It’s important that your asthma is well managed so that you can live your life to the full and do all the activities you want to. The aim of asthma management is to achieve best control.
My asthma is severe – how can I control that?
Having ‘severe’ asthma means that it is difficult to treat, but doesn’t mean that you can’t take control, with the right medications, lifestyle and support. Someone with ‘severe’ asthma can live as well as someone with mild asthma – it’s all in the level of control.
How do I know if my asthma is well controlled?
- Have you been waking at night because of your asthma symptoms?
- Do you need your reliever medication more than three times per week?
- Do you get wheezy or breathless, or have difficulty breathing during the day?
- Does your asthma interfere with your usual activities?
If the answer to any of these is yes, your asthma may not be as well controlled as it could be.
So what do you need to do?
How to take control of your asthma
You can take control of your asthma by knowing what medication you need to take, how much, and when and how you should take it. Your doctor will work with you to find the right medication and amounts for you.
Follow these steps to take control today!
- See your doctor regularly to have your asthma reviewed – they can make sure you are getting the right amount of the right type of medication.
- Make sure you know how to use your inhaler properly. There’s no point having the right medication if you aren’t taking it effectively. It’s thought that the majority of people may not be using their inhalers correctly so the medication does not get to where it is needed. Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can show you, or you can check our inhaler technique videos. It’s important to check your technique regularly, at least every 6 months.
- Get a personal asthma action plan. This comes from your doctor or nurse and is a set of instructions on how to tell when your asthma is getting worse, and what to do about it.
- Get informed. The more you know about your asthma, the better equipped you are to take control. Talk to your doctor or nurse, or call our Information Line on 1800 645 130, or email us with your question.
- Join Asthma Assist – we’ll keep you up to date with the latest in asthma information and research through our e-newsletters and other updates.
Make sure you know how to monitor your asthma. There are a few different ways you can do this, including: