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If you have medicines, take them correctly. It’s critical to take the right medications at the right time and get refills as needed. Know which meds are given for acute episodes and which ones you need to take regularly. Talk to your doctor if you’re having to use an inhaler more often than recommended. Overuse of inhalers may indicate that your asthma is not well controlled, and it can cause health problems.
If you have an inhaler, use it correctly. The American Lung Association offers tips and videos for correct use and maintenance of different types of equipment. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers step-by-step videos and fact sheets on how to correctly use a metered dose inhaler, both with a spacer and without a spacer. You can also ask your health care provider to check your technique.
Track your health. Keep track of:
This information helps your doctor and pharmacist help you.
What to watch for. Talk with your doctor when:
Visit our Asthma section for more articles about asthma.
Originally published 9/4/2020; Reviewed 2021