Asthma makes you cough and wheeze and can make it hard to breathe. Here’s what you can do to feel better.

Learn how to control your asthma.

• Take your medicines and use your inhalers as prescribed.
• Work with your doctor’s office to create an asthma action plan.
• Avoid common triggers that can set off your asthma.
• Do not smoke. Stay away from people who smoke.

During your visit to the doctor’s office or clinic ask:

• How to use your inhaler.
• About long-term medicines and quick relief medicines.
• How to find what triggers your asthma.

Call your doctor or go to the hospital if it is hard to breathe and your medicines are not helping.

Reference: Heath TiPS from the ACP Foundation. American College of Physicians. Internal Medicine. http://www.acponline.org/patients_families/products/health_tips/