Asthma Is a Serious Lung Disease
What Causes Asthma?
Your Asthma Can Be Controlled With Proper Care
How To Take Care of Your Asthma
How To Work With Your Doctor
Is Your Ashma Under Control?
Taking the Right
Medicines at the Right
Times
Asthma Medicines: Brand and Generic Names
How to Use Your Metered-Dose Inhaler the Right Way
Asthma Action Plan - Printable form
How to Use Your Peak Flow Meter
How to Control Things That Make Your Asthma Worse
For More Information
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.
 This website can help you learn how to
control your asthma or help a friend or
family member with asthma.
Asthma
Asthma Is a Serious
Lung Disease
Asthma makes the sides of the airways in
your lungs inflamed or swollen all the time.
See the drawing below. 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.
What Causes Asthma?
The cause of asthma is still unknown. From studying asthma patients, researchers have concluded that the following factors can lead to asthma:
Genetic Factors: Asthma has the tendency to run in families. It has not yet been determined what genetic factors actually play a part in determining if a person will be diagnosed with asthma. Individuals who have allergies are more likely to have asthma as well.
Air Quality: General environmental factors such as house dust mites in bedding, carpet ad furnishings, exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy or as a small child, and children who are exposed to animals, pollens, molds and dust are more likely to have asthma. The occupational environment also has a large influence on our likelihood of having asthma. Pollens, molds, dust, gases and chemicals can cause our airways to become weak. The following are some examples of hazardous occupations likely to cause asthma: manufacturing, woodworking, farming and working with chemicals.
Dietary Changes: An increase in processed food, increase in salt intake, decrease in antioxidant intake and the lack of fresh oily fish may all increase the chances of cause asthma.
Lack of exercise: In the 21st century there has been an increase in the amount of television that is watched and a decrease in the amount of physical activity. This decrease in physical activity can cause a decrease in the strength of the airway passage causing the airway muscles to abnormally contract when irritated by environmental changes.
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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.
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How To Take Care of
Your Asthma
- Work with your doctor and
see him or her at least every
6 months.
See: “How To Work With Your
Doctor”
- Take your asthma medicines
exactly as your doctor tells you.
See: “Taking the Right Medicines at
the Right Times”
“How To Use Your Metered-Dose
Inhaler the Right Way”
“Asthma Action Plan”
- Watch for signs that your
asthma is getting worse and
act quickly.
See: “Asthma Action Plan” (The action plan gives you some
signs that your asthma is getting
worse and says when to take
medicines.)
“How To Use Your Peak Flow
Meter”
- Stay away from or control
things that make your asthma
worse.
See: “How To Control Things That
Make Your Asthma Worse”
How To Work With
Your Doctor
- Agree on clear treatment
goals with your doctor. Your
goal is to be able to say “no” to
all the questions in the box on
section titled, “Is Your Asthma
Under Control?”
- Agree on what things you
need to do. Then do them.
- Ask questions until you feel you
know what your doctor wants
you to do, when you should do
it, and why. Tell your doctor if
you think you will have trouble
doing what is asked. You can
work together to find a treatment
plan that is right for you.
- Write down the things you are
supposed to do before you leave
the doctor’s office, or soon after.
- Put up reminders to yourself to
take your medicine on time.
Put these notes in places where
you will see them.
- See your doctor at least every
6 months to check your asthma
and review your treatment.
Call for an appointment
if you need one.
Prepare a day or two
before each doctor’s
visit:
- Answer the questions in “Is
Your Asthma Under Control?”. Talk to your doctor
about your answers. Also, talk
about any changes in your home
or work that may have made
your asthma worse.
-
Write down questions and
concerns to discuss with your
doctor. Include ALL of your
concerns, even those you think
are not a big deal.
-
Bring your medicines and
written action plan to each
visit. If you use a peak flow
meter, bring it to each visit.
“The doctor would ask me at
each visit how little Jimmy’s
asthma was. I always forgot to
mention some symptoms or
other problems. Now it’s different.
Before we visit the doctor,
I write down when Jimmy
had symptoms in the past 2
weeks. I also write down all
the questions I have. Now
when I leave the doctor’s office,
I feel happy that I got all my
issues addressed.”
- Deborah, mother of a child
with asthma
Is Your Ashma Under Control?
Answer these questions by checking "yes" or "no." Do this just before each doctor's visit.In the past 2 weeks |
| 1. Have you coughed, wheezed, felt short of breath, or had chest tightness: |
| - During the day? |
_______ Yes |
_______ No |
| - At night, causing you to wake up? |
_______ Yes |
_______ No |
| - During or soon after exercise? |
_______ Yes |
_______ No |
| 2. Have you needed more "quick-relief" medicine than usual? |
_______ Yes |
_______ No |
| 3. Has your asthma kept you from doing anything you wanted to do? |
_______ Yes |
_______ No |
| If yes, what was it? |
|
|
| ____________________________________________________________ |
| ____________________________________________________________ |
| 4. Have you asthma medicines caused you any problems, like shakiness, sore throat, or upset stomach? |
_______ Yes |
_______ No |
| In the past few months: |
|
|
| 5. Have you missed school or work because of you asthma? |
_______ Yes |
_______ No |
| 6. Have you gone to the emergency room or hospital because of your asthma? |
_______ Yes |
_______ No |
|
| What Your Answers mean |
|
|
- All "no" asnwers? - Your asthma is under control.
- One or more "yes" answers? - Something needs to be done. Read the guide on how to get your asthma under control and talk to your doctor. |
|
|
Taking the Right
Medicines at the Right
Times
There are two main kinds of medicines
for asthma:
(1) those that
help with the long-term control
of asthma and
(2) those that give
short-term quick relief from
asthma symptoms. See the list of
brand and generic names for asthma
medicines.
Long-Term-Control Medicines
Are Taken Every Day To
Control Asthma
Long-term-control medicines
will prevent symptoms and
control asthma. But it often takes
a few weeks before you feel the full
effects of this medicine.
Ask your doctor about taking
daily long-term-control
medicine if you:
- Have asthma symptoms three
or more times a week, or
- Have asthma symptoms at night
three or more times a month.
If you need a long-term-control medicine, you will need to keep
taking your medicine each day,
even when you feel well.
This is
the only way you can keep your
asthma under control.
Make taking your long-termcontrol
medicine a part of your
daily routine—just like eating,
sleeping, and brushing your teeth.
The Long-Term-Control
Medicines
The most effective long-term-control
medicines are those that
reduce swelling in your airways
(inflammation). These medicines
include inhaled steroids, cromolyn,
and nedocromil.
- Inhaled steroids and steroid
tablets or liquids are the
strongest long-term-control
medicines. The steroids used
for asthma are NOT the same as
the unsafe steroids some athletes
take to build muscles.
- Inhaled steroids are used to
prevent symptoms and control
mild, moderate, and severe
asthma. Inhaled steroids are
safe when taken at recommended
doses. This is because
the medicine goes right to your
lungs where you need it. This
reduces the amount of medicine
you need and the chance of any
side effects.
- Steroid tablets or liquids are
used safely for short times to
quickly bring asthma under
control. They are also used
longer term to control the most
severe asthma.
- Cromolyn and nedocromil are
often the choice of medicine for
children with mild asthma.
- Inhaled long-acting beta2-
agonists are used to help control
moderate-to-severe asthma and
to prevent nighttime symptoms.
Long-acting beta2-agonists do
not reduce inflammation.
Therefore, patients taking this
medicine also need to take
inhaled steroids. Inhaled longacting
beta2-agonists should not
be used for quick relief of asthma
attacks.
- Sustained-release theophylline
or sustained-release beta2-
agonist tablets can help prevent
nighttime symptoms. These
medicines are used with inhaled
steroids, nedocromil, or cromolyn.
Theophylline is sometimes
used by itself to treat mild
asthma. The dose for theophylline
must be checked over
time to prevent side effects.
- Zileuton and zafirlukast are a
more recent type of long-termcontrol
medicine. Studies so far
show that it is used mainly for
mild asthma in patients 12 years
of age and older.
Quick-Relief Medicines Are
Taken Only When Needed
Inhaled quick-relief medicine
quickly relaxes and opens your
airways and relieves asthma
symptoms. But it only helps for
about 4 hours. Quick-relief medicine
cannot keep symptoms from
coming back—only long-termcontrol
medicines can do that.
Take quick-relief medicine when
you first begin to feel symptoms—
like coughing, wheezing, chest
tightness, or shortness of breath.
Your doctor may tell you to use a
peak flow meter to help you know
when to take your inhaled quickrelief
medicines.
Do not delay taking your quickrelief
medicine when you have
symptoms. This can keep you from
having a really bad asthma attack.
Tell your doctor if you notice you
are using more of this medicine
than usual. This is often a sign that
your long-term-control medicine
needs to be changed or increased.
Make an Action Plan With
Your Doctor
Ask your doctor to help you fill out
the “Asthma Action Plan”.
Be sure you know when to take
your medicine and what to do when
your asthma gets worse.
“I always thought if you had
asthma you should expect to
have asthma symptoms. My
new doctor disagreed. She told
me to take an “inhaled steroid” every day for my asthma. Well,
I did not feel anything at first.
But after about 3 weeks, my
symptoms came less often.
Now, after a few months on
this medicine, I can see my
doctor was right. Asthma can
really be controlled.”
Glen, a long-time asthma patient
| Asthma Medicines: Brand and Generic Names, 1997* |
| Asthma Long-Term Control Medications |
| Generic Name |
Brand Name |
|
| Steroids: Inhaled |
|
| belomethasone |
Beclovent®
Vanceril®, Vanceril®—Double |
| Strength |
|
| budesonide |
Pulmicort Turbuhalor® |
| flunisolide |
AeroBid®, AeroBid-M® |
| fluticasone |
Flovent® |
| triamcinolone |
Azmacort® |
|
| Cromolyn and Nedocromil: Inhaled |
| cromolyn sodium |
Intal® |
| nedocromil sodium |
Tilade® |
|
| Leukotriene Modifiers: Tablets |
| zafirlukast |
Accolate® |
| zileuton |
Zyflo® |
|
| Long-Acting Beta2-Agonists |
| salmeterol (inhaled) |
Serevent® |
| albuterol |
Volmax® |
| (extended release tablets) |
Proventil Repetabs ® |
|
| Theophylline: Tablets or liquid |
|
Aerolate® III
Aerolate® JR
Aerolate® SR
Choledyl® SA
Elixophyllin®
Quibron®-T
Quibron®-T/SR
Slo-bid®
Slo-Phyllin®
Theo-24®
Theochron®
Theo-Dur®
Theolair®
Theolair®-SR
T-Phyl®
Uni-Dur®
Uniphyl® |
|
| Asthma Quick-Relief Medications |
| Generic Name |
Brand Name |
|
| Short-Acting Beta2-Agonists: Inhaled |
| albuterol |
Airet®
Proventil®
Proventil HFA®
Ventolin®
Ventolin® Rotacaps |
| bitolterol |
Tornalate® |
| pirbuterol |
Maxair® |
| terbutaline |
Brethaire®
Brethine® (tablet only)
Bricanyl® (tablet only) |
|
| Anticholinergics: Inhaled |
| ipratropium bromide |
Atrovent® |
|
| Steroids: Tablets or liquids |
| methylprednisolone |
Medrol® |
| prednisone |
Prednisone
Deltasone®
Orasone®
Liquid Pred®
Prednisone Intensol® |
| prednisolone |
Prelone®
Pediapred® |
| |
|
| * This glossary is a complete list of brand names associated with the
appropriate generic names of asthma medications, as listed in the United
States Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc., Approved Drug Products and Legal
Requirements, Volume III, 17th edition, 1997, and the USP DI Drug
Information for Health Care Professionals, Volume I, 17th edition, 1997.
This list does not constitute an endorsement of these products by
the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. |
|
| How to Use Your Metered-Dose Inhaler the Right Way |
Using an inhaler seems simple, but most patients do not use it the right way. When you use your inhaler the
wrong way, less medicine gets to your lungs. (Your doctor may give you other types of inhalers.)
For the next 2 weeks, read these steps aloud as you do them or ask someone to read them to you. Ask your
doctor or nurse to check how well you are using your inhaler.
Use your inhaler in one of the three ways pictured below (A or B are best, but C can be used if you have
trouble with A and B). |
| Steps for Using Your Inhaler |
|
Getting Ready |
1. Take off the cap and shake the inhaler.
2. Breathe out all the way.
3. Hold your inhaler the way your doctor said (A, B, or C below). |
Breathe in slowly |
4. As you start breathing in slowly through your mouth, press down
on the inhaler one time. (If you use a holding chamber, first press
down on the inhaler. Within 5 seconds, begin to breathe in slowly.)
5. Keep breathing in slowly, as deeply as you can. |
| Hold your breath |
6. Hold your breath as you count to 10 slowly, if you can.
7. For inhaled quick-relief medicine (beta2-agonists), wait about
1 minute between puffs. There is no need to wait between puffs
for other medicines. |
| A. Hold inhaler 1 to 2
inches in front of your
mouth (about the width
of two fingers). |
B. Use a spacer/holding
chamber. These come in
many shapes and can be
useful to any patient. |
C. Put the inhaler in your
mouth. Do not use for
steroids.
|
|
|
|
Clean Your Inhaler as Needed
Look at the hole where the medicine
sprays out from your inhaler. If you see
“powder” in or around the hole, clean
the inhaler. Remove the metal canister
from the L-shaped plastic mouthpiece.
Rinse only the mouthpiece and cap in
warm water. Let them dry overnight.
In the morning, put the canister back
inside. Put the cap on. |
Know When To Replace
Your Inhaler
For medicines you take each day
(an example):
Say your new canister has 200 puffs
(number of puffs is listed on canister)
and you are told to take 8 puffs
per day.
So this canister will last 25 days.
If you started using this inhaler on
May 1, replace it on or before May 25.
You can write the date on your canister.
For quick-relief medicine take as
needed and count each puff.
Do not put your canister in water to
see if it is empty. This does not work. |
| How to Use Your Peak Flow Meter |
A peak flow meter helps you check how well your asthma is controlled. Peak flow meters
are most helpful for people with moderate or severe asthma.
This guide will tell you (1) how to find your personal best peak flow number, (2) how to use
your personal best number to set your peak flow zones, (3) how to take your peak flow,
and (4) when to take your peak flow to check your asthma each day. |
| Starting Out: Find Your Personal Best Peak Flow Number |
To find your personal best peak
flow number, take your peak
flow each day for 2 to 3 weeks.
Your asthma should be under
good control during this time.
Take your peak flow as close to
the times listed below as you
can. These times for taking your
peak flow are only for finding
your personal best peak flow.
- Between noon and 2:00 p.m.
each day
- Each time you take your quickrelief
medicine to relieve symptoms
(measure your peak flow
after you take your medicine)
- Any other time your doctor
suggests
Write down the number you get
for each peak flow reading.
The highest peak flow number
you had during the 2 to 3
weeks is your personal best.
Your personal best can change
over time. Ask your doctor
when to check for a new
personal best.
To check your asthma each day,
you will take your peak flow in
the morning. This is discussed
in the coming text. |
| Your Peak Flow Zones |
Your peak flow zones are based on your personal best peak flow number.
The zones will help you check your asthma and take the right
actions to keep it controlled. The colors used with each zone come
from the traffic light. |
|
Green Zone (80 to 100 percent of your personal best) signals good
control. Take your usual daily long-term-control medicines, if you
take any. Keep taking these medicines even when you are in the
yellow or red zones. |
|
Yellow Zone (50 to 79 percent of your personal best) signals caution:
your asthma is getting worse. Add quick-relief medicines.
You might need to increase other asthma medicines as directed by
your doctor. |
|
Red Zone (below 50 percent of your personal best) signals medical
alert! Add or increase quick-relief medicines and call your doctor now. |
Ask your doctor to write an action plan for you that tells you:
- The peak flow numbers for your green, yellow, and red zones. Mark
the zones on your peak flow meter with colored tape or a marker.
- The medicines you should take while in each peak flow zone.
How To Take Your Peak Flow
- Move the marker to the bottom
of the numbered scale.
- Stand up or sit up straight.
- Take a deep breath. Fill your
lungs all the way.
- Hold your breath while you
place the mouthpiece in your
mouth, between your teeth.
Close your lips around it.
Do not put your tongue
inside the hole.
- Blow out as hard and fast as
you can. Your peak flow
meter will measure how fast
you can blow out air.
- Write down the number you
get. But if you cough or
make a mistake, do not write
down the number. Do it over
again.
- Repeat steps 1 through 6 two
more times. Write down the
highest of the three numbers.
This is your peak flow
number.
- Check to see which peak flow
zone your peak flow number
is in. Do the actions your
doctor told you to do while in
that zone.
Your doctor may ask you to
write down your peak flow
numbers each day. You can do
this on a calendar or other
paper. This will help you and
your doctor see how your
asthma is doing over time.
Checking Your Asthma: When To Use Your Peak Flow Meter
- Every morning when you
wake up, before you take
medicine. Make this part of
your daily routine.
- When you are having asthma
symptoms or an attack.
And after taking medicine for the attack. This can tell you
how bad your asthma attack
is and whether your medicine
is working.
- Any other time your doctor
suggests. If you use more than one peak
flow meter (such as at home and
at school), be sure that both
meters are the same brand.
Bring to Each of Your Doctor’s Visits:
- Your peak flow meter.
- Your peak flow numbers if
you have written them down
each day.
Also, ask your doctor or nurse
to check how you use your peak
flow meter—just to be sure you
are doing it right.
How to Control Things That Make Your Asthma Worse
You can help prevent asthma attacks by staying away
from things that make your asthma worse. This
guide suggests many ways to help you do this.
You need to find out what makes your asthma
worse. Some things that make asthma worse for
some people are not a problem for others. You do
not need to do all of the things listed in this guide.
Look at the things listed in dark print below. Put a
check next to the ones that you know make your
asthma worse. Ask your doctor to help you find out
what else makes your asthma worse. Then, decide
with your doctor what steps you will take. Start with
the things in your bedroom that bother your asthma.
Try something simple first.
Tobacco Smoke
- If you smoke, ask your doctor for ways to help
you quit. Ask family members to quit
smoking, too.
- Do not allow smoking in your home or around
you.
- Be sure no one smokes at a child’s day care
center.
Smoke, Strong Odors, and Sprays
- If possible, do not use a wood-burning stove,
kerosene heater, or fireplace.
- Try to stay away from strong odors and sprays,
such as perfume, talcum powder, hair spray,
and paints.
Indoor Mold
- Fix leaky faucets, pipes, or other sources of
water.
- Clean moldy surfaces with a cleaner that has
bleach in it.
|
Dust Mites
Many people with asthma are allergic to dust mites.
Dust mites are like tiny “bugs” you cannot see that live
in cloth or carpet.
Things that will help the most:
- Encase your mattress in a special dust-proof
cover.*
- Encase your pillow in a special dust-proof
cover* or wash the pillow each week in hot
water. Water must be hotter than 1300F to
kill the mites.
- Wash the sheets and blankets on your bed each
week in hot water.
Other things that can help:
- Reduce indoor humidity to less than
50 percent. Dehumidifiers or central air
conditioners can do this.
- Try not to sleep or lie on cloth-covered cushions
or furniture.
- Remove carpets from your bedroom and those
laid on concrete, if you can.
- Keep stuffed toys out of the bed or wash the
toys weekly in hot water.
|
Animal Dander
Some people are allergic to the flakes of skin or dried
saliva from animals with fur or feathers.
The best thing to do:
- Keep furred or feathered pets out of your home.
If you can’t keep the pet outdoors, then:
- Keep the pet out of your bedroom and keep the
bedroom door closed.
- Cover the air vents in your bedroom with heavy
material to filter the air.*
- Remove carpets and furniture covered with
cloth from your home. If that is not possible,
keep the pet out of the rooms where these are.
|
Cockroach
Many people with asthma are allergic to the dried droppings
and remains of cockroaches.
- Keep all food out of your bedroom.
- Keep food and garbage in closed containers
(never leave food out).
- Use poison baits, powders, gels, or paste
(for example, boric acid). You can also use
traps.
- If a spray is used to kill roaches, stay out of
the room until the odor goes away.
Vacuum Cleaning
- Try to get someone else to vacuum for you
once or twice a week, if you can. Stay out of
rooms while they are being vacuumed and for
a short while afterward.
- If you vacuum, use a dust mask (from a
hardware store), a double-layered or microfilter
vacuum cleaner bag,* or a vacuum cleaner
with a HEPA filter.*
|
Pollen and Outdoor Mold
What to do during your allergy season (when pollen
or mold spore counts are high):
- Try to keep your windows closed.
- Stay indoors with windows closed during the
midday and afternoon, if you can. Pollen and
some mold spore counts are highest at that
time.
- Ask your doctor whether you need to take or
increase anti-inflammatory medicine before
your allergy season starts.
|
Exercise, Sports, Work, or Play
- You should be able to be active without
symptoms. See your doctor if you have
asthma symptoms when you are active—like
when you exercise, do sports, play, or work
hard.
- Ask your doctor about taking medicine before
you exercise to prevent symptoms.
- Warm up for about 6 to 10 minutes before you
exercise.
- Try not to work or play hard outside when the
air pollution or pollen levels (if you are allergic
to the pollen) are high.
|
Other Things That Can Make
Asthma Worse
- Flu: Get a flu shot.
- Sulfites in foods: Do not drink beer or wine
or eat shrimp, dried fruit, or processed
potatoes if they cause asthma symptoms.
- Cold air: Cover your nose and mouth with a
scarf on cold or windy days.
- Other medicines: Tell your doctor about all
the medicines you may take. Include cold
medicines, aspirin, and even eye drops.
|
Contact These Groups to Learn More About Asthma:
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