Asthma Management in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Asthma is a common chronic lung condition in West Michigan, affecting children and adults across Grand Rapids—from downtown and the Medical Mile to Wyoming, Kentwood, and Walker. With the right asthma management plan, most people in Grand Rapids can stay active year-round, even through our cold, damp winters and high-pollen spring and summer seasons.

Asthma happens when the muscles around the airways tighten and the lining inside the airways becomes swollen and inflamed. Thick, sticky mucus is produced, and the airways become narrow. This makes it hard to breathe and can cause:

  • Coughing (often worse at night or early morning)
  • Wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing)
  • Chest tightness or pressure
  • Shortness of breath

An asthma flare-up (or asthma attack) can come on slowly over hours, days, or weeks, or it can develop quickly in minutes—especially with triggers like cold Michigan air, respiratory infections, or exercise.

Medication Is Essential for Good Asthma Control

In Grand Rapids, asthma care is available through major health systems such as Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health, and pediatric specialists at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. Wherever you receive care, asthma medication is central to keeping your breathing under control.

Effective asthma management usually includes:

  • Reliever medication for quick symptom relief
  • Preventer (controller) medication to reduce airway inflammation
  • Treatment of related conditions, such as allergic rhinitis (hay fever) or sinus problems
  • A healthy lifestyle, including regular physical activity, not smoking, and avoiding known triggers

With good asthma management, most people in Grand Rapids can lead a normal, active life—playing winter sports, enjoying summer on the lakeshore, and staying productive at work or school.

Asthma Action Plans for Grand Rapids Patients

Why You Need a Written Asthma Action Plan

Following a personal written asthma action plan, developed with your Grand Rapids healthcare provider, is one of the best ways to keep your asthma under control.

An asthma action plan:

  • Gives clear, step-by-step instructions for daily asthma management
  • Explains what to do when symptoms start to get worse
  • Tells you when to increase medication and when to seek emergency care
  • Helps you or your child enjoy a full, active life with fewer flare-ups

There is no “standard” asthma action plan—everyone’s asthma is different. Your plan should be personalized to your:

  • Triggers (for example, cold winter air, spring pollen, indoor dust, pet dander, or workplace exposures)
  • Early warning signs and typical symptoms
  • Medications (names, doses, and how/when to take them)

Getting and Updating Your Asthma Action Plan

In Grand Rapids, asthma action plans can be:

  • Created during visits with your primary care provider or pediatrician
  • Generated through electronic medical record systems used by local clinics
  • Provided by hospitals (such as Spectrum Health or Trinity Health Grand Rapids) after an asthma-related admission

Your asthma should be reviewed regularly:

  • Children: at least every 6 months
  • Adults: at least once a year

Your plan should be updated if your symptoms change, medications are adjusted, or you have a recent flare-up or emergency visit.

How Common Is Asthma?

Asthma is a major health issue in the United States, affecting millions of adults and children. In Michigan, asthma is more common in urban areas and among people exposed to:

  • Tobacco smoke or vaping
  • Indoor allergens (dust mites, cockroaches, mold)
  • Outdoor air pollution and traffic exhaust
  • Seasonal pollen and mold, especially in spring and fall

The Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health provide local data, education, and resources to help residents manage asthma and improve indoor and outdoor air quality.

Common Asthma Triggers in Grand Rapids

Triggers Vary From Person to Person

Not everyone with asthma reacts to the same things. In West Michigan, common asthma triggers include:

  • Respiratory infections

    • Colds, flu, RSV, and other viral infections
    • More common during our long, cold winters

  • Weather and seasonal changes

    • Sudden temperature drops
    • Breathing very cold, dry winter air
    • Thunderstorms and high-pollen days in spring and summer

  • Allergens

    • Tree, grass, and ragweed pollen (especially in spring and fall)
    • Mold from damp basements or older homes
    • House dust mites
    • Pet dander (cats, dogs, etc.)

  • Smoke and air pollution

    • Cigarette and e-cigarette smoke
    • Wood smoke from fireplaces and wood stoves
    • Outdoor air pollution and ozone (can be higher on hot summer days)

  • Physical activity

    • Exercise, especially in cold air or without proper warm-up
    • With the right plan and medication, asthma should not stop you from sports or exercise

  • Foods and additives (less common)

    • Certain food preservatives, flavorings, or colorings
    • Cold foods and drinks (rarely)

  • Medications

    • Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen
    • Some blood pressure medications (beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors)
    • Certain herbal supplements (e.g., echinacea in some people)

  • Strong smells and chemicals

    • Perfumes, incense, cleaning products
    • Workplace chemicals, wood dust, or metal dust

  • Emotions and stress

    • Strong emotions, including laughter or crying
    • Ongoing stress and anxiety

Your asthma action plan should list your personal triggers and what to do when you are exposed to them.

Reliever Medication for Asthma

Everyone with asthma needs a reliever (also called a “rescue” inhaler) to use when symptoms occur.

Reliever medications:

  • Open the airways quickly
  • Are used as needed for shortness of breath, wheeze, or chest tightness
  • Are often blue or gray inhalers (for example, albuterol-based inhalers)

Reliever Overuse

Reliever medication is very helpful in an asthma flare-up or emergency, but using it too often can be a warning sign.

  • Possible side effects with frequent use:
    • Shakiness or tremors
    • Rapid heart rate

These side effects are usually not dangerous, but:

  • If you need your reliever more than twice a week (not counting pre-exercise use), your asthma is likely not well controlled.
  • In that case, schedule an appointment with your Grand Rapids doctor or asthma specialist to review your treatment.

Preventer Medication for Asthma

What Preventers Do

Preventer (controller) medications reduce inflammation and swelling in the airways and make them less sensitive to triggers. They:

  • Lower the risk of flare-ups and emergency visits
  • Reduce day-to-day symptoms
  • Help keep your lungs as healthy as possible long term

Preventers must be taken regularly, exactly as prescribed, even when you feel well.

Inhaled Corticosteroids

Most preventer medications for asthma are inhaled corticosteroids:

  • Delivered directly to the lungs, where they are needed
  • Have a low risk of side effects at usual doses
  • Help most adults achieve good asthma control with a low daily dose

Preventer Medication for Children in Grand Rapids

Some children with asthma need a regular preventer. Options include:

  • Inhaled corticosteroids (similar to adult medications, adjusted for age and size)
  • Non-steroid medications (including tablets in some cases)

Your child’s doctor—often a pediatrician or pediatric pulmonologist at places like Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital—will help choose the best medication based on:

  • Age
  • Type and frequency of symptoms
  • How easy the medicine is to take correctly

Combination Therapies

People who still have frequent asthma symptoms despite using a regular inhaled corticosteroid may need to step up their treatment to a stronger preventer.

  • These are often combination inhalers, which include:
    • An inhaled corticosteroid
    • A second medication to help keep airways open longer

Preventers should always be prescribed at the lowest strength that keeps your asthma controlled. Taking more medication than you need does not provide extra benefit.

Inhaler Devices for Asthma Medication

Choosing the Right Device

Work with your doctor, asthma educator, or pharmacist in Grand Rapids to decide which device is best for you. The main types of inhaler devices are:

  1. Metered-dose inhaler (puffer)

    • An aerosol canister that produces a fine mist
    • Always shake the canister before use
    • Often used with a spacer to improve delivery

  2. Breath-activated inhaler (autohaler)

    • Spring-loaded aerosol canister
    • Medicine is released automatically when you breathe in through the mouthpiece
    • Helpful for children and people who have trouble coordinating puff and breath

  3. Dry-powder inhaler

    • Contains medication as a dry powder
    • Requires a deep, forceful breath in to draw medicine into the lungs
    • May be harder for young children or people with very shortness of breath

  4. Soft-mist inhaler

    • Produces a slow-moving mist of medicine
    • Can be easier for some people to inhale effectively

Ask your Grand Rapids pharmacist or healthcare provider to show you how to use your device correctly and to check your technique at every visit.

Using a Spacer

A spacer is a clear plastic tube that attaches to a metered-dose inhaler (puffer). It helps more medicine reach your lungs and reduces side effects in the mouth and throat.

How to use a spacer:

  1. Shake the inhaler well.
  2. Insert the inhaler into the spacer.
  3. Press one puff of medicine into the spacer.
  4. Breathe in slowly and deeply, then hold your breath for about 5 seconds (or as long as comfortable).

If you need a second dose, repeat the steps.

Children and the 4-Breath Technique

For young children:

  • Use a spacer with a mask if needed.
  • After firing one puff into the spacer, have the child breathe in and out normally for 4 breaths before the next puff.

This 4-breath technique can also be helpful during asthma flare-ups.

Spacer Care

  • Clean the spacer at least once a month in warm, soapy water.
  • Do not rinse—let it air dry to reduce static and help the medicine work better.

Nebulizers vs. Spacers

Nebulizers were once commonly used for asthma, but research shows that:

  • A metered-dose inhaler with a spacer works just as well for most people
  • Spacers are usually easier, faster, and less expensive
  • Spacers may reduce the risk of some side effects

If you still use a nebulizer regularly or during flare-ups, ask your Grand Rapids healthcare provider whether switching to a puffer with spacer is right for you.

