[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Asthma Hero Section” module_class=”hero” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/aafa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/AAFA-Website_Secondary_Asthma.jpg” background_position=”center_right” custom_padding=”2%||2%||true|false” global_module=”1625″ saved_tabs=”all” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/aafa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Secondary_pagetitle_BG.png” background_size=”initial” background_position=”bottom_left” background_horizontal_offset=”0%” background_vertical_offset=”-5%” custom_margin=”|||0px|false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|||5%|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_post_title meta=”off” featured_image=”off” admin_label=”Page Title” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”|600|||||||” title_text_color=”#FFFFFF” title_font_size=”62px” background_enable_image=”off” background_size=”contain” background_position=”center_left” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”8%||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_post_title][et_pb_code admin_label=”Breadcrumbs” module_class=”bcrumb” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”left” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_css_main_element=”font-size:16px;||color: #fff;” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Main Content” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_image=”off” background_size=”initial” background_position=”bottom_right” custom_padding=”2%||2%||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”H2 + Intro Content” module_class=”secondary-intro” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_font_size=”28px” text_line_height=”1.5em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
For people with asthma, having an asthma management plan is the best way to prevent symptoms. An asthma management plan is something developed by you and your doctor to help you<\/em> control your asthma, instead of your asthma<\/em> controlling you. [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Page Content” module_class=”secondary-intro” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_line_height=”1.5em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]An effective plan should allow you to:<\/p>\n Four Parts of Your Asthma Management Plan:<\/strong><\/p>\n 1. Know your asthma triggers<\/a> and minimize contact with them.<\/strong> Discuss your notes with your doctor to look for trends. As you identify your triggers, talk about which ones you can avoid, and how to best avoid them. For instance, if you are allergic to dust mites, you should put an airtight cover around your pillow and mattress. You may also want to talk with your physician about allergy treatments that may help to prevent allergy symptoms.<\/p>\n 2. Take your asthma medicines<\/a> as prescribed.<\/strong> Unless your asthma is very mild, chances are you have prescriptions for at least two different medicines. That can be confusing. The more you understand about what those medicines do and why they help, the more likely you are to use them correctly.<\/p>\n Although there are some potential side effects from taking asthma medicines, the benefits of controlling your asthma outweigh this risk. Discuss each of your asthma medications with your doctor to learn more about their effects.<\/p>\n 3. Track your asthma and recognize early signs that it may be getting worse.<\/strong> There is a simple, pocket-sized device called a peak flow meter that can help detect narrowing in your airways hours, or even days, before you feel symptoms. You simply blow into it, as instructed in your doctor\u2019s office, to monitor your airways the same way you might use a blood pressure cuff to measure high blood pressure or a thermometer to take your temperature. Peak flow meters come in many shapes and styles. Ask your doctor which is right for you. Your doctor may divide your peak flow numbers into zones (green<\/strong><\/span> = safe; yellow<\/strong><\/span> = caution; red<\/strong><\/span> = emergency) and develop a plan with you. Your peak flow number will help you know:<\/p>\n The good news is that using your peak flow meter should mean fewer symptoms, fewer calls to the doctor and fewer hospital visits!<\/p>\n 4. Know what to do when your asthma is getting worse.<\/strong> Medical Review<\/a> September 2015.<\/small><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code admin_label=”Print” module_id=”print” module_class=”clearfix” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_module=”5156″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n
\nAvoiding your triggers is the best way to reduce your need for medicines and to prevent asthma episodes. But first, you have to learn what those triggers are. Any time you have an asthma episode, think about where you were and what you were doing the past day or so. Answer questions like these in a diary or on your calendar:<\/p>\n\n
\nAsthma medicines are usually inhaled through a machine called a nebulizer<\/strong>, through a small device called a metered dose inhaler<\/strong> (also called an inhaler, puffer or MDI) or through a dry powder inhaler<\/strong> (DPI). For inhalers to work well, you must use them correctly. But more than half of all people who use inhalers don\u2019t use them properly. Ask your doctor or nurse to watch you and check your technique. If it is still difficult to use, you have two choices. Ask them to recommend a spacer<\/strong> or holding chamber<\/strong>. This device attaches to the inhaler to make it easier to use and to help more medicine reach the lungs. Everyone can benefit from using a spacer or holding chamber, especially children. Or, ask about using a \u201cbreath-actuated” inhaler, which automatically releases medicine when you inhale.<\/p>\n
\nAsthma episodes<\/a> almost never occur without warning. Some people feel early symptoms, including: coughing, chest tightness and\/or feeling tired. But keep in mind that because airways to the lungs narrow slowly, you may not feel symptoms until your airways are badly blocked. The key to controlling your asthma is taking your medicine at the earliest possible sign of worsening.<\/p>\n\n
\nIf you understand your asthma management plan and follow it, you will know exactly what to do in case of an asthma episode or an emergency. If you have any questions at all, ask your doctor.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”References” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_font_size=”16px” link_text_color=”#008C99″ link_font_size=”16px” header_5_font=”|600|||||||” header_5_text_align=”left” header_5_text_color=”#008c99″ custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n