Asthma: Using An Asthma Action Plan

Overview

An asthma action plan is a written plan that tells you what asthma medicine to take every day and how to treat an asthma attack. It can help you make quick decisions in case you can't think clearly during an attack.

Your plan can help you stay active and have fewer problems. It may include:

• Your treatment goals.
• A list of your asthma medicines and when to take them.
• How to treat symptoms before you have an attack.
• What to do if an attack becomes an emergency, and where to get help.
• How to measure your peak flow, if your doctor recommends you do this.
• An asthma diary to keep track of your symptoms and triggers, peak flow, and what medicines you took for quick relief.

Your plan is based on zones defined by your symptoms or your peak flow, or both. It tells you what to do when you're in each zone.