Writing Your Asthma Action Plan

While asthma is a chronic illness, you and your physician can create an individualized treatment plan that can give you the best possible control over your asthma. An asthma action plan is your personalized guide for managing your asthma effectively.

“An action plan is a personalized written documentation that we provide instructions for patients to follow at home,” said Tawanda LeFlore, Board Certified Nurse Practitioner with Franciscan Health. “This plan helps the patient to understand and to clarify for them their medication regime should the patient have a asthma attack or if the asthma is not well controlled, that it guides them through treatment adjustments in response to change in symptoms and home measurements. So essentially it's a written plan for someone to know, if I get in trouble here, what am I to do? Where am I to start with my medication?”

An asthma action plan helps individuals, their caregivers, and healthcare providers understand how to control and respond to asthma symptoms.

Learn the steps for building an asthma action plan:

1. Identify Your Healthcare Provider

Start by connecting with your healthcare provider, typically your primary care doctor or a pulmonologist. They will work with you to create an asthma action plan tailored to your specific needs.

2. Gather Necessary Information

Your healthcare provider will assess your asthma and help you gather important information such as:

• How severe your asthma is. It may be classified as intermittent, mild persistent, moderate persistent, or severe persistent.
• Triggers for your asthma symptoms, such as pollen, smoke, cold air or exercise.
• Recommended peak flow measurements to monitor your lung function. This will help you understand the severity of an asthma episode.

3. Understand Your Zones

Your asthma action plan typically uses a color-coded system to categorize your asthma symptoms into three zones:

Green Zone

The green zone represents good asthma control, meaning your asthma is well-managed. You have no or minimal symptoms, and you can engage in your regular activities.

Yellow Zone

The yellow zone indicates caution. It means your asthma is worsening. You may have increased symptoms, and it's time to take action before your asthma symptoms get worse.

Red Zone

Red zone is the danger zone, where your asthma is severe, and your symptoms are significantly worse. It's time for immediate action or seeking medical attention.

4. Know How And When To Use Your Asthma Medications

Your healthcare provider will prescribe the appropriate medications for each zone. Make sure you understand how and when to take them. There are two main categories of medications in the asthma treatment arsenal; long-term (control medications), and quick-acting (rescue medications).

Long-term medications are ones that are taken every day as a way to control asthma. The goal of these medications is to prevent asthma attacks. These reduce airway inflammation and prevent the airways from narrowing.

These quick-acting medications are used in the event of an attack, or when you feel an attack coming on. These include an inhaler that you should carry with you at all times, and can include other medications that may help in the event of an attack.

5. Develop Your Asthma Action Plan

Work with your healthcare provider to create a written asthma action plan that includes:

• Clear instructions for each zone, specifying when to use your medications.
• Personalized triggers and symptom descriptions.
• Peak flow measurements, if applicable.
• Emergency contact information.

6. Review And Update Your Asthma Action Plan Regularly

Asthma is a dynamic condition, and your needs may change over time. It's essential to regularly review your asthma action plan with your healthcare provider. Update it as necessary to ensure it remains effective.

7. Share and Educate

Share your asthma action plan with family members, caregivers, and teachers or coworkers, so they know how to assist you during an asthma episode. Educate them on when and how to use your medications.

Remember, an asthma action plan is a valuable tool in managing your asthma effectively. By following it closely, you can reduce the impact of asthma on your daily life and ensure prompt action during worsening symptoms or emergencies. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance and adjustments to your plan.