While there is currently no cure for asthma, it can be well-controlled, allowing the majority of those with asthma to live normal and active lives. Creating healthy habits can help prevent problems with sleeping and daily activities and minimize its effects. Let’s review a few asthma-related complications and how you can reduce or avoid them.

Asthma can cause a permanent narrowing of the bronchial tubes, which makes it harder for your body to get oxygen. Without enough oxygen, activities like walking your dog, grocery shopping or chores can be far more difficult.

Narrowing of the airways can cause, coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath. This can interfere with your sleep or reduce your quality of sleep. It’s also common for those with asthma to develop sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition where you have repeated pauses in breathing while you sleep.

You may also have trouble handling infections, like the common cold or flu. An infection can cause tightening of the airways and more mucus production. This can make symptoms of asthma more severe and last longer than someone without asthma. Asthma can also increase your chances of developing a sinus infection. This can make your asthma even harder to control.

Asthma that is not well managed can worsen your lung functioning.

You may also need to visit the emergency room or urgent care more often from asthma attacks or side effects from long-term use of oral or injectable steroids and antibiotics.

What Can You Do?

Stay on top of your medications and overall health to help make your daily activities easier and talk to your care team about any side effects of your medication. Talk to your care team to see if you should get tested for sleep apnea and ask about how to get a better night’s sleep.

Triggers or irritants cause both asthma and sinus infections, so be mindful of your surroundings, and keep track of things you notice that make your asthma worse.

Asthma can often come with a lot of mental stress. If you feel like your stress is becoming too much to bear with asthma, ask your Health Advisor for some tips on stress management techniques.

Talk to your Health Advisor about strategies to manage side effects and reduce your trips to the ER. Staying on top of your condition by tracking your symptoms and living a healthier lifestyle is the best way to prevent any further complications. Be sure to reach out to your Health Advisor if you have any questions!