Guest Author - Cheryl Tidball, DO

Imagine a soccer team that avoided the ball, had no idea where their goal was, and spent all their time just trying to avoid their opponents. Many asthmatics approach their lives in the same way—dealing with asthma attacks as they come up, but never taking control of their health. The majority of asthmatics do not need to merely move from crisis to crisis, but by following these four simple steps can regain active, full lives.

1) Get a Peak Flowmeter—Research has shown that less than 22% of asthmatics have been given a prescription for a peak flowmeter from their physician. Unfortunately, many individuals with asthma are so used to not being able to breathe normally that they are unable to tell when their respiratory status is worsening until they are in a crisis. By getting a daily flowmeter reading, they can often tell days or weeks before an attack is imminent and take proactive steps to avoid it.

2) Get an Asthma Action Plan—Less than 25% of asthmatics have been given an asthma action plan by their physicians. This is an easy to follow instruction sheet of exactly what to do when the peak flowmeter reading is beginning to drop. If one’s doctor is unfamiliar with asthma action plans or does not have the form available in their office, one good form can be found at the American Lung Association’s website at http://www.lungusa.org/atf/cf/%7B7A8D42C2-FCCA-4604-8ADE-7F5D5E762256%7D/AAP.PDF

3) Identify Your Triggers—All asthmatics should keep a small notebook or calendar, noting their daily peak flowmeter readings as well as observations of what seems to make their symptoms worse that day—a cold, pollen, exercise, smoke, cold air, brushing the dog, fragrances, the time of day, etc.

4) Take Steps to Eliminate or Minimize Your Triggers—After observing patterns in their asthma symptoms for a few weeks, the journal started in step three should be taken to one’s physician and ways to eliminate or at least minimize asthma triggers can be discussed. Getting a flu shot, covering pillows and mattresses with hypoallergenic encasings are all easy preventative measures. For triggers that cannot be eliminated, a referral to an allergist should be obtained to explore the possibility of receiving desensitization shots.

Although asthma cannot be cured, it certainly can be controlled. By following these four steps, asthmatics can lead more active, healthy lives.