Patient education: Asthma action plan for adults (The Basics)

What is an asthma action plan? — An asthma action plan is a list of instructions that tell you:

●What medicines to take at home each day, if any

●What symptoms to watch for

●What other medicines to take if your symptoms get worse

●When to call the doctor or get emergency help

Most action plans have 3 categories:

●Green means that you are breathing well and your asthma symptoms are under control.

●Yellow means that you are having some symptoms and need treatment with a quick-relief medicine.

●Red means that the symptoms are severe and you need medical help.

How do I create an asthma action plan? — You and your doctor will work together to make an asthma action plan. The figure is an example of an action plan (form 1).

Your doctor can help you fill in the information specific to you. For example, different people take different daily "controller" medicines. Some people do not take a daily medicine, and only need treatment if they have an asthma attack.

As part of the action plan, you might need to use a device called a "peak flow meter." This is used at home to see how well your lungs are working. The doctor will show you how to use a peak flow meter.

Your action plan might change over time.

How do I use an asthma action plan? — It's important to be familiar with your action plan. Review it before you need it so you are prepared if you have an asthma attack. You might want to keep extra copies of the action plan so you can find it easily when you need it.

Ask your doctor or nurse if there is anything in the action plan that you do not understand.

More on this topic

Patient education: Asthma in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Medicines for asthma (The Basics)
Patient education: Avoiding asthma triggers (The Basics)
Patient education: Exercise-induced asthma (The Basics)
Patient education: Asthma and pregnancy (The Basics)
Patient education: How to use a peak flow meter (Beyond the Basics)

Patient education: Asthma treatment in adolescents and adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Inhaler techniques in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Trigger avoidance in asthma (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Exercise-induced asthma (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Asthma and pregnancy (Beyond the Basics)