Allergy - 5 Steps to Controlling Your Asthma

What happens during an asthma attack? People with asthma have acute episodes when the air passages in their lungs become more narrow, and breathing becomes more difficult. These problems are caused by an oversensitivity of the lungs and airways. Lungs and airways overreact to certain triggers and become inflamed and clogged. Breathing becomes harder and may hurt. There may be coughing. There may be a wheezing or whistling sound, which is typical of asthma. Controlling Your Asthma You can help get your asthma under control and keep it under control if you do these 5 simple steps: 1) Talk openly with your doctor. Tell your doctor what you want to be able to do that you can't do now because of your asthma. Additionally, tell your doctor your concerns about your asthma, your medicines, and your health. It's also important to talk to your doctor about ALL the medicines you take--for asthma and for other problems--to be sure they will not interact violently. Be sure to mention eye drops, aspirin, and other medicines you take without a prescription. Tell your doctor about any symptoms you have, even if you don't think they are related to asthma. Being open with your doctor about your medicines and symptoms can help prevent additional problems. 2) Ask your doctor for a written treatment plan. Then be sure to follow it! A written treatment plan will tell you when to take each of your asthma medicines and how much to take. If you have trouble reading small print, ask for your treatment plan (and other handouts) in larger type. 3) Watch for early symptoms and respond quickly! Most asthma attacks start slowly. You can learn to recognize when an attack is coming if you keep track of the symptoms you have, how bad they are, and when you have them. Your doctor also may want you to use a "peak flow meter," which is a small plastic device that you blow in, to measures how well you are breathing. If you respond quickly to the first signs that your asthma is getting worse, you can prevent serious asthma attacks. 4) Stay away from things that make your asthma worse. Tobacco smoke, dust and viruses can make asthma worse. So can other things you may breathe in, such as pollen. Talk to your doctor about what makes your asthma worse and what to do about them. Ask about getting a flu shot and a vaccine to prevent pneumonia and other respratory illnesses. 5) See your doctor at least every 6 months. You may need to go more often, especially if your asthma is not under control. Regular visits will let your doctor check your progress and, if needed, change your treatment plan. The bottom line is action. You can sit back just waiting for your asthma to get better, and continue to suffer needlessly...or...you can take action as listed above Once you do, you will be on the way to getting your asthma under control, and taking back your life! Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Berlemann Allergy - 5 Steps to Controlling Your Asthma What happens during an asthma attack? People with asthma have acute episodes when the air passages in their lungs become more narrow, and breathing becomes more difficult. These problems are caused by an oversensitivity of the lungs and airways. Lungs and airways overreact to certain triggers and become inflamed and clogged. Breathing becomes harder and may hurt. There may be coughing. There may be a wheezing or whistling sound, which is typical of asthma. Controlling Your Asthma You can help get your asthma under control and keep it under control if you do these 5 simple steps: 1) Talk openly with your doctor. Tell your doctor what you want to be able to do that you can't do now because of your asthma. Additionally, tell your doctor your concerns about your asthma, your medicines, and your health. It's also important to talk to your doctor about ALL the medicines you take--for asthma and for other problems--to be sure they will not interact violently. Be sure to mention eye drops, aspirin, and other medicines you take without a prescription. Tell your doctor about any symptoms you have, even if you don't think they are related to asthma. Being open with your doctor about your medicines and symptoms can help prevent additional problems. 2) Ask your doctor for a written treatment plan. Then be sure to follow it! A written treatment plan will tell you when to take each of your asthma medicines and how much to take. If you have trouble reading small print, ask for your treatment plan (and other handouts) in larger type. 3) Watch for early symptoms and respond quickly! Most asthma attacks start slowly. You can learn to recognize when an attack is coming if you keep track of the symptoms you have, how bad they are, and when you have them. Your doctor also may want you to use a "peak flow meter," which is a small plastic device that you blow in, to measures how well you are breathing. If you respond quickly to the first signs that your asthma is getting worse, you can prevent serious asthma attacks. 4) Stay away from things that make your asthma worse. Tobacco smoke, dust and viruses can make asthma worse. So can other things you may breathe in, such as pollen. Talk to your doctor about what makes your asthma worse and what to do about them. Ask about getting a flu shot and a vaccine to prevent pneumonia and other respratory illnesses. 5) See your doctor at least every 6 months. You may need to go more often, especially if your asthma is not under control. Regular visits will let your doctor check your progress and, if needed, change your treatment plan. The bottom line is action. You can sit back just waiting for your asthma to get better, and continue to suffer needlessly...or...you can take action as listed above Once you do, you will be on the way to getting your asthma under control, and taking back your life!