Controlling Your Asthma
Controlling Your Asthma
You can do a lot to manage your asthma and improve your quality of life. You will need to work with your healthcare provider to develop a plan. But it’s up to you to put this plan into action.
Why you need to take control
You need to control the inflammation in your lungs. Take all medicine as directed, especially controller medicines, even if you feel that your asthma is under good control. You also need to relieve symptoms when you have them. These are long-term tasks. But the more you stay in control, the better you’ll feel. If you don’t stay in control:
Asthma symptoms may cause you to miss school, work, or activities that you enjoy.
Asthma flare-ups can be dangerous, even deadly.
Uncontrolled asthma makes it more likely that you will need emergency department and in-hospital care.
Uncontrolled asthma may cause permanent damage to your lungs.
Peak flow monitoring helps measure how open your airways are. |
Taking medicine helps you control your asthma and relieve symptoms when they occur. |
Using an Asthma Action Plan will help you keep track of and respond to asthma symptoms. |
Avoiding triggers—the things that inflame your airways—will help prevent symptoms and flare-ups. |
Your action plan
Your healthcare provider will help you prepare, and when needed, update your personal Asthma Action Plan. Your plan tells you what to do based on your current symptoms. If you don't have an Asthma Action Plan, or if yours isn't up-to-date, make sure you talk with your healthcare provider.
Updated:
August 16, 2018
Sources:
An overview of asthma management, Up To Date
Reviewed By:
Fetterman, Anne, RN, BSN,Image reviewed by StayWell art team.,Little, Frederic, MD