What Is Asthma?

Asthma is a health problem that affects the lungs. It can last a lifetime. Even if asthma symptoms are not active, asthma is still there. There is no cure for asthma, but there are many things that can be done to help control it.

It is important to keep asthma in good control. When asthma is in good control the lungs are healthy, and breathing is easier.

With good control there will be:

• Fewer asthma symptoms.
• Fewer missed school or workdays.
• Fewer visits to the Emergency Department.
• The ability to be more active.

The lungs are made up of many tiny airways. The airways carry air in and out of the lungs.

When an asthma attack happens the:

• Airways become swollen.
• Airways make more mucus.
• Muscles around the airways squeeze tight.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Asthma?

When asthma begins to flare or act up, it is harder to breathe. You may start to cough or wheeze, or your chest may feel tight. These symptoms may get worse. This is often called an asthma attack.

What Can Cause Asthma Symptoms or Make Symptoms Worse?

Triggers are things that can cause asthma symptoms or make symptoms worse. Triggers can be things like smoke, allergies, illness, or strong smells. Avoiding triggers can lower the chance of an asthma attack and may lessen the need for more medicine.

How Do Asthma Medicines Help?

Asthma medicines help the lungs stay healthy. There are 2 main types of these medicines:

• Controller medicines help lessen the swelling in the airways. It works slowly and needs to be taken every day.
• Rescue medicines help relax the muscles around the airway. It works quickly and should be taken when asthma symptoms happen. Sometimes the provider will recommend taking the medicine before activity or exercise.

How Are Asthma Medicines Given?

Most asthma medicines need to get into the lungs to work. There are many ways to get asthma medicines to the lungs:

1. Inhaler or pump
2. Nebulizer
3. Liquids or pills taken by mouth
4. Injection or shot

Special Tools or Devices Are Used To Help Get Asthma Medicine Into the Lungs:

• Spacers are used with metered dose inhalers. It helps slow down the speed the medicine comes out of the inhaler, so it can get into the lungs and not to other parts of the body.
  
• Nebulizers mix air with a liquid medicine to make a mist. The mist is breathed into the lungs.
  

What Is an Asthma Management Plan?

An Asthma Management Plan is a special plan the health care team will make with you. This plan tells you what to do when your breathing is good and what to do when asthma flares up or acts out.

You Are a Very Important Part of the Health Care Team.

Together with the help of the team, asthma can be controlled.

This education was created to help you. It does not take the place of medical care. Talk with the healthcare provider for diagnosis, treatment, and follow up.

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