Patient education: Asthma in adults (The Basics)

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What is asthma? — Asthma is a condition that can make it hard to breathe. Asthma 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.

What are the symptoms of asthma? — Asthma symptoms can include:

●Wheezing or noisy breathing

●Coughing

●Tight feeling in the chest

●Shortness of breath

Symptoms can happen each day, each week, or less often. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Although it is rare, an asthma attack can sometimes even lead to death.

Is there a test for asthma? — Yes. Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and have you do a breathing test to check how your lungs are working.

If your doctor thinks that allergies might be making your asthma worse, they might suggest allergy testing. This can include skin tests or blood tests.

How is asthma treated? — Asthma is treated with different types of medicines. The medicines can be inhalers, liquids, or pills. Your doctor will prescribe medicine based on how often you have symptoms and how serious your symptoms are. There are 2 main types of asthma medicines:

●Quick-relief medicines 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 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.

It is very important to take all of the medicines the doctor prescribes, exactly how you are supposed to take them. You might have to take medicines a few times a day. Your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist will show you the right way to use your inhaler(s).

If your symptoms get much worse all of a sudden, use your quick-relief medicine and contact your doctor or nurse. You might need to go to the hospital for treatment.

What is an asthma action plan? — An asthma action plan is a list of instructions that tell you (form 1):

●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

If you have frequent or severe asthma symptoms, your doctor might suggest that you have an asthma action plan. If so, you and your doctor will work together to make one. As part of your action plan, you might need to use something called a "peak flow meter." Breathing into this device will show how your lungs are working. Your doctor will show you the right way to use your peak flow meter.

Can asthma symptoms be prevented? — There are things that you can do to help prevent asthma attacks. Your doctor or nurse can talk to you about what is most important for you.

In general, you can:

●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.

Some adults with asthma have worse symptoms if they take aspirin or medicines called NSAIDs. NSAIDs include ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (sample brand names: Aleve, Naprosyn). Ask your doctor if you need to avoid these medicines.

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 coronavirus disease 2019 ("COVID-19").

It's important to get the COVID-19 vaccine. This will lower 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.

If you think that you might have an infection, tell your doctor or nurse. They can help you figure out if you need treatment.

●Make sure that you know how and when to take your medicines – If you take controller medicines, follow all instructions to help prevent symptoms. You should also make sure that you know how and when to use your quick-relief medicine.

●See your doctor or nurse regularly – If you need asthma medicine every day, you should 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.

What if I want to get pregnant? — If you want to get pregnant, talk to your doctor about how to control your asthma. Keeping your asthma well controlled is important for the health of your baby. Most asthma medicines are safe to take if you are pregnant.

When should I call the doctor? — Call for an ambulance (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 your doctor or nurse if:

●You have an asthma attack and the symptoms do not improve, or get worse, after using a quick-relief medicine.

●You need to use your quick-relief medicine more than 2 times a week.

●You cannot do your normal activities because of your asthma symptoms.

●You have any questions about your medicines.

More on this topic

Patient education: Asthma and pregnancy (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Exercise-induced asthma (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Trigger avoidance in asthma (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Inhaler techniques in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: How to use a peak flow meter (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Asthma treatment in adolescents and adults (Beyond the Basics), section on 'Asthma quick-relief medications'

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Feb 02, 2024.

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Patient education: Asthma in adults (The Basics)