Asthma is a common respiratory condition that affects the airways, causing them to become inflamed and narrowed.  It is prevalent among both adults and children, and impacts daily activities significantly. Asthma often manifests with symptoms like coughing, particularly during the night, recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. In children, asthma can significantly affect their ability to participate in physical activities, sports, and even affect their sleep patterns.

Asthma symptoms can vary in severity and may be triggered by allergens, irritants, respiratory infections, physical activity, and stress. In some cases it can result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. If you suspect asthma symptoms, it's better to get yourself diagnosed and start with proactive treatment. While this condition has no cure, taking your medications on time, creating a clean space around yourself can prevent the flareups. Here’s how you can redo your lifestyle to manage asthma.

Tips to create asthma-friendly environment at home

Creating an asthma-friendly environment at home in an Indian setting involves taking specific measures to reduce potential triggers and enhance air quality. Here are some tips:

Regular dusting: Regularly dust and clean surfaces using a damp cloth to minimise airborne dust. You may invest in dust-proof covers on mattresses and pillows. Vacuum carpets and rugs frequently, preferably with a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter. Avoid heavy curtains and opt for washable, lightweight curtains.

Avoid pets in bedroom: Keep the home free from pet dander by grooming pets regularly and keeping them out of bedrooms.

Ventilation: Ensure proper ventilation in the home by opening windows of your room and allowing fresh air to circulate. Use exhaust fans in the kitchen to reduce cooking-related indoor air pollutants. Consider using air purifiers with HEPA filters to trap airborne particles.

Avoid smoking at home: Strictly prohibit smoking inside the home. Encourage your family members and visitors to smoke outdoors.

Address moisture and seepage problems: Get the leakage or water seepage repaired promptly to prevent mold growth. You must also install exhaust fans in bathrooms to reduce humidity.

Use safe cleaning practices: Use asthma-friendly, odourless or hypoallergenic cleaning products. Ventilate the area well when using cleaning liquids. Consider using natural cleaning alternatives like vinegar and baking soda or the mild odour ones.

Bedroom Tips: Use allergen-proof covers on pillows and mattresses to reduce exposure to dust mites. Wash your bedding, including blankets and curtains of your room, once a week in hot water. Keep your bedroom well-ventilated.

Regular pest control: If you suspect pest in your home. Address this issue promptly to prevent the use of strong pesticides. Use non-toxic methods for pest control. You can use essential oils like peppermint, citronella, neem and tea tree oil can act as natural repellents. Mix a few drops of these oils with water and spray in areas prone to pests. You can also use boric acid powder. It is a low-toxicity powder effective for ants and cockroaches. Apply a thin layer in areas where pests resides.

Choose asthma-friendly indoor plants: Choose the plants that do not produce excessive pollen. Spider plant, snake plant, areca palm, peace lilies, bamboo palm, and aloe vera are some options you may plant.

Best medications for asthma

There are two set of medicines to manage asthma symptoms: control and rescue medicines. Here's an elaboration on both categories and how to use them:

1. Control Medicines: These medicines are taken daily to maintain long-term control of asthma symptoms and prevent flare-ups. Here is the list of control medicines to manage asthma.

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) such as fluticasone and budesonide. These reduce inflammation in the airways.

Long-acting beta-agonists (LABA) such as formoterol and salmeterol. These medicines help open the airways.

Leukotriene modifiers such as montelukast and zafirlukast. These medicines help reduce inflammation.

Combination inhalers: These combine ICS and LABA, such as fluticasone/salmeterol.

2. Rescue Medicines: These are the quick-relief or short-acting medicines that provide rapid relief during an asthma attack or when symptoms worsen. Here is the list of rescue medicines for asthma flareups.

Short-Acting Beta-Agonists (SABA) such as albuterol, levalbuterol. These quickly relax the muscles around the airways.

Anticholinergics such as ipratropium bromide. It helps open airways by blocking certain nerve signals.

Some asthma medications are taken as tablet while other are inhaled through an inhaler or a nebulizer. If you are inhaling corticosteroids, rinse your mouth after using inhaled corticosteroids to reduce the risk of oral thrush. Consult your doctor if you have any concerns. Your doctor can best guide you on the directions, frequency and the dosage of the medicines. Follow their instructions and donot exceed the dosage without consulting them. 

You can order medicines online for asthma management. Get you medications restocked to prevent asthma flare-ups. Besides the home delivery of medicines, know more about your asthma medicines and get the best generic medicines suitable for your condition. Also, avail expert guidance from doctors on diet and medications for asthma management. 

Takeaway

Being conscious of asthma symptoms, identifying triggers, and taking preventive measures to control asthma makes a huge difference. Create an asthma-friendly environment and minimise the exposure to potential triggers. Adhere to the daily dose of asthma medicines and follow up for the reviews with your doctor for the management plan for your specific asthma needs.