Asthma is a chronic lung disease that can make breathing difficult. There is no cure for asthma, but it can be managed. With good asthma management, you should be able to live almost symptom-free and enjoy an active life. You can manage your asthma symptoms by:
The goal of asthma management is no asthma symptoms (for example, wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath).
Good asthma management means:
Know the warning signs of poor asthma control
For many people, asthma symptoms get worse slowly. By knowing the early warning signs of poor asthma control, you can help to prevent a major breathing emergency. It's important to keep in mind that asthma symptoms are not the same for everyone and symptoms may change over time.
To understand the difference between good asthma management and poor asthma management, ask yourself the following questions:
If you answered, "yes" to any of these questions, see your doctor. Your doctor can help you get control of your asthma. Take a copy of the asthma action plan and asthma diary card to your doctor. Ask for help in filling these out.