Controlling asthma is not an easy job. But with utmost care, you can have a big control over it. Everyone having asthma suffers from inflammation and airway constriction. But the symptoms may vary from person to person and can change over time.
Just have a keen observation on the symptoms. Maintain an asthma symptom diary. During each visit, have a detailed talk with the doctor about how severe the symptoms are and if there has been a recorded changes since the last appointment.
Check the lung function. The lung function tests can assess the breathing problems.
Based on the symptoms and lung function tests, the doctor could suggest if any changes are required in the treatment.
Always maintain an everyday track of the asthma symptoms so that the doctor can review them at each appointment and adjust the treatment.
Increased shortness of breath or wheezing, disturbed sleep caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing and Chest tightness or pain has to be recorded regularly, which will help in deciding the treatment. There is a need to use a quick-relief inhaler containing a short-acting bronchodilator, which will help in opening the airways by relaxing the surrounding muscles. National Asthma Education and Prevention Program have brought out guidelines for grading asthma severity, which has certain guidelines for the medication of asthma. You along with the doctor can use these guidelines for effective results.
By evaluating these symptoms and measuring the lung function, the doctor could effectively decide on the treatment. He could suggest new treatment if, the current medications are not capable of controlling the asthma or if the medications are causing troublesome side effects. In the case of persistent asthma, whether it’s mild, moderate or severe, long-term control medications are needed. These medications, if used effectively, can reduce or eliminate the need of a quick-relief inhaler.
