Self-Management of Asthma is vital for those with asthma to lead happier and healthier lives.  Asthma is one of the easiest chronic diseases to control, however, 27 West Virginians die every year from asthma and 14 people die from asthma every day in the United States! NO ONE should ever die from asthma!! Preventive care and being pro-active about your health can be done easily, but you must make that choice.

As a person with asthma or a parent of a child with asthma there a few things that you can do to improve your health and the health of your child. First, you should start by visiting your primary care provider at least twice a year to assess your asthma or your child's asthma - this will help to properly diagnose the correct level of asthma severity which may range from "intermittent", to "mild", "moderate", or "severe" persistent asthma - the medications you take may vary depending on how mild or severe the asthma. Even those with intermittent or mild persistent asthma can have very severe and life threatening asthma attacks. Also, to aid the physician and you, he/she may have you complete an Asthma Control Test at each visit or yearly to assess how well your asthma is under control at that time.

Your doctor should develop a written Asthma Action Plan with you as an adult with asthma, or as a parent of a child with asthma - this plan will make managing asthma easier and the doctor should provide a copy for you, and copies for your child's school, daycare sites, and for any others who may take care of your child - grandparents, step-parents. A printable example can be found below.

As an adult with asthma or the parent(s) of a child with asthma, the child with asthma and those who take care of a child with asthma should all get the flu shot every year. This will lessen the likelihood that those with asthma will get the virus and suffer from complications from the flu - pneumonia, missed work/school days, and being hospitalized.

As an adult with asthma or a child with asthma, you should be taking your asthma medicine daily as prescribed - certain medications called "controllers" are corticosteroids which must be taken daily to reduce the swelling and irritability of the airways in the lungs. These medications take time to work and must build up in the blood system for several days before they will provide reduced swelling in the airways.

You or your child with asthma should be using a spacer or holding chamber with your prescribed quick-relief inhaler. Spacers/holding chambers allow you to get more of the medication when used properly (see instructions under the Asthma 101 tab on this site). Reliable good quality spacers are by prescription only, however some may be purchased online from reliable websites. Your physician, pharmacist, or durable medical equipment company may offer this product and instruct you on the proper use.

You and/or your child diagnosed with asthma should have spirometry lung testing done at least once every two years and at the time of being first diagnosed to monitor lung function and assess the severity of your asthma or your child's asthma. 

The doctor should provide you with and instruct you on using a peak flow meter daily at home and/or school to help you monitor your breathing.

Your doctor or other qualified medical person should help you to identify what triggers your asthma or your child's asthma and makes the symptoms worse. Once you have identified what triggers your or your child's asthma (triggers can be allergens - pets and dust; or irritants - pollution and household cleaners) and you need to remove or avoid those triggers. You can use the "Home Environment Asthma Checklist" (see below) to help you make your home asthma friendly. For some individuals with asthma, by simply removing what they are allergic to greatly reduces their asthma symptoms and reduces the likelihood that they will have an asthma episode or attack. Your doctor may also refer you to see an Allergist/Immunologist or other specialist to perform allergy testing.  

Breathing well begins with you!    So Think, Breathe, and Live Wisely!    

What Does It Mean By Having My Asthma "Under Control"?  

Goals of Asthma Therapy: Controling Your Asthma

• Prevent symptoms (for example: coughing or shortness of breath during the daytime, during the night, or after exertion/exercise).
• Require less frequent use of "Quick-Relief Medication" (less than 2 days a week)(quick-relief medications also known as bronchodilators such as albuterol and xopenex) for quick relief of asthma symptoms. (This criteria does not to include those with only exercise induced asthma or bronchospasm).
• Maintain normal or near-normal lung function and breathing ability.
• Maintain normal activity levels (this includes exercise and other physical activity and attending school or work).
• Meet patients' and famllies' expectations and satisfaction with asthma care.

By Controlling My Asthma I Will:

• Prevent recurrent asthma symptoms and minimize the need for Emergency Department visits or hospitalizations.
• Prevent loss of lung function or breathing ability; for children - this means to prevent reduced lung growth by controlling asthma symptoms.
• Be provided the BEST medication management with very few or no side effects from medications. 

Your Asthma Is Not Under Control If You Answer YES to Any of the Following Questions:

• You Have Asthma Symptoms more than 2 days a week (asthma symptoms include: coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, unable to do or limited in performing daily activities, etc.)
• You Have Nightime Awakenings due to Asthma more than 2 days in the past month (you are not able to sleep through the night due to asthma symptoms) 
• You Have to use your quick relief inhaler or nebulizer more than 2 times in the past week (some quick-relief medications include: Albuterol, Xopenex, ProAir, Maxair, Proventil, Ventolin) 
• IF YOU ANSWERED "YES" TO ANY OF THE ABOVE - CALL YOUR PHYSICIAN OR PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER FOR AN APPOINTMENT TODAY TO ASSESS YOUR CURRENT ASTHMA MEDICATIONS, TO RE-ASSESS YOUR LEVEL OF ASTHMA SEVERITY AND ASSESS YOUR CONTROL OF YOUR ASTHMA SYMPTOMS. YOU MAY ALSO NEED TO SEE OR BE REFERRED TO A "LUNG SPECIALIST" (PULMONOLOGIST) FOR TREATMENT. 

 

So, What is My Asthma Quick List? 

Here are some ideas to talk about with your doctor. Take these questions to your next asthma checkup.

What do I need to know?

