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Asthma

Lifestyle modifications

NUTRITION

  • A diet high in fruits and vegetables is recommended (1)

  • A diet high in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of asthma (4, 5)

  • Avoid certain foods if they trigger asthma exacerbations (1)

  • Vitamin D: Deficiency is associated with increased risk of asthma development (2)


PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

  • Regular physical activity is recommended for asthma patients. It improves lung function and asthma control (1).

  • Exercise induced bronchoconstriction affects most people with asthma. However, aerobic exercise may reduce sensitivity to asthma triggers (3)

  • Gradually increase physical activity level to avoid exercise induced bronchoconstriction. Exercise induced bronchoconstriction happens more often in people with poor asthma control (3)

  • Exercising in extreme temperature and humidity conditions may increase exercise induced bronchoconstriction (3)


SMOKING

  • Smoking is a risk factor for asthma (2)

  • Smoking cessation is strongly recommended (1)


STRESS

  • Depression, anxiety and stress may increase rates of asthma attacks (3)

  • If stress worsens asthma control, clinicians are recommended to help the patient deal with stress (1)


WEIGHT

  • Obesity is associated with increased risk for asthma (2)

  • Obese people with asthma use more asthma medication, even with similar lung function (1)

  • Weight reduction in obese people with asthma improves outcomes (1)

References

Resources

Evidence Pyramid

EXPLANATION TO EVIDENCE PRESENTATION

Evidence based on guidelines and evidence based Clinical Decision Systems is written in BOLD

Evidence based on meta analysis or systematic reviews is written in BOLD and CURSIVE

Evidence based on randomized controlled trials is written in plain font

Evidence based on observational / cohort studies is written in CURSIVE

Figure: Evidence pyramid

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