Asthma Facts

• Asthma is a chronic disease of the airways.
• Asthma is not contagious.
• Asthma can be controlled with proper management. Symptoms can be reduced from severe to moderate, and from moderate to mild.
• Identifying and avoiding triggers, such as cockroaches, house dust, furry animals, and smoke can help control asthma symptoms and prevent asthma attacks.
• Some asthma medications are taken to relieve symptoms when they occur (quick relief medicines).
• Some asthma medications need to be taken regularly to control asthma (long-term control medications). These medications reduce inflammation of the airway and are taken every day even when you have no symptoms.

• If you answer YES to any of the following questions, your asthma may not be under control. Talk to your health care professional at Belize Medical Associates about your asthma control plan.
• Do your asthma symptoms, such as coughing or wheezing, wake you up during the night?
• Do you wake up in the morning with wheezing, coughing, tightness in your chest, or shortness of breath?
• Do you have trouble participating fully in any activities of your choice?
• Does your asthma cause you to miss work or school?
• Have you been to the emergency room or hospital because of your asthma in the last year?
• Do you use your quick relief inhaler more than once a day?
• Does your quick relief inhaler last for less than three months?
• Do your asthma medications cause any bad or undesirable side effects?

Regular communication and visits to your health care provider at Belize Medical Associates are important ways of making sure that your asthma treatment plan meets your needs, even when your asthma is under control.