Asthma Management Program

Lee Health Asthma Management Program

We encourage you to take control of your asthma through the Asthma Management Program offered by Lee Health. Based on guidelines by the National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute, the Asthma Management Program is the only outpatient asthma education program in Southwest Florida. 

What is asthma?

Asthma is a chronic (long-term) condition that affects the airways in the lungs of about 1 in 13 people. The airways are tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. If you have asthma than your airways narrow and swell and may produce extra mucus. This can make breathing difficult and trigger coughing, shortness of breath, and "wheezing" sounds.

Asthma Symptoms include:

• Chest tightness or pain
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty breathing or ability to take deep breaths
• Wheezing or whistling sound when exhaling
• Coughing or wheezing attacks that are worsened by a respiratory virus

While asthma symptoms can vary from person to person, it is important to understand your asthma signs and symptoms to help you manage your condition. 

Lee Health Asthma Management Program: What you need to know

Asthma can be a manageable disease. The Asthma Management Program provides diagnostic testing and the skills you need to self-manage your asthma. You can be referred by their primary care physician, pediatrician, pulmonologist, emergency department physician or allergist.

Patients are usually scheduled for six visits during the six-month program, although the physician or asthma educator may extend the duration as necessary. The program’s full-time certified asthma educator works with your physician to develop your personal asthma action plan, designed to meet your specific medical needs.

Asthma Management: Learning to Live with Asthma

Our program is designed to help asthmatics and their families understand their diagnosis and the nature of their condition. By the end of our asthma management program, you should be able to self-manage your asthma, resulting in fewer absences from school or work, an improvement in your quality of life, a decrease in emergency room visits and hospitalizations, and improved lung function.  Both adults and children of all ages will benefit from the fun, game-like activities that teach self-management skills.

This program also complements the education and treatment children receive as patients in Golisano Children’s Hospital. The program will contact your school nurse and provide the school with a copy of your asthma action plan that you receive during your visit.

We will show you how to:

• Identify asthma triggers
• Recognize asthma symptoms
• Use a spacer to enhance medication delivery
• Use a peak-flow meter to monitor your lung function
• Manage symptoms on a daily basis
• Manage symptoms in an emergency situation

The Asthma Management Program provides you with an age-based asthma folder and carrying pack that includes:

• Spacer
• Peak flow meter and diary
• Educational CDs
• Instructional materials
• Asthma action plan

Our multidisciplinary team of health professionals includes a certified asthma educator, medical directors for adult and pediatric patients, respiratory therapists, and nurses.

Request an appointment with an Asthma Specialist