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May is World Asthma Awareness Month, and the Lung Health Foundation is here to help guide the 4.6 million Canadians who live with this chronic condition. Better breathing starts with better control.
Asthma affects the airways (air tubes) inside your lungs. These airways bring oxygen to the rest of your body. If your asthma is getting out of control, these airways can get narrower, making it harder to get air in and out of your lungs. Keep your asthma well controlled, and your airways will be clear and open, allowing you to breathe easily!
To find out if your asthma is well controlled, ask yourself the following questions:
Do I have to use my reliever inhaler (usually blue) more than twice a week? Yes No
Do I have asthma symptoms more than twice a week? Yes No
Do I ever have difficulty exercising or playing sports because of my asthma? Yes No
Do I wake up even one night a week because of my asthma? Yes No
Have I missed any school or work days in the last month because of my asthma? Yes No
Do I ever have asthma flare-ups? Yes No
If I use a peak flow meter, are my readings less than 90% of my personal best? Yes No
If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, your asthma is not under control, and you should see your healthcare provider to discuss what you can do.
Headed to the clinic? Don’t leave without a customized Asthma Action Plan!
An Asthma Action Plan is a set of written instructions from your healthcare provider that shows you what medicines you need to take, when you should take them, and how you should adjust them if your asthma starts to get out of control. It’s based on the traffic light system:
GREEN means your asthma is under control
YELLOW means your asthma is getting out of control
RED is an emergency.
If you’re living with asthma or caring for a child with asthma, the Lung Health Foundation urges you to download an Asthma Action Plan and fill it in with your healthcare provider. Then, join The Loop to stay informed about living well with asthma!