Asthma and Airway Centre

Managing Asthma

Asthma Education

Asthma is a common and complex condition affecting people of all ages. In mild cases it may be regarded as a mere nuisance and may even go undiagnosed for a number of years. To others it makes every day a struggle to breathe and brings with it the risk of premature death.

This variability in severity and symptoms can lead to confusion and misconceptions. Remember there are many varieties of asthma and many possible treatments. The symptoms affecting your neighbor may be different than yours. The medication so successful for your cousin may provide no benefit to you.

However, some general statements can be made. Asthma is a chronic condition; it lasts for years and has no cure. However, its symptoms vary over time and may seem to disappear or enter remission for many months or years at a time. With careful management, its symptoms can almost always be controlled.

Knowing the facts about asthma makes controlling asthma easier for you and your doctor. Through understanding, you will feel more confident about your treatment and better able to participate in decision making. Our ability to control asthma symptoms is based on our present understanding of airway inflammation and its central role in asthma. Successful management of asthma should include:

• Assessment to determine the presence and severity of airway obstruction
• Identification and control of environmental triggers
• Appropriate medical / drug therapy
• Education

At the Asthma and Airway Centre, your doctor will do a physical examination and enquire about your present and past medical history, how asthma is affecting your life and if any members of your family have asthma or allergies. Your doctor may order a number of tests and procedures to confirm the diagnosis and help in management decisions about your asthma. These might include breathing tests, allergy skin tests, chest x-rays, exercise studies and methacholine challenge studies. (These tests will be explained to you so you need not worry.) You will receive ongoing education sessions to provide you with the necessary knowledge, skills and confidence.

1. The first step in asthma management is learning to identify and avoid common asthma triggers likely to produce episodes of wheezing.
2. The next step is learning about the medications used to treat asthma -- how to take them, why to take them and what side-effects complicate their use.
3. The third step is learning how to monitor asthma by tracking symptoms, medication use and sometimes measurements of breathing done at home.
4. Finally, every person with asthma needs an action plan... a series of steps to follow in case asthma worsens.

You are encouraged to see educational videos available in the Asthma and Airway Centre or from other resources centres, read books, brochures and attend educational seminars. Self motivation and self assessment is crucial to the success and management of asthma. Visit our resources section.

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