Setting Goals and Taking Action

Remember, asthma is always present. It does not "go away." To stay in control, make managing your asthma part of your daily routine and strive for the following goals:

• Be free from asthma symptoms, day and night.
• Have the best possible lung function.
• Participate fully in activities.
• Do not miss school or work because of asthma symptoms.
• Do not need emergency visits or hospitalization for asthma.
• Have few side effects from asthma medication.

It is possible to reach the above goals. To reach them, you need to take the following actions:

• Understand asthma and what causes it.
• Learn your triggers and how to control them.
• Keep track of asthma symptoms and how they affect normal activities.
• Keep an Asthma Action Plan up-to-date and follow it.
• Take medicines as directed by your health care provider.
• Learn how to use medication devices correctly.
• Understand how the medicines work.
• Make family members, school personnel and others part of your asthma team.
• Keep your health care provider informed and up-to-date about your or your child's asthma.

Source: Sutter Health, adapted from www.kids.sutterhealth.org.