To track your asthma, keep records of your symptoms check your peak flow number using a peak flow meter and
get regular asthma checkups.
Record Your Symptoms
You can record your asthma symptoms in a diary to see how well your treatments are controlling your asthmT
Asthma is well controlled if You have symptoms no more than 2 days a week and they don t wake you from sleep more than 1 or 2 nights or a month.
You can carry out all your normal activities.
You take quick-relief medicines no more than 2 days a week.
You have no more than one asthma attack a year that requires you to take corticosteroids by mouth
Your peak flow doesnt drop below 80 percent of your personal best number.
If your asthma isnt well controlled, contact your doctor He or she may need to change your asthma action plan.
Use a Peak Flow Meter
This small, hand-held device shows how well air moves out of your lungs. You blow into the device and it gives you a score, or peak flow number. Your score shows how Z your lungs are working at the time of the test When first diagnosed with asthma, its important to find out your personal best peak flow number.
qet during that time is your personal best. You can compare I his number to future numbers to make sure your asthma is under control.
Your peak flow meter can help warn you of an asthma attack, even before you notice symptoms. If your score falls to a number that shows that your breathing is getting worse, you should take your quick-relief medicines the way your asthma action plan directs. Then you can use the peak flow meter to check how well the medicine worked.
Get Asthma Checkups
When you first begin treatment, you will see your doctor about every 2 to 6 weeks. Once your asthma is under control, your doctor may want to see you anywhere from once a month to twice a year. If your control is very good, you may be able to take less medicine. The goal is to use the least amount of medicine needed to control your asthma.
Emergency Care
Most people who have asthma, including many children, can safely manage their symptoms by following the steps for worsening asthma provided in the asthma action plan. However, you may need medical attention. Call your doctor for advice if:
Your medicines dont relieve an asthma attack.
Your peak flow is less than half of your personal best peak flow number.
You have trouble walking and talking because youre out of breath.
You have blue lips or fingernails. At the hospital, you will be closely watched and given
oxygen and more medicines, as well as medicines at higher doses than you take at home. Such treatment can save your life.
Asthma Treatment for Special Groups
The treatments described in this section generally apply to all people who have asthma. However, some aspects of treatment differ for people in certain age groups and those who have special needs.
Children
Its hard to diagnose asthma in children younger than 5 years old. Thus, its hard to know whether young children who wheeze or have other asthma symptoms will benefit from long-term control medicines. Doctors will treat infants and young children who have asthma symptoms with long-term control medicines if the childs asthma health assessment indicates that the symptoms are persistent and likely to continue after 6 years of age.
Inhaled corticosteroids are the preferred treatment for young children. Treatment may be given for a trial period of 1 month to 6 weeks. The treatment usually is stopped if benefits arent seen during that time and the doctor and parents are confident the medicine was used properly. Older Adults
Doctors may need to adjust asthma treatment for older adults who take certain other medicines, such as beta blockers, aspirin and other pain relievers, and anti-inflammatory medicines. Be sure to tell your doctor about all of the medicines you take, including over-the-counter medicines.
Older adults may develop weak bones from using inhaled corticosteroids, especially at high doses. Talk to your doctor about taking calcium and vitamin D pills and other ways to help keep your bones strong.
Pregnant Women
Pregnant women who have asthma need to control the disease to ensure a good supply of oxygen to their babies. Poor asthma control raises the chance that a baby will be born early and have a low birth weight. Poor asthma control can even risk the babys life.
get regular asthma checkups.
Record Your Symptoms
You can record your asthma symptoms in a diary to see how well your treatments are controlling your asthmT
Asthma is well controlled if You have symptoms no more than 2 days a week and they don t wake you from sleep more than 1 or 2 nights or a month.
You can carry out all your normal activities.
You take quick-relief medicines no more than 2 days a week.
You have no more than one asthma attack a year that requires you to take corticosteroids by mouth
Your peak flow doesnt drop below 80 percent of your personal best number.
If your asthma isnt well controlled, contact your doctor He or she may need to change your asthma action plan.
Use a Peak Flow Meter
This small, hand-held device shows how well air moves out of your lungs. You blow into the device and it gives you a score, or peak flow number. Your score shows how Z your lungs are working at the time of the test When first diagnosed with asthma, its important to find out your personal best peak flow number.
qet during that time is your personal best. You can compare I his number to future numbers to make sure your asthma is under control.
Your peak flow meter can help warn you of an asthma attack, even before you notice symptoms. If your score falls to a number that shows that your breathing is getting worse, you should take your quick-relief medicines the way your asthma action plan directs. Then you can use the peak flow meter to check how well the medicine worked.
Get Asthma Checkups
When you first begin treatment, you will see your doctor about every 2 to 6 weeks. Once your asthma is under control, your doctor may want to see you anywhere from once a month to twice a year. If your control is very good, you may be able to take less medicine. The goal is to use the least amount of medicine needed to control your asthma.
Emergency Care
Most people who have asthma, including many children, can safely manage their symptoms by following the steps for worsening asthma provided in the asthma action plan. However, you may need medical attention. Call your doctor for advice if:
Your medicines dont relieve an asthma attack.
Your peak flow is less than half of your personal best peak flow number.
You have trouble walking and talking because youre out of breath.
You have blue lips or fingernails. At the hospital, you will be closely watched and given
oxygen and more medicines, as well as medicines at higher doses than you take at home. Such treatment can save your life.
Asthma Treatment for Special Groups
The treatments described in this section generally apply to all people who have asthma. However, some aspects of treatment differ for people in certain age groups and those who have special needs.
Children
Its hard to diagnose asthma in children younger than 5 years old. Thus, its hard to know whether young children who wheeze or have other asthma symptoms will benefit from long-term control medicines. Doctors will treat infants and young children who have asthma symptoms with long-term control medicines if the childs asthma health assessment indicates that the symptoms are persistent and likely to continue after 6 years of age.
Inhaled corticosteroids are the preferred treatment for young children. Treatment may be given for a trial period of 1 month to 6 weeks. The treatment usually is stopped if benefits arent seen during that time and the doctor and parents are confident the medicine was used properly. Older Adults
Doctors may need to adjust asthma treatment for older adults who take certain other medicines, such as beta blockers, aspirin and other pain relievers, and anti-inflammatory medicines. Be sure to tell your doctor about all of the medicines you take, including over-the-counter medicines.
Older adults may develop weak bones from using inhaled corticosteroids, especially at high doses. Talk to your doctor about taking calcium and vitamin D pills and other ways to help keep your bones strong.
Pregnant Women
Pregnant women who have asthma need to control the disease to ensure a good supply of oxygen to their babies. Poor asthma control raises the chance that a baby will be born early and have a low birth weight. Poor asthma control can even risk the babys life.
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