Asthma Control and Self-Management

A person’s level of asthma control is based on two components:  impairment and risk. Impairment includes the frequency of symptoms, nighttime awakenings, interference with normal activities, short-acting beta-agonist (emergency medication) use, and lung function.  Risk includes the frequency of asthma episodes, and the frequency of treatment-related side effects.  An essential part of asthma self-management is the use of prescribed medications to prevent asthma symptoms (controller medications) and relieve sudden asthma episodes (reliever medications). 

Tips to Control Asthma Symptoms

  • Reduce exposure to your triggers
  • Understand and manage your allergies
  • Work with your doctor to create an Asthma Action Plan
  • Use maintenance/controller medications daily, as recommended by your primary care provider
  • Keep your routine asthma wellness visits with you primary care provider and review your Asthma Action Plan
  • Know your symptoms and early warning signs of an asthma episode
  • Complete the Asthma Home Environment Checklist to identify and address triggers inside your home that could cause and an asthma episode
  • Ask your primary care provider about participating in asthma self-management classes

Additional Resources

Download this pdf file. Asthma Self-Management Education for Children 

Become an Certified Asthma Educator

Download this pdf file. Continuing Education Credits for Certified Asthma Educators

Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma (EPR-3)

Last reviewed 10/03/2024