Asthma management is an important concern for both children and adults who suffer from this affliction of the airways.  Experts in the field say the best asthma management program is one in which the patient, or a parent of the patient, takes an active role.  Effective asthma management should also be done in consultation with a doctor.

         There are a number of key goals associated with asthma management.  For instance, asthma management should enable an individual to take part in virtually any physical activity.  Efficient asthma management should also end sleeplessness and eliminate nighttime and early morning symptoms.

         When an asthma management program is in place, the asthmatic should no longer have to use bronchodilator medications each day.  Asthma management should also normalize lung function, as determined by peak flow or lung function tests.

         Asthma management over the long term generally requires education, environmental control, and medications.  While some asthma management programs concentrate on a single category, the best combine all three.  This is because effective asthma management is a complex enterprise based upon a number of different factors.

          No one should underestimate the importance of patient education in asthma management.  Because symptoms can worsen and then improve over time, it is often necessary for a physician to review and alter asthma management techniques.  The education component of asthma management requires the patient to know the goals of treatment.

          As part of asthma management, the patient should know the nature of the disease; common asthma triggers; and the nature of asthma drugs and their side effects.  Asthma management programs may also include a written action plan and a diary where the patient can record the nature and severity of his or her symptoms.

          Environmental control can be one of the more difficult aspects of asthma management.  Yet, it is a vital part of asthma management because the less exposure there is to asthma triggers, the less medication is required.  Practitioners of asthma treatment admit that identifying asthma triggers can be difficult.

        Still, most asthma management programs recognize some common asthma triggers, especially in the home environment.  Banning pets and smoke from the house, combatting mold, and reducing home humidity can be effective steps in asthma management.  Children may also have to avoid high pollen counts as part of an asthma management strategy.

        The final aspect of asthma management is medication control.  Effective asthma management means both alleviating symptoms and reducing the risk of an asthma attack.  Asthma management also involves gauging the severity of symptoms by means of objective tests such as the peak flow or spirometry. 

        It should be noted that asthma management programs often have to be changed in order to adapt to changing circumstances.  In the end, the ultimate aim of any asthma management strategy is a healthy, productive life for the patient.