If you have asthma, here are five important things you should know:

1. You can control your asthma.

   • You don’t need to miss school, sports, or other activities.
     

2. Asthma is a disease that makes the airways in your lungs inflamed and swollen.

   • During an asthma flare-up (attack), your airways are swollen and sensitive.
   • You can control the swelling with medicine, and by staying away from things that bother your airways.
     

3. Things that bother your airways are called "triggers."

   • "Triggers" cause asthma flare-ups.
   • Smoke, pollen, dust, and exercise can be triggers.
   • Every person with asthma has different triggers.
   • Learn how to avoid your triggers and prevent flare-ups.
   • Medicine taken before exercise can help prevent your asthma from flaring up.
     

4. Work with your doctor to manage your asthma.

   • Know what to do every day to avoid flare-ups.
   • Know what to do right away if you have a flare-up.
     

5. If someone you care for or live with has asthma, don’t smoke.

   • Smoke is a common trigger and can cause asthma to flare up.
   • Network Health can help you quit smoking by connecting you to a stop-smoking program.