Managing Asthma

Get tips and tools to help you take control of your asthma.

Asthma can be diagnosed at any time in one's life. While there is no cure for asthma, it can be managed by working with a healthcare provider to develop a plan to keep your asthma under control. 

Asthma is well-controlled if you: 

  • Need your quick-relief inhaler less than 3 times per week. 
  • Do not wake up with asthma during the night 
  • Do daily activities including exercise with few to no symptoms

Six steps you can take to keep your asthma under control

Is Your Asthma Under Control?

Answer questions to determine your overall asthma control. Use the summary as a guide to talk with your healthcare provider.
Take quiz

The Pathway to Managing Your Asthma

Understand the steps to better asthma management.
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Staying Healthy

Don't let asthma hold you back from being active. Physical activity benefits your overall health and lung health! Generally, people with asthma can participate in all types of exercise, along with guidance from your healthcare provider. Learn more about exercise and asthma

With asthma, you are at greater risk for serious complications from influenza (flu) and pneumonia. To protect yourself against the flu you should be immunized every year. The seasonal flu virus changes slightly every year and that is why it is important for you to get vaccinated every season. See where you can get the flu vaccine. There are two pneumonia vaccines. The Pneumovax 23 vaccine is important to get at least once, and sometimes a booster shot is recommended. Prevnar 13 is recommended for older adults. Ask your healthcare provider if it is time for your pneumonia shot.

Emotional stress is a common trigger for asthma. Here are some basic tips to help reduce stress.

Many people with asthma also have allergies, but there are other common health conditions that can occur at the same time. When you have multiple health conditions, it important that each member of your healthcare team know about all of your diseases, so they can find the best treatment options for you. Learn more about other common health conditions and the impact that they can have on asthma symptoms and management.

If you have asthma and smoke, make a plan to quit. The American Lung Association can help. Learn more about smoking and asthma.

Create Asthma-Friendly Environments

After you've learned about your asthma and are taking the right steps to better manage the disease, make sure the places that you visit most often do not increase the chances of an asthma emergency. Find out what you, your family and your coworkers can do to create asthma-friendly environments.

Parents

Having a child with asthma can be scary. Fortunately, you are not alone. There are many resources and tools to help your child control their asthma to enjoy a full and active life.
Help your child with asthma

Schools

Asthma is one of the main illness-related reasons that students miss school. Families and schools can help make sure that children with asthma stay healthy while in school.
More about asthma at school

Workplaces

Do you experience asthma symptoms at work? The workplace can trigger your asthma and sometimes cause asthma symptoms for the first time.
Manage your asthma at work

Reviewed and approved by the American Lung Association Scientific and Medical Editorial Review Panel.

Page last updated: April 17, 2024

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