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Asthama

Managing Asthma:
Daily Tips for Better Asthma Control

Managing asthma is an ongoing process. The goal is to keep symptoms under control, reduce asthma flare-ups, and help you continue your normal daily activities. A good asthma management plan may include taking medicines as prescribed, understanding your triggers, monitoring symptoms, and working regularly with your healthcare professional.

What Does Managing Asthma Mean?

Asthma management means taking steps to control your condition and reduce the chances of symptoms becoming worse.

Good asthma management may include:

01

Take Your Prescribed Medicines Correctly

02

Understand Your Personal Asthma Triggers

03

Monitor Changes in Your Symptoms

04

Follow Your Asthma Action Plan

05

Use Inhalers Correctly

06

Stay Physically Active When Appropriate

07

Attend Regular Healthcare Appointments

08

Know When You Need Medical Help

Asthma can change over time, so your management plan may need to be reviewed and adjusted.

Take Your Asthma Medicines as Prescribed

Medicines are an important part of asthma management for many people.

Follow the instructions provided by your healthcare professional and make sure you understand:

01

Which Medicines You Take Regularly

02

Which Medicine Is Used for Quick Relief

03

When and How to Take Each Medicine

04

How to Use Your Inhaler or Other Delivery Device

05

What to Do if Your Symptoms Become Worse

IMPORTANT

Do not stop or change prescribed asthma medicine without discussing it with your healthcare professional.

Know and Avoid Your Asthma Triggers

Different people can have different asthma triggers.

Common triggers may include:

Pollen
Dust mites
Mold
Pet dander
Tobacco smoke
Air pollution
Respiratory infections
Cold air
Exercise
Strong odors
Chemical fumes
Stress

Knowing what makes your symptoms worse can help you take steps to reduce exposure.

Learn More: Triggers of Asthma

Monitor Your Asthma Symptoms

Paying attention to your symptoms can help you recognize when your asthma may not be well controlled.

Watch for changes such as:

01

More Frequent Coughing

02

Increased Wheezing

03

Shortness of Breath

04

Chest Tightness

05

Waking at Night Because of Symptoms

06

Difficulty Completing Normal Activities

07

Needing Quick-Relief Medicine More Frequently

Keep track of changes and discuss them with your healthcare professional.

Follow Your Asthma Action Plan

An asthma action plan provides personalized instructions for managing your asthma.

It can help you understand:

01

When Your Asthma Is Controlled

Know the signs that indicate your asthma is under control.

02

When Symptoms Are Getting Worse

Recognize changes that may require additional action.

03

When to Get Medical Help

Know when you should contact your healthcare professional or seek emergency care.

Keep your action plan somewhere accessible and make sure family members, caregivers, or others who may help you know where it is.

Use Your Inhaler Correctly

Using an inhaler correctly helps ensure that your medicine is delivered as intended.

If you use an inhaler:

01

Ask Your Healthcare Professional

Ask your healthcare professional to demonstrate the correct technique.

02

Follow Device Instructions

Follow the instructions for your specific device.

03

Have Your Technique Checked

Ask for your technique to be checked during appointments.

04

Track Medicines and Supplies

Keep track of your medicines and supplies.

Different inhalers work differently, so follow the instructions provided with your specific device.

Stay Active With Asthma

Physical activity can be part of a healthy lifestyle, and many people with asthma can remain active when their condition is appropriately managed.

For some people, exercise can trigger asthma symptoms. If physical activity causes coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath, discuss these symptoms with your healthcare professional.

Your healthcare professional can help you understand how to manage exercise-related symptoms safely.

Asthma and Sleep

Asthma symptoms can sometimes become worse at night or interfere with sleep.

Nighttime coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath may be signs that your asthma needs additional attention.

If asthma symptoms regularly wake you from sleep, discuss them with your healthcare professional.

Regular Asthma Checkups

Regular appointments can help your healthcare professional determine how well your asthma is controlled.

During a checkup, you may discuss:

01

Your Recent Symptoms

02

Asthma Attacks or Flare-Ups

03

Medication Use

04

Inhaler Technique

05

Possible Triggers

06

Physical Activity

07

Sleep Problems

08

Your Asthma Action Plan

Your treatment and management approach may be adjusted when necessary.

ASTHMA MANAGEMENT

Better Asthma Management Starts With Awareness

Understanding your symptoms, triggers, medicines, and action plan can help you take a more active role in managing asthma.

Learn More About Asthma

Quick Tips

Know Your Triggers

Learn which environmental or lifestyle factors affect your symptoms.

Follow Your Plan

Keep your asthma action plan available and follow its instructions.

Take Medicines Correctly

Use your prescribed medicines exactly as directed.

Monitor Changes

Pay attention to changes in breathing, coughing, wheezing, and activity levels.

Keep Appointments

Regular checkups can help you and your healthcare professional review asthma control.

When to Seek Emergency Help

Severe breathing problems can be a medical emergency.

Seek immediate emergency medical care if you experience severe difficulty breathing, rapidly worsening symptoms, difficulty speaking because of breathlessness, or symptoms that do not improve with your prescribed emergency treatment.

Follow the emergency instructions in your personal asthma action plan.

Do not rely on an online article during a medical emergency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can asthma be managed? +

Yes. Asthma is a chronic condition, but appropriate treatment and ongoing management can help control symptoms and reduce flare-ups.

How can I manage asthma every day? +

Take prescribed medicines correctly, understand your triggers, monitor symptoms, follow your asthma action plan, and maintain regular communication with your healthcare professional.

Can I exercise if I have asthma? +

Many people with asthma can stay physically active. However, exercise can trigger symptoms in some people, so discuss exercise-related symptoms with your healthcare professional.

Why are my asthma symptoms worse at night? +

Asthma symptoms can sometimes become more noticeable at night. If symptoms regularly disturb your sleep, discuss this with your healthcare professional.

Should I change my asthma medicine if my symptoms improve? +

Do not change or stop prescribed asthma medicine without first speaking with your healthcare professional.

What should I do if my asthma symptoms suddenly become worse? +

Follow the instructions in your personal asthma action plan. If symptoms are severe or do not improve as directed, seek emergency medical care.

Key Takeaways

Managing asthma involves more than treating symptoms when they appear. Understanding your triggers, taking medicines as prescribed, monitoring symptoms, using inhalers correctly, staying active when appropriate, and following a personalized asthma action plan can all be important parts of ongoing asthma management.

MEDICAL DISCLAIMER

The information on AllBMICalculator.com is provided for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Asthma management and treatment should be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional.

Do not start, stop, or change prescribed medicines based solely on information provided on this website. If you are experiencing severe breathing difficulty or another medical emergency, seek immediate medical care.