• What is asthma?
• What makes my asthma worse? (What triggers my asthma?)
• Can I tell if an asthma attack or episode is coming?  (What are my signs and symptoms before an asthma episode or attack?)
• Will I always have asthma?
• How severe is my asthma? (Are my symptoms often?)
• Have I had a lung spirometry test to check my lung function and how well I can breathe? Have I had a spirometry test at least once in past 2 years?
• Do I or my child need to see a "lung specialist" (pulmonologist or pediatric pulmonologist) for treatment?

How can I keep my asthma under control?

• Do I or my child with asthma have an Asthma Action Plan?
• How and when should I take my asthma medicines?
• What kinds of asthma medicines am I taking (quick-relief, controller)?
• What can I do at home, at work or school to make my asthma better? Have I made my home asthma friendly by using the "Home Environment Asthma Checklist" as a guide?
• Do I have to limit any of my activities?
• When should I get help from a doctor or hospital for my asthma?
• How often should I see my doctor for asthma check-ups?

Why will this help me or my child with asthma?

• Why do I need to keep away from my asthma triggers?
• Why is it important to take my medicines the as prescribed?
• What can I expect to happen if I do all, or most, of these things?
• What can I expect to happen if I don't?
• Does the school and daycare have a copy of my child's Asthma Action Plan?
• Do the school nurse, coach, physical education and other teachers know how to recognize when my child is having an asthma attack or episode? Do they know what to do for my child when he or she is having an asthma attack?
• Does my child have their asthma medications with them at school?  

 For printable Key Questions list click here.

Finding an Asthma Specialist

Listing these specific medical practices is not an endorsement of the quality of treatment to be received by the individual practice listed, but merely a list of resources for care.

Charleston Area Medical Center Pulmonary Rehabilitation Services - located in Charleston West Virginia. Nationally accredited by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. The program can help those struggling with diseases of the lungs return to a more healthy and satisfying lifestyle.

Cabell Huntington Hospital Pulmonary Rehabilitation Services - located in Huntington West Virginia. This is a multi-disciplinary program of care for patients with chronic respiratory impairment (COPD, asthma, restrictive diseases, etc.) that is individually designed to optimize physical and social performance.

West Virginia University Childrens Hospital - located in Morgantown West Virginia, this recently restructured Pediatric Department offers many specialty services including several board certified Pediatric Pulmonologists, Pediatric Allergists/Immunologists, and Sleep Medicine specialists.

 Asthma & Allergy Center - have 5 office locations in West Virginia, this practice offers a wide array of allergy diagnosis and treatments, spirometry lung testing and treatment of lung diseases. 

Asthma Self-Management Must Haves - Education and Prevention

Asthma Action Plan (PDF)  - a blank plan to give to your doctor to complete. 

Asthma Control Test - this short survey for adults and children with asthma aids the physician in assessing your control of your asthma. This is a fillable format to complete online and then print the results to take to your doctor.

Asthma Fast Facts for Kids (PDF)

Home Environment Asthma Checklist - Is your home "asthma friendly"? Here is an easy to follow list and suggestions to improve the air quality of your home. 

Learn about asthma

Managing Asthma while Pregnant

Prevent Allergy and Asthma Attacks at Home   

Pediatric Environmental Health Speciality Units - Resources and tools to help protect you and your child from hazards in the air, on the ground, and in the water. 

Things a family can do to get ready for an "asthma" lung doctor visit

Asthma, Health, and Vaccinations

Asthma and the Flu - get the facts about the seasonal flu, H1N1 flu, and asthma

Asthma Medications Resource -

For information on medication assistance please view the links page on this site.

Asthma and other Respiratory Disease Medications Defined 

Dry Powdered Inhalers - What are they?  

List of Inhaled Medications - includes National Asthma Guidelines referencing 

Patient Aerosol Guide - this how-to education guide explains the use of all types of inhalers and nebulized medications

Making an Asthma Diagnosis

Diagnosing Asthma in Young Children

Key Reasons for Considering a Diagnosis of Asthma - from the National Institute of Health  

Precious Breathers - the Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics' special program to help you identify respiratory problems in children under 5.

Types of Lung Function Tests - spirometry testing, peak flow meters, and other tests defined

Asthma Informational Products   

Asthma Action Plan - condensed wallet size 

Tobacco Use & Asthma Trifold - Know the Risks in West Virginia! 

Smoking and your health

Asthma Links 

Ask an Allergist - This site does not answer questions about specific consumer products and provides only general advice regarding medicines and treatment approaches.

Asthma Explorers Club - a place for kids to learn about their asthma

Asthma Information for Patients and Parents of Patients

Asthma and Allergy Friendly Products - certification program to empower consumers to make an informed purchase decision when choosing allergen-avoidance products.

Asthma Moms - videos on how to control asthma at home and at school

County Health Rankings - How healthy is the county you live in? See how your county ranks in the state and nationwide.

get asthma help - asthma action plans for children and available in spanish

Health-e-kids Center for Children's Health and the Environment (MACCHE) at the Children's National Medical Center.

Healthy Children - powered by pediatricians from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

NickJr. Asthma & Kids - asthma in preschoolers, asthma activities for the kids, and resources for the parents.

Quest for the Code - interactive Asthma game available on-line (available on cd-rom) that uses 3-D graphics, animation with celebrities to help children understand and manage their asthma.

  

For basic information on asthma in spanish in printable pdf,  please view El Asma under Asthma 101 on this site. 

                                   

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