LIVING WELL WITH ASTHMA
When you feel an attack coming,
follow these three steps:
1. Get away from the trigger that
started your attack.
2. Take your quick-relief medicine
as soon as you notice symptoms,
then follow your Asthma Action
Plan.
3. If you still have wheezing and
shortness of breath, contact
your health-care provider or get
emergency help.
Many people with asthma are so used to
poor breathing that they don’t recognize
the problem. It’s best to go by the Rules
of Two® – signs that your treatment plan
is not working. Contact your health-care
provider if:
When to See an Asthma
Specialist
•
If you continue to experience
symptoms that disrupt sleep or
everyday activities, even after
following your management plan,
then a visit to a specialist (an
allergist or pulmonologist) may be
in order. The National Institutes
of Health asthma guidelines
recommend seeing a specialist if
any of the following apply:
•
You have asthma symptoms more
than TWO days a week.
•
Your asthma wakes you up TWO or
more times a month.
•
•
You have had a life-threatening
asthma episode.
You refill your quick-relief
bronchodilator prescription more
than TWO times a year.
•
You are not responding to
treatment after 2 to 4 weeks.
•
You have persistent asthma
symptoms, limited physical activity
and frequent flares.
(NOTE: The Rules of Two® is trademarked by
Baylor Health Systems.)
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•
You need continuous highdose inhaled corticosteroids or
more than two courses of oral
corticosteroids in 1 year.
•
You need additional testing,
such as allergy tests, complete
spirometry breathing tests,
rhinoscopy, or bronchoscopy.
•
You are being considered for
immunotherapy.
•
You have conditions that
complicate your asthma, such as
severe hay fever, sinusitis, GERD,
or exercise-related breathing
problems.
•
You require additional education
on complications of therapy or
allergen avoidance at home,
school, or work.