Having a chronic health condition isn’t always easy. We bet that you had many questions when you or your loved one first received your diagnosis. And also that you may still have questions. Huddy Health answered some of the frequently asked questions about asthma.
Will my asthma ever go away?
Asthma is a lifelong condition. You won’t outgrow it, and it won’t one day disappear. But, asthma doesn’t have to control your life. Different treatment and management options can help you manage your condition to live a happy and fulfilling life.
What can’t I do because of my asthma?
Believe it or not, this is a frequently asked asthma question. There is no right or wrong answer. That depends on the severity of your asthma and how well you’re able to control it. Having asthma doesn’t mean that you have to live a limited life or that you have to stop doing a lot of the physical things that you like, such as exercising or playing sports. But, your asthma needs to be under control. We can’t stress that enough. Do these three things to help.
- Avoid known or suspected triggers.
- Keep regular visits with your healthcare providers or specialists.
- Remain compliant with your treatment plan.
What does asthma control mean?
The short answer is that it’s managed. Are your having frequent flare-ups? Do you find yourself visiting the emergency room more frequently? Are more of your activities limited due to your asthma? If you answered yes to any of the questions, your asthma is uncontrolled. You should consult with your care team about your options for management. These may be some of your options.
Can I get asthma as an adult?
Another frequently asked asthma question is when and how it’s developed. Asthma often starts in childhood. However, it’s possible to develop asthma later in life. Healthcare providers call this late-onset asthma. Exposure to different asthma triggers, such as irritants, substances, and even hormones, can cause late-onset asthma. Read more about asthma triggers here.
What is an asthma action plan?
Everyone with asthma should have an asthma action plan. It’s a “next step” plan, and it outlines when you should take action and the specific action you should take. You’d usually create one with your healthcare provider. But it may help for you to think about your unique situation before meeting to develop the plan. Check out this article about asthma action plans.
Are my asthma medications safe?
You’d be surprised at how frequently this question is asked about asthma. Your healthcare provider prescribes medications to help with asthma control. But, no medicine is 100% sure. There are always risks of side effects and reactions. However, this doesn’t mean that everyone has side effects or that all side effects are life-threatening. Please monitor any side effects you have and speak with your doctor about anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.
Why is my asthma worse in different environments?
The simple answer is asthma triggers. Asthma triggers are things that make your asthma worse or bring on an asthma attack. So, some environments may have your trigger, while others don’t.
Should I take my asthma medicine or look for other options?
Prescribed medications may not be your only option for treating or managing your asthma. Here we discussed some of the complementary and alternative treatments that people have used. We don’t suggest that you stop with your prescribed treatments because noncompliance contributes to poor asthma control. Consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment plan. Discuss your options with them to make sure that the alternatives are safe for use.