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Contents
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This pamphlet
was originally designed as a workbook, with checklists and sections
to be filled out. To this end, we have created worksheets for
various sections that can be printed out individually, filled
out, brought to the doctor's office, and used in your daily
activities to help you understand and control your asthma. This
document can also be read straight through just for information.
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Your
Asthma Can Be Controlled
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Expect Nothing Less
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"Almost
all asthma patients can become free of symptoms with proper
treatment. Patients and their families should expect nothing
less."
This is a common
and true statement made by many who treat asthma patients.
This booklet
will help you work with your doctor to become free of symptoms.
How? By helping you learn what questions to ask and what
information to share with your doctor. This is basic information
all people with asthma can use. Read on to learn:
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What to expect
from asthma treatment
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How you and
your doctor can control your asthma
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How to work
with your doctor
Patients
and their families can control asthma.
What
to Expect From Your
Asthma
Treatment--The Goals
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No symptoms or
minor symptoms of asthma (symptoms include wheezing, coughing,
shortness of breath, and chest tightness)
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Sleeping through
the night without asthma symptoms
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No time off from
school or work due to asthma
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Full participation
in physical activities
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No emergency
room visits or stays in the hospital
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Little or no
side effects from asthma medicine
Do
not accept having
symptoms
as normal
Goal:
Full participation in physical activities.
Meeting
the Asthma Treatment Goals
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Go to the worksheet, print it out, and put a checkmark
next to each goal that you are meeting. Tell your doctor
which goals you are meeting and which you are not. Do this
at every visit.
All these goals
can be met with long-term treatment. You
need to work with your doctor to achieve every goal.
If you are not
meeting a goal, your treatment may simply need to be changed.
Your doctor may ask for help from a specialist to achieve
your goals. Ask about this.
Goal:
No time off from work or school due to asthma.
How
Your Asthma Can Be Controlled
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Asthma is a chronic
disease. It can be controlled with proper, long-term treatment.
But it cannot be cured. People with asthma have
--
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Airways
that react to certain things called triggers
-- things like smoke or dust
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Airways that
sometimes become narrow and blocked.
This causes wheezing, coughing, or trouble breathing
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Airways that
become inflamed and swollen.
Each of these
features of asthma can be prevented or treated by:
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Staying
away from your triggers or controlling them
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Taking
medicine that opens your airways
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Getting
treatment for the inflammation
Treating inflammation
is very important in the control of moderate to severe asthma.
This may mean the daily use of such medicines as cromolyn
sodium or inhaled steroids. Both of these medicines are
safe to take.
Treating inflammation
is the advice given in the 1991 National Asthma Education
Program's Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management
of Asthma.
Three
Actions to Help You
Gain
Control of Your Asthma
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Learn what
things start or prompt your asthma symptoms. Then avoid
or control them.
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Respond quickly
to warning signs of an asthma episode.
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Make two
treatment plans with your doctor: one for daily treatment
and one for emergencies.
What follows
will help you talk about each of the above issues with your
doctor.
Take
your medicine at the first warning sign of an asthma episode.
Learn
What Things Start Your Asthma
Symptoms
and Control Them
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Most asthma symptoms
start when your airways are bothered by something. These
things are called triggers. Your symptoms will be reduced
when you stay away from or control your triggers. Your asthma
will be more controlled!
Go to
the worksheet, print it out, and check the things that trigger
your asthma symptoms:
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Dogs, cats,
or other animals
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Colds or
flu
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Pollen from
trees, grasses, and weeds
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Dust or mold
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Strong odors
from perfumes, paints, sprays, or other items
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Smoke from
cigarettes or from burning wood, paper, or other items
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Weather changes
or very cold air
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Air pollution
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Crying, laughing,
or yelling
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Exercising,
what type of exercise?
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Aspirin or
other medicine
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Other
Peak
flow meters can help you find out what your triggers
are. Peak flow meters measure how well you are breathing.
The peak flow meter is simple and small. It can be used
at home or at work. Talk to your doctor about this.
Tell
your doctor what your triggers are.
Write
your plan of action for staying away from or controlling
your asthma triggers:
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Respond
Quickly to Your Warning
Signs
of an Asthma Episode
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Most asthma episodes
or attacks start slowly. Most people can tell when an asthma
episode is coming.
- "I
learned that when my chest started getting tight, my asthma
was going to act up. Now I take my asthma medicine when
my chest starts to feel tight. I have prevented many asthma
episodes this way. Once I learned this, I felt more in
control."
Deborah,
asthma patient
You can often
stop an asthma episode when you catch it early and take
your medicine. If you fail to do this, your symptoms may
get worse. Learn what your warning signs are. Make a plan
with your doctor or nurse about what to do when you notice
your warning signs.
Go to
the worksheet, print it out, and check the warning signs
that you have before an asthma episode.
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Drop in peak
flow rate
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Coughing
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Shortness
of breath
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Tightness
in your chest
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Wheezing
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Faster breathing
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Itchy or
sore throat
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Other
Talk
with your doctor about your warning signs.
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Tell your
doctor your warning signs.
