What is asthma?
Asthma is a disease that can make it hard to breathe. It affects your airways — your body's inner tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. When you have an asthma attack, your airways react to something allergic or irritating, and they get narrower. In some cases, the airways can close so much that your organs don't get enough oxygen. In fact, some people can die from serious asthma attacks.
What is recommended care for asthma?
To prevent asthma attacks, people with chronic asthma should be taking daily control medicine. Your doctor should talk with you about the best medicines to treat your asthma and stay healthy.
Stage of Care: Diagnosis & Every Visit
Your Doctor Should:- Give you a physical exam.
- Check for wheezing and/or coughing.
- Check how often breathing problems happen.
- Prescribe medication(s).
- Make an action plan to manage your asthma.
- Give you flu/pneumonia shots as needed.
- Check for other problems (acid reflux, heart failure).
Stage of Care: Ongoing Care
Your Doctor Should:- Make sure your blood pressure is less than 140/90.
- Check your asthma action plan progress.
- Discuss what you can do to avoid triggers.
- Teach you how to use peak flow meters, inhalers and medicines.
Stage of Care: Flare-Ups, Worsening Symptoms and/or Acute Episodes
Your Doctor Should:- Prescribe fast-acting, inhaled medicine.
- Prescribe oral steroid when problems are not solved with inhaled medicines.
Who is at risk for asthma?
You are more likely to get asthma if:
- your parents have asthma
- you have allergies
- you have a skin allergy called eczema
You can get asthma at any age, but it often starts in childhood. Once you have asthma, it doesn't go away, although you could get much better.