Certain things can make your asthma worse by irritating your airways. A few common things that can trigger are allergies, poor air quality or cold air. Taking the time to notice the things that make it hard to breathe is the first step in living with asthma. Once you know what your triggers are you can start to avoid them.
Asthma is a chronic (long-term) disease. If you have asthma, you have it all the time, even when you don't feel symptoms. You have to manage your asthma every day, not just on days when you feel symptoms.
Everyone with asthma should have an asthma action plan. An asthma action plan is a written plan that you make with your doctor to help control your asthma. Your plan should include your daily medicine and what you should do if you have an asthma attack.
If you or your child do not have an asthma action plan, please download and print one out below. Bring it to your next doctor’s appointment so you and your doctor can fill out the plan together.
Talk to your doctor about how you should use your inhaler properly. If you use your inhaler incorrectly, the medicine may not make it all the way to your lungs. Some children and adults may need to use a spacer or a mask to get the medicine to the lungs.
You need to visit your doctor at least twice a year. Your doctor needs to see you to make sure your asthma is under control. When your asthma is under control you can do more of the things you like to do.
Do not smoke. If you need help to quit smoking or using tobacco, call the toll-free Quitline at 800-784-8669 or 1-800-QUIT-NOW. If someone in your family smokes, ask them to smoke outside.
Health benefits or health benefit administration may be provided by or through Highmark Wholecare, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (“Highmark Wholecare”). Highmark Wholecare offers HMO plans with a Medicare Contract. Enrollment in these plans depends on contract renewal.
Medicare Ombudsman Website
Best Available Evidence
Y0037_1359_M_2025
Last Updated: Oct 1, 2024
