Management of Asthma

The aim of asthma management is to achieve a symptom-free, normal life for the person with asthma and prevent the development of permanent lung damage and abnormal lung function. To do that, GPs and people with asthma must work in partnership. Good asthma management depends as much upon the person as it does on the treating doctor and other health professionals.

Asthma management education by doctors and others in asthma care means that people with asthma understand their condition and treatment and can successfully manage it themselves between doctor visits. To do this, an individual written asthma action plan is essential. This details:

  • what to do if symptoms return or increase
  • when and how much to increase medications
  • when to seek medical help

Follow the links below to find overview information on asthma.

For information specifically about how to manage asthma in children, asthma treatments, or complications of asthma follow the link to the specific HealthInsite topic pages below.

Updated September 2011

Related HealthInsite Topics

Asthma Medicines

HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on using medication for preventing and treating asthma.

Emergency Treatment for Asthma

HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on treating asthma in an emergency.

Management of Asthma in Children

HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on managing asthma in children.

Other Treatments for Asthma

HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about managing and treating asthma with therapies such as exercise, diet, biological therapies, physiotherapy and complementary therapies.

Systematic Reviews of Treatments for Asthma and Allergens

HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to summaries of systematic reviews of the evidence for the effectiveness of treatments for allergic asthma or asthma triggered by an allergic reaction to dust, pets or other allergens.

19 Resources Found

Results 1 to 19 displayed.

Title:   Asthma management
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Asthma action plans help a person with asthma manage their condition. An asthma plan needs to be written in consultation with your doctor and reviewed at least every six months.
Date:   Jul 2011
Title:   Asthma and travel
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   A person with asthma can travel interstate or overseas, as long as their asthma is controlled. Planning must include medication, travel insurance, equipment and checking with your doctor.
Date:   Jul 2011
Title:   Asthma and pregnancy
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Pregnant women with asthma still need to take their asthma medication. The medication won't harm the developing baby. Uncontrolled asthma poses a much greater risk than asthma medication to the expectant mother and her baby.
Date:   Jul 2011
Title:   Asthma-friendly home
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Asthma attacks can be triggered by things in the home, such as dust, pollen and animal skin, scale or fur particles. Ventilation, reducing dust among other measures can make your home an asthma-friendly place.
Date:   Jul 2011
Title:   Time trends and geographical variation in re-admissions for asthma in Australia
Publisher:   Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Description:   Hospital re-admission rates are an indicator of the quality of health-care provision and have important implications for policy makers and health care planners.
Date:   Mar 2011
Title:   Asthma
Publisher:   HealthInsite Topic Page
Description:   Links to general information on asthma, and topic pages on the causes and complications of the disease, as well as management and control treatments, support services and statistics.
Date:   Dec 2010
Title:   Asthma in adolescence
Publisher:   Child and Youth Health - CYH (South Australia)
Description:   Asthma in adolescence is common: up to one in 7 adolescents have wheezing some of the time. Asthma may start during the teenage years, or it may continue from a younger age.
Date:   May 2010
Title:   Asthma
Publisher:   Child and Youth Health - CYH (South Australia)
Description:   Many teenagers have asthma, or have had it when they were younger. Most people with asthma can do just about everything everyone else can.
Date:   May 2010
Title:   Asthma among older people in Australia
Publisher:   Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Description:   Over 92% of the 402 asthma deaths in 2006 were among people aged 45 years and over. Asthma in older Australians is distinct in many ways. The presence of comorbid conditions makes the management of asthma in older people more complex. The disease itself is also more persistent and severe than in the younger ages.
Date:   May 2010
Title:   Asthma cycle of care
Publisher:   Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
Description:   Information about what the Asthma cycle of care is, who can use it, and how it helps.
Date:   Apr 2010
Title:   Asthma in Australia 2008
Publisher:   Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Description:   Asthma is an important health problem in Australia. This report brings together data from a wide range of sources to describe the current status of asthma in Australia. It includes information on the number of people who have asthma and who visit their GP, are hospitalised or die due to asthma.
Date:   Oct 2008
Title:   Asthma action plans
Publisher:   National Asthma Council Australia (NAC)
Description:   An integral part of the Asthma Cycle of Care is the development of a written Asthma Action Plan which helps the patient or carer recognise worsening asthma. The Asthma Action Plan may be based on symptoms and/or peak flow measurements and is individualised according to the pattern of the adult or child's asthma.
Date:   Jul 2008
Title:   Asthma facts
Publisher:   National Asthma Council Australia (NAC)
Description:   List of asthma resources and statistics including 'Asthma in Australia 2005'
Date:   May 2008
Title:   Asthma in teenagers - myDr.com.au
Publisher:   myDr
Description:   All you need to know about dealing with a teenager with asthma.
Date:   Sep 2007
Title:   Asthma and being active - myDr.com.au
Publisher:   myDr
Description:   Regular physical activity is an important part of good asthma management, and it helps to improve your general health and well-being.
Date:   Aug 2007
Title:   Statistical snapshots of people with asthma in Australia 2001
Publisher:   Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Description:   This report identifies the demographics and health-related characteristics that define people with asthma and that distinguish them from those who have never had asthma.
Date:   Feb 2007
Title:   Asthma: the long-term view - myDr.com.au
Publisher:   myDr
Description:   The key to living successfully with asthma is ensuring that you control your asthma and that it doesn't control you.
Date:   Nov 2003
Title:   Stress: how it affects your asthma - myDr.com.au
Publisher:   myDr
Description:   Find out how stress can affect your asthma, or that of your child.
Date:   Mar 2003
Title:   Asthma adherence: a guide for health professionals
Publisher:   National Asthma Council Australia (NAC)
Description:   This practical guide aims to assist those involved in asthma care to understand more about adherence and the factors affecting it, both as a patient issue and an asthma management issue.
Date:   Jun 2001

Results 1 to 19 displayed.