asthma control

Compliments of www.RealAge.com

Watch what you eat. In addition to avoiding food triggers you may have (sulfites in processed potatoes, shrimp, dried fruit, beer, and wine, are common ones), consider adding inflammation-fighting nutrients to your diet, such as antioxidant-rich produce and omega-3-rich oils and seeds. Check out these 9 foods that may help fight asthma inflammation. Control your weight. People with asthma who are overweight tend to have more airway inflammation and more severe and persistent symptoms, compared to people with asthma who maintain a healthy weight. If you are carrying extra pounds, losing weight may help you breathe more easily. Learn how weight loss helped this 38-year-old woman gain control over asthma. Get regular exercise. If your asthma is well-controlled, you can likely be active without symptoms. Regular exercise can help you shed weight, reduce stress, and boost sleep quality. If you suffer from exercise-induced asthma, ask your doctor about strategies to minimize your symptoms during workouts, such as taking medication before you're active, exercising indoors, or avoiding exercise on days when the pollen count or air pollution level is high. Discover the health benefits of walking just 30 minutes a day. Take care of stress. The link between stress and worsening asthma symptoms has long been established. Stress and anxiety don't cause asthma, but they can make symptoms worse -- even trigger an attack. Strong emotions can also make you hyperventilate, which can narrow your airways. Here are 5 ways to get a handle on your emotions. Get a good night's sleep. Acid reflux during sleep can trigger nighttime asthma attacks, and people who have unstable asthma are more prone to developing sleep apnea. Treating your sleep conditions may help you achieve better asthma control. (Do you have a sleep disorder? Take this quick sleep health assessment to find out.)