75 percent of all asthma cases are avoidable- this is a fact that most asthma patients must understand. Apart from that, statistics also show that about 40 percent of asthma patients do not react positively to treatments when their signs and symptoms start to worsen; and 50 percent of all cases of asthma who have been admitted due to acute asthma exacerbation or asthma attacks have shown signs and symptoms at least a week before their attacks. It is through these facts that self-management for asthma can be very vital in the life of a patient suffering from asthma. Self management refers to the adjustment of one's life, behaviors, environment and attitude towards certain things related to treating and preventing asthma attacks. These self management approaches are worked out together by collaboration between the patient and the physician. This strategy works by making patients aware and confident on what they should do when they experience initial signs and symptoms of the disease.

Asthma Self Management Programs are aimed to treat those patients who will benefit greatly out of this system, this includes asthma patients who can easily manage their symptoms, those who can care for themselves- and it depends on a case to case basis. Definitely, a person with unmanageable asthma attacks should not be employed with this kind of treatment program as they need close monitoring from the physician. Self Management plans must be written in order for the patients to understand fully the measures and in order for them to have something to refer to when they have to clarify things.

Educating patients about their self management plans is very crucial and should be done structurally. Before employing self management plans as a treatment approach, the physician should first assess the level of understanding of the patient about the disease. Sessions can be done as a group in order to educate patients efficiently. However, it is also a must to discuss some things personally with the patients because each case is unique and each patient has their own needs and consideration about their treatment plans. Rapport is a very important factor in the success of every self management plan because this way, the patient will help himself comply with the plan in the spirit of hope, trust and collaboration with the health care team.

The following are common self management tips for asthma patients:

1. Patients should manifest sufficient knowing and understanding of the disease process.

2. They should be able to identify which factors give rise to their asthma attacks.

3. They should be able to accept the fact that asthma is a chronic but treatable disease.

4. They should be able to describe the stages to avoid and reduce allergens which trigger exacerbation of the disease.

5. Patients should learn to identify the early warning signs of asthma attack.

Apart from educating the patients about asthma, it is also a good consideration to educate even the parents or the relatives of patients with asthma. Considering that many asthma patients are children, and that these children are under the custody of their parents, it is their parents who will be on the front line whenever an asthma spell happens. Therefore, the effectivity of self management for asthma also depends on the level of compliance and understanding of the parents and significant others about the disease and management process.