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Make an Action Plan With Your Doctor

Ask your doctor to help you fill out an "Asthma Action Plan".

Be sure you know when to take your medicine and what to do when your asthma gets worse.

"I always thought if you had asthma you should expect to have asthma symptoms. My new doctor disagreed. She told me to take an "inhaled steroid" every day for my asthma. Well, I did not feel anything at first. But after about 3 weeks, my symptoms came less often. Now, after a few months on this medicine, I can see my doctor was right. Asthma can really be controlled."
Glen, a long-time asthma patient

How to Use Your Metered-Dose Inhaler the Right Way

Using an inhaler seems simple, but most patients do not use it the right way. When you use your inhaler the wrong way, less medicine gets to your lungs. (Your doctor may give you other types of inhalers.)

For the next 2 weeks, read these steps aloud as you do them or ask someone to read them to you. Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist to check how well you are using your inhaler.

Use your inhaler in one of the three ways listed.

1. Hold inhaler 1 to 2 inches in front of your mouth (about the width of two fingers).
2. Use a spacer/holding chamber. These come in many shapes and can be useful to any patient.
3. Put the inhaler in your mouth. Do not use for steroids.

A or B above are prefered, only use C if A and B do not work for you. Most importantly, get proper instruction from your doctor, nurse, and or pharmacist.

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