Asthma Prevention: What Steps Can You Take?

An asthma attack can feel like you have a heavy weight on your chest. No matter how hard you try, you can’t take in enough air. While these symptoms can be frightening, smart steps can help prevent them.

At her offices in Valencia, Burbank, and Lancaster, California, Dr. Maricar Cutillar-Garcia personalizes asthma treatment to reduce the severity and frequency of your symptoms.

If you have asthma, consider the following preventive steps to breathe easier and guard against attacks.

Understand your asthma triggers

Asthma causes lung inflammation and narrowed airways, but the triggers behind those issues vary. Getting a sense of your triggers helps you avoid them, leading to fewer respiratory symptoms.

Common asthma triggers include: 

• Environmental allergens
• Cigarette smoke 
• Air pollution 
• Extreme weather changes 
• Exercise 

Colds, flu, and COVID-19 can also bring on asthma attacks. 

Work with a qualified expert

Asthma treatment plans prevent flare ups by lessening the impact of allergens. Depending on your allergens, symptoms, and overall health, your plan may involve inhaled medication or longer-acting medication and an emergency plan to keep handy for any sudden allergy attacks.

Dr. Cutillar-Garcia uses advanced pulmonary function testing to identify asthma triggers. Unlike your own trial and error, proper asthma testing makes trigger avoidance relatively easy. She can also provide an allergy skin test.

Track your breathing

Asthma attacks can seem quite sudden, but your body shows signs beforehand. A peak flow meter can detect those signs before obvious symptoms. When you breathe into this handheld device, it measures how quickly you can push air from your lungs. 

Based on your instructions after an exam, you’ll know what actions to take when your numbers shift from a safe zone to “caution” or “emergency.” You’ll know when to take an added dose of medication, for example, which can stave off an attack and prevent hospital visits.

Cultivate asthma-friendly hygiene habits

Improving your hygiene habits with your respiratory health in mind can go a long way toward minimizing asthma symptoms. Helpful steps often include:

• Avoiding harsh beauty and cleaning sprays
• Frequently washing your hands 
• Using a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) air purifier 
• Washing your bedding weekly
• Using a dust mite-proof mattress cover
• Wearing an N-95 respirator mask when cleaning mold

Keeping your home and workspace clutter-free and avoiding smoking helps, too. 

To learn more about preventing an asthma attack or get started with personalized guidance, call our office or request an appointment through our website today.