Managing Asthma

Asthma doesn’t have to hold you back from living your life. In this newsletter, you’ll find up-to-date information on managing asthma, including strategies to prevent your disease from impacting your daily activities. These simple tips can help you live the healthiest life possible! 

Learn how to control asthma. 
It’s easy to forget, but asthma is a disease. It affects the lungs and can cause breathlessness, chest tightness, coughing, and more. Controlling your asthma starts by recognizing what triggers an attack.

Common asthma triggers

• Smoke
• Dust
• Air pollution
• Pets
• Mold
• Infections
• Grass
• Allergens

Understanding your asthma medications.
Currently, there is no cure for asthma. The goal of treatment is to provide medicine when, where and how you need it to reduce the frequency and severity of an asthma attack. 

Asthma medication can be split into two main categories: quick-relief medicine and long-term control medicine. Quick-relief medicine is more immediate and is usually taken in response to an asthma attack. It works by relaxing your airways to help you breathe. 

Long-term control medicine reduces swelling and inflammation to prevent symptoms over time. Long-term control medicine should be taken daily, even when you feel fine.

MEDICINE TYPES

BRONCHODILATOR
This can be either a quick-relief or long-term control medicine. It works by relaxing the muscles around your airways, making it easier to breathe. 

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
Also known as Corticosteroids, these can be swallowed as a pill or inhaled to decrease inflammation, swelling, and mucus production inside the airways. 

COMBINATION MEDICINES
Some medicines combine inhaled bronchodilators and corticosteroids. 

ANTICHOLINERGICS
This class of medicines prevents muscles from tightening around the airways and is typically used with an inhaled corticosteroid. 

ANTIBIOTICS
Bacterial or viral infections can also cause asthma to flare up. In these cases, an antibiotic may be required. Remember: even if you start to feel better, take all your antibiotics exactly as prescribed.

Remember: always take your medications exactly as your healthcare provider has instructed you to take them. You can contact your provider if you have any questions about any of the medications discussed. 

Know the difference between medications 

Rescue medicines:

• Stop asthma symptoms once they start
• Can last upwards of four hours
• Can reduce and prevent symptoms if taken before exercise

Long-term controller medicines:

• Taken daily
• Will not resolve symptoms during a asthma attack
• Reduces airway inflammation

How to use most common asthma devices: 
The most common device used to treat asthma is a metered dose inhaler, or MDI. These handheld devices release a specific amount of medicine that can be inhaled directly into the lungs. Please reference this guide on how to use and clean your MDI properly.
 
What about other asthma management devices? Check out these resources and videos.

If you’re looking to explore more Asthma management resources, check out these articles from the American Lung Association.
 
Care Management 
Managing your health can feel overwhelming, but you are not alone. Select Health’s Care Managers—both nurses and social workers—are trained to help you reach your health goals. 

They’re here when you need help with: 

• Getting screenings and immunizations 
• Coordinating care for a chronic condition 
• Understanding your insurance benefits 
• Or even just getting a ride to a clinic

Learn more about Select Health Care Management.
 
The content included here is for your information and not a substitute for professional medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Additionally, the information in this newsletter does not guarantee benefits. To review your benefits, please reference your plan materials or call Member Services at 800-538-5038, weekdays, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., closed Sunday. TTY users call 711.