How people rate their level of asthma control varies from person to person. Some people with asthma confuse control with relief. They see using a reliever to control symptoms as an effective way of managing their asthma. Some people think if their asthma symptoms have temporarily disappeared that they have good control. And some people think that simply avoiding triggers - like pets - gives them good control. These methods of assessing asthma control do not address the underlying cause of asthma - inflammation in the airways of the lung.
Research has shown that only 1 in 20 people with asthma are in control of their asthma.
2 So what does control really mean? Control is not about getting over a symptom quickly: control is about not getting a symptom in the first place.
Control can mean coughing or wheezing, no night time interruptions and no emergency visits to your doctor or hospital.
3 Control means participating in activities you enjoy and not having to avoid them.
Why maintaining control is important
Tips for asthma control
Monitoring asthma
Medication
Controlling the triggers
Smoking and asthma