Health & Wellness

Blue Care Connection®
Disease Management Program: Asthma

Learn More About Asthma

What is asthma?
Asthma is a lung condition caused by the swelling of the lining of the airways in your lungs. When your airways are exposed to irritants or allergens, they become swollen and produce excess mucus (phlegm). The tiny muscles in the walls of the airways contract. This makes the airways smaller. Since it is harder to move air in and out, it is harder to breathe, and you may cough or wheeze. Wheezing and coughing are symptoms of these narrowed airways, not the cause.

With your doctor's help, you can control your asthma and become free of symptoms most of the time. But asthma does not go away when your symptoms go away. You need to keep taking care of your asthma even when your breathing feels normal.

What are some of the asthma self-care measures you can take?

  • Know Your Triggers. It is important to learn what triggers bring on an asthma attack. Once you know your triggers, you can take steps to reduce or eliminate them from your daily life.
  • Know How to Use Inhalers Properly. There are many different kinds of inhalers. Be sure you know how to use your inhaler correctly.
  • Know Your Rescue Medication. Make sure you know how and when to use a fast-acting "rescue" medication, such as albuterol.
  • Know Your Controller Medications. Make sure you know how and when to use a "controller" medication, such as an inhaled steroid or a long-acting bronchodilator. Take controller medications even when your breathing is normal. Remember that controller medications do not treat a severe attack.
  • Know What To Do During an Asthma Attack. Keep calm. Breathe slowly. Sit up. Use your rescue inhalers as directed. Know how to get emergency help if you need it.
  • Keep A Written Asthma Action Plan. Learn from your doctor how to monitor your asthma. Many physicians recommend using a simple device called a Peak Flow Meter to measure your breathing at home. Learn how to recognize when your breathing is impaired and how to treat yourself to prevent your breathing form getting worse.

Participate and Take Control
If you have been living with asthma, you may feel that it controls your life. Now you have help in managing your condition by accessing our Asthma Disease Management Program. Help is available for BCBSNM members — call toll-free 1-866-252-8106 for more information about our disease management programs.

Tools and Information

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