Asthma is a disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the airways. Asthma attacks can appear suddenly and disrupt daily life. People with asthma need to manage their condition well throughout their lives to avoid asthma attacks that can appear at any time.

Along with taking medication regularly, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is also necessary to prevent asthma flare-ups. What kind of healthy lifestyle is recommended for people with asthma? Find the answer in the following article.

Healthy Lifestyle for People with Asthma

Eating healthy food

People with asthma need to eat healthy and fresh foods and reduce their consumption of processed foods. A study revealed that a dietary shift from fresh to processed food consumption may be linked to the increase in asthma cases over the past few decades. However, further research is still needed on this matter.

There is still no evidence to suggest that there is one food or nutrient that can improve asthma symptoms on its own. However, experts recommend eating fresh foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, that are minimally processed and have no additives. Selective food choices can also minimize the risk of allergies, which, in some cases, can trigger asthma attacks.

Some foods that are recommended for people with asthma include:

• Foods rich in vitamin D, such as milk and eggs
• Vegetables rich in beta-carotene, such as carrots and green leafy vegetables
• Magnesium-rich foods like spinach and pumpkin seeds

Meanwhile, foods that should be avoided include:

• Foods containing sulfites, such as those found in wine and dried fruits, 
• Foods that can cause gas in the digestive tract such as beans, cabbage, and onions
• Additional artificial ingredients, such as chemical perservatives or other flavorings
  
  

Read more: Persiapan Sekolah untuk Anak dengan Asma

Routinely exercise 

Regular physical activity can reduce asthma symptoms by improving your lung health. As long as you do the right type and amount of exercise, exercise can actually improve your asthma condition. Some types of exercise that are recommended for people with asthma include swimming, morning walks, hiking, volleyball, gymnastics, or cycling.

Apart from exercise, you can also do breathing exercises to reduce asthma symptoms. This exercise method helps to open the airway and reduce the effort to breathe.

Reduce exposure to asthma triggers

Asthma triggers can vary from person to person. There are materials that cause airway irritation, allergic reactions, or other things that trigger asthma symptoms. In general, asthma triggers are categorized as follows:

• Irritants, which can be any kind of smoke, air pollution, strong and sharp smells, extremely hot or cold weather
• Allergens, including animal dander, pollen, dust or dust bugs
• Other physical conditions such as stress, strong emotions that cause changes in breathing patterns, respiratory infections, and exercise

By recognizing your exposure to asthma triggers, you can prevent exposure to asthma triggers from relapsing.

Read more: Baru Mengalami Asma Setelah Dewasa, Apa Penyebabnya?

Managing stress properly

For some people, stress is one of the triggers of asthma. Understanding how to manage stress can help you prevent asthma flare-ups. Some ways to manage stress well include journal writing, breathing exercises, massage and other self-care activities.

Get regular check-ups

People with asthma generally receive regular medication from their doctor to keep their condition stable. If your asthma relapses frequently, it is recommended to follow the doctor's treatment plan and always carry an inhaler and other medicines to prevent asthma relapses. In addition, do regular check-ups as recommended by your doctor to check the progress of your asthma condition.

Asthma is a disease whose symptoms can flare up at any time. If you have asthma, adopting a healthy lifestyle can help prevent asthma flare-ups. For those of you who have questions about asthma, you should consult a doctor or take advantage of the consultation feature on the Ai Care application.

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