars is especially harmful to the respiratory system and asthma sufferers already have sensitive lungs. Smoking causes irritating little substances to settle into the lining of the airways causing symptoms. Even if you do manage to quit smoking, it’s still integral to your health to stay away from secondhand smoke and avoid public places that permit smoking. Your asthma will thank you!

3. Asthma inhalers
Asthma inhalers are portable, hand-held devices that deliver medication straight into the lungs. They remain a popular choice for asthma sufferers because they are easy to use and effective. Their main use is to ease symptoms by relaxing the muscles around the airways to quickly distribute relief. Asthma inhalers can either be prescribed to be taken daily to control chronic symptoms or taken as needed for rapid, short-term symptom relief.

4. Allergies and asthma
Asthma and allergies tend to occur together and may even be caused by the same triggers. This is known as allergic asthma or allergy-induced asthma. An asthma attack can be generated by allergens in the air, such as pollen, dust, animal dander, perfumes, mold, cigarette smoke, infections, and even the common cold and flu. Some people even experience occupational asthma, wherein their work environment contains pollutants that trigger a reaction, including dust, gases, fumes, and other dangerous chemicals.

5. Food triggers
Asthma can be triggered by food and food additives. There are some foods to avoid with asthma which can cause inflammation. The most common foods associated with asthma include eggs, peanuts and tree nuts, cow’s milk, soy products, wheat, fish, and shellfish. Food preservatives, like sulfite additives, can be found in wine, pickles, dried fruit, and fresh and frozen shrimp. Some experts recommend following an anti-inflammatory diet, much like the Mediterranean diet. It claims to reduce inflammation that occurs in asthma and other serious conditions.