How Seniors Are Affected by Asthma and How We Can Reduce the Impact
Are you a senior suffering from asthma? Maybe your children have been affected by it too? In this article, find out how seniors are affected by asthma and some helpful home remedies to reduce the impact.
The Impact of Asthma on Seniors
Asthma is a chronic lung disease that can affect any age group, but it is particularly common in seniors. Asthma symptoms can include difficulty breathing, chest tightness, and coughing. In severe cases, asthmatics may experience shortness of breath, heart failure, and even death.
There are many things that seniors can do to reduce the impact of asthma on their lives. First, they should consult with their doctor about their asthma diagnosis and treatment options.
Second, seniors should take precautions to avoid triggering asthma symptoms. For example, they should avoid exposure to dust mites, pollens, and other allergens.
Third, seniors should maintain good respiratory health by exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet.
Finally, seniors should connect with community resources to get support and advice related to coping with asthma.
How Can We Reduce the Impact of Asthma?
Asthma is a respiratory illness that affects seniors disproportionately. More than two thirds of people with asthma are over the age of 65. The disease can be debilitating and even life-threatening, but there are ways we can reduce the impact it has on our seniors.
One way to help reduce asthma symptoms is to keep your home environment clean and free from dust mites and other allergens. This will help to reduce the number of infections your asthma suffers from.
Another way to reduce asthma symptoms is to take medications as prescribed. If you have severe asthma, you may need medication every day. If you don’t take your medications as prescribed, your symptoms may become worse and you could even end up in the hospital.
If you have asthma, it’s important to talk to your doctor about the best ways to manage it. There are many treatments available that can make a big difference in how your asthma affects your quality of life.
Common Mistakes When Using Home Remedies for Asthma
If you are a senior, you are more likely to suffer from asthma. Here are three common mistakes older adults make when using home remedies for asthma.
- Not recognizing that asthma is a chronic condition : Asthma is a long-term disease that can be managed with medication and therapy, but it requires regular care. If you think your asthma is just a one-time event, then you may not take the necessary steps to manage it properly.
- Overusing over-the-counter medications or relying on home remedies that don’t work well.
Over-the-counter medications are only effective if you take them as directed and avoid using them in combination with other medications or supplements.
Many of the over-the-counter asthma treatments that are sold at drugstores and supermarkets don’t work very well, especially if you’re taking them multiple times a day.
In addition, many of these remedies contain chemicals that could be harmful if they get into your system in large amounts.
- Not seeing a doctor when symptoms first occur : It’s important to see a doctor if you have any signs or symptoms of asthma, such as shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness,
Common Home Remedies for Asthma
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that affects people of all ages, but it is especially common in seniors. In fact, asthma is the most common chronic illness in people over the age of 65.
Asthma can be debilitating and require extensive treatment, but there are many things you can do to reduce the impact it has on your life. Here are some common home remedies for asthma:
- Stress reduction: According to research, the body’s response to stress causes the immune system to release certain hormones. This results in inflammation of the airways of the lungs, which can trigger an asthma attack.Limiting stress may help reduce frequency of asthma attack.
- Yoga and Breathing exercise:
Accordingly to some studies, sub-optimal breathing patterns is quite common among those surfing from asthma.
Following a daily yoga/ breathing exercise routine helps in short-term symptoms and might be beneficial in the long run.
- Identifying and eliminating triggers:
Asthma triggers various from person to person.
Some of the triggers listed by CDC are: tobacco smoke, dust mites, air pollution, pets, pests, mold, disinfectants, flu, physical exercise; some medicines; bad weather, such as thunderstorms or high humidity; breathing in cold, dry air; and some foods, food additives, and fragrances. Stress and anxiety can also trigger attacks.
Study your pattern and identify what triggers you in order to be able to eliminate or control the causes.
- Tea or coffee :
Some studies suggest that caffeinated drinks like coffee and black tea may help boost lung function in people with asthma.
There is less evidence to suggest that other herbal teas like eucalyptus tea, licorice tea, turmeric tea, and mullein tea can combat asthma.
Still, some people use them to try to curb mucus production or help soothe a sore throat, cough, and other asthma-related symptoms.
- Essential oils :
While some essential oils may have health benefits Sir to their anti-inflammatory properties like lavender oil and eucalyptus oil, others with asthma may find their symptoms worsen when exposed to some/all oils or any scent.
Always be cautious and do an allergy test before trying out essential oils. Always keep essential oils out of the reach of children.
- Massage: Massage therapy may improve lung function in children with asthma, according to a meta-analysis of 14 studies. Research, however, is still ongoing..
Concluding Remarks
Asthma is a common respiratory illness that impacts seniors in a number of ways. Asthma can cause difficulty breathing, chest tightness, and coughing. In addition, asthma can lead to reduced quality of life and even death.
Fortunately, there are many ways that seniors can reduce the impact of asthma on their lives.
Here are a few tips:
– Get regular exercise. Exercise has been shown to reduce symptoms of asthma, improve lung function, and lower blood pressure.
– Follow a healthy diet. A healthy diet can help reduce inflammation in the body and improve airflow through the lungs. Foods that are high in antioxidants, fiber, and proteins are especially beneficial for asthma patients.
– Seek medical help if symptoms develop. If symptoms of asthma become severe or persistent, seek out medical help. Doctors may prescribe medications or recommend surgery to improve breathing.
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