Home  Asthma Questions and answers about asthma Lifestyle
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What climate is best for a person with asthma? |
There is no specific climate that is ideal for all people with asthma, since there are so many factors that can start the symptoms and these factors differ from person to person. If you move to another area there can be things in the new environment that provoke your asthma symptoms more or less than where you lived before. However, usually the allergen levels are lower at higher altitudes, e.g. on mountains. |
| Are relaxing exercises are good for my asthma? | | Everyone needs to relax sometimes. Learning techniques for how to relax and breathe more easily might help you to avoid feeling panic during an asthma attack. |
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Is there a good breathing technique that is good when my asthma symptoms get worse? |
There are a couple of useful breathing techniques. Sit on a chair, supporting your arms on the back of the chair; or stand up, leaning your arms on a table. Then inhale and exhale calmly through slightly closed lips.
Ask your physical therapist or doctor for more specific advice in this area. |
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How does asthma affect my choice of a professional career? | | When you decide what occupation you want, it is important to discuss the alternatives with an asthma specialist. It’s probably not a good idea to go for a job where you would have to spend time in dusty and smoky environments or in places with strong smells. |
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Sometimes people have trouble understanding that I can’t handle perfumes and smoke. What can I do? | | Since asthma is “invisible”, it can be hard for the people around you to understand that you can’t handle certain things. It’s important that you tell them – and remind them whenever necessary – about your condition to help them increase their knowledge and understanding, and to show the necessary consideration. It’s reasonable, for example, to ask your friends or visitors not to smoke in your home. There are a number of brochures and video clips with information on asthma available at your doctor’s, at the pharmacy, or on the Internet. It could be a good idea to show one of these to your relatives and friends to help them better understand what asthma is all about. |
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What can I do to make my environment at home more suitable for me? | It’s important that your home is easy to clean and ventilate and that the floors are easy to clean. Try to avoid having dust collect in textiles and furniture. Wood, tile or linoleum flooring is much better than fitted textile carpeting, which tends to collect a lot of dust and mites. Do not keep furry animals or birds.
Try also to avoid strong perfumes, aftershave, deodorants and fragrant flowers inside the house. And don’t allow smoking indoors! |
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Can I have pets even though I have asthma? | | If you have asthma and are allergic, you should not buy a pet. If you have asthma but no signs of allergy, and don't get symptoms from your pet, it is OK to keep it. |
| When I went to Spain on holiday I felt great - should I move there? | | It is impossible to advise someone to move to another place. Having vacation in itself is a pleasant experience that makes you feel good. |
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Due to my asthma I have to miss out on activities that are important to me, e.g. dancing. This makes me sad and angry. What can I do? | Discuss this with your doctor. One solution is to take extra medication before you go out dancing. An increase in medication may make it possible for you to participate in activities that are important to you.
A chronic disease like asthma can of course place limitations on your social life that are hard to accept. You can feel a sense of grief or loss over not being able to go out dancing, or missing out on other activities. You need to work out these feelings so you can move on and find other alternative activities that can be equally pleasant and valuable. |
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