Asthma: Treatment & Self-Care

Asthma treatment can vary from anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator asthma inhalers to oral medications to asthma drugs delivered in an asthma nebulizer or breathing machine.

Get a better understanding of how asthma medications work so you’ll know which medications can prevent asthma symptoms. Also, learn about natural asthma remedies and ways to monitor your breathing at home.

Treatment

Asthma Treatments
Early and aggressive asthma treatment is key to relieving symptoms and preventing asthma attacks. Find out the many ways asthma is treated and then talk to your doctor to find out what’s right for you.

Asthma Medications
Asthma medication can work quickly to stop coughing and wheezing.  Learn more about asthma medications and the various methods for taking them.

Asthma Inhalers
Wonder if you’re using your asthma inhaler the right way? Do you puff and breathe … or breathe and puff? Learn how to get the most relief from your asthma inhaler.

When and How to Use an Inhaler
Control inhalers are used whether you’re having asthma symptoms or not. They contain medications that help control inflammation, which can help prevent flares and keep symptoms from getting worse.

Steroids & Other Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Do you suffer with thick mucus and swelling in the airways? Learn how asthma is treated with anti-inflammatory medications and how these inhaled, injectable, and oral medications can prevent asthma attacks.

Bronchodilators: Airway Openers
Do your lungs feel tight? A bronchodilator may help. Read more to learn about the different types of inhalers and how they work to open your airways and relieve asthma.

Asthma Nebulizer (Breathing Machine)
An asthma nebulizer (breathing machine) can deliver medication to the youngest and oldest asthma patients. Read more about nebulizers to understand how they work.

Prednisone and Asthma: Stopping an Asthma Attack
Sometimes stronger asthma medications, such as pills, are necessary to decrease symptoms. Learn more about prednisone and asthma, how it works, and the possible side effects.

Bronchial Thermoplasty for Asthma
Bronchial thermoplasty is a treatment for severe asthma. The procedure uses gentle heat to shrink the smooth muscles in your lungs — the ones that tighten during asthma attacks and make it hard to breathe. Read more here.

Health Check: Assess Your Asthma Treatment Plan
Get personalized tips to manage your asthma better.

Self-Care

Asthma Relief
Need better relief for your asthma? Discover some simple self-care strategies you can do right now to ease your asthma symptoms and be more active.

Using a Peak Flow Meter
Have you ever tried a peak flow meter? This asthma test can warn you of an impending asthma attack so you can pretreat before you have serious problems. Read more!

Developing an Asthma Action Plan
An asthma action plan is the simplest way to understand and manage your asthma. Learn how to create an asthma action plan with your doctor. It may save your life!

Keeping an Asthma Diary
Monitoring your asthma is crucial to reduce symptoms. While there’s no asthma cure, keeping an asthma diary will help you recognize asthma attacks and prevent them before you become seriously ill. Learn more about this self-management technique.

Managing Your Child’s Asthma at School
Do you know how to prevent your child from having an asthma attack at school? Learn what you must do to educate the teacher and other adults who may be caring for your child.

Controlling Asthma Triggers
What makes you wheeze or cough? Learning more about asthma triggers can help you reduce the chance of having asthma.

Air Filters and Asthma
Do you want to breathe easily? Learn more about home air filtration systems and how they work to reduce allergens that trigger your sneezing and wheezing.

Natural Asthma Remedies
Looking for some natural asthma remedies? Learn more about herbs, natural dietary supplements, acupuncture, chiropractic, biofeedback, and homeopathy, and how these alternative treatments may alleviate symptoms of asthma.

Special Situations

Pregnancy and Asthma
Afraid that asthma might disrupt your pregnancy? Learn more about asthma and pregnancy, and find ways to reduce risk to your unborn baby.

Source: www.webmd.com