Asthma is a disease that narrows your airways. When your asthma gets worse, it can make you cough or wheeze. You may also feel short of breath. This presentation from MetroPlus Health Plan covers the basics of living with asthma including common triggers. For more information on this topic please visit: http://www.metroplus.org/healthy-living/health-information/asthma The information contained in this publication should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your doctor. There may be variations in treatment that your doctor may recommend based on individual facts about you.

1. Living With Asthma

2. What is asthma?
Asthma is a disease that narrows your airways. When your asthma gets
worse, it can make you cough or wheeze. You may also feel short of breath.
Some people with asthma have mild symptoms, while others may need to go
to the emergency room sometimes.
Asthma can damage your lungs forever if it’s not treated. You may be given
medicine to manage your asthma. To ease your symptoms, you’ll need to
learn how asthma medicines work. Some should be used only when you have
an asthma attack. Others are made to be taken every day.

3. What Are Asthma Triggers?
To stay healthy, you need to learn about
what makes your asthma worse. These are
called “triggers,” because they trigger your
symptoms.
Common asthma triggers include:
• Mold
• Animal fur
• Tobacco or wood smoke
• Dust mites
• Cockroaches
• Changes in weather
• Home products, such as cleaners, paint,
cosmetics, and air fresheners may be
irritants
If you don’t know your asthma triggers, try
to limit 1 at a time and see if you feel better.
When pets are the problem
Once you know your triggers, you can take steps to avoid
them. Sometimes people who have a dog or cat are
bothered by the pet’s fur. It’s best to find a new home for
the pet. If you can’t do that, keep the pet out of the room
you sleep in. And wash your hands after touching your pet.
Block dust mites
If dust mites trigger your asthma, wash your bedding in hot
water each week. Look for special covers for your pillows
and mattress that keep dust mites out. If you can, replace
wall-to-wall carpets with tile or wood.
Keep insects out
Insects want your food, but you don’t have to let them have
it. Store your food in tightly sealed containers. Keep your
kitchen very clean. Also, take out the garbage every day.
Dry up mold
If mold bothers you, try to have someone else clean damp
areas. This includes the shower area. And when you take a
shower or bath, run the exhaust fan.

4. Types of Asthma Medicine
Quick-relief medicine
This medicine can quickly stop an asthma attack. It
does this by relaxing tight muscles around your
airways. You breathe in the medicine from an inhaler.
Keep this inhaler with you all the time, just in case. Use
it as soon as you start to have an asthma attack. Talk to
your doctor if you find you need to use this every day.
Everyday medicine
This is also called long-term medicine. It works over
time to keep your airways clear. It can help you have
fewer and milder asthma attacks. If you start feeling
better, you may think it’s OK to stop taking this. That
would be a big mistake! Your asthma could get worse
again. Tip: Don’t rely on color Be sure to learn the
name of your medicine and the color of the inhaler.
This can avoid confusion.

5. What About Exercise?
Exercise makes asthma worse for some
people. If exercise causes a problem for you,
talk with your doctor. Your doctor might give
you some medicine to take before you
exercise. Don’t let asthma keep you from
being fit. Walking, dancing, or swimming can
help make your heart and lungs stronger.
Exercise also can help you lose weight. Extra
weight often adds to asthma problems. The
key is to increase your activity slowly. Drink
lots of water and warm up first.

6. Take Action
Asthma can be a challenge. Having an asthma action plan can help you take
control. If you don’t have an asthma action plan, ask your doctor for one. Your
doctor will fill out what medicine you need to take at each stage. Most asthma
action plans are divided into sections based on your symptoms. They use the colors
green, yellow, and red to help you see how you’re doing. This is what they look like: