Four Important Facts about Asthma

Do you have asthma? Here are four important things you should know:

1. You can control your asthma.
   • You don’t need to miss school, sports or other events.
2. Asthma is a disease that makes the airways in your lungs inflamed and swollen.
   • During an asthma flare-up (attack), your airways are swollen and sensitive.
   • You can control the swelling with medicine, and by staying away from things that bother your airways.
   • “Triggers” are things that bother your airways.
   • Triggers cause asthma flare-ups.
   • Smoke, pollen, dust and exercise can be triggers.
   • Every person with asthma has different triggers.
   • Learn how to avoid your triggers and prevent flare-ups.
   • Medicine taken before exercise can help prevent your asthma from flaring up.
3. Work with your primary care provider to manage your asthma.
   • Know what to do every day to avoid flare-ups.
   • Know what to do right away if you have a flare-up.
4. If someone you care for or live with has asthma, don’t smoke.
   • Smoke is a common trigger and can cause asthma to flare up.
   • We can help you quit smoking by connecting you to a smoking cessation program.