Taking extra care of ourselves applies to everyone, and those of us with lung issues must make the time and effort to manage our state of breathing as we all 'adjust' to living in these new troubled times.
First it's important to keep consistent appointments with your doctor or asthma specialist. It you don't have one, ask for a referral to one. ENT's ( eat nose and Throat doctors ) too, can specialize in asthma care. Keeping up with appointments aids in better asthma control with everything to adjusting or changing medications and your Asthma Action Plan, to scheduling tests, and discovering new asthma triggers.
[ An Asthma Action Plan is a road map to better breathing! ]
Speaking of Asthma Action Plans ~ Get one! You and your health care provider can formulate one customized to your health needs, This plan is helpful because its a Red Yellow and Green map of how to treat your asthma symptoms according to their severity.
[ Let's get on' the road' to better asthma management! ']
Be smart and make adjustments with activities, trips, and other life plans according to your asthma health. Plowing ahead to a football game for instance, when it's biting cold or attending an event where you're exposed to smoke is asking for asthma troubles, and a trip to the emergency.
In these times of shortages of everything, it may be a good idea ( if affordable ) to inquire about getting a 90 day supply of your prescribed asthma/allergy meds. Furthermore, if you become ill you may require more doses of your meds lessening your monthly amount. Ask your doctor/pharmacist if they have any coupons or any type of discounts, even office samples of asthma meds too.
Check out our blog post on Cleaning Asthma Supplies. Let's Get To It! Under Asthma Health and Care for detailed information on keeping our asthma equipment in tip top shape. These supplies are our front line support so being cognizant about inhaler - and other supplies [like nebulizers] cleanliness can prevent other health problems we don't need!
Make sure to get in anti-inflammatory foods, which are whole real foods, like oily fish [high in good fats] like salmon, tinned fish such as mackerel and sardines, whole grains [ gluten free if gluten is one of your triggers ], veggies and fruits, leafy greens, and good quality meats and poultry. By keeping other foods at a balanced minimum. ( I try, yes, I said try because I don't always succeed! -- to live with 80- 20 % the 20% being sweets or other foods that I enjoy that don't fit into the 'wholesome category ).
Keep on top of managing stress. You keep hearing this because it's so important for our whole health management. This year I've purchased a breathing app Breathe. It's great for that quiet sit still space for a few minutes but I actually chose it because many of the breathing exercises or meditations are good for lung strength and it's become part of my own asthma management. Breathe is found in both IOS and Android stores.
[ Combining both food and books, what could be more enjoyable?!! ]
[ Just 'monkeying around, to music even better! ]
I preach this, but it's so important too, take time out for something you enjoy! Even if you have just a few minutes, engage in something meaningful, or simply just rest and release. These kinds of activities fire up our Endorphins from engaging in fun things.
Check out our post Feel Good Chemicals: Let's Up Our Game! Under Brain Health for more on other brain chemicals and how to connect to them!
[ Yep, these times since the pandemic get one big eye roll! :() ]
Don't forget to be your own advocate. We're living 'pandemically' so being careless about asthma is dangerous. Engaging in life choices that are counterintuitive ( Vaping and smoking - are two good examples ) will only hinder life quality. If you asthma meds aren't as effective, don't continue taking and over taking them. Talk to your doctor to rework your management plans.
Talk to your healthcare provider about taking what's deemed Covid Protocol supplement care. The supplements included on most lists to strengthen immune systems. The main supplements, and again, talk to your health care provider, or pharmacist about what's right and the amounts for you and drug interactions or side effects:
I take these along with a couple more, advised to me by my functional care health care provider. I'll have a post up in a couple weeks on exactly what I take and why.
Vitamin D
Magnesium
Vitamin C
Quercetin
Zinc
Melatonin
Remember, we're not perfect and neither is asthma control. Don't beat yourself up if you're having flares when you're following all your asthma protocol. This is why it's important to see an allergist or lung care specialist who can help you navigate those sometimes murky waters of asthma care. Make time for yourself, and managing emotions because let's face it we're all hit with a lot of them these days! If you're not comfortable talking about how and what you're feeling, give journaling a try, it can become one of your best friends!
We can do this...we can not only make it through living in our new existence, but we can learn to adjust and to thrive!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Psalm 23: