Having a good understanding of the disease, how it affects you and how best to manage it can make a huge difference in the quality of your life.
Although one of the most common medical conditions in the world, doctors are still not certain what makes one person suffer from asthma and there is no known cure.
This makes it all the more important for you to know as much about your condition as possible.
Thousands of people use an inhaler and other medication, but do nothing to learn about the triggers to their asthma.
Things that make your condition worse, such as cigarette smoke, exercise, dust and the weather, should be avoided, but first need to be properly identified.
You are unlikely to have the same triggers as another asthmatic and respond to medication in the same way so it is important to record as much information as possible.
You will be able to spot some triggers yourself and there are many that are common amongst asthma sufferers. Your doctor should be able to carry out tests to discover others. Keeping a note of times when you conditions worsen may help you identify hidden, less common triggers.
You should have regular check ups with your doctor, but it is a good idea to keep a note of your health on a more regular basis. Some asthmatics keep a diary of peak flow meter readings which can help you and your doctor understand more about your condition.
With a good understanding of your asthma and what aggravates it, you and your doctor can put in place a management plan that will help you avoid flare-ups and improve your general wellbeing.
The management plan will include medication, the type and how often you need to take it, and also ways of avoiding the triggers you have identified. Even if you have a management plan in place you should still keep an eye on your condition. If it improves or gets worse you may need to alter it.
Better understanding of your condition can only help improve your health and help you lead a healthier life with fewer asthma flare-ups.