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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

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

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

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Evidence based on randomized controlled trials is written in plain font

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Evidence based on observational / cohort studies is written in CURSIVE

Figure: Evidence pyramid

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