Do you have asthma, or are you wondering if you have it? Are you a parent who suspects that your child might have asthma?

This guide explains what asthma is, how it is diagnosed, and the important steps a person should follow to effectively manage it. If you or your child have been recently diagnosed, the guide will provide a solid foundation to help you take control and reduce symptoms. If you've been seeing a doctor for years, these steps serve as a review and will provide up-to-date information.

Your doctor will have additional information about your specific medications, dosage, and treatment plan. You must have a good relationship with a doctor so that you can work together as a team.

You don't need to read or understand all of this guide at once. Master one part, then move on and master the next. Asthma management will become second nature to you. Armed with the right facts, you can achieve your asthma goals.

References

National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Expert Panel Report: guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma update on selected topics -- 2002. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2002 Nov;110(5 pt 2):S141-219.

National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Expert Panel Report 2: guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute; 1997 Jul. NIH Publications 97-4051.

Williams SG, Schmidt DK, Redd SC, Storms W. Key clinical activities for quality asthma care: recommendations of the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2003 Mar 28;52(RR-6):1-8.