Provided are techniques for managing an amount of real storage used by a database management system. A value of a real storage management parameter is received, wherein the real storage management parameter indicates conditions under which one or more virtual storage pages are analyzed to identify one or more unused, virtual storage pages that are to be discarded. The database management system and consumption of real storage and auxiliary storage is monitored. In response to determining that the value of the real storage management parameter is set to on, the one or more unused virtual storage pages are discarded. In response to determining that the value of the real storage management parameter is set to auto and that paging has occurred, the one or more unused, virtual storage pages are discarded. Health values are recorded.