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Tips to Keep Your Asthma Under Control

Jun 04 , 2025 | 2 min read

Managing asthma requires more than just medication—it also involves making key lifestyle changes. Here are some essential steps that can help people control their asthma more effectively and improve their quality of life:

Avoid Asthma Triggers

The first and most crucial step in asthma management is identifying and avoiding triggers. Common triggers include dust, pollen, pet dander, dust mites, smoke, chemical fumes, and strong fragrances such as perfumes. These can vary from person to person. Even household cleaning agents and incense sticks can trigger symptoms in sensitive individuals. Identifying the triggers that cause flare-ups is important, as avoiding them can help lower the chances and intensity of asthma attacks.

Maintain a Healthy Diet

A healthy and balanced diet is necessary for effectively managing asthma. Foods high in vitamin C and antioxidants support the immune system and help defend the body against infections and inflammation. Since viral infections commonly cause asthma exacerbations, strengthening immunity is important. During the COVID-19 pandemic, vitamin C supplementation of up to 1,000 mg daily was widely recommended, and the same applies to individuals prone to asthma, especially during flu seasons.

Exercise Regularly—But with Caution

Physical activity is important for overall health and lung function, but asthma patients should exercise cautiously. Overexertion can trigger symptoms, so it's important to listen to your body and pace yourself. In India, outdoor air pollution—especially during autumn and winter—can worsen asthma. On such days, opt for indoor workouts. Focus on exercises that improve lung capacity and strengthen chest and limb muscles, such as breathing exercises, yoga, and light cardio.

Manage Stress Effectively

Emotional stress can also act as an asthma trigger. Episodes of crying, laughing, or anxiety may worsen symptoms. Conditions like depression can lead to poor asthma control. Therefore, it's important to maintain emotional well-being through stress-reducing practices like meditation, deep-breathing exercises, or counselling.

Quit Smoking and Avoid Passive Smoke

Smoking is harmful in all forms, especially for those with asthma. Cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 harmful chemicals, more than 50 of which are known to cause cancer. Secondhand smoke is equally dangerous. When a person smokes, only one-third of the smoke is inhaled—the rest pollutes the air around them, exposing bystanders to the same toxins. Complete avoidance of both active and passive smoking is essential for asthma control.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Obesity can make it harder to manage asthma and is often associated with other conditions like obstructive sleep apnea, which can further worsen respiratory function. Maintaining weight through a healthy diet and regular physical activity can greatly improve asthma outcomes.

Get Vaccinated

Viral infections, especially flu and pneumonia, can trigger severe asthma attacks. Annual flu vaccinations—preferably in September or October, when new strains are released—and pneumococcal vaccines can help prevent such infections and reduce the risk of complications.

Bonus Tip: Have an Asthma Action Plan

Every asthma patient should work with their doctor to develop a personalised asthma action plan. This plan outlines when to take controller medications (used daily to prevent symptoms) and rescue inhalers (used during flare-ups). Like diabetes or hypertension, asthma requires consistent, long-term treatment and monitoring.