A chronic illness can also affect one's ability to cope at school or at work. In extreme cases, physical limitations – such as the shortness of breath that frequently accompanies asthma – may make it necessary to change work, school or recreational activities. A change in working conditions, as well as the expenses of having a chronic illness, from costly insurance coverage to out-of-pocket medical expenses, may also lead to financial difficulties.
Despite the challenges of coping with chronic asthma, however, many people are able to manage their asthma symptoms, prevent complications and enjoy their everyday routines and activities. The asthma coping tips you'll find here should help.
What Steps Can People With Asthma Take to Manage Their Condition?
No one should be in denial about having asthma. Ignoring the condition can mean living with uncontrolled symptoms, frequent asthma attacks and complications. Controlling asthma may reduce the need for certain asthma medications. The following steps can be taken to help you cope better with living with asthma:
- Work with a doctor to achieve the best control of the illness, from medications to lifestyle and environmental changes. Follow the asthma self-management plan provided by the doctor.
- Use asthma medications correctly, including taking them on schedule and using inhalers correctly. Ask for instructions and/or a demonstration before taking inhalers home.
- Be aware of the symptoms of an asthma attack, such as coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and difficulty breathing, and use the quick-relief medicine prescribed by the doctor.
- Use a peak flow meter to monitor the illness.
- Control allergens at home. Certain environmental triggers – such as tobacco smoke and furry pets – can aggravate asthma. Follow a doctor's advice to create an asthma-friendly home.
- Get regular exercise. If asthma attacks are limiting physical activity, ask a doctor for suggestions on how to incorporate appropriate exercise into daily routines. Research has shown that people with lung diseases benefit both physically and emotionally from physical activity.
What Other Strategies Should People With Asthma Use to Cope?
Here are some more asthma coping tips that may help you live life to the fullest.
- Be realistic, but be creative. Living with a chronic illness doesn't mean that hopes and dreams have to change, but the way they are achieved will probably be different. Put creative energies into finding a way to reach goals.
- Learn to cope with the stress of having a chronic illness. Living with chronic asthma may lead to feelings of uncertainty, frustration, anger and depression. These feelings can also affect family and friends. Some of the signals of stress include different sleep patterns – such as sleeping more or less than usual – in addition to fatigue, body aches, pain, anxiety, irritability, tension and headaches. Seek help by joining a support group to share experiences with others who also are living with this chronic illness. Individual counseling may also help. Anti-depressant medications are another option for those who are depressed.
- Adopt a problem-solving attitude and control negative thoughts. Don't dwell on the past before the asthma diagnosis. See the condition as a challenge to be met, not as a problem that can't be solved.
- Become an expert on the illness. The more you and your loved ones know about asthma, the easier it is to manage. Ask a doctor to provide as much information as he or she can, including trusted sources on the Internet. Take time to explore this site too, including the section for people who are newly diagnosed with asthma.
- Educate family members and friends. The more loved ones understand about asthma, the more support they will be able to offer. They will also be alert to the warning signals of an asthma attack. Offer books or pamphlets for your loved ones to read, or ask them to come to your visits to the doctor with you so that they can ask their own questions.
- Learn to manage daily activities. Meeting the challenges of a chronic illness can be tiring. Avoid doing too much or too little to help control the asthma.
- Slow down. Use relaxation and meditation to fully focus on being in the present, because stress and anxiety are among the greatest triggers that can cause an asthma attack. Relaxation techniques may also help prevent asthma attacks.
Finally, don't ignore all the help that is available, whether from doctors, family and friends, community resources or support groups. Research has shown that people living with a chronic illness who have an extended network of support fare better than those who withdraw and become isolated. Seeking help from a physician and/or a support group or mental health professional is a vital step in dealing with the many facets of a chronic illness and will help restore physical and emotional health.
Related Articles
Sources:
10 Steps for Coping with a Chronic Condition. Dec. 2003. Harvard Health Publications. Harvard Medical School. President and Fellows of Harvard College. 5 Nov. 2007. <http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsweek/10_steps_for_coping_with_a_chronic_condition.htm>.
Coping with Chronic Illness: What Goes Wrong: When it Comes to Self-Managing Chronic Conditions, Patients Often Make Mistakes. 2005. WebMD.com 5 Nov. 2007. <http://www.webmd.com/asthma/features/coping-with-chronic-illness-what-goes-wrong>.
LeMaistre, JoAnn. Coping With Chronic Illness. 1999. Alpine Guild. 5 Nov 2007 <http://www.alpineguild.com/COPING%20WITH%20CHRONIC%20ILLNESS.html>
Living With Asthma. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute Diseases and Conditions Index. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. 5 Nov 2005 <http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Asthma/Asthma_LivingWith.html>
