Together with your doctor and clinical pharmacist, you will develop a personal asthma control plan appropriate for your level of asthma. This treatment plan may include medication, lifestyle changes and avoidance of triggers.
- Medication: There are two types of medicines that are prescribed to treat asthma. Long-term control medicines, usually in the form of an inhaler, are taken every day to decrease inflammation; quick-relief medicines are taken to treat symptoms during an attack. These may be inhaled, taken orally or injected.
- Lifestyle changes: Maintaining overall good health is important. Depending on the type of asthma you have, changes to your diet, exercise regimen or medication may be necessary to minimize the risk of an asthma episode.
- Avoiding triggers: While it may not be feasible to completely eliminate all asthma triggers, removing as many as possible from your home and work surroundings can help you enjoy a better quality of life with fewer asthma episodes. Your doctor will counsel you on which triggers to avoid. Even in the workplace, over which you may have much less control, there are often ways to reduce your exposure to key triggers by relocating your work area (if possible) or making changes to your work environment.
