Have
a complete check up to find out what other health problems you may have
that could affect or be affected by your asthma. For example, asthma
can affect heart disease. The asthma medication theophylline can make
high blood pressure worse.
Discuss with your physician the medications you
take for asthma and make sure they will not affect your other medical
conditions.
Make regular visits to your physician to check your asthma and any other health problems you may have.
Discuss
with your physician any symptoms that you may have even if you don't
think they are related to asthma. Symptoms from other diseases (heart
problems, blood clots) can mimic asthma symptoms.
Report any physical problems you may have that might make it hard for you to take your asthma medication.
If
you have hearing problems or don't hear or understand the physician, be
sure to ask them to speak up. Ask questions. Be sure you understand
what your physician wants you to do.
If you have arthritis, a holding chamber (or
spacer device [a tube to attach to the inhaler]) and other devices can
make it easier to use a metered-dose inhaler.
If you have vision problems, remember to wear
your glasses when reading instructions about your medications, when
using your medications, or when measuring and recording your peak flow
rate. Ask for asthma handouts in larger type.
If you have memory problems, ask the physician
to make your asthma management plan as simple as possible to follow. Be
sure the plan is written down, and give a copy of the plan to someone
else.
Get help from a support group, close
friends or family members, or a counselor when you feel under great
stress or are depressed. Changes in your life, like the death of a
loved one or loss of a job, may cause these feelings. Although it is
very rare, these problems may increase your chances of having an asthma
episode that could threaten your life. You must take care of yourself
to keep your asthma under control.
If you are taking long-term corticosteroid medications, have regular checkups. Your physician will monitor:
Your blood cell count, your blood sugar and your potassium levels
Your eyes, to be sure you are not getting cataracts or glaucoma
