Guest Author - Amy Anaruk

Even if you’re like me and don’t really practice the art of making resolutions, a new year is always good time to set some personal goals. Why not use the dawn of 2008 to pledge to increase your asthma education and awareness? Better yet, if you or your child has been newly diagnosed, let 2008 be the year to attain good asthma control. Here are some tips to help:

1. Read all the information you can find.
The better informed you are, the better decisions you can make (with a doctor, of course) about your health. Check the subject folders to the left for a variety of asthma articles, and make sure to visit the Asthma Resources folder for some good medical links.

2. Compose an asthma action plan with your doctor.
These step-by-step instructions can take the guesswork out of figuring out when to take meds, usually by using flare symptoms and peak flow readings. Asthma action plans are especially important for children, since treating their flares during the day often falls to school nurses and caregivers.

3. Join a message board.
Support networks are important when dealing with chronic health issues. Talking to other asthma patients or parents of asthmatic children online not only gives you another place to find asthma information, but it also provides emotional balance.

4. Get on a good maintenance program.
Preventing asthma flares in the first place is easier than treating them when they occur. Good asthma control usually involves daily preventative medications, identifying and then avoiding flares, and regular use of peak flow meters. All are crucial to overall asthma health.

5. Consider a specialist.
If you’re struggling for good asthma control, ask your doctor for a referral to an asthma specialist. Allergists and pulmonologists can take extra steps like checking your lung function or testing you for allergies. Most asthmatics benefit from seeing a specialist.


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Please visit my Asthma Mom blog.


"Smile, breathe and go slowly." -Thich Nhat Hanh


This article is not written by a medical professional, and information on this page should never be substituted for your physician's advice. If you have any questions about your asthma and/or allergies, you should always contact your physician first.