Self-Care at Home

Work with your health care provider to develop an action plan. Follow your treatment plan closely to avoid an asthma attack during and after exercising. If you do have an asthma attack, the action plan will help you control the attack and make the decision about when to seek medical care.

If you should have an asthma attack, move to the next step of your action plan. Keep the following tips in mind:

• Take only the medications your health care provider has prescribed for your asthma. Take them as directed.
  
  
• If the medication is not working, do not take more than you have been directed to take. Overusing asthma medications can be dangerous.
  
  
• Do not take cough medicine. These medicines do not help asthma and may cause unwanted side effects.
  
  
• Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, can cause asthma to worsen in certain individuals. These medications should not be taken without the advice of your health care provider.
  
  
• Do not use nonprescription inhalers. These contain a very short-acting inhaler that may not last long enough to relieve an asthma attack and may cause unwanted side effects.
  
  
• Do not take any nonprescription preparations, herbs, or supplements, even if they are completely "natural," without talking to your health care provider first. Some of these may have unwanted side effects or interfere with your medications.
  
  
• Be prepared to go on to the next step of your action plan if necessary.