Asthma

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Asthma is long-term inflammation and narrowing of the airways in your lungs. This causes less air flow to your lungs and makes it hard to breathe.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Inhaled short-acting bronchodilators: These are given to help open your airways quickly. They start to work right away and are used to relieve sudden, severe symptoms, such as trouble breathing. They are called relievers or rescue inhalers.
  
  
• Steroids: These help decrease swelling and open your airways to help you breathe easier. They may be given as pills or in an inhaler. After an asthma attack, you may need steroid pills for several days. Inhaled steroids are used for long-term control.
  
  
• Combination inhalers: These include a long-acting bronchodilator and a steroid. They help open the airways over time, and are used to decrease and prevent breathing problems. They are only used when your asthma is not controlled with other medicines. They are not helpful during an asthma attack.
  
  
• Take your medicine as directed. Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.

Inhalers:

• Metered dose inhaler: This is a small, tube-shaped device. You hold the open end inside your mouth. The medicine comes out as a mist when you press a switch. Breathe in deeply to get the right amount of medicine. You can use a spacer with this inhaler. A spacer is a large tube that holds the mist before you breathe it in.
  
  
• Nebulizer: A long tube goes from the machine to a small round container that holds asthma medicine. The liquid turns into a mist once the machine is turned on. You breathe in this mist through a mouthpiece.
  
  
• Dry powder inhaler: This is a small tube or disc-shaped device that contains powder asthma medicine. You hold the open end inside your mouth. The powder is released when you press a switch. With this type of inhaler, you must breathe in hard to suck in the powder.

Make an asthma action plan:

This is a set of instructions to follow when you have an asthma attack. Work with your primary healthcare provider to develop an asthma action plan. List any medicines you take and how much or how often you take them. Also list your triggers. Write down your signs and symptoms and what to do if you have an attack. List emergency phone numbers. Update your plan when you have a new attack. Carry your asthma action plan with you at all times.

Follow up with your primary healthcare provider in 1 to 2 days:

You may need more tests to see how well your treatment is working. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

Prevent an asthma attack:

• Avoid triggers.
  
  
• Follow your asthma action plan.
  
  
• Use air conditioning to control the temperature and humidity in your house.
  
  
• Keep pets out of your home. If you have cockroaches or other pests in your home, get rid of them quickly.
  
  
• Remove old carpets, fabric-covered furniture, drapes, and furry toys in your house. Use hypoallergenic covers for your mattresses and pillows.

For support and more information:

• American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
  85 West Algonquin Road, Suite 550
  Arlington Heights , IL 60005
  Phone: 1- 847 - 4271200
  Phone: 1- 800 - 8427777
  Web Address: www.acaai.org
  

• National Asthma Education and Prevention Program
  National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
  National Asthma Education and Prevention Program
  P.O. Box 30105
  Bethesda , MD 20824-0105
  Phone: 1- 301 - 592-8573
  Web Address: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/about/naepp/
  

Contact your primary healthcare provider if:

• You cough or wheeze more than usual.
  
  
• Your medicines do not relieve your symptoms as well as they used to.
  
  
• You find it hard to do the things you enjoy because of your symptoms.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

Seek care immediately or call 911 if:

• You have wheezing or shortness of breath that does not get better with treatment.
  
  
• You are dizzy or feel like you are going to faint.
  
  
• You have severe chest pain.
  
  
• Your lips or fingernails turn gray or blue.

Learn more about Asthma (Discharge Care)