Asthma: Are you controlling it, or is it controlling you?

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Asthma is a chronic but treatable condition. In the United States, about 20 million people have been diagnosed with asthma; nearly 9 million of them are children.

Asthma occurs when the main air passages of the lungs, the bronchial tubes, become inflamed. The muscles of the bronchial walls tighten, and cells in the lungs produce extra mucus, further narrowing your airways.

Several types of medications are available for treating and controlling asthma. Most individuals use a combination of long-term control medications and quick-relief medications.

The asthma control test featured on MayoClinic.com asks six questions to help determine how well an individual's asthma is controlled. The Asthma Center offers helpful information on managing asthma.

Here are a few questions individuals can ask their physician about asthma control:

• Do I need to make any changes in my medications?
• What changes can I make to prevent the occasional flare-up?
• What can I do to find out what's triggering my symptoms?
• How can I prevent flare-ups during exercise?
• Can you help me design an asthma action plan?

• Asthma: 3 steps to better asthma control
• Asthma control test
• Asthma Center