Asthma Management Guide

Asthma
Management Guide

Asthma is a long-term condition that affects Black people more than any other racial or ethnic group in the United States. It is important for us to learn about asthma, how it may impact our lives, and what we can do to manage it.

What is asthma?

Asthma is a chronic condition that negatively affects your breathing. When someone has asthma, their airways, which are like tubes in your body that help you breathe, become swollen and narrow. This makes it hard for air to move in and out of the lungs.

Imagine your airways as tiny pipes. When those pipes get irritated or inflamed, they can squeeze together, making it difficult to breathe. This can cause an asthma flare-up or attack which may lead to a visit to the emergency room or hospitalization.

Why should you care?

Black people in the U.S. are 40% more likely to have asthma than white people.

0 %

Black women are 84% more likely to have asthma than Black men

0 %

Black people are nearly 3-4x more likely to die from asthma compared with other race and ethnic groups.

Black children are 8x more likely to die from asthma than white children

0 x

Black people in the U.S. are 40% more likely to have asthma than white people.

0 %

Black women are 84% more likely to have asthma than Black men

0 %

Black people were nearly three to four times more likely to die from asthma compared with other race and ethnic groups

Black children are 8x more likely to die from asthma than white children

0 x

How do I manage flare-ups?

Living with asthma? Our community member, Eriel, knows a thing or two about
managing flare-ups or asthma attacks. In this video, Eriel talks about:

Play Video

1. Understand your triggers

2. Tools you can use

3. Sleeping habits

4. Lifestyle

Am I at risk for
developing asthma?

Certain things can make it more likely for someone to develop asthma. These are called
risk factors. Here are some common ones:

Family History

If someone in your family has asthma, you might be more likely to have it too. Genes can play a big role.

Stress

High levels of stress or strong emotions can sometimes trigger asthma symptoms in some people.

Allergies

If you have allergies, especially to things like pollen, dust mites, or pet dander, you might have a higher risk of getting asthma. Allergies and asthma often go hand in hand.

Exposure to Tobacco Smoke

Smoking and breathing in secondhand smoke from cigarettes or other tobacco products can irritate your airways and increase your risk of asthma.

Environmental Factors

Being exposed to things like air pollution, mold, rodents, or certain chemicals in your home or workplace can also contribute to developing asthma.

Obesity

Being overweight or obese can make it harder to breathe and increase your risk of asthma. Black adults have the highest rates of obesity compared with other race and ethnic groups.

Physical Activity

While exercise is generally good for your health, some people may experience asthma symptoms during or after physical activity, especially in cold or dry air.

Do I have severe asthma?

Asthma is broken down into types based on the cause and the severity of symptoms, as well as how well a person can function during an attack. Healthcare providers identify asthma as:

Intermittent asthma

This type of asthma comes and goes so you can feel normal in between asthma flares.

Persistent asthma

Persistent asthma means you have symptoms much of the time. Symptoms can be mild, moderate or severe.

Severe asthma

In severe asthma, despite using high dose medicines, reducing risks, and following a treatment plan, many times your asthma remains uncontrolled. People with severe asthma often experience high rates of emergency.

join our community!

Get active in a community that understands you, wants to hear about your health and wellness, and informs you of information and opportunities to keep you and other people of color healthy.