Sometimes, living with asthma feels much easier when you know more about asthma itself. Even reading the stories and thoughts of others can make asthma seem much easier. There are many, many people with asthma out there it s a very large club. Just knowing you are not alone makes living with asthma seem a whole lot easier, so seek out information and read up on asthma. Different sufferers have different medication but generally you have a preventive inhaler that works long term, and an emergency inhaler that opens the airways in an attack this is called the quick relief. Long-term inhalers help to prevent attacks and make them milder in the long term. However if you are having an attack you need the emergency inhaler that will open your airways and let you breath more easily. THE GREEN ZONE: This is the ideal place to be. No symptoms, you are able to stretch yourself to the limits of your abilities, participate in normal, everyday activities, and even exert yourself to perform at your peak physical limits for decent periods of time. School or work isn t, at this point, posing a problem and your sleep is uninterrupted through the night. The greater the inflammation, the more sensitive the airway is, leading to increased breathing difficulty. Asthma is chronic condition, meaning it needs to be controlled over time. Anyone is susceptible to asthma, though it's usually diagnosed in early childhood Most people living with asthma live healthy, fully active lives. To learn specific information about the medication you ve been prescribed, look to the Internet for information and tips on how to store, use, and take your medication properly. Living with asthma means learning how to breathe in an environment that may not always be asthma-friendly. You ll have to do what you can to avoid smoke, even eliminating smoke in the home so that asthma isn t aggravated or breathing troubles made worse. Your doctor can help you understand: 1) What medication works to minimize your symptoms, and why. 2) Ways to keep your own asthma under control by avoiding individual triggers, keeping out of contact with recurring stressors, and upping the overall quality of your life. 3) Preparation of an action plan with realizable goals for you and hopes of tamping down your symptoms.