Breathe Easier When You Have Asthma
October is National Lung Health month and is a great time for people living with asthma to evaluate their condition and take extra steps to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Approximately 20 million Americans are reported to suffer from asthma, and it can appear in many forms:
- Allergic asthma triggered by allergens such as animal dander, airborne pollens and molds
- Non-allergic asthma caused by viral infections, certain medications or irritants
- Exercise-induced asthma triggered by vigorous physical activity
- Occupational asthma caused by inhaling irritants found in the workplace
- Nocturnal asthma occurs when a person is sleeping and typically worsens between midnight and 4 a.m.
While there is not yet a cure for asthma, you can take certain steps that can help you manage your asthma.
Recognize and reduce asthma triggers
Work with your physician to determine what is triggering your asthma attacks.
Monitor your asthma and take medications
Take medication at the first sign of symptoms and as instructed by your physician. If your symptoms worsen, do not increase or decrease
your medication without discussing your symptoms with your doctor.
Create an asthma action plan with your physician
Your asthma action plan should include emergency contact information, details on your condition, and instructions on what to do
in the event of an episode.
Partner with a clinical health coach
TriWest Healthcare Alliance offers a Condition
(Disease) Management program to TRICARE West Region beneficiaries, which focuses on educating you about how to improve your health
management skills while living with a condition such as asthma. The program is available at no cost to eligible beneficiaries and
does not affect your TRICARE benefits in any way.
No referral or prior authorization is necessary if you are living with asthma, depression, diabetes, heart failure, or any combination of these conditions and would like to enroll in the management program. Call TriWest toll-free at 1-888-259-9378 to enroll.
Once enrolled in the program, a TriWest Clinical Health Coach will:
- Schedule an appointment to call and review your health status
- Develop a customized educational plan based on your status and personal health goals
- Inform your physician of your program participation
- Work with you to reach established goals
- Continue to help you as long as you want to participate and work toward achieving wellness goals