Taking Asthma Medication Correctly

Why Adherence Matters

It can be hard to remember daily medication—especially when you feel well. But:

  • Preventer medications only work when taken regularly
  • Skipping doses increases your risk of flare-ups, urgent care visits, and hospital stays

Tips to Help You Stay on Track

To use your asthma medication effectively:

  • Follow your written asthma action plan

    • Include how, when, and how much to take
    • Note what to do if symptoms get worse

  • Learn about side effects

    • Ask your doctor what is normal and what is not
    • Report anything that concerns you

  • Simplify your regimen if possible

    • Ask if you can use one type of device for multiple medications
    • Ask about once-daily options if appropriate

  • Use devices you feel comfortable with

    • There are aids and spacers for people who have trouble coordinating inhalers

  • Check your technique regularly

    • Ask your Grand Rapids doctor, asthma educator, or pharmacist to watch you use your inhaler

  • Create reminders

    • Take medication when you brush your teeth morning and night
    • Use phone alarms or apps
    • Keep inhalers where you will see them (but out of reach of small children)

If you have concerns, talk to your doctor, asthma educator, or local pharmacist.

Helping Children Manage Asthma

All of the tips above also apply to children in Grand Rapids, but some extra strategies can help:

  • Most children can take their preventer medication before or after school.
  • As your child grows, involve them in decisions about their asthma care.
  • Link medication to your child’s goals:
    • For example, explain that taking asthma medicine helps them play soccer, run in gym class, or enjoy recess without getting too short of breath.

School-aged children in Grand Rapids should have:

  • A written asthma action plan on file at school
  • Access to their reliever inhaler (according to school policy)
  • Teachers and coaches who know what to do in an asthma flare-up

Pediatric asthma care is available through local practices and at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.

Other Medications and Asthma Triggers

Some medicines used for other health conditions can make asthma worse or trigger a flare-up.

Always tell your doctor and pharmacist in Grand Rapids that you have asthma when:

  • You are prescribed a new medication
  • You buy over-the-counter pain relievers or cold/flu medicines
  • You are considering herbal or “natural” supplements

Medications that may trigger asthma symptoms in some people include:

  • Aspirin (in some pain relievers)
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
    • Ibuprofen
    • Naproxen
  • Beta-blockers
    • Used for high blood pressure and some heart conditions
    • Some eye drops for glaucoma
  • ACE inhibitors
    • Used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease
  • Certain herbal products (for example, echinacea in some individuals)

If you suspect a medicine is making your asthma worse:

  1. Use your reliever medication as directed in your asthma action plan.
  2. Contact your doctor immediately for advice and follow-up.

Asthma First Aid in Grand Rapids

An asthma attack can be very frightening. Knowing what to do can save a life.

4 Steps of Asthma First Aid

  1. Sit the person upright

    • Do not lie them down.
    • Stay calm and reassure them.

  2. Give 4 separate puffs of a blue/gray reliever inhaler

    • Use a spacer if available.
    • Shake the inhaler.
    • Give 1 puff at a time into the spacer.
    • Ask the person to take 4 breaths in and out of the spacer after each puff.

  3. Wait 4 minutes

    • Watch the person carefully.
    • Stay with them and reassure them.

  4. Assess: Worse or better?

    • If getting worse or still having severe trouble breathing:
      • Call 911 immediately.
      • Keep giving 4 puffs every 4 minutes until the ambulance arrives (4 separate puffs, 4 breaths after each puff).
    • If still having trouble breathing but not severe:
      • Give 4 more puffs.
      • If not breathing normally within a few minutes, call 911.
    • If breathing normally and feeling better:
      • Arrange a follow-up appointment with a doctor as soon as possible.

In Grand Rapids, emergency asthma care is available at local hospital emergency departments, including those at Spectrum Health and Trinity Health Grand Rapids.

Local Asthma Resources in Grand Rapids, MI

If you live in the Grand Rapids area, you can get asthma help from:

  • In an emergency:

    • Call 911 immediately.

  • Local hospitals and clinics:

    • Spectrum Health (including Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital)
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health
    • Mercy Health
    • Urgent care centers throughout Kent County

  • Primary care providers and pediatricians:

    • For ongoing asthma management and action plans

  • Local pharmacies:

    • For medications, spacers, and inhaler technique checks

  • Kent County Health Department / Grand Rapids Public Health:

    • Asthma education, environmental health information, and community resources

Ask your healthcare provider about:

  • Written asthma action plans
  • Asthma education classes
  • Device training and technique checks
  • Support for managing asthma in school or at work

Key Points for Asthma Management in Grand Rapids

  • Medication is essential to manage asthma well.
  • A healthy lifestyle—including not smoking, staying active, and managing triggers—helps you stay in control of symptoms.
  • The main goal of asthma treatment is to help you or your child enjoy a full, active life with minimal symptoms.
  • A personalized asthma action plan is critical to prevent and control asthma flare-ups.
  • Your plan must be tailored to your triggers, symptoms, and medications and reviewed regularly with your Grand Rapids healthcare provider.

With the right plan, medications, and local support, people with asthma in Grand Rapids can breathe easier in every season.