Prevent Asthma Flare-Ups

Here's what you can do to prevent asthma flare-ups:

• Avoid your asthma "triggers", or those things or circumstances that prompt an asthma flare-up.

• Learn to use your inhalers and spacers correctly so that you are getting the most benefit from your asthma medicines.

• Take your "controller" medicines regularly, or as directed by your health care provider.

• Check your peak flows and watch for asthma symptoms, which help you to recognize when a flare-up is coming.

• Learn exactly what to do when a flare-up begins. With proper training, medication, and confidence, you can usually handle an acute episode at home.

• Avoid smoking and exposure to smoke.

• Reduce your risk of colds and flu by washing your hands often and getting a flu shot every year. Ask your doctor if a Pneumovax(TM) immunization is needed.

Disclaimer
If you think you have a MEDICAL OR PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCY, CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY or go to the nearest hospital. DO NOT attempt to access emergency care through this web site. An emergency medical condition is a medical or psychiatric condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in any of the following: serious jeopardy to your health, serious impairment to your bodily functions, or serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part. An emergency medical condition is also "active labor," which means a labor when there is inadequate time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery or if a transfer poses a threat to the health of the member or unborn child.

This site may contain links to other web sites outside of www.permanente.net. Kaiser Permanente has no control over the content or the availability of these sites, and is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of such Web sites. Web links are provided as an educational tool, and should not be relied upon for personal diagnosis or treatment. A link or reference to a web site should not be construed as an endorsement of the site or its contents. Any medical content that you feel may be important to your health should always be discussed with your Kaiser Permanente physician.