Consumer Information

Asthma

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Asthma is a long-term condition where your bronchial tubes become swollen and narrowed. The bronchial tubes are airways that carry air in and out of your lungs. An asthma attack (episode of asthma) usually happens after you are exposed to triggers. Triggers are things you breathe in or things you do that give you an asthma attack. These include dust, smoke, chemicals, heavy exercise, and changes in weather. During an asthma attack your airways swell and make too much mucus. The small muscles in your airways also tighten. When the airways become too narrow, less air flows to your lungs and you have trouble breathing.
Caregivers will ask you about medical problems that you have had, and do an exam to learn if you have asthma. Your caregiver will ask you what causes you to have an asthma attack, and what your symptoms are. You may be tested for allergies. You may have blood and peak flow tests, pulmonary function tests, and x-rays. You and your caregiver will work together to decrease your symptoms and prevent asthma attacks. Your caregiver will give you asthma medicines and teach you when and how to use them. He may change your medicines if your symptoms get worse or better. There is no cure for asthma, but the condition can be controlled, and asthma attacks can be prevented.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Learn why you take each medicine. Ask your caregiver for information about your medicine. Do not use any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver. If you are taking medicine that makes you drowsy, do not drive or use heavy equipment.

Steroids: These medicines decrease swelling in your airways to help you breathe easier. Steroids may come as inhalers or pills. You may need to use this medicine every day. Ask for more information about this medicine.

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

You may need to see your caregiver seven days after going home from the hospital. Your caregiver will check your health to see how well your treatment is working. He may change your medicines to better treat you. You may need to use an MDI, nebulizer, or dry powder inhaler. Ask your caregiver how to use your inhaler ()correctly. You may need to have a pulmonary function test (PFT) done at least once a year. This helps caregivers to see how well your lungs are working.

Well-controlled asthma: When your asthma is well controlled, you will feel that you are breathing easier. Wheezing and tightness in your chest will be milder. Your symptoms will appear twice a week or less often. You will not wake up during the night or early in the morning because you are coughing or having trouble breathing. You will not need to use bronchodilator medicines more than twice a week. You will not be bothered by asthma symptoms when exercising, working, or doing things you enjoy. Your blood tests will show less swelling. You will have an increase in your PEF, which means that you are breathing more easily.

Warning signs of an asthma attack: You may have more asthma attacks during the spring or summer because there is more dust and pollen in the air. Being in closed or crowded places may make it more likely that you will have an asthma attack. Most people with asthma have warning signs before they have more serious symptoms. Warning signs are not the same for everyone with asthma. Your own warning signs may be different from time to time. By learning what your warning signs are, you can take your medicines, or get help right away. Doing this may help prevent serious asthma attacks. The following are some warning signs of an asthma attack:

Breathing faster than usual.
Coughing.
Fast heartbeat.
Feeling more tired than usual.
Itchy or sore throat.
Shortness of breath while exercising or doing an activity.
Trouble sleeping, and feeling tired the next day.

Using your written asthma action plan:

You and your caregiver will make a written action plan for your asthma. An asthma action plan is a set of instructions on what to do when you have an asthma attack. It lists your asthma medicines and their brand, dosage, side effects, and how to use them. It tells which medicines and how much to take depending on how bad your symptoms are. It teaches you how to tell if your medicines are relieving your symptoms. It has instructions on how and when to seek help when your symptoms get really bad.
Follow your asthma action plan very carefully. The instructions written there are what you and your caregiver worked out. These instructions were made to work very well with your type of asthma. Write down new asthma attacks, and what you felt. Write down what you were doing, or the things around you that could have cause your asthma attack. Sometimes you may need to write down your PEF every day to help your caregiver watch your asthma control.

Preventing asthma attacks: Things to avoid:

Avoid triggers such as dust, smoke, chemicals, and very hard exercise. Do not eat foods that you know you are allergic to. Avoid foods that contain sulfites such as wine or processed foods. Stop smoking, and stay away from people who do. Keep windows closed during the seasons when pollen and molds are at the highest, such as spring.
Keep pets, such as cats, out of your home. If you have cockroaches or other pests in your home, get rid of them quickly.

What to do:

Follow your asthma action plan. Remember the symptoms that you have before your asthma attacks. This helps you watch out for the next attack.
Make sure air flows freely in all the rooms in your house. Use air conditioning to control the temperature and humidity in your house.
Remove old carpets, fabric covered furniture, drapes, and furry toys in your house. Use special covers for your mattresses and pillows. These covers do not let dust mites pass through or live inside the pillow or mattress. Wash your beddings once a week in hot water.

For more information: Asthma can be hard for you and your family. Learning more about your condition can help control your asthma attacks. Contact the following for 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 A CAREGIVER IF:

You are coughing more than the usual, wheezing, and have trouble breathing.
Your medicines do not relieve your symptoms like they used to.
Your symptoms give you problems when doing your usual activities.
You have questions or concerns about your condition or medicines.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

You feel that very little air is reaching your lungs and you cannot breathe.
You have trouble thinking or you lose consciousness.
You have very bad pain in your chest.
Your lips or fingernails turn gray or blue.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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