Assessing and Monitoring Your Asthma
Asthma is a worldwide problem, which has increased in recent years and is now of serious concern to medical science; seen as a major challenge to medicine because increasing numbers are being affected by this awful condition. Causing the airways to close up in reaction to allergens in the atmosphere, asthma is a chronic condition that can at least be treated. Sudden attacks can happen to even the best prepared individual and severe attacks can kill.
Types of asthma
Asthma is divided into two categories:
intrinsic (meaning inside or within), for which there is no identifiable cause for the attacks and
extrinsic, which is caused by something (external factors usually inhaled) that triggers an attack.
Asthma Treatment
Since asthma is a chronic disease, treatment goes on for a very long time. Some people have to stay on treatment for the rest of their lives. The best way to improve your condition and live your life on your terms is to learn all you can about your asthma and what you can do to make it better.
* Become a partner with your health care provider and his or her support staff. Use the resources they can offer –
information, education, and expertise — to help yourself.
* Become aware of your asthma triggers and do what you can to avoid them.
* Follow the treatment recommendations of your health care provider. Understand your treatment. Know what each drug does and how it is used.
1. Assessing and Monitoring Your Asthma
To manage asthma effectively, you and your doctor need to monitor your health. This can be accomplished by:
* Tracking asthma signs and symptoms and asthma attacks
* Monitoring pulmonary function via a peak flow monitor
* Assessing how much asthma is interfering with daily life
* Tracking your response to medication
Goals of asthma treatment
Many experts agree that with today’s medications, living an active, healthy life with minimal symptoms is a realistic goal. In fact, it’s what you should aim for. With proper treatment, you can expect to:
* Take part fully in everyday activities such as work and school, along with exercise and other physical activities.
* Minimize such asthma symptoms as coughing, wheezing, tightness in chest, and shortness of breath.
