Asthma in adults: Creating an asthma action plan

Asthma in adults: Creating an asthma action plan

Manage asthma by staying organized. Here's help making an adult asthma action plan.

Maintaining good day-to-day asthma control is the key to keeping symptoms at bay and preventing asthma attacks. Receiving a written asthma action plan makes it easier for you to measure whether your asthma is under control — and it lets you know exactly what steps to take when it isn't. Using an asthma action plan is specially important if you have moderate to severe asthma or you've had a serious asthma attack in the past. HHere's how to get them started.
Creating your asthma action plan

Because asthma varies from person to person, you'll need to figure out with your doctor to develop a plan that's customized for you. Your action plan may include maintaining a diary, and can help you:

Track asthma symptoms. The plan will help you hold on tabs on asthma signs and symptoms and record when your symptoms interfere with daily activities, such as work, exercise or sleep.

You may likewise want to track how often you use a quick-acting inhaler, such as albuterol (ProAir HFA, Proventil HFA, Ventolin HFA, others), to ease symptoms.

A record peak flow readings. You may employ a peak flow meter to track your asthma day to day. This simple hand-held device tests how well the lungs are forming. Measurements that are more down than usual indicate that the lungs aren't working as well as they should This is frequently the first sign that asthma is getting worse.rse.

Assess asthma control. The action plan will yield you a system for making sense of the information you record. Many asthma plans use a "traffic light" scheme of green, yellow and red zones that correspond to worsening symptoms. This organization can help you quickly determine asthma severity and identify signs of an asthma attack.

Some asthma plans use a symptoms questionnaire called the Asthma Control Test (ACT) to measure asthma severity over the past month.

Adjust medications. Your program should say when you need to make medication adjustments based on the severity of your asthma symptoms. Asthma medications usually include long-term control medications, such as inhaled corticosteroids, and as-needed, quick-acting medicines, such as inhaled albuterol. Make certain you understand what medications to use when, how to use them and what to expect.

Know and treat an asthma attack.Tracking symptoms daily and adjusting treatment accordingly improves asthma control and reduces the risk of having an asthma attack. But if symptoms do begin to get worse quickly, follow the action plan's instructions for using quick-acting medications or other steps to get your symptoms under control.

Recognize when to seek emergency care.Some asthma attacks can't be managed at home. Apply the action plan to recognize the signs of rapidly worsening asthma. If you apply a peak flow meter, the action plan will also tell you when low peak flow readings signal that an asthma attack has become an emergency.

Avoid asthma triggers. The action plan may have a blank space for you to list your asthma triggers and notes on how to avoid them. These change from person to person — examples include exercise, cold air, pollen, dust mites, mold, pet dander, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), respiratory infections and smoke, including secondhand tobacco smoke.

Save your action plan available

Once you and your doctor have developed your asthma action plan, keep it handy in case you have an asthma flare-up.

Divvy up your plan with a family member or friend who can help you in case of an emergency. Preserve a copy in your wallet or purse in case an asthma attack occurs away from home.

List your doctor's telephone number, emergency phone numbers and the location of the nearest emergency room on your asthma plan.

Always take a rescue inhaler with you as well. Go on a second one at home as a backup.

Meet regularly with your doc

Work with your physician to keep your asthma action plan current. Asthma changes over time, so your program may need periodic adjustments.

Go to all scheduled appointments.
Go over your asthma action plan at every doctor visit. Distinguish your doctor about any problems you're stuck with the plan. These health checks are also a good time to double-check that you're tracking asthma symptoms accurately and using your medications properly.

If asthma isn't under control, see your doctor. If you're watching over the action plan but the symptoms still aren't under control, a treatment change may be needed. On the other hand, if your asthma is well-controlled all of the time, your doctor may be able to cut the amount of medication you take.

Visit your doctor if you have concerns. If you have any questions or you're simply concerned about your asthma signs and symptoms, call your doctor or schedule an appointment.See about a flu shot. Your doctor may recommend that you get a regular flu shot.

Having asthma shouldn't limit activities, interrupt sleep or will you constantly worrying about having an asthma attack. By carefully following a written plan, you can go on your asthma well-controlled — and minimize the disruptions it causes.