Trusted Information for a healthier you
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.
Asthma management means taking steps to control your condition and reduce the chances of symptoms becoming worse.
Good asthma management may include:
Asthma can change over time, so your management plan may need to be reviewed and adjusted.
Medicines are an important part of asthma management for many people.
Follow the instructions provided by your healthcare professional and make sure you understand:
Do not stop or change prescribed asthma medicine without discussing it with your healthcare professional.
Different people can have different asthma triggers.
Common triggers may include:
Knowing what makes your symptoms worse can help you take steps to reduce exposure.
Learn More: Triggers of Asthma →Paying attention to your symptoms can help you recognize when your asthma may not be well controlled.
Watch for changes such as:
Keep track of changes and discuss them with your healthcare professional.
An asthma action plan provides personalized instructions for managing your asthma.
It can help you understand:
Know the signs that indicate your asthma is under control.
Recognize changes that may require additional action.
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.
Using an inhaler correctly helps ensure that your medicine is delivered as intended.
If you use an inhaler:
Ask your healthcare professional to demonstrate the correct technique.
Follow the instructions for your specific device.
Ask for your technique to be checked during appointments.
Keep track of your medicines and supplies.
Different inhalers work differently, so follow the instructions provided with your specific device.
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 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 appointments can help your healthcare professional determine how well your asthma is controlled.
During a checkup, you may discuss:
Your treatment and management approach may be adjusted when necessary.
Understanding your symptoms, triggers, medicines, and action plan can help you take a more active role in managing asthma.
Learn More About Asthma →Learn which environmental or lifestyle factors affect your symptoms.
Keep your asthma action plan available and follow its instructions.
Use your prescribed medicines exactly as directed.
Pay attention to changes in breathing, coughing, wheezing, and activity levels.
Regular checkups can help you and your healthcare professional review asthma control.
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.
Learn what asthma is and how it affects the airways.
Read More →Learn about common asthma symptoms and signs that symptoms may be worsening.
Read More →Explore common asthma triggers and ways to reduce exposure.
Read More →Learn about asthma medicines and how an asthma action plan can help you manage symptoms.
Read More →Yes. Asthma is a chronic condition, but appropriate treatment and ongoing management can help control symptoms and reduce flare-ups.
Take prescribed medicines correctly, understand your triggers, monitor symptoms, follow your asthma action plan, and maintain regular communication with your healthcare professional.
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.
Asthma symptoms can sometimes become more noticeable at night. If symptoms regularly disturb your sleep, discuss this with your healthcare professional.
Do not change or stop prescribed asthma medicine without first speaking with your healthcare professional.
Follow the instructions in your personal asthma action plan. If symptoms are severe or do not improve as directed, seek emergency medical care.
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.
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.