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Updated May 23, 2014.

An asthma action plan is a written plan that you develop with your doctor to help get control of your asthma. The plan is comprehensive and describes:

• How to avoid triggers.
• Identifying early symptoms of an asthma flare or poor control.
• Your daily treatment with controller medications.
• Treatment of your asthma symptoms based on either peak expiratory flow or symptoms.
• What to do about worsening symptoms.

• When to call your doctor.
• When to go to the ER .

Everyone should have an asthma action plan, especially if you have:

• Moderate or severe persistent asthma.
• A history of admission to an intensive care unit.
• Severe exacerbations that require emergency room visits or poorly controlled asthma.

An asthma action plan is unique to you or your child, so I cannot just give recommendations, but it should address all of the components mentioned. An asthma action plan can be downloaded here.

Why Do I Need An Asthma Action Plan?

Think of your asthma action plan as your roadmap. It reminds you of what you need to do when things are going well, but also is there to help you remember what to do when your asthma symptoms are worse. When you are feeling worse the plan is easily followed and will allow you to treat yourself and seek care appropriately.

Without a written plan you may not remember what to do when you are stressed because you are not doing well, or significant amounts of time may pass creating doubt.

With your plan close at hand you will always know what to do.

The main benefits of an asthma action plan are:

• Improved asthma control.
• Fewer asthma symptoms.
• Fewer visits to the emergency department or hospital for treatment.

Additionally, your lung function is more likely to improve and you will miss fewer days of school or work.

What Is The Asthma Zone System

Whether you and your doctor decide on an asthma action plan that utilizes symptoms or peak flows, the plan will likely be organized like a traffic light. In the green zone you are doing well and in the red zone you may be heading to the emergency department if things do not quickly improve.

You will hopefully spend a lot more time in the green zone as this is where you want your asthma. You will need to continue to take your controller medication. In the yellow zone you are beginning to develop symptoms, while the red zone means you are experiencing severe symptoms or an asthma attack. You will have specific instructions based on the zone.

Avoiding Triggers

Your asthma action plan will include a number of different strategies for you to avoid things that will make your asthma worse. This might include doing things like:

• Not allowing anyone to smoke in your home or car
• Getting a flu shot every year
• Washing your sheets in hot water every week
• Keeping pets out of the house or bedroom.

You can check out a full list of tips and suggestions here.

How Do I Know If My Asthma Action Plan Is Working?

Hopefully you will be in the green zone more than in the yellow or red. If you are self assessing your asthma there are several questions you can ask yourself that will give you some clues about your asthma control. Questions will include things like:

• Are you experience chest tightness, cough, shortness of breath, or wheezing during the day?
• Are you having nighttime symptoms or frequent awakenings?
• Is your activity level normal or are you having difficulty with working, exercising or playing?

You should discuss your asthma action plan with your doctor and review it several times per year.

Sources
1. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Accessed: May 4, 2014. Expert Panel Report 3 (EPR3): Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma