Controlling Your Asthma
You can help get your asthma under control if you do a few simple things:
1. Talk openly with your doctor.
Tell the doctor what you want to be able to do that you can't do now because of your asthma. Also, discuss your concerns about your asthma, your medicines, and your health. It's also important to talk to your doctor about all the medicines you take - for asthma and for other problems - to be sure they will not cause harmful side effects. Mention eye drops, aspirin and any other non-prescription medicines.
Also, tell your doctor about any symptoms you have, even if you don't think they are related to asthma. Finally, be honest about any problems you may have hearing, understanding or remembering things your doctor tells you.
2. Ask your doctor for a written treatment plan. Then be sure to follow it.
A written treatment plan will tell you when to take each of your asthma medicines and how much to take. If you have trouble reading small print, ask for your treatment plan (and other handouts) in larger type.
3. Watch for early symptoms and respond quickly.
Most asthma attacks start slowly. You can learn to tell when one is coming if you keep track of the symptoms you have, how bad they are and when you have them. Your doctor also may want you to use a "peak flow meter," which is a small plastic tool that you blow into that measures how well you are breathing.
4. Stay away from things that make your asthma worse.
Tobacco smoke and viruses can make asthma worse. So can other things you breathe in, such as pollen. Ask about getting a flu shot and a pneumonia vaccine.
5. See your doctor at least every 6 months.
You may need to go more often, especially if your asthma is not under control. Regular visits will let your doctor check your progress and, if needed, change your treatment plan. Bring your treatment plan and all your medicines to every checkup. Show your doctor how you take your inhaled medicines to make sure you're doing it right.
If you need help
If you ever feel depressed or under stress because of your asthma or other reasons, ask for help. Talking to close friends, family members, support groups or counselors can help you feel better and help you keep your asthma under control.
Columbia St. Mary's and Advanced Healthcare offer classes to help you control your asthma and get support from others. Click here to find out more.
Source: National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
