Life With Asthma

Living Well With Asthmaanother on used as a "rescue" medication in times of
All chronic diseases require some lifestyleneed. A handy little trick is creating an "asthma action
modifications and a clear action plan to minimize theirplan" notebook where you record all instructions from
damage, and asthma is no different. It is important toyour doctor and jot down any questions you have
realize that asthma is a chronic condition that cannotfor your next visit. Some of the items to include in
be cured per se. Yet, all asthma patients can have fullyour notebook: what triggers your asthma, when to
productive lives with a few easy steps that will putuse your rescue medication, when do you need to
them on the right track of managing their disease.go to the hospital; and finally, you can recorded your
First and foremost, keep the lines of communicationspeak flow meter reading for your-and your
open with your health care providers. As soon as youdoctor's-future reference.
are diagnosed with asthma, you should ask yourSuccessful asthma management requires the use of
doctor/registered nurse for patient education materialsome devices, either by the patient or their
if they do not hand them out to you. You shouldcaretaker in the case of a child with asthma. Some
read about the condition and ask your doctor topatients fail to use the inhalers or the peak flow
address any questions you have about asthma, andmeters properly when they are first diagnosed. If
about your individualized treatment plan. I cannotyou feel like your doctor's demonstration was not
stress this enough: when in doubt ask your doctor,enough, or if you need extra help, ask your
he/she knows best.pharmacist.
Many asthma patients have trouble following theirFinally, make use of the patient education programs
medication regimens, because sometimes they getand support groups available for people with asthma.
quite complex with a drug for maintenance andCheck at your local hospital or community centre.