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Plan what
you should do when your warning signs occur. Follow
the plan you and your doctor make. This often means
taking your medicine and resting. By knowing what to
do when you notice early warning signs, you will feel
more in control.
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Ask about
other times when you should take your medicine. This
may be the first sign of a cold or flu. It may be before
you exercise. Or it may be before you come into contact
with something you're allergic to.
Ask your
doctor about using a peak flow meter.
- A peak flow
meter can tell you when an asthma episode is coming --
even before you feel symptoms. Taking
medicine before you feel symptoms can stop the episode.
People over age 4 with moderate or severe asthma should
use a peak flow meter at least daily.
Write
down what your doctor wants you to do when you feel a warning
sign:
Make
Your Treatment Plan
With Your Doctor and Follow It
Talk with your doctor
about your different asthma medicines. Some medicines need to
be taken daily to prevent asthma symptoms (inhaled
steroids and cromolyn sodium). Other medicine can relieve
your symptoms once your symptoms begin (medicine that opens
your airways).
Complete the "My
Asthma Medicine" forms with your doctor (see below
or go to the worksheet and print it out). Be sure to tell your doctor
if you do not want to take a medicine. Also,
call your doctor if you have any problems taking a medicine.
Your doctor can often find something else for your asthma.
Ask your
doctor to show you how to use an inhaler. Then at each
visit, show your doctor how you use your inhaler. Ask if you
are using it the correct way. If you have trouble using an inhaler,
ask about a spacer or holding chamber.
Remind
yourself to take your medicines
Here
are some ways to do this
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Take your medicine
at the same time as one of your daily routines. Take it
at meals, when you brush your teeth, or some other time
you choose.
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Put a sign on
the bathroom mirror or the refrigerator to remind yourself.
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Ask your family
members to remind you.
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Always carry
your inhaler that contains the medicine to open your airways.
Always have it within reach.
My
Asthma Medicines
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Ask your
doctor the questions below. Write down what your
doctor says for each medicine prescribed to you.
Name
of medicine
When
and how much you should take
How long
to take it
What
does the medicine do and when will you feel it working
What
to do if you forget to take it
Side
effects and what to do about them
When
to call the doctor
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Summing
Up: Write a Plan
for Controlling Your Asthma
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Prepare a plan
to manage your asthma with your doctor by going to the worksheet and printing it, and filling it out.
Include how you will avoid triggers, respond to early warning
signs of an episode, and take your medicine. Work with your
doctor to make the use of a peak flow meter part of your
routine. Lastly, learn the best way to reach your doctor
for routine questions and urgent care.
Write
your plan
for an asthma emergency
Ask your
doctor what you should do in an emergency. Write the
answers below.
What are
the signs that tell you to seek care quickly?
What should
you do if your medicines do not seem to be working?
Where should
you go to get care quickly?
Should you
call your doctor first or go to the emergency room?
What do you
do if you have an asthma emergency very late at night?
When you
call, what information will your doctor want (your symptoms,
what medicines you have taken, when you took them, and
your peak flow rate)?
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How
to Work With Your Doctor
to Get the Best Care
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Ask questions.
Write down all your questions before each visit. Review
this booklet to help you decide what to ask your doctor.
Take this list with you when you see your doctor. Then ask
your questions.
Give
information.
Tell your doctor what your symptoms have
been since your last visit. Be honest. Provide peak
flow meter readings, if you have them. Talk about
how and when you take your medicines. Talk
about problems or concerns you have about
your medicines. Use the checklist of treatment goals
given in the first part of this booklet. Talk with your
doctor about the goals being met and those not being met.
State
what you expect at each visit.
Tell your doctor what you want from the visit. You may simply
want some questions answered. Or you might want a change
in your medicine.
Follow
directions.
Write down what you are supposed to do. Repeat back what
you think your doctor wants you to do. This helps you to
be sure that you know what you are supposed to do. Take
your medicine as your doctor tells you. Tell your doctor
when you have trouble doing what he or she asks.
Keep
your appointments.
Have a way to remind yourself to keep your appointments.
Put a note on the refrigerator, your dresser, or some other
place. If you cannot keep your appointment, call and change
it. With time, you and your doctor will find the care that
works best for you.
You'll
be in control of your asthma!
Ask
questions. Follow directions.
Remind yourself to keep your appointments.
On the worksheet, write your questions for your next doctor's
visit.
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Helpful
Phone Numbers for You
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Your doctor's
office phone number:
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Your doctor's
after-hours phone number:
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Emergency
phone number:
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Other
Helpful Phone Numbers For You
These groups provide information and materials
| American
Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology |
1-800-822-2762 |
| American
College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (for
pamphlets or a list of board-certified doctors in your
area) |
1-800-842-7777 |
| American
Lung Association |
Call
your local Lung Association |
| Asthma
and Allergy Foundation of America |
1-800-727-8462 |
| National
Allergy and Asthma Network/Mothers of Asthmatics |
1-800-878-4403 |
| National
Jewish Medical and Research Center Information Service
(Lung Line) |
1-800-222-5864 |
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For
further information, contact
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| National
Asthma Education and Prevention Program |
1-301-251-1222
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NIH
Publication No. 91-2664
September 1991
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