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Fall Newsletter

Fall 2024 Newsletter – Online Edition

Don’t let asthma slow you down.

If you have asthma, you’re not alone. Millions of people deal with asthma symptoms every day. But just because you have asthma doesn’t mean it has to slow you down. This newsletter contains tips to help you keep going with asthma. Learn how to stay active, manage your symptoms, and enhance your medication routine.

Stay active with asthma.

We all know exercise is an essential component of any health routine. However, exercise can be especially beneficial for improving lung health if you have asthma. Regular exercise increases your lungs’ capacity, allowing your body to take in more oxygen. It also increases blood flow to your lungs and heart, helping move the oxygen to your muscles. 

Some exercises strengthen the muscles around the neck and chest. These muscles open the diaphragm and ribs, which can allow you to breathe easier.

Over time, your body can become more efficient at receiving and transporting oxygen. As a result, you’re less likely to experience shortness of breath and can better manage your asthma. In other words, exercising with asthma can get your body going — and keep it going longer.

  • Warm up and cool down slowly before and after exercise. This prevents additional stress on your lungs and heart.
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a scarf when exercising in cold weather.
  • Monitor the air quality. If it is unhealthy (orange), limit outdoor exercise. Avoid outdoor activities when air quality is rated red, purple, or maroon.
  • Take a break and use your inhaler if you have a cough, chest pain, or shortness of breath.
  • Try a belly breathing exercise for relaxation when your asthma symptoms flare up.

Everyone’s asthma symptoms are different. Learning what yours are — and what triggers them — can help you take action before things get worse. When starting a new physical activity or fitness routine, you can use this form to keep your physician in the loop.

Beat the heat and breathe better.

When it’s hot outside, you might notice your asthma symptoms flare up. Heat is a common asthma trigger that many people overlook. Hot air, whether humid or dry, causes airways to constrict, making it harder to breathe. Heat also traps greenhouse gases, like ozone, in the atmosphere. Ozone irritates lung tissue, putting those with asthma at risk of a flare-up. Heat also holds pollen, dust, mold, and other pollutants in the air — all potential asthma triggers.
So, how do you beat the heat and prevent an asthma flare-up? There are several tips to keep in mind when venturing outside.
  • Know before you go. Check the temperature, air quality, and pollution forecast before going outdoors. If conditions are poor, limit your time outside.
  • Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Drinking water will cool your body and thin the mucus in your lungs.
  • Keep medication on hand. You never know when a flare-up will happen. People with asthma know the importance of having their medication and inhaler nearby. Even when you’re feeling well, continue taking medication as prescribed.
  • Maintain healthy air conditions. Even when it’s hot outside, you can create healthy air conditions at home. Use an air conditioner and dehumidifier to regulate the air temperature and humidity. A HEPA filter can reduce pollutants like mold and dust.
  • Be prepared and ask for help when you need it. Sometimes extreme heat can cause power outages. If you use a medicine delivery device that requires electricity, make an emergency action plan with your doctor. Stay cool with the help of friends, family, and neighbors.
Understanding your asthma medication.
While medications can’t cure asthma, they can help manage your symptoms. To get the most out of your asthma medicine, take it exactly as your doctor recommends — at the right time with the correct technique. You can create an asthma medication routine that works for you. Here are some tips for staying organized:
  • Make a schedule to show your medications with the correct time to take them.
  • Take your medicine during routine habits, like before or after meals, to help you remember.
  • Set an alarm on your phone or watch as an additional reminder.
  • Use a pill box to separate daily dosages.

Talk to your doctor if you still experience asthma symptoms or need medication guidance. They can help you take your medicine correctly or adjust it according to your needs. If there are any barriers to getting your medications filled or you need help managing your asthma, please fill out this form to contact our Select Health Care Management team.

The content included here is for your information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Additionally, the information in this newsletter does not guarantee benefits. To review your benefits, please reference your plan materials or call Member Services at 800-538-5038, weekdays, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturdays, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., closed Sundays. TTY users call 711.

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