More than 17 million Americans suffer from asthma, with nearly 5 million cases occurring in children under age 18.
In the United States, asthma causes nearly 5,500 deaths each year.
Asthma doesn't choose its victims, it occurs in males and females of all ages, ethnic groups, and socioeconomic levels.
Educating the patient about his or her disease is not hard to do, but unfortunately, it is often neglected in the management of asthma as patients depend too much on their doctors.
Every doctor encourages their asthma patients to monitor their symptoms so he will know for himself when and how an attack will start.
Some doctors even ask their patients to write an 'action plan' where they can refer what to do if any symptoms become worse.
This plan includes the increase of medication and the right time to ask for medical help.
Over-the-counter remedies are usually discouraged by the doctors.
An asthma patient should know the nature of his or her own asthma, know how to avoid certain attacks and of what triggers the attacks.
A patient should also know some medications such as drugs and their side-effects.
And know the signs of relieving and worsening.
A special inhaler is used in long-term asthma treatment; this is based on inhaling beta-receptor.
An asthma patient should know how to use the device properly to ensure that he or she will take the right dosage of drug.
If the asthma attacks are controlled for weeks and months, the treatment (in terms of dosage) should be cut down, but should still be done regularly.
This can be done simply by reducing the last drug that was added from past medications.
Whether there's a severe or mild attack occurred, a patient must see his or her doctors at least every six months to determine any possible improvement or worsening and what its remedies are to control any possible severe attacks.
It always pays to know more than you need especially on a traitor disease like asthma.
Who knows, you might just save your life on your own.