Asthma

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the lungs and airways. It makes it difficult for air to get in and out of the lungs, decreasing breath capacity.

Our asthma program is part of our chronic condition management program. We want to help you understand asthma and learn how to live well with it.

Dust, pollen, tobacco smoke, animal dander and exercise are some of the things that can cause asthma to flare up.

By following your treatment plan, there’s a lot you can do to live well. You can manage your condition and work with your doctor to:

• Create a personal adult asthma action plan (PDF) or child asthma action plan (PDF) with your doctor.
• Use medicines correctly (if you use an inhaler, our inhaler record (PDF) can help you track when to get a new inhaler).
• Avoid, reduce or eliminate personal asthma triggers.
• Quit smoking.

To talk with a nurse, call us at 1-800-392-4247 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can also fill out a nurse callback form.

Log in to Member Secured Services and click the Health and Wellness tab for more health resources, including in-depth information about these conditions.

• American Lung Association
• Michigan Asthma Communication Network
• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services)
• New York Online Access to Health