Asthma is a lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe. You can prevent asthma attacks by carefully changing your environment and avoiding triggers. Your doctor may also prescribe medicine that can help.
What causes asthma?
Asthma is hereditary, so if one or both of your parents had asthma, it’s likely you’ll have asthma too. In addition to genetics, allergies, illness, smoking, pets, cold air, stress or even exercise can trigger asthma.
What are symptoms of asthma?
Symptoms include shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing or a feeling of tightness in the chest.
The lungs react in two different ways:
- Muscle spasms make breathing difficult
- Airways get narrow because the lining of the lungs is inflamed
How to avoid common asthma triggers
Asthma triggers may be different for everyone. Learning how to avoid them can prevent asthma attacks.
Here are some things you can do to avoid the most common triggers of asthma:
- Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke
- Wear a mask when painting, doing construction work or yard work
- Get your flu shot
- Use HEPA filters in your vacuum, furnace and air conditioner
- Use protective bedding and pillow cases to reduce allergies
- Keep pets out of your home
- Manage stress levels to avoid panic attacks
- See a specialist to identify allergies and learn how to avoid them
- Stay on your prescribed maintenance medicine
What are common medicines or treatments for asthma?
Treatment and medicines depend on how severe your asthma is and how frequently you have attacks.
- If you have mild asthma and less than two asthma attacks per week, your doctor may prescribe a rescue or emergency inhaler (bronchodilator) to use as needed for fast relief.
- If you have more than two asthma attacks per week, your doctor may diagnose you with persistent asthma. They may prescribe a daily medicine like a maintenance inhaler or anti-inflammatory. These prevent asthma symptoms, but may take a few days to start working. It’s also important to keep taking your medicine even if you’re feeling better.
Talk to your doctor if you’re taking your medicine as directed and are avoiding triggers but still have asthma attacks.
Can breathing exercises help asthma?
Especially with stress-induced asthma or asthma symptoms during a panic attack, breathing exercises may help. They give you a tool to calm down while focusing on your breath. Try breathing in and out while slowly counting to ten.
What asthma tests and treatments does Blue Cross cover?
The most common test used to diagnose asthma is a lung function test. Allergy testing can determine potential causes for asthma as well. Call the customer service number on your member ID card to find out if these tests are covered.
Blue Cross also offers case managers and educational mailings for both adults and children to manage asthma. The care management program is free for eligible members, voluntary and confidential. To learn more about the program, call the customer service number on your member ID card.
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