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What is Asthma?
A disease that:
- Is chronic
- Produces recurring episodes of breathing problems
 Coughing
Wheezing (a whistling
noise when you breathe)
Chest tightness (the
feeling that someone is squeezing or sitting on your chest)
Shortness of breath
Cannot be cured, but
can be controlled
Asthma makes the sides of the airways in your lungs inflamed
or swollen all the time. Your airways react to things like smoke, dust, pollen, or other things. Your airways narrow
or become smaller and you get common symptoms like those listed in the box.
Asthma that is not well controlled can cause many problems. People miss work or school, go to the hospital, or
even die because of their asthma. But you do not have to put up with the problems asthma can cause.
Controlling Your Asthma
If you have asthma, you are not alone. More than 14 million people
in the United States have this lung disease. Of these, almost 5 million are children. Asthma is a problem among
all races. But the asthma death rate and hospitalization rate for blacks are three times the rate of whites. Proper
asthma care could prevent these problems for all.
Your Asthma Can Be Controlled With Proper Care
With your doctor's help, you can control your asthma and
become free of symptoms most of the time. But your asthma does not go away when your symptoms go away. You need
to keep taking care of your asthma.
Your asthma cannot be cured. Having asthma is a part of your life so you need to make taking care of your asthma
a part of your life. This is true even if your asthma is mild.
What are the Symptoms of Asthma?
Shortness of breath
Wheezing
Tightness in the chest
Coughing at night or
after physical activity; cough that lasts more than a week
Waking at night with
asthma symptoms (a key marker of uncontrolled asthma)
What Happens During an Episode of Asthma?
The lining of the airways becomes swollen (inflamed)
The airways produce
a thick mucus
The muscles around the
airways tighten and make airways narrower
What Makes Asthma Worse?
Allergens
Warm-blooded pets
(including dogs, cats, birds, and small rodents)
House dust mites
Cockroaches
Pollens from grass and
trees
Molds (indoors and outdoors)
Irritants
Cigarette smoke and wood smoke
Scented products such
as hair spray, cosmetics, and cleaning products
Strong odors from fresh
paint or cooking
Automobile fumes and
air pollution
Chemicals such as pesticides
and lawn treatments
Infections in the upper airways, such as colds (a common trigger for both children
and adults)
Exercise
Strong expressions of
feelings (crying, laughing)
Changes in weather and
temperature
Is There A Cure For Asthma?
Asthma cannot be cured, but it can be controlled. You
should expect nothing less.
How Is Asthma Controlled?
Follow an individualized asthma management plan
Avoid or control exposure
to things that make asthma worse
Use medication appropriately
- Long-term-control
medicine
- Quick-relief
medicine
Monitor response to treatment
- Symptoms
- Peak
flow
Get regular follow-up care
How are Asthma Episodes Controlled?
Know the signs that asthma is worsening
Treat symptoms or drop
in peak flow at first signs of worsening
Monitor response to
therapy
Seek a doctor's help
when it is needed
What Should People with Asthma Be Able To Do?
Be active without having asthma symptoms; includes participating in exercise & sports
Sleep through the night
without having asthma symptoms
Prevent asthma episodes
(attacks)
Have the best possible
lung function (e.g., good peak flow number)
Avoid side effects from
asthma medicines
How To Take Care of Your Asthma
1. Work with your doctor and see him or her at least every 6 months.
2. Take your asthma medicines exactly as your doctor tells
you.
3. Watch for signs that your asthma is getting worse and act
quickly.
4. Stay away from or control things that make your asthma
worse.
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