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Asthma Basics

Asthma is a chronic disease with symptoms that can change from day to day. Many asthma patients get used to having symptoms and do not realize that their asthma can be controlled. The information in this section will help you determine if your asthma is under control. It will also help you determine if you have learned what you need to know about asthma, your medications, and treatment options. Regular communication and visits to your health care provider are important ways of making sure that your asthma treatment plan meets your needs, even when your asthma is under control. Understanding asthma can help you control symptoms and prevent attacks.

CAC asthma educator, Gay Chisum, provides education to families about proper inhaler technique.




Asthma Facts

  • Asthma is a chronic disease of the airways.  
  • Asthma is not contagious.
  • Asthma can be controlled with proper management.
  • Symptoms can be reduced from severe to moderate, and from moderate to mild.
  • Identifying and avoiding triggers, such as cockroaches, house dust, furry animals, and smoke can help control asthma symptoms and prevent asthma attacks.
  • Some asthma medications are taken to relieve symptoms when they occur (quick relief medicines).
  • Some asthma medications need to be taken regularly to control asthma (long-term control medications). These medications reduce inflammation of the airway and are taken every day even when you have no symptoms.


Asthma Management Tools

These tools can help you control your asthma.

Peak flow meter measures how well your asthma is controlled each day.

Spacer or holding chamber helps medicine get deep in your airways where it is needed. Without one, the medicine ends up in the back your throat.

Asthma Action Plan is a plan that you and your health team develop to help you prevent and handle an asthma episode. Every person with asthma should have their own Asthma Action Plan.


Severe Asthma

The WAO Collaborative on Severe Asthma aims to provide a credible, evidence-based, global platform for physicians and other healthcare professionals around the world to have ease-of-access to the most relevant scientific, clinical, and educational resources on Biologics and Severe Asthma.

CHICAGO ASTHMA CONSORTIUM
400 E. Randolph St., Suite 3115, Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: 888-268-8334 Fax: 312-540-9900

Information contained on this website is provided with the understanding that Chicago Asthma Consortium, this site and its services, including all of the resources provided, serve informational purposes only. Only a doctor who is treating you can provide you with medical advice, examination, diagnosis or treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. The Chicago Asthma Consortium does not endorse any medical or professional services referred to on this site or any links to this site. It also does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, products, procedures, opinions, or any other information that may be mentioned. While we try to keep the information on this site accurate, we cannot guarantee its accuracy, timeliness or completeness.

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