Drinking enough water, avoiding exposure to allergens, steam baths, exercise, etc. help reduce and prevent recurrence of asthma symptoms.
Asthma is a chronic inflammation of the bronchial mucosa. Master, Doctor Than Thi Ngoc Lan, Department of Respiratory, Tam Anh General Hospital, Hanoi, said that when an asthma attack occurs, the bronchial mucosa swells, is easily irritated, secretes more mucus and has smooth muscle spasms, causing the airways to narrow, thereby reducing the flow of air in and out of the lungs. If the swelling becomes severe, the patient will face symptoms of difficulty breathing, uncomfortable wheezing, respiratory failure, and even life-threatening.
Asthma cannot be cured, but symptoms can be controlled. In addition to taking maintenance medications as prescribed by your doctor and having regular check-ups, the following measures can help reduce symptoms and prevent asthma attacks.
Drink enough water
The human body is made up of 55-60% water, so staying hydrated is important for optimal organ function. Hydration helps moisten the airways, thin mucus, prevent the mucous membranes in the lungs from thickening, increase air circulation, prevent shortness of breath, reduce asthma symptoms and the risk of infection.
The amount of fluid needed depends on the level of activity, the amount of sweat secreted and the weight of each person. Normally, a healthy person needs about 1.5-2 liters of water per day, divided into several times a day. In addition to filtered water and vegetable broth, green tea or some fruit juices such as tomato, apple, orange, pomegranate... have the property of dilating the airways, suitable for people with asthma.
Dr. Lan said that the caffeine in coffee has a similar effect to theophylline, an old drug used to treat wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness in asthma, helping to open the airways and improve lung function. In one study, caffeine was even shown to prevent exercise-induced asthma when taken in moderate doses. However, these effects are temporary, not working immediately after drinking, and only lasting 2-4 hours. You should not use coffee as a treatment for asthma because caffeine can also cause reflux or heartburn, or when used in large amounts can cause rapid heartbeat, difficulty sleeping, stress, and agitation, which are factors that cause asthma symptoms or make the disease worse.
Patients should not abuse sugary drinks because they can cause dehydration. Carbonated soft drinks and alcohol not only cause dehydration but also increase symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux, heartburn, and increase the risk of asthma attacks, so they should not be used.
Drinking coffee can help temporarily improve asthma symptoms within 2-4 hours. Photo: Freepik
Avoid exposure to allergens
Pollen, house dust, pet dander, etc. are all allergens that can trigger asthma attacks. Fragrances from perfumes, incense smoke, household deodorants and cleaners, scented candles, fabric softeners, and cigarette smoke can easily trigger asthma attacks, causing difficulty breathing. Avoiding exposure to these substances can reduce asthma symptoms.
You should keep your living space clean: vacuum the house regularly; wash curtains, remove dirty old mattresses and pillows; change air filters in air conditioners, heating equipment, and cooling fans periodically; open windows to let air circulate... to minimize indoor air pollution and prevent mold growth.
Sauna
Steam inhalation helps relieve asthma symptoms through several mechanisms. Warm steam provides moisture to the respiratory tract, thins mucus, reduces symptoms of nasal congestion, itchy nose, sore throat, cough, and congestion of the nasal and throat mucosa. This therapy also helps increase blood circulation to the alveoli, relaxes the muscles around the bronchi and alveoli, reduces muscle tension and improves breathing ability.
In addition, heat and high humidity also reduce swelling and allergic reactions. At the same time, it inhibits the ability of viruses to multiply on respiratory epithelial cells and stimulates the immune system to increase the production of white blood cells and interferon proteins that have antiviral effects, helping to reduce the risk of respiratory diseases.
Steam inhalation may be an effective temporary solution, but researchers need more convincing evidence to understand its benefits for asthma patients. Asthma patients should not overuse steam inhalation. Steam inhalation with too hot steam or using unsafe essential oils, or steaming equipment that is not cleaned regularly can cause damage, irritate the respiratory tract mucosa, and have the opposite effect.
Build a balanced diet
Patients should build a balanced diet, limit saturated fat, increase vitamins and fiber through green vegetables, fresh fruits... Colorful vegetables and fruits are rich in antioxidants such as beta-carotene and vitamin C, vitamin E to effectively fight inflammation. Patients should be careful with some foods containing sulfites, which can trigger asthma attacks. This preservative is often found in wine, dried fruit, pickles and shrimp.
According to Dr. Lan, some spices such as garlic, ginger, licorice, cinnamon, honey, etc. contain anti-inflammatory compounds that help relieve asthma symptoms. You can soak them in hot water and drink as tea or use these spices in cooking.
Do exercise
According to Dr. Lan, regular exercise for about 20-30 minutes a day increases blood circulation, speeds up the activity of the air sacs in the lungs, and increases gas exchange. Physical training also helps reduce excess fat in the abdomen, increases chest capacity, and improves breathing ability. For good results, patients should combine exercise with breathing exercises such as pursed lip breathing or diaphragmatic breathing. Patients should consult their doctor before starting a new exercise regimen. Patients should choose exercises that are within their ability, avoid exercising in places with high traffic density or when the air quality is poor. If the weather turns cold, cover your mouth and nose or exercise indoors to ensure safety.
Trinh Mai
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