Managing Asthma Flare-Ups: Tips from Asthma Clinic Experts

Asthma is a chronic condition that narrows and inflames the airways in the lungs. It causes symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. When these symptoms worsen, it leads to asthma flare-ups, also known as asthma episodes or asthma attacks. To discover more about asthma flare-ups, find out what our allergy testing Houston healthcare providers recommend for effective treatments.

People suffering from asthma may go several days without noticing any symptoms and then suddenly experience a flare-up. These flare-ups can range from minor to severe emergencies. However, an effective asthma treatment strategy can help you avoid flare-ups and prevent them from being triggered.

Recognizing the Signs of Worsening Symptoms

The worsening of asthma symptoms, which are often brought on by shifts in hormone production or the body's internal clock, is known as a flare-up. More quick-relief medicine may be necessary if your inhaler isn't working as effectively as it should. As it monitors symptoms and analyzes the functioning of lungs, peak expiratory flow (PEF) is an essential tool for determining how severe an asthma flare-up is. Hence, to find the suggested range for a flare-up is done with a peak flow meter.

Minor flare-ups include coughing, wheezing, or slight breathing difficulties, whereas moderate flare-ups involve shortness of breath and wheezing when talking, exhaling, or lying down. However, trouble breathing, confusion, anxiety, disorientation, or sleepiness can all be symptoms of a major flare-up. To monitor and treat these flare-ups, a PEF reading that falls between 50% and 80% of an individual's personal best is considered acceptable. Moreover, it is important to speak with a healthcare professional to determine the proper normal range for a peak flow meter.

Managing Asthma Flare-Ups: Tips from Asthma Clinic Experts

Since many asthma symptoms are caused by asthma triggers, your healthcare professional can guide you the best to prevent an asthma flare-up before it begins.

• Keep a log and record your PEF readings on a regular basis by monitoring your symptoms to figure out what your asthma triggers are, if you aren’t aware of it.
• Quit Smoking.
• Avoid yourself from getting exposed to allergens, irritants, and pollutants.
• If you are prone to seasonal allergies, wear a mask and close your doors and windows when the pollen count is at its peak.
• Minimize pet dander, if you have pets at home.
• If illnesses make your asthma symptoms worse, it's important to get your seasonal flu shots.

Creating an Asthma Action Plan to Prevent Flare-Ups

Your asthma action plan is a comprehensive manual for managing your asthma symptoms. An asthma action plan should tell you, your healthcare professionals, and your family and friends what to do in the event of a mild, moderate, or severe asthma flare-up. It should also include the following information:

• Your medical background, including allergies and associated diseases.
• Details on the dosage, frequency, and emergency administration instructions for your drugs.
• Contact information of your family, your doctor, and any other relevant people.

Flare-ups can be minor, moderate, or severe. It is important to take asthma medicine as directed, particularly if a rescue inhaler is being used. Even in the absence of symptoms, take preventative controller medication as directed. Common factors for asthma flare-ups include pollutants, irritants, allergies, stress, infections, diseases, weather changes, and intense emotions. Take quick-relief drugs and, if prescribed, oral corticosteroids or other asthma-fighting drugs to treat flare-ups. If your symptoms get worse, get emergency care.

Make an action plan, stay away from triggers, and take your medicine as directed to prevent flare-ups. Treat the symptoms right away if they get worse since severe conditions might result in deadly respiratory failure. Get immediate assistance, if the flare-up becomes uncontrollable or chronic.