How to Lower Your Risk for Asthma Complications

Asthma is a chronic illness that causes the lungs to become inflamed and produce excess mucus. It can make breathing difficult and increase your risk of complications.

You don’t have to suffer. Identifying your triggers and taking a proactive treatment approach can help keep your lungs healthy.

At Himalaya Family Medicine Clinic in Aurora, Colorado, our family medicine doctor, Bipin Kumar, MD, provides high-quality asthma care. Read on to discover proven ways to keep asthma complications to a minimum.

4 tips for reducing the risk of asthma complications

Here’s how to keep asthma complications from affecting your breathing and quality of life:

1. Avoid common allergens

About 80% of people with asthma also have allergies. Allergies occur when the body’s immune system identifies harmless substances, like dirt or animal hair, as dangerous invaders, such as viruses or bacteria. 

That triggers the production of antibodies, which help fight infection. But it also causes inflammation throughout the body, and in people with asthma, the lungs.

Knowing the allergens that worsen your asthma symptoms is an excellent first line of defense. For example, if you’re allergic to cat hair, avoid contact with cats whenever possible. Similarly, taking an antihistamine can help if you think you might come into contact with one.

2. Follow your asthma treatment plan

Asthma is a chronic condition but can be managed with medication, lifestyle changes, and routine medical checkups. However, for these measures to be effective, you must follow your personalized treatment plan. 

For optimal results, take your medication as prescribed and always carry a quick-relief inhaler in case of an asthma attack. 

It also helps to keep a symptom journal and monitor your respiratory health daily. Whenever you have symptoms, like changes in your breathing, write them down and keep our team informed.

3. Schedule regular checkups

Asthma typically worsens with age, and routine checkups are key to staying on top of any changes. During each visit, we ask about your symptoms and assess your treatment plan to ensure it’s working. 

If you experience worsening symptoms, like difficulty breathing or more frequent asthma attacks, let us know. We use this information to make necessary adjustments that support your lungs and respiratory system.

4. Practice good hygiene

People with asthma are more likely to experience complications from respiratory infections, like the flu and COVID-19. Asthma can damage the lungs and weaken the immune system, increasing the risk of pneumonia and other severe complications.

The best way to reduce this risk is by avoiding infection altogether. That starts with good hygiene. We recommend washing your hands thoroughly throughout the day, wearing a mask in crowded spaces during cold and flu season, and staying current on all your vaccinations.

We can help manage your asthma

Living with asthma isn’t easy, but there’s plenty you can do to keep your lungs healthy and prevent lasting complications.

Contact Himalaya Family Medicine Clinic to schedule an asthma checkup. Call our office at 303-351-1800 or book your visit online today.