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Living with Asthma

Create an Asthma Action Plan with your doctor.


Work with your doctor to create a plan that meets your individual asthma needs.

Talk to your doctor about helping to
get your asthma
under control.


When it comes to managing your asthma, a strong partnership with your doctor can go a long way.

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ASTHMyth

The only way to control asthma is to completely avoid all triggers.

Line
Fact

Avoiding asthma triggers is always a good idea, but sometimes it may be impossible.

Although avoiding asthma triggers may be beyond your control, there are other steps you can take to help control your asthma, such as following your doctor's asthma management plan, which may include taking a daily controller medicine.

Effective asthma management can benefit you.

More is known about asthma today than even 10 years ago. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), people who actively manage their asthma—which includes avoiding triggers, working with a doctor, and taking medicine every day, if prescribed—can help prevent symptoms. And that can help you enjoy a more active life with:

- Fewer asthma symptoms
- Fewer missed days of work or school
- Fewer emergency room visits
- More potential to take part in physical activities
- More nights without asthma symptoms

Whether you're at work, at school, or at play, managing asthma can help you lead a more active life. Click on the tabs below to learn more about eating, exercising, and living with asthma.

Keeping a close eye on your diet can help you pinpoint certain triggers to avoid. The following foods and drinks have been linked to asthma symptoms in a small percentage of adults and children due to preservatives called sulfites:

  • Dried fruit
  • Processed potatoes
  • Shrimp (canned)
  • Wine
  • Beer
  • Certain processed meats

Other foods and drinks have been linked to asthma symptoms in a small percentage of adults and children due to allergies. Talk to your doctor to learn more.

Athletes with asthma have succeeded at every level. Here are some ways to help manage asthma while exercising:

  • Choose appropriate sports activities.
  • Increase physical conditioning.
  • Warm up for 10 minutes before exercise.
  • Cool down or lower exercise intensity before stopping.
  • Cover mouth and nose loosely with a scarf during cold weather.
  • Avoid airborne allergens and pollutants.
  • Exercise in a warm, humidified environment, if possible.

One fact of life for all of us, both children and adults, is that most of our time is spent away from home — at school, at work, at church, or even at the mall. For people with asthma, it's not always easy to avoid the triggers in these environments, but the following tips can help:

  • Try to avoid tobacco smoke, including secondhand smoke, at
    all times.
  • Try to avoid cleaning materials that may produce strong odors.
  • Keep areas clear of food that can attract cockroaches.
  • Limit exposure to damp, dusty areas that can contain dust mites
    or mold.
  • Try to avoid pets with fur or feathers.
  • Keep doors and windows closed during allergy seasons or times of high air pollution. If possible, try using an air conditioner.
  • Try to avoid people who have colds and wash your hands often.
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This site is intended only for residents of the United States, its territories, and Puerto Rico.

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