Asthma can be diagnosed at any time in one's life. While there is no cure for asthma, it can be managed by working with a healthcare provider to develop a plan to keep your asthma under control.
Asthma is well-controlled if you:
- Need your quick-relief inhaler less than 3 times per week.
- Do not wake up with asthma during the night
- Do daily activities including exercise with few to no symptoms
Six steps you can take to keep your asthma under control
- Step 1: Make Your Medical Visits More Productive
There are a number of resources available to help you ask the right questions about asthma management and treatment the next time you see your healthcare provider. - Step 2: Create an Asthma Management Plan
Learn how to develop a plan with your healthcare provider that includes key information on managing your asthma. - Step 3: Assess and Monitor Your Control
Common asthma symptoms can include a cough, tight feeling in your chest, wheezing, activity limitation and feeling tired. Keeping track of your symptoms will help you stay in control. - Step 4: Understand Your Medication
There are a variety of medicines available to treat asthma. Each person's asthma is different and your doctor and healthcare team will work with you to set up a personalized plan. - Step 5: Reduce Asthma Triggers
Identify your asthma triggers and learn simple ways to limit your exposure or avoid them altogether. - Step 6: Learn Asthma Self-Management Skills
Learn more about asthma, including our asthma basics online course and what is asthma animation.
Staying Healthy
Create Asthma-Friendly Environments
After you've learned about your asthma and are taking the right steps to better manage the disease, make sure the places that you visit most often do not increase the chances of an asthma emergency. Find out what you, your family and your coworkers can do to create asthma-friendly environments.
Reviewed and approved by the American Lung Association Scientific and Medical Editorial Review Panel.
Page last updated: October 23, 2024
