Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care for a health problem.
What is asthma? —
This is a condition that can make it hard to breathe. The symptoms can be mild or severe. They can come and go. An asthma "attack" is when symptoms start suddenly. This happens when the airways in the lungs become more narrow and inflamed (figure 1).
Asthma can run in families.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure that you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also:
●Take all of your medicines as instructed – The doctor might prescribe:
•Quick-relief medicines – These stop symptoms quickly, in 5 to 15 minutes. Almost everyone with asthma carries a quick-relief inhaler with them. People use these medicines whenever they have asthma symptoms. Most people need these medicines 1 or 2 times a week, or less often. But when asthma symptoms get worse, more doses might be needed.
•Long-term controller medicines – These control asthma and help prevent future attacks. People who get asthma symptoms more than 2 times a week should use a controller medicine every day.
Some medicines can work as both a controller medicine and a quick-relief medicine. These are taken once or twice a day as controller medicines. They can also be used for quick relief.
●Avoid smoking – Quitting smoking is the most important thing that you can do for your health. If you are having trouble quitting, your doctor or nurse can help. Do not allow others to smoke near you. Smoke can stay on clothes and furniture and cause breathing problems.
●Avoid "triggers" – These are things that make your symptoms worse. Common triggers include smoke, air pollution, dust, mold, pollen, strong chemicals or smells, and very cold or dry air. For some people, being around certain animals can trigger symptoms. Exercise and stress can also be triggers.
If you can't avoid certain triggers, talk with your doctor about what you can do. For example, you might need to take an extra dose of your quick-relief inhaler medicine before you exercise or are around things you are allergic to.
●Lower your risk of getting sick – Some infections can make asthma symptoms worse. These include the common cold, the flu, and COVID-19.
It's important to get the COVID-19 vaccine. This lowers the risk of severe illness if you do get COVID-19. You should also get a flu shot every year. Plus, some people need to get a vaccine to help prevent pneumonia.
●Follow your "asthma action plan" if you have one (form 1) – This is a list of instructions that tell you:
•Which medicines to use each day at home
•Which medicines to take if your symptoms get worse
•When to get help or call for an ambulance
As part of your action plan, you might need to use something called a "peak flow meter." Breathing into this device shows how your lungs are working. Your doctor will show you the right way to use your peak flow meter.
What follow-up care do I need? —
Your doctor or nurse will tell you if you need to make a follow-up appointment. If you need to take asthma medicine every day, see your doctor or nurse at least every 6 months. At these appointments, they will ask about your symptoms, check how well your lungs are working, and talk about your treatment plan.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if you have severe symptoms like:
●You have so much trouble breathing that you cannot talk.
●Your lips or fingernails turn gray or blue.
Call for advice if you:
●Have an asthma attack and the symptoms do not improve, or get worse, after using a quick-relief medicine
●Need to use your quick-relief medicine more than 2 times a week
●Cannot do your normal activities because of your asthma symptoms
●Have any questions about your medicines
Patient education: Asthma in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Asthma action plan for adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Medicines for asthma (The Basics)
Patient education: Avoiding asthma triggers (The Basics)
Patient education: Exercise-induced asthma (The Basics)
Patient education: Asthma treatment in adolescents and adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Inhaler techniques in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Trigger avoidance in asthma (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Exercise-induced asthma (Beyond the Basics)
