ASTHMA CARE & MANAGEMENT
Asthma is a chronic lung disease that can be successfully controlled with proper care. Common symptoms include coughing, chest tightness, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Five steps people with asthma can take to help stay healthy and lead fully active lives:
The precise cause of asthma is not yet known, but we do know family history, environmental irritants, allergies, and certain illnesses play a role in the development of asthma or an increase in asthma symptoms. Though asthma can not at this time be cured, it can be controlled with proper care.
The National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP), National Institutes of Health has issued guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma. The NAEPP Guidelines focus on four critical areas for the proper care and management of asthma:
The Guidelines represent best practices and are accepted as the standard of care for effective treatment and management of asthma today.
The cornerstone for successfully managing asthma is an active partnership and good communication between the individual with asthma and their health care provider. Health care providers who follow the NAEPP Guidelines can diagnose and treat asthma, and get it under control, early. They can also start self-management education early and tailor it to the needs of the individual with asthma.
Individuals who learn about their condition and understand both their symptoms and how to control them will have more success managing the disease and staying healthy. Everyone who has asthma should participate with their health care provider in developing an asthma care management plan that describes what actions they need to take to control their asthma symptoms every day and what they need to do when they have a flare-up.
People who have asthma can stay healthy and lead fully active lives. With the right treatment and an asthma care management plan in place, people should experience:
