The Importance of Creating an Action Plan for Asthma
An asthma action plan or plan, is a written instruction that you make with your doctor. The plan is designed to help you control your asthma. Following the action plan can help prevent asthma relapse and overcome the asthma attacks that cannot be prevented. Knowing how to deal with asthma attacks can help you not to go to the ER.
Your doctor can give you this action plan. Having a written and structured plan keeps you from remembering everything the doctor says. You can keep a copy to always carry, or memorize some important parts.
Your asthma action plan will give you clear instructions, so you can:
- prevent triggers that aggravate asthma
- aware of the early symptoms of the attack and overcome them
- take the right steps to overcome the asthma attack
- know when to seek emergency help
The asthma action plan is different for each patient
Asthma varies in each person, so there is no one suitable asthma action plan for all. However, every action plan will tell you what to do if you have an attack and explain when you need to take a fast-acting medication, how many doses are for each situation, and when to call your doctor or go to the ER. Many action plans use the "zone system" according to the color of the traffic lights, and use the symptoms and peak flow results to help you determine where you are in which asthma zone.
- The green zone, or safe zone, explains how to set your conditions every day, when you feel okay.
- The yellow zone, or zone of caution, explains how to see your asthma signs worsen. This zone also explains what drugs need to be used to control asthma.
- The red zone, or danger zone, explains what needs to be done in the event of a serious attack.
If you use a peak flow meter, the action plan color system makes it easy to see the instructions that work for you. You can also write down your best peak flow results, to compare with each number of peak flow readings.
In addition, your action plan may include:
- emergency phone number and location of emergency facilities
- list of triggers and how to prevent them
- things to do before exercising
- a list of early signs of attack that need attention, and what to do when it happens
- lists of names and doses of drugs, as well as when and how to use them.
Understanding your action plan
In order for your asthma action plan to work, you need to keep abreast of it even if you feel healthy. This means the action plan needs to be reasonable and can be done every day. For example, if exercise is one of your asthma triggers, you need to talk to your doctor about sports to be included in your action plan.
Review your plans with your doctor to make sure you understand them. Ask questions. Talk to your doctor about ideas you have. For example, your doctor may change your medication time to fit your schedule.
If you have followed an action plan but did not help control asthma as well as before, tell your doctor. Your doctor may need to adjust your medications or other parts of your plan. Also, let me know if you do not need to take a drug that works fast as often as it does. If your asthma is well controlled, your doctor may reduce the long-term medication you are taking.
Your asthma action plan aims to keep your asthma condition from distracting sports, social, or anything you want to do. Use an asthma action plan for better health.
