Asthma is a condition affecting your lungs. It’s chronic, meaning it lasts a long time and often doesn’t go away completely. With asthma, the inside wall of the airways to your lungs get inflamed. This is caused by things that irritate the airways. When your airways are irritated, they get narrower and less air flows to the lungs. Narrowed airways can cause coughing, chest tightness, wheezing and trouble breathing. If you follow the directions of your primary care provider (PCP), take your medicine as directed, and avoid triggers that bother your airways, you can typically live an active life with asthma.
Columbia Pacific CCO’s benefits cover medications to manage your asthma. Tobacco smoking is a trigger for asthma as well. Benefits are also available to help you stop smoking.
Helpful community links and resources
- Asthma control test
- Asthma Action Plan (PDF): Adult
- Asthma Action Plan (PDF): Child
- Asthma Inspection Referral programs: Multnomah County Healthy Housing (PDF)
- CAIR - Community Asthma Inspection and Referral program (PDF)
- Oregon Asthma Program
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Let us help you
Send us a secure message through our Member Portal at colpachealth.org/portal or call us at 503-488-2822, toll-free 855-722-8206 or TTY 711. We can help you make an appointment to discuss asthma with a provider.