What you need to know about asthma and how to protect yourself during COVID-19?
Asthma is a condition in which airways narrow and swell and produce extra mucus. This can make breathing difficult, and trigger coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.
First, here are the ways asthma can flare:
Environmental - like allergens and smoke
Viral or Bacterial Infections
Exercise
Stress
Weather (hot or cold)
Keeping your lungs healthy and your asthma under control will help you from getting really sick if you are exposed to your triggers. Different seasons and circumstances may affect asthma.
Now that coronavirus is a threat, it's even more important that asthma sufferers use their preventer inhalers daily. Asthma is a respiratory disease that constricts and inflames the airways, and this is relieved with inhalers. But we must also do everything we can to keep our lungs in optimal condition, which is where exercise comes in. If I don't exercise, I WILL get a chest infection within a week or two. I have no choice but to exercise.
Respiratory viruses like COVID-19 can trigger asthma symptoms like coughing and wheezing. Our doctors in AMA clinic in Lynn, MA, recommend protect yourself and reduce your risk, follow these steps:
Take your controller medication as prescribed to lower your risk of an asthma attack
Carry your reliever inhaler with you daily in case your asthma symptoms flare-up
Monitor your asthma symptoms closely and follow your Asthma Action Plan to help you recognize and manage your symptoms
Coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness are all signs that your asthma is not controlled. Call your doctor!
Using your rescue inhaler more than 2 times a week can also be a sign that your asthma is not controlled. Call your doctor!
Take good care of yourself — get plenty of rest, fluids and nutritious food in your system
For more information on how we can help to manage and treat asthma and complications please call our medical clinic in Lynn, MA at (781) 581-6181 or contact online!
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