Writing Your Asthma Action Plan

Not knowing what to do during an asthma flare-up can be scary. Symptoms can change quickly, leaving you unsure whether to use your inhaler, call your provider or seek emergency care. An asthma action plan gives you clear instructions before those situations happen.

An asthma action plan helps individuals, their caregivers, and healthcare providers understand how to control and respond to asthma symptoms. You and your physician can create an individualized treatment plan that can give you the best possible control over your asthma. Learn the steps for building an asthma action plan.

Key Takeaways: Asthma Action Plans

• Every person with asthma should have a written asthma action plan. This plan can help you manage your asthma effectively and help others assist you during emergencies.
• Every asthma action plan should include three color-coded zones (green, yellow, red) with specific symptoms and corresponding actions for each level of asthma control.
• Your plan should include medications, triggers and emergency contacts.
• Share your plan with family members, caregivers, teachers and coworkers.
• Review and update your asthma action plan regularly with your provider.

What Is An Asthma Action Plan?

An asthma action plan is your personalized guide for managing your asthma effectively.

"An asthma action plan is a personalized written documentation that we provide instructions for patients to follow at home," said Bassel Ericsoussi, MD, pulmonologist at Franciscan Physician Network Pulmonary & Lung Nodule Clinic Munster. "An asthma action plan empowers patients to recognize worsening asthma early, initiate the appropriate treatment promptly, and seek medical attention before symptoms progress to a severe exacerbation..

“This plan helps the patient to understand and to clarify for them their medication plan, what to do if they have an asthma attack or if the asthma is not well controlled. An asthma action plan guides them through treatment adjustments in response to changes in symptoms and home measurements. 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?’"

How Do I Write An Asthma Action Plan?

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.

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. These triggers may include:
• Pollen or other allergens
• Smoke
• Cold air
• Exercise (when applicable)
• Respiratory viral infections
• Smoke/vaping
• Occupational exposures

What Should I Include In My Asthma Action Plan?

Your asthma action plan should include five key areas:

Your Zones

Your asthma action plan typically uses a color-coded system to categorize your asthma symptoms into three zones. For each zone, include clear instructions specifying when and how to use your asthma medications.

Green Zone

The green zone indicates 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 worsening symptoms, and it's time to take action before they 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.

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. Depending on your treatment plan, the reliever may be a low-dose ICS-formoterol (preferred for many adults and adolescents) or a short-acting beta-agonist (SABA), as directed by your doctor.

Patients should remain up to date with influenza and pneumococcal vaccination, when indicated, as part of comprehensive asthma management.

Information To Help You And Others

Work with your healthcare provider to include in your plan:

• Personalized triggers and symptom descriptions.
• Correct inhaler technique.
• Routine medications for maintaining your health (controller therapy) and preventing asthma exacerbations.
• Peak flow measurements, if applicable.
• Emergency contact information.

How Often Should I Update My Asthma Action Plan?

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.

What Should I Do With My Asthma Action Plan?

Share your asthma action plan with family members, caregivers and teachers, or coworkers, so they know how to assist you during an asthma episode, advises Lucas Huffman, DO, a primary care doctor at Franciscan Physician Network Family Medicine Sierra Park in Greenwood.

Educate others on when and how to use your medications to treat asthma symptoms.

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 when symptoms become worse or in emergencies. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance and adjustments to your asthma plan.

Frequently Asked Questions: Asthma Care

What is the role of an asthma action plan?

An asthma action plan helps people understand how to control and respond to asthma symptoms

“An asthma action plan empowers patients to recognize worsening asthma early, initiate the appropriate treatment promptly, and seek medical attention before symptoms progress to a severe exacerbation,” Dr. Ericsoussi said.

Besides following my asthma action plan, how can I protect my lung health?

Patients should remain up to date with influenza and pneumococcal vaccination, when indicated, as part of comprehensive asthma management.

Regular follow-up with spirometry should be part of ongoing asthma care to assess disease control and guide treatment adjustments.