Asthma Treatments
Asthma treatment includes: avoiding things that bring on your asthma symptoms or make your symptoms worse, using asthma medication, and monitoring your asthma so that you are able recognize symptoms to prevent an asthma attack early on.
With proper treatment you should have your asthma controlled, be free of asthma symptoms, and have fewer asthma attacks. Also, you should not need to use quick-relief medicines as often, and you should be able to do normal activities without having symptoms.
Your doctor should work with you to develop an asthma self-management plan and an emergency Asthma Action Plan to aid you in keeping your asthma under control.
In general, you should also know:
- Your asthma triggers and how to avoid them
- Early signs that indicate your asthma is about to get worse
- How and when to use a Peak Flow Meter
- When to call your doctor
- When you should get emergency treatment
See Also
To know if your asthma is under control, take this quick Asthma Control Test.
Treating Asthma in Pregnancy*
If you are pregnant it is very important to both you and your baby to control your asthma. Uncontrolled asthma can lower the oxygen level in your blood, which means that your baby gets less oxygen too.
Most asthma medicines are generally safe to take during pregnancy. Doctors recommend that it is safer to take asthma medicines during pregnancy than to take the chance that you will have an attack.
If you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, talk to your doctor about your asthma and how to have a healthy pregnancy.
Treating Exercise-induced Asthma*
Regular physical activity is important for good health. If exercise brings on your asthma symptoms, talk to your doctor about the best ways to control your asthma when you are active. Some people with asthma use inhaled, quick-relief medicines before exercising to keep symptoms under control.
If you use your asthma medicines as directed, you should be able to take part in any physical activity or sport you choose. Many Olympic athletes actually have asthma!
Treating Asthma in Older Adults*
Older adults may need to adjust their asthma treatment because of other diseases or conditions that they have. Some medicines (i.e. beta blockers used for treating high blood pressure and glaucoma, aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can interfere with asthma medicines or even cause asthma attacks. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medicines that you take, including over-the-counter drugs.
Using steroids may affect bone density in adults, so ask your doctor about taking calcium and vitamin D supplements and other ways to help keep your bones strong.
Medications and Natural Remedies
See: Asthma Medications & Natural Remedies
Using a Peak Flow Meter
See: Peak Flow Meter
*copied from National Heart Lung and Blood Institute website