Asthma may seem to be difficult to manage, but it’s not impossible. With an effective asthma prevention and management plan, you can be in control of your asthma without letting asthma control you. Here are a few tips for asthma relief:

1. Be prepared

It’s a good idea to talk to your doctor and make sure you are doing everything you can to prevent an asthma attack. If you have a rescue inhaler, make sure you carry it with you everywhere you go. If your asthma is severe enough, make sure you have a peak flow meter available as well. A peak flow meter is a handheld device that measures the amount of air flow coming from a user’s lungs. Peak flow meter measures are used to diagnose asthma, including nighttime asthma, and are provided to asthma patients as part of their asthma care plan.

2. Have a plan

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every asthmatic should have a fully documented asthma plan. An asthma plan is developed in conjunction with your physician and documents your very own personalized strategy to manage and control your asthma. Each plan is specific to the patient and contains benchmarks like optimum peak flow meter levels and a list of quick-acting and long-acting medications that the patient takes as well as the dosages.

The asthma plan should also include suggestions about what to do if you are in distress and guidance on when you should proceed to the urgent care or emergency-room care. The plan is meant to serve as a guide for you, your family and friends should you be unable to help yourself. Planning ahead can save lives.

3. Control your triggers

What triggers an asthma attack varies from person to person. However, there is a list of common triggers that are behind most asthma attacks. Those triggers include outdoor air pollution, tobacco smoke, dust mites, cockroaches, pollen, pet hair, dander and mold. Knowing what your triggers are and controlling them can be the key to staying healthy.

For example, in the spring and fall, pollen counts can be high. Therefore, it is important to remember to take off your sweater or coat prior to entering your home because you may transfer pollen from outside into the living areas of your home. Your shoes may also have pollen on them, so leave them at the door. A clean, smoke-free environment can help lessen the risks associated with other triggers. Remember to change your sheets at least once a week to control dust mites.

When suffering from the cold or flu, asthmatics are also at increased risk for developing respiratory infections. This makes preventing the spread of the cold and flu viruses even more important. One way to prevent the transmission is to practice good personal hygiene, which includes frequently washing your hands. Additionally, make sure you speak with your physician every year about getting the flu and pneumonia vaccines.

4. Use an air purifier for asthma

Another way to combat the allergens and pollutants that aggravate asthma is to use a high-performance air purifier for asthma to remove airborne triggers. IQAir’s HealthPro Plus is widely recognized as the most effective air purifier at removing asthma and allergy triggers from the air. Given its efficiency and ability to remove even the most tiny pollutants, the HealthPro Plus will give you medical-grade air purification. Facing asthma can be daunting. The good news is that preparation can go a long way to help asthmatics and their families control their disease.