Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List
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Prevention of Asthma
It is not possible to prevent a person from developing asthma, but individual asthma attacks can often be prevented.
People with asthma should check the state of their air tubes by regularly using a peak expiratory flow meter. The results should be noted and any drop in performance, shown by a reduction in the free flow of air, reported to the doctor.
Asthmatics should try to avoid anything that they know has brought on attacks in the past, such as particular allergens (house-dust mites, pets, mould and certain foodstuffs) or smoky atmospheres. There is clear evidence that passive smoking makes childhood asthma worse, and that removal from exposure improves the asthma. Both parents and those planning families should quit smoking, to reduce wheezing in their child. Research has also shown that breastfeeding provides protection against wheezing in the early life of a child.
A program of self-management, which involves a written action plan, including what to do if you are experiencing worsening symptoms, self-monitoring (either by peak expiratory flow rate or using a symptom diary) and regular medical review, should be offered to all people with asthma. An action plan is available from the National Asthma Campaign.
People with asthma (and those who provide them with care) should know the aims, effects and side effects of medication, how to monitor asthma, and when and how to increase drug dosage.
