Writing an Asthma Action Plan

What is an asthma action plan?

One of the goals of asthma management is to control and prevent asthma attacks to have better health. Every patient with asthma should have an individualized asthma action plan. It is a written, personalized worksheet that shows you the steps to take to keep your asthma from getting worse. It also provides guidance on when to call your healthcare provider or when you should go to the emergency room. You should share your asthma action plan with those around you to help you manage your asthma.

How to write an asthma action plan

If you do not have an action plan, it is important to ask your doctor about one to help treat your asthma attack. Your asthma action plan should include factors, such as asthma triggers, that make your asthma worse. The plan should also contain medicines you take to treat your asthma with specific names of each of the medicine. Your quick-relief and long-term control medicines should be listed. The medication list should include medicines to take based on your signs, symptoms or peak flow measurements. The asthma action plan also includes symptoms or peak flow measurements that indicate worsening of asthma and symptoms or peak flow measurements that indicate the need for urgent medical attention. Additionally, an action plan should include telephone numbers for an emergency contact, your healthcare provider, and your local hospital.

Following your asthma action plan

Keeping track of your symptoms, use of your medications and peak flow meter readings will help you manage your asthma. Your asthma action plan should include steps what you should do based on your symptoms and peak expiratory flow meter readings based on green, yellow, and red zones. If your peak expiratory flow reading falls within the green zone, it means that you’re feeling fine and continue using your preventative medications. If you fall in the yellow zone, you should be careful because you’re having some symptoms. You should use your quick-relief medication to help you breathe better. Also continue using your long-term medicine. If your peak flow expiratory meter reading is in the red zone, your symptoms are serious and you need to call your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately.

If you would like help with setting up your personalized asthma action plan, give our experts at Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Medical Group a call at 805-658-9500 today. Our specialists will work with your to identify the appropriate steps for you to follow in cases of you experiencing an asthma attack. Give us a call today!