Asthma is a severe condition that can cause breathing problems and make it difficult to live an everyday life. If you don’t have asthma, it’s easy to think that the condition isn’t so bad; after all, you’re not struggling to breathe or constantly coughing.
But your life is impacted in many ways if you have asthma. You may find yourself avoiding certain situations because they trigger an asthma attack or get sick more often than others because of the stress associated with a disease like this one. Although there’s no cure for asthma, there are things you can do to manage your symptoms and keep them under control—and staying aware of these five common mistakes could help.
1. Not Taking Your Asthma Medications as Directed
Taking your medications as directed is one of the most important things you can do to manage your asthma. The proper medication and dosage can help reduce inflammation, open airways and keep them from clogging. If you don’t take your medicines as directed, you risk developing a resistance to them–and then they won’t work for you anymore (or at least not as well).
This doesn’t mean taking medication is always easy or fun–it’s not! But it’s essential to control your asthma so that it doesn’t get worse over time and make life more complicated than it needs to be.
2. Not Seeing a Specialist
If you have asthma, it’s essential to see a specialist. A doctor trained in treating asthma can help you manage your condition and find the proper medication for you. They may also be able to recommend other treatments that can help reduce disease symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Specialists know how different medications interact with each other; they also know which ones work best on different types of patients with varying levels of severity. For example, if one kind of medicine isn’t working very well for you, but another would be more effective (and safe), then seeing an expert will allow them to make sure this isn’t happening by making sure that both types are being given at appropriate doses at all times.
3. Smoking Tobacco
Smoking tobacco is one of the most common causes of asthma attacks.
Smoking can also cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Smoking is responsible for more than 400,000 deaths annually in the United States alone!
4. Obesity
Obesity can lead to asthma, and the more weight you carry, the harder it is for your body to breathe. If you’re overweight or obese (a BMI of 30 or higher), losing weight could help improve your asthma symptoms.
5. Allergies
If you have asthma, the presence of allergies can make it worse. Allergies cause inflammation in the airways and lungs, which makes it harder for them to do their job.
If you’re allergic to something that’s always around (like pollen or dust mites), consider keeping an eye on your symptoms during allergy season so that if they get worse when pollen levels are high, for example, you can take steps to manage them by staying indoors or using the medication as prescribed by your doctor.
Asthma Specialist in Longwood, Florida
If you are having difficulty with asthma, it is essential to see a specialist. A doctor specializing in asthma can help you find the proper treatment, and they can also help you find the appropriate treatment for you.
Don’t let this chronic condition limit your life. Seek expert care from the top-notch asthma specialists at Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates of Central Florida in Longwood! Our team of highly experienced specialists understands the complexities of asthma. We will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan to help manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. We provide comprehensive asthma care tailored to your unique needs with the latest diagnostic tools and advanced treatments. Whether you need ongoing management or a second opinion, our asthma specialists in Longwood are here to help.
At Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates of Central Florida, we are committed to providing compassionate care that is both effective and accessible. